This opinion, like so many others prevalent in society is of Teutonic origin.

The loving dominion of the mother in the family circle has always seemed to the Germanic races to be the realization of the ideal of womanliness.

For a long time German women avoided publicity owing to modesty or a feeling of decorum.

Their talents remained hidden except in cases where peculiar circumstances--sometimes connected with affairs of court or of state--compelled them to come forth.

Until recently the history of German civilization has shown a much smaller number of famous female characters than Italy, the land of strong personalities, produced during the Renaissance.