A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Calderon de la Barca, Frances Erskine
CALDERON DE LA BARCA, FRANCES ERSKINE,
Is by birth a native of Scotland, her father being a descendant of the Earls of Bachan, and a grandson of the celebrated Colonel Gardiner, mentioned in Scott's "Waverley," who fell at Preston-Pans. The wife of Colonel Gardiner was Lady Frances Erskine, daughter of the Earl of Buchan, and famous in her time both for her beauty, and her correspondence with Dr. Doddridge, as well as other celebrated divines. Mr. Inglis, the father of Madame de Calderon, lost his property when she was quite young, and, in consequence, removed with his family to Normandy, where they resided for several years. After her father's decease, Miss Inglis accompanied her mother and the rest of the family to America. For six years Fanny Inglis assisted in the instruction of a school, established by her mother and sister in Boston, and was considered an excellent teacher. This portion of her history is a model for young ladies, who should cheerfully assist in sustaining themselves and others dear to them, whenever such necessity occurs. Fanny Inglis while in adversity showed herself worthy of estimation and esteem, and the honour she gained is all the higher, because paid to her talents and virtues when the smiles of fortune were withdrawn.
In 1838, Miss Inglis was married to his Excellency Don Calderon de la Barca, a collateral descendant, we believe, of the great dramatist, Calderon, and went to reside at Washington. In 1840, M. de Calderon being appointed to Mexico, they passed two years there, and the experiences of those years have been recorded in the hook which has rendered Madame Calderon so justly celebrated. Her work entitled "Life in Mexico," was published in 1843; it is written in a spirited, graphic, and fascinating style, and it is impossible not to feel that the brilliant pictures in it are drawn from nature; by reading it we obtain an insight into the ways of tropical life, and the habits of the Mexicans of all classes, for she observes everything. The general accuracy of her account has never been questioned, while a slight vein of romance running through her description, has infused a spirit of life and vivacity into her book, making it a most delightful as well as useful work. In 1844, M. Calderon being again named minister to the United States, the family returned to Washington, where they have since resided. During the last seven years, after three years of devoted study, Madame Calderon has become a Roman Catholic, with a thorough conviction that she has embraced the true faith.