The encouragement Goëthe has given, in his observations on the women artists of his day, is applicable to those of the present. They have taken more firm hold, and manifested yet more ability in the profession. If many of them have been deficient in creative power, they have shown themselves capable of the highest excellence in the tender, the graceful, the pathetic, the ideal, and in the delicacy and quick perception, which often achieves so much, as by intuition. Dr. Guhl regards the indications of the present age as exceedingly promising, and urges women to enlarged ambition and activity. Severe exertions are demanded, but when was any success worth having commanded without them? The time is now ripe for their emulation of their most eminent rivals of the other sex, not by laying aside womanly delicacy, but by labors entirely consistent with that true modesty which will ever be the most attractive ornament of the sex. History is the great teacher of the present; and what we have seen of the achievements of by-gone ages is so full of encouragement, that it is but reasonable to look for still greater triumphs in the wider arena now opened, than have yet crowned the genius or the persevering industry of woman. CHAPTER XVII. THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. Felicie de Fauveau.--Parentage.--Her Mother a Legitimist.--The Daughter’s Inheritance of Loyalty.--Removals.--Felicie’s Studies.--Learns to Model.--Resolves to be a Sculptor.--Labor becoming to a Gentlewoman.--Her first Works.--Early Triumphs.--Social Circle in Paris.--Evening Employments.--Revival of a peculiar Taste.--Mediæval Fashions.--The bronze Lamp.--Equestrian Sketch.--Effect of the Revolution of 1830.--The two Felicies leave Paris.--A rural Conspiracy.--A domiciliary Visit.--Escape of the Ladies.--Discovery and Capture.--The Stratagem at the Inn.--Escape of Madame in Disguise.--Imprisonment of Mademoiselle.--Works in Prison.--Return to Paris.--Politics again.--Felicie banished.--Breaks up her Studio.--Poverty and Privation.--Residence in Florence.--Brighter Days.--Character of Felicie.--Personal Appearance.--Her Dwelling and Studio.--Her Works.--The casting of a bronze Statue.--Industry and Retirement.--“A good Woman and a great Artist.”--ROSA BONHEUR.--Her Birth in Bordeaux.--Her Father.--Rosa a Dunce in Childhood.--Her Parrot.--Rambles.--The Spanish Poet.--Removal to Paris.--Revolution and Misfortune.--Death of Madame Bonheur.--The Children at School.--Rosa detests Books and loves Roaming.--Remarriage of Bonheur.--Rosa a Seamstress.--Hates the Occupation.--Prefers turning the Lathe.--Her Unhappiness.--Placed at a Boarding-school.--Her Pranks and Caricatures.--Abhorrence of Study.--Mortification at her Want of fine Clothes.--Resolves to achieve a Name and a Place in the World.--Discontent and Gloom.--Return home.--Left to herself.--Works in the Studio.--Her Vocation apparent.--Studies at the Louvre.--Her