Toward the close of the century, Sophie Hedwig, the daughter of King Christian V., became noted as an artist, gaining much reputation by her performances in portrait, landscape, and flower painting. Neither in Denmark nor in England was any special direction given to art by the national character; on the contrary, in both these countries, the prevailing taste was governed by that of foreign nations--as the Dutch and German. ENGLISH FEMALE ARTISTS. In England there were not many women artists, although in literature the sex was not without its share of laurels, and in dramatic poetry and prose romance women contended for appreciation with masculine writers. The poetess Joanna Weston was a great admirer of Anna Maria Schurmann, and took her for a model; but there were no painters who could be compared in merit to the women who cultivated poetry. As miniature-painters, Susannah Penelope Gibson may be mentioned; also Penelope Cleyn. The latter was the daughter of a German painter, and her sisters Magdalen and Sarah were also devoted to the art. They painted the portrait of Richard Cromwell’s daughter. Mary More obtained some distinction as a portrait-painter. It was in England that the Princess Hollandina, before mentioned, took lessons in painting, with her sister Sophie, from Gerard Honthorst. In the noble art of etching Anna and Susannah Lister were regarded as having much skill; they illustrated a work on natural history by their father, in the manner of Madame Merian, by their artistic efforts. A lady connoisseur and engraver of much taste was the Countess of Carlisle. She perhaps set the fashion afterward followed by so many fair dilettanti, who exercised so much influence in England during the succeeding century. Susan Penelope Rose, according to Lord Orford, was the daughter of Richard Gibson the Dwarf. She married a jeweler, and became noted for painting portraits in water colors with great freedom. Her miniatures were larger than usual. She died at forty-eight in 1700. A contemporary of Vandyck was Mrs. Anna Carlisle, who died about 1680. She was celebrated for her copies of the Italian masters. Charles I. esteemed her highly. She once shared with Vandyck a present from their royal patron, of ultramarine; it is said to have cost the king five hundred pounds. This renders it probable that she painted in oil; for the quantity was too large for use in miniatures. One of her works represents herself teaching a lady to paint. This artist must not be confounded with the Countess of Carlisle, who was distinguished for her beautiful engravings of the works of Salvator Rosa, Guido, etc. MARY BEALE,