CHAPTER X.

WOMEN AND THE ARTS.

Development of the arts in the seventeenth century--Introduction of women on the stage--Corruption of the period-- Character of the drama--Wearing masks by spectators-- The French company at Blackfriars Theatre--The first English company with women players--Famous actresses-- English female artists in the Stuart period--Foundation of the Royal Academy of Arts--Angelica Kaufmann and Mary Moser elected members--Their career--Fanny Reynolds-- Sir Joshua’s opinion of his sister’s work--Mrs. Cosway-- Mrs. Carpenter--Character of eighteenth-century work-- Women’s place in musical art--Musical education in early times--Love of music in the sixteenth century--Instruments played by women--Music abolished by the Puritans--Musical maidservants in the seventeenth century--The first English opera--Purcell’s early work--Performance at a ladies’ school 275

PERIOD III.

_LIFE IN THE LAST CENTURY._