Ellen Cooper, the youngest daughter of the celebrated Dr. Thomas Cooper, was a native of Columbia, South Carolina. She had a fine taste and much skill in painting and ornamental work, and was remarkable for intellectual culture and knowledge of general literature. She lived some years in Mobile with her sister, and there married Mr. James Hanna, who took her to reside on his sugar plantation near Thibodeaux, in Louisiana. She died in October, 1858. Her sister is one of the most accomplished amateur artists in the Southern States. About seven years ago a School of Design for Women was started by Miss Hamilton, which, supported by voluntary contributions, met with encouraging success. It has now been adopted by the trustees of the Cooper Institute, and a sum is allowed annually for the support of teachers. The attendance of pupils in 1859 has been double that of any former year. MARY ANN DOUGLAS, now Mrs. Johnson, is a native of Westfield, Massachusetts, where she at present resides. She was married at eighteen, and had been a wife four years before her artist-life commenced. While a prisoner in her room, on account of sickness, she amused herself by copying a landscape in oil-colors. The success of this attempt opened to her a new source of activity and pleasure. She devoted herself to the study of painting, and labored with such earnestness and fidelity that her efforts were crowned with success beyond her anticipations. Her attention was directed especially to portraits. For the last four or five years she has worked in crayon almost exclusively, and has found employment abundantly remunerative. A visit to New London, Connecticut, was prolonged to nine months’ stay, so great was the popularity of her works in that place; and during a trip into Central New York she painted many portraits in oil at excellent prices. Her indefatigable patience in the execution of details, the fidelity of her likenesses, and the delicate perfection of finish in her pictures, are remarkable. In the relations of social life Mrs. Johnson has shown herself amiable and self-sacrificing. She has not an acquaintance who does not rejoice in the triumphs so worthily won in spite of many discouragements. CHAPTER XX. THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.