Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-02-28
OLD-TIME BEAUTIES.
Ancient and Modern WOmen-SOme.
thing about their FascinatiOns
and Surroundings.
Pleasant Treatment OF a Pleasant
Theme-CIaSsic Names ana
Familiar Names.

Hypatia, the Greek philosopher and
religious martyr, Zenobia, the beautiful
but unfortunate Palmyrian Queen, and
Aspasia, the companion and competitor
of Pericles, and of whom Madame de
Stael says: She IS model Of female
loveliness, an Alexander of heroism," "
are scarcely prototypes of any of the
women of more modern times. Yet the
history of the last and present centuries
furnish many instances Of notable wo-
men who have made their influences
felt in the affairs of their time. The
character Of that influence, and to what
good end are not always apparent, but
the fact and the magnitude are un-
doubted.
Nine. de Pompadour probably fur
nishes the most notable example that
can be found in any age or country Of
what an education intended merely for
show, in conjunction with woman's 5 tact
can accomplish. OF obscure parentage,
she was adopted and educated by rich
tinancier, and married her cousin, lie
Normay l'Elioles, who was said to be a
man Of whom any woman might be
proud, and who loved her deyotedly.
She, however, left her husband to enjoy
the royal favor Of Louis XIV, who made
her the Marquise de Pompadour. She
became the close friend and political ad-
wiser Of the King; the undoubted Pre-
mier of France-appointing ministers,
ambassadors, generals, aud maintaining
correspondence with foreign courts. The
Royal Council convened in her boudoir.
Maria Theresa, for political ends, ad-
dressed her as ma cousine." Her ex-
trayagance knew no limit; she lightened
the Kings treasury during her short
reign over $l50,00O,OOO. She died at
about forty-fve, at the zenith of her
power. This woman acquired and held
her influence by sheer force of what
might be called surface fascination, her
education having been of the ornamental
type, ,eexpressly confined to music, eloou-
ton and drawing. She possessed great
beauty of face and figure, and cultivated
dress as a fine art. In temperament
cold, heartless and ambitious, every
GRACE of face and person was made sub
servient to some selfish purpose. Her
chief power undoubtedly lay in the
skillful handling of her forces to meet
the demands of the vacilating King.
Among the women famous for beauty,
wit and want of modesty in the time OF
Louis XIV, Ninon de pEnclos was the
most notorious. Though openly de-
she was net entirely excluded
rom the higher ranks OF society. The
young son Of Madame de Sevigne was
said to have been as enamored OF Ninon
when she was fifty-four years old as was
MS father 10 his youth. She is said to
lave preserved her beasiy and appear
lnce Of youth to the last
Madame de Stael was one OF the
French women who did not rule society
IT fascinate By beauty or vices. She
unused herself at the aarly age of eleven
" writing comedies and tragedies. She
vas the first leader Of society both dn-
ing and after the Empire. Her fine
mind, popularity as an authoress and
to join his party incurred
Japoleon's hatred, and he never ceased
n his prosecutions OF her so long as he
lad thS power 10 annoy. Banished from
Paris by order Of the Emperor, she was
N exile for ten years, and friends who
listed her were exiIed The last four
ears Of her life were the most brilliant
Il her career. The RestorationistS
lailed with eagerness the return of
be talented daughter Of the Minis
er of the last of the Houracnsi
he newspapers were delighted to have a
es words from the author Of "Corinne.
Ter rooms we're thronged with the rep
esentatives OF political and literary |
berty Of the day. Wellington, Chateau
risnd, Lafayette, Blucher came TO her
S to the center of a political movement. /
,anova represented ART, and Madame /
radiant at six and /
hirty-beauiy. Hers was the reign Of
Intellect.
Madame Recamier was the greatest
eauty in France during the Empire.
.mong the earliest tributes TO her
eauiv were these Of the two Bona
aries-the Emperor and his brother
.ucien. The first eight years Of the
resent century were the period OF
Iadame Recamier's reign as q social
Dvereign. Refusing 70 become a mem
er Of the Emperor's household. aud be-
oming q too attractive feature IN the
aris salons, she was also banished.
anova, the great sculptor, once attempt
3 20 give her a pleasant surprise BY dis
LAYING two busts secretly modelled after
er Likeness; but the beautiful work Of
auova was not good enough for the