A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Challie, Madame de
CHALLIE, MADAME DE,
Is distinguished among the living authoresses of France, not only for devoting herself to the highest regions of moral and political philosophy, but for having succeeded in producing a work which is admitted by enlightened judges to be classed among the most distinguished writings of the day. We allude to the book called "Essai sur la liberte, l'egalite, et la fraternite." which was published in Paris, July, 1850. The title, it must be confessed, is rather appalling; associated as it is with so much that is absurd, and so much that is horrible; but we can encourage the reader to pass over this scare-crow, and he will find the utmost interest, and the most instructive views, from the clear good sense and enlightened intellect that has dictated the essay. Madame de Challié shows these three principles originally implanted by God in the bosom of man, afterwards obscured and corrupted by the vices of Paganism, at last purified and restored in the human life of Christ, and from that time exercising an ever-increasing influence. At this moment, when every month produces a sterile revolution, when patent theories for communities to exist independent of religion, self-denial, activity, and all-elevating sentiments, are every day propounded, we hail with respect a book which pleads in every page with convincing reasoning the cause of true liberty, sound morality, and individual activity, fortified and regulated by the Christian spirit. The author deserves particular commendation. Hitherto English women have claimed the dignity of ethical and scientific treatises, while the French women of the present day, however witty and intelligent, have distinguished themselves in the comparatively trifling department of the novelist. Madame de Challié has opened the way to a more thoughtful and a more important field of literature, where we trust she will be followed by some of her ingenious compatriots.