A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Donne, Maria Dalle-
DONNE, MARIA DALLE-,
Was born 1776, in a village called Boncastaldo, eighteen miles from Bologna. Her parents were worthy people in humble circumstances, but she had an uncle who was an ecclesiastic, and he, struck with her uncommon intelligence as a child, determined to take charge of her education, and for this purpose carried her home with him to Bologna. This good priest had apartments near the medical college, and was on terras of the most intimate friendship with the celebrated and learned Dr. Luigi Rodati. The latter, observing the quick talents of the little girl, took pleasure in asking her questions to exercise her mind, and at last became so interested in her mental developments, that he instructed her in Latin and the other parts of knowledge which are in general reserved for those intended for professional studies. Besides his own cares, he obtained for her the friendship and tuition of Canterzani, a roan who could boast of an European reputation, as his fame for learning and knowledge extended through that continent. He was so delighted with the genius, the industry, and amiable character of Maria, that he neglected nothing to cultivate her abilities to the utmost. The most abstruse sciences were studied and thoroughly investigated, and her natural inclinations tending to medical researches, she was led to the study of comparative anatomy and experimental physic. Her masters were, besides Canterzani and Rodati, the noted surgeon, Tarsizio Riviera, a man of most profound erudition, the great physician Aldini, and the pathologist Uttini.
These gentlemen, who valued Maria as much for her excellent disposition and conscientious character as for her shining qualifications, considering that she was extremely poor, deliberated whether she should assume the profession of medicine as a means of support. A deformity of the shoulders, which deprived her of a share in the ordinary amusements of young persons, seemed to isolate her among her companions; and these learned professors, perfectly convinced of her competency, persuaded her to offer herself as a candidate for a medical degree, and; by practising this useful and honourable art, to provide for herself. She, with characteristic good sense, objected that the prejudice against her sex assuming such functions would prevent her admission, whatever might be her qualifications. This was undeniable, but her friends thought if she would submit herself to a public and close examination for three days, that all prejudice must be dispelled by evident and incontrovertible facts.
On the 1st. of August, 1799, the vast building used for the purpose of the examination was thronged. Every doctor, every man of science, speeded to witness the defeat, as he anticipated, of this presumptuous young woman. She was modestly attired in black; her tranquil countenance and decorous mien seemed equally removed from arrogance and false shame. The ordeal she went through was of the most trying sort. Difficulties were offered that the proposers themselves were unable to solve. The candidate, without the slightest discomposure, with most profound analysis, and with the clearest reasoning, manifested her perfect acquaintance with every subject propounded. The assembly kindled into enthusiasm, and she was unanimously invested with every honour the faculty had to distribute. From that time, under the title of Doctress, she practised medicine with the greatest success. Nor was her knowledge limited to that science; it could not be denied by unwilling men, that this woman could compete with them on all points, whether of philosophy or eloquence. Her Latin speeches were second to none, and her lectures were delivered in the most elegant and forcible manner. In the sequel she was nominated Professor of Obstetrics, and presided over a school for women in that branch of medical art. To her pupils she was motherly, generous, and kind; but as an instructress she was eminently severe. She considered their functions of such importance that she exacted the most particular knowledge, and would overlook no neglect.
The Doctress found time to cultivate the belles-lettres, and excelled in writing both Latin and Italian verses, but of this accomplishment she thought so lightly that she never kept any copies of her productions. In music she had attained sufficient proficiency to play on the oitgan in her parish church, St. Catarina di Saragozza, when any emergency demanded her aid.
In 1842, this excellent, pious, and valuable woman, having dismissed her servants one evening, retired to bed. In a short time one of the women heard a slight groan from her mistress; she ran to the bed, and found her seized with apoplexy. She hurried for a physician, but it was too late; when he arrived Maria was dead.