Whatever difference of opinion there may be respecting the genius and works of this sculptress, there can be none in pronouncing her an extraordinary woman. She would have been called “strong-minded” in our day, for she sent a friendly message to Napoleon on the eve of Waterloo, canvassed an election for Fox, and entertained Queen Caroline during her trial! In her estimation, genius and generous impulse were above the conventionalities of birth and fashion. It is difficult to estimate fairly the productions of a favored child of wealth and splendor, and one eminent for learning and wit. Her works have been severely criticised, and those who most admire her independent career, are disposed to deny her the possession of great originality and such a practical knowledge of art as would enable her to finish with a good degree of perfection. It has been remarked, however, that her conception was generally superior to her execution. CHAPTER XIII. THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. Mary Moser.--Nollekens’ House.--Skill in Flower-painting.--The Fashions.--Queen Charlotte.--Patience Wright.--Birth in New Jersey.--Quaker Parents.--Childish Taste for Modeling.--Marriage.--Widowhood.--Wax-modeling.--Rivals Madame Tussaud.--Residence in England.--Sympathy with America in Rebellion.--Correspondence with Franklin.--Intelligence conveyed.--Freedom of Speech to Majesty.--Franklin’s Postscript.--“The Promethean Modeler.”--Letter to Jefferson.--Patriotism.--Art the Fashion.--Aristocratic lady Artists.--Princesses Painting.--Lady Beauclerk.--Walpole’s “Beauclerk Closet.”--Designs and Portrait.--Lady Lucan.--Her Illustrations of Shakspeare.--Walpole’s Criticism.--Other Works.--Mary Benwell and others.--Anna Smyters and others.--Madame Prestel.--Mrs. Grace.--Mrs. Wright.--Flower-painters.--Catherine Read and others.--Maria Cosway.--Peril in Infancy.--Lessons.--Resolution to take the Veil.--Visit to London.--Marriage.--Cosway’s Painting.--Vanity and Extravagance.--The beautiful Italian Paintress.--Cosway’s Prudence and Management.--Brilliant evening Receptions.--Aristocratic Friends.--The Epigram on the Gate.--Splendid new House and Furniture.--Failing Health.--France and Italy.--Institution at Lodi.--Singular Occurrence.--Death of Cosway.--Return to Lodi.--Maria’s Style and Works. MARY MOSER. This lady, a member of the Royal Academy in London, is mentioned by the biographers of Nollekens as “skillful in painting flowers, sarcastic when she held the pen.” She liked to visit the illiterate Nollekens, at whose house, with a cup of tea, she occasionally enjoyed the company of Dr. Johnson. Smith does not hesitate to charge her with having set her cap at Fuseli, “but his heart, unfortunately, had already been deeply pierced by Angelica Kauffman.”