WOMEN IN THE NATURAL SCIENCES 



hydraulics. As for herself, she assures us that she de- 

 voted thirty years of unremitting study to these divers 

 branches. 



To Mme. de Beausoleil is also attributed the glory of 

 awakening her countrymen's interest in the mineral re- 

 sources of France, and of showing them how their proper 

 exploitation would inure not only to the credit of the 

 nation abroad but also to its prosperity at home. 



She was the author of two works which prove that she 

 was a woman of rare attainments combined with excep- 

 tional breadth of view and political acumen. She was 

 deeply concerned in the development of the mineral re- 

 sources of her country and foresaw how greatly they could 

 be made to contribute to the augmentation of the nation's 

 finances. 



Her work entitled La Restitution de Pluton is a report 

 on the mines and ore deposits of France, and is a docu- 

 ment as precious as it is curious. It was addressed to Car- 

 dinal Richelieu, and shows how the French monarch could, 

 if the subterranean treasures of the country were properly 

 developed, become the greatest ruler in Christendom and 

 his subjects the happiest of all peoples. 



Another report by this energetic and enthusiastic woman 

 is in the same strain. In it she proves how the King of 

 France, by utilizing the underground riches of his country, 

 could make himself and his people independent of all other 

 nations. 1 



i The titles of the two works of this remarkable woman are of 

 sufficient interest to be given in full. They are as follows: / 



1. Veritable Declaration de la Decouverte des Mines et Minieresl 

 par le Moyen desquelles Sa Majeste et Sujets se peuvent passer des * 

 Pays Strangers, Paris, 1632. 



2. La Restitution de Pluton a Mgr. V Eminent Card, de Eichelieu, 

 des Mines et Minieres de France, cachees jusqu'd present au Venire, 

 de la Terre, par la Moyen desquelles les Finances de sa Majeste 

 seront beaucoup plus Grandes que celles de tons les Princes Chrestiens 

 et ses Sujets plus Heureux de tous les Peuples. Paris, 1640. 



