tinguished painter of the German school. The artist was, one day, deeply engaged, in finishing a work for the king, and being interrupted, by the entrance of a great lord of the court, very unceremoniously turned him out of his The courtier, on making complaint to his majesty of the impudence of the painter, received the following answer,-"Of seven peasants, I can make as many lords; but God, only, can make a Hans Holbein."

room.

We have already remarked, that females do not often pay sufficient attention to the art, to excel in historical painting. There are some ladies in our country, who, by their copies of eminent paintings, have discovered a high degree of talent; and, could they have the opportunity of travelling for improvement, of devoting years to the study of the first works, and in the society of distinguished artists, their names might hereafter be enrolled among those who have gained, by the productions of the pencil, a name for future ages. But there are many causes to prevent females from aspiring to eminence in the fine arts, among which, may be mentioned their physical constitutions. Few possess sufficient firmness of health, to endure years of such unremitting labor, as are requisite to form the artist. Angelica Kauffman became celebrated, for her admirable productions, even in Italy, the land of painters. On going to England, she received the most flattering attentions, was invited to paint the whole royal family, and was made a member of the Royal Academy of the Fine Arts. It was here, also, that she became the victim of a most cruel revenge. An English artist, having been rejected by Mademoiselle Kauffman, selected a dissolute footman, of a handsome person and insinuating manners, whom he very richly dressed, and caused to be introduced to her as Count Horn, a nobleman of distinction. A foreigner, and imperfectly understanding the language and manners of the country, she became the dupe of this artifice, which was triumphantly disclosed, after she had become the wife of the pretended Count. She easily obtained a divorce; but allowed an annuity to the wretch, who had lent himself to so base a plot. She died, in Rome, in 1807, leaving a large for

tune to charitable institutions. Angelica Kauffman was highly esteemed by Dr. Johnson, and other distinguished literary men, as well as by the first artists of the day; and formed one of the most brilliant ornaments of a coterie of ladies, with whom such men were proud to associate. Among these ladies, was a Miss Moser, distinguished for the beauty and delicacy of her flower-painting, and who was also a member of the Royal Academy. These are almost solitary instances, of females being publicly recognised as artists.

Mrs. Damer, an English lady, of high descent, of distinguished beauty and grace, and the star of the fashionable world, became suddenly the votary of the fine arts, especially sculpture. The following is the account, given of the trifling circumstance which first caused her devotion to this art. When not over twenty years old, as she was walking with the historian, David Hume, a little Italian desired them to look at some plaster figures. Mr. Hume good-naturedly examined and praised them, giving the boy a trifle for his encouragement. His fair companion, afterwards, satirically related this, in company, with an intimation that a grave philosopher might better occupy his time, than in attention to paltry plaster images. Hume gravely replied, "those images, young lady, were not made without the aid of both science and genius; with all your attainments, you cannot produce such works.' Thus challenged, she privately procured modelling tools, and, in a few days, presented to her monitor a head, moulded in wax. "This," said he, "is clever. You have found it no easy task; but it is much easier to model in wax, than carve in marble." With a resolution, which always attends those who make great attainments, she procured marble, and the proper tools, and, with great ingenuity, copied the bust which she had made in wax. Soon after this, the public learned, with astonishment, that Mrs. Damer, the only and beautiful daughter of Marshal Conway, had forsaken the circles of fashion, banished from her mind all pretension on the score of high birth, and was resolutely seeking to distinguish herself, by what she felt to be the only true nobility, works of

genius. She was now to be seen, in a close cap, to keep the dust from her hair, and a long apron, to preserve her damask gown and satin slippers, working in wet clay, or with an iron hammer in one hand, and a steel chisel in the other, cunningly carving heads in marble. Although we cannot but admire the energy and enthusiasm of this lady, we still feel, that she stepped out of the legitimate province of woman. And, with all her efforts and perseverance, she did not attain the rank even of a second-rate artist. Had the same talents and industry been employed, in some manner more suitable to the delicacy of her frame and the duties of her station, how much might she have benefitted and improved the world!

We have now considered the various branches, included in a liberal course of female education. We have seen, that the great object to be had in view is, not to form beings to dazzle the world with a glittering and transient splendor, but to give to society women, with minds strengthened and prepared for the various duties of life, and capable of appreciating, and rightly directing, their influence.

The sphere of woman's duty is, in most cases, confined to private and domestic life; and although she may, and ought to, do all in her power to elevate, refine, and embellish, whatever lies within her own circle, she should be cautious of suffering her desires to extend beyond it. If genius, circumstance of fortune,-I might better say, the providence of God,-assign to her a more public and conspicuous station, she ought cheerfully to do all that her own powers, aided by the blessing of God, can achieve; and, as far as human feelings will allow, act fearlessly of human censure, looking to a higher tribunal, for the reward of her labors.

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PART V.

TEACHING AND TEACHERS.

CHAPTER XXVII.

PROFESSION OF TEACHING.

WHILE those, who are looking forward to a future station as teachers, may be interested by a consideration of their duties, and the requisite qualifications for their performance; it is to be presumed, that all young persons may be disposed to consider, with attention, a profession which might be a resource to them, under future vicissitudes of fortune.

You will observe, that I use the term profession. Teaching is, indeed, at the present day, considered as a profession, and a dignified and noble one. A path has been opened, for females of energy and talents, in which they may walk independently, and without feeling that they are cast out from the pale of good society, because they are useful to the world.

In our country, the time indeed has never been, when women of acknowledged talents and refinements were excluded from any circle, because they were instructers; but yet, there has been a kind of side-way obloquy attached to the calling. Those, who were engaged in it, have been too frequently obliged to assert their rights, and to claim that place, which respect and gratitude would have voluntarily awarded to them. In this, they have been obliged to do violence to that delicacy, which always accompanies true worth; and they doubtless would much

rather have retired into obscurity, than have encountered the cold and supercilious glances of those, who are unable to see, in the qualities of intellect, merit superior to the advantages of wealth. But there is a feeling in conscious worth, which seems to demand justice, and which will seek its own level, whatever may be the opposing obstacles. Many, who have seemed aspiring and haughty, when the world has refused them justice, have, under more auspicious circumstances, appeared unostentatious and amiable.

At present, however, there is no cause of complaint against public sentiment, as it relates to the estimation in which the profession of teaching is held. Among the first women of our country, first in the most distinguished circles, first in the religious and benevolent societies, first in Sunday schools, and first in domestic duties, are to be found teachers, or those who have been such ; and of all that they have done in life, nothing, probably, affords them more satisfaction, than the consciousness, that they were useful in that profession, and that many a young heart cherishes their memory with gratitude and affection.

In many of our distinguished female institutions, young ladies, of fortune and high expectations, have esteemed it an honor to serve as teachers, for the improvement which the situation afforded to themselves. Mrs. Sigourney, in her letters to young ladies, says," I have no hesitation in pronouncing the labor of instruction more beneficial to the teacher, than even to the pupil. If a young lady, when her term of school education is completed, should devote a period to the instruction of others, she would find the advantage on her own side, not only in the depth, confirmation, and readiness for use, which would enhance the value of her knowledge, but in that acquaintance with human nature, self-command, and re-action of moral training upon herself, which is above all price."

Every thing, at the present day, favors female exertion. Fashion herself dares no longer to attempt branding with the epithet of vulgar, the woman who would volunteer to watch the dawning of youthful intellect, to subdue and direct the opening passions, and to give an upward aim to