The influence which gifted women in the Italian salons of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, and later in those of France, exercised upon the intellectual development of society was completely unknown in England and Germany.
Later, however, there was a change in the relative degree of feminine culture in Teutonic and Latin countries.

In the former it rose, while in Italy it declined.

The Italian woman who, during the Renaissance, occupied a place by man's side, contended with him for intellectual prizes, and took part in every spiritual movement, fell into the background.

During the last two hundred years she has taken little or no part in the higher life of the nation, for long ago she became a mere tool in the hands of the priests.

The Reformation gave the German woman greater personal freedom.