Durango semi-weekly herald., 1902-02-03
lated into all the European lam
guages. The English translation

two centuries that followed. The
Cornaro theory found many believers
His disciples were numerous in every
European city, and the fad lasted
much longer than such things usual
ly do. Three of his intimate friends
in Venice, who adopted the same diet
and lived on one egg and glass OF
wine a day, reached the ages of 81
95 and 96 respectively.
But Lucretia Cornaro was not the
only famous woman of her age in
Italy. Novella Andrea, who gradu-
ated from the University of Bologna
in 1928, more than $50 years before.
was also famous for legal learning,
although she never practiced law.
She lectured in the law schools ct
Padua. Pavia and Pisa. where her
father was professor, and there
was so little difference in the learn
ing of the daughter and the old man
that she used to take his place in the
lecture-room frequently, but she was
so beautiful that the faculty required
her to sit behind screen or wear
a heavy veil to conceal her features
for fear of distracting the minds of
the students.
Giovanni Andrea. the father, was
the most learned authority on legal
questions in all Italy in the fourteen
tn century, and wrote several treat
ises. in which he was assisted by his
daughter. Her work was SO mixed
up with his that 1t could not be dis
in icIa aI
fit of both, because their joint writ
ings were published in his name.
The only printed volume which bears
her name is "On the Responsibility
of Matrimony" the subject being
treated from legal. moral and philo-
sophical standpoints. She seemed to
know all about it, although she was
never married, but had the good
sense not to write on the proper
training of children.
DR. Andrea was a dwarf and ex-
tremely sensitive about his statue
Pope Boniface VIII. sent for him to
come to Rome and received him with
great honor in the presence of the
college of cardinals, and he was SO
short that the pope supposed he was
kneeling and asked him three times
to rise before he discovered his mis-
take. The cardinals were SO anus
ed that they laughed outright, and
Andrea was so mortified that he i'm
mediately left the vatican and never
returned again. He died in 1848, af.
ter having lectured on law for forty
six years. His tomb may be seen in
the Church of the .Dominicans at Bo-
logna.
St Catherine of Sienna was one of
the most intellectual of women. She
was considered the greatest women
of the fourteenth century. She con-
Quoted theological discussions with
popes, cardinals and bishops; she
corresponded with profound philoso-
pliers and was supposed to be
very learned. but as matter of fact
she was almost entirely without edu.
cation, and hence her gifts of knowl-
edge, argument and eloquence were
believed to have been miraculous
She was the daughter of a poor dyer
of Sienna named Beninasca, and
scarcely had any schooling, but be-
gan to see visions in 1855 when she
was only s years old, and took the
veil at an early age. During her
time the church was torn with dog
matte dissensions and the theological
controversies in which she took part
and held her own against the great
est thinkers and orators of the time.
In 1887 she persuaded Pope Gregory
vi. to transfer the papal throne from
Avignon to Rome. She died in 1880
and was canonized in 1868. The
in the most humble quarter of Sienna
and was preserved as a museum for
her relics and those of other saints.
lzetto d'Montefeltro, who lived
about the same time, was famous
as a linguist, poet and philosopher,
and four generations OF women of
the Batistua family were equally IA
nous. The most famous woman of
the sixteenth century was Vittoria
Colonna, daughter of the grand con
stable of Naples, who was born in
1890 and died in 1547 Her hand was
sought in marriage by the Duke of
Savoy, one of the most powerful and
honorable mobiles of Europe, but at
II she married the Marquis of Pes
cara, to whom she had been betroth.
ed when only years old. Her hus-
band was one of the most active and
brilliant generals of Charles ", EN-
peror of Spain and Germany. but
his promising career terminated by
death from wounds received in bat
tie before he was 2S years old. His
widow, still mere girl, went to
Rome, where she became famous as
scholar and poet, and author.
She took an active part in politics.
was a patron of the arts and sciences
was the adviser of popes, kings and
cardinals, and the object of passion
ate devotion of Michael Angelo, who
repeatedly offered her marriage.
Several of his sonets are addressed
to her. and some of his best pictures
are dedicated In her honor. He de.
designed a church she built for Cath.
crime of Sienna. which is now shown
tn Tourists in Rorpn Vlttoria NoI