"Inspire, But Do Not Write," Said Lebrun To Women. Whatever We
May Think Today Of This Rather Superfluous Advice, We Can Readily
Pardon A Man Living In The Atmosphere Of The Old French Salons,
For Falling Somewhat Under The Special Charm Of Their Leaders.
It Was A Charm Full Of Subtle Flattery. These Women Were Usually
Clever And Brilliant, But Their Cleverness And Brilliancy Were
Exercised To Bring Into Stronger Relief The Talents Of Their
Friends. It Is True That Many Of Them Wrote, As They Talked, Out
Of The Fullness Of Their Own Hearts Or Their Own Intelligence,
And With No Thought Of A Public; But It Was Only An Incident In
Their Lives, Another Form Of Diversion, Which Left Them Quite
Free From The Dreaded Taint Of Feminine Authorship. Their
Peculiar Gift Was To Inspire Others, And Much Of The Fascination
That Gave Them Such Power In Their Day Still Clings To Their
Memories.
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