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 Ardor and Application.--The Englishman’s Prophecy.--Rosa vowed to Art.--Devoted to the Study of Animals.--Excursions in the Country in search of Models.--Visits the _Abattoirs_.--Study of various Types.--Visits the Museums and Stables.--Resorts to the horse and cattle Fairs in male Attire.--Curious Adventures.--Anatomical Studies.--Advantages of her Excursions.--Her Father her only Teacher.--The Family of Artists.--Rosa’s pet Birds and Sheep.--Her first Appearance.--Rising Reputation.--Takes the gold Medal.--Proclaimed the new Laureat.--Death of her Father.--Rosa Directress of the School of Design.--Her Sister a Professor.--“The Horse-market.”--Rosa’s Paintings.--Bestows her Fortune on others.--Her Farm.--Drawings presented to Charities.--Demand for her Paintings.--Her Right to the Cross of the Legion of Honor.--The Emperor’s Refusal to grant it to a Woman.--Description of her Residence and her Studio.--Rosa found asleep.--Her personal Appearance.--Dress.--Her Character.--Her Industry.--Mademoiselle Micas.--Mountain Rambles.--Rosa’s Visit to Scotland.--Her Life in the Mountains.--At the Spanish Posada.--Threatened Starvation.--Cooking Frogs.--The Muleteers.--Rosa’s Scotch Terrier.--Her Resolution never to marry. 246