avarice, and solitude, in which she shewed an uncommon degree of knowledge and piety.
CIBBER, SUSANNA MARIA,
Who for several years was considered not only the best actress in England, but thought by many superior to the celebrated Mdlle. Clairon, of Paris, was the daughter of an upholsterer of Covent-Garden, and sister to Dr. Thomas Augustin Arne, celebrated for his taste in musical composition. Her first appearance on the stage was as a singer, but either her judgment or ear was not equal to her sweetness of voice. She married, in April, 1734, Theophilus Cibber, who was then a widower. This marriage was not pleasing to Colley Cibber, the father, but he was induced to forgive them. He was then manager of Drury-Lane Theatre, and one day at rehearsal, his son happening to say he hoped young Mrs. Gibber might be brought on in speaking parts, Colley desired her to declaim before him, and was surprised to find such a variety of powers of voice, face, figure, and expression united. She appeared on the stage in 1736, in the character of Zara, in the first representation of Aaron Hill's tragedy. The audience were astonished and delighted, and her reputation as an actress was established.
But her domestic tranquillity did not equal her public success. Her husband was luxurious, prodigal, rapacious, and unscrupulous, and dishonourable in his means of obtaining money. She soon discontinued living with him, and resided entirely with a man on whom Mr. Cibber bestowed the appellation of Mr. Benefit. She retained her beauty and her power of pleasing, as an actress, for a long time. She died January 30th., 1766, and was buried at Westminster; leaving one child by the gentleman with whom she lived.
CICCI, MARIE LOUISA,
Was born at Pisa, in 1760. When she was seven years old her father placed her in a convent, ordered her to be instructed merely in domestic duties, and forbade her to be taught even to write. By stealth, however, she read some of the best poets, and acquired the rudiments of writing, supplying the want of pen and ink by grape-juice and bits of wood. With these rude materials she wrote her first verses in her tenth year. At a more mature age, she made herself mistress of natural philosophy, of the English and French languages, and studied the works of Locke and Newton. Her Anacreontic verses are distinguished by their graceful ease and spirit. In private life she was virtuous and amiable. She died in 1794.
CINCHON, COUNTESS OF,
The wife of the viceroy of Peru, was the first person who brought the Peruvian bark to Europe, and made known its virtues. This took place in 1632. In honour of her, Linnaeus gave the name of Cinchona to the genus of plants by which the bark is produced.
CIRANI, ELIZABETH,
A native of Bologna, was eminently distinguished as a painter. Though she was happy in tender and delicate subjects, she excelled also in the great and terrible. Her genius gained her many friends,
