This unassuming pretty flower has a salver-shaped corolla; but in modelling it, I advise its being formed of five petals. Prepare the latter in double white wax, colour them upon both sides with my lemon powder (this is a most beautiful preparation), taking the precaution not to carry the same to the end, or it would prevent adhesion of the wax. With a small sable brush, form a triangular spot of deep yellow at the lower end of the broad part of the petal. Attach to the end of a second-size wire a piece of lemon wax, extending the same half an inch down the stem; this is to form a foundation: the point is to be neatly moulded, and to be seen peeping, as it were, from the centre of the flower. The petals are curled in the following manner;—rest the petal in the palm of the left hand, placing the side that has the triangular spot downwards, press the third finger of the right hand in the centre, and then upon the opposite side strongly indent with the point of the pin. Place the five petals thus prepared round the stem previously formed, press the petals neatly together, flattening them down a little to give the appearance of being formed in one piece. The calyx is cut in very light green wax, it is in one piece, vandyked at the top into five points; in each point press the pin, and attach it afterwards round the neck or tube of the flower. Wash the calyx with a weak solution of gum water, using for the purpose a sable brush. Sprinkle it over, while moist, with a little of my prepared down. The stem should look transparent, consequently the wire must be covered with very light green or lemon wax. For the leaf, see my general instructions upon foliage.
VIOLET.
(Viola Odorata.) Modesty.
"As the dew that moistens the rose at dawn,
Gives the Violet many a tear,
So bright in the morning of life she shone,
That her fragrance still lives while her spirit is gone,
Embalming her memory here."
M'Comb.
"Sweet flower! spring's earliest, loveliest gem;
While other flowers are idly sleeping,
Thou rear'st thy purple diadem,
Meekly from thy seclusion peeping.
"Thou, from the little secret mound,
Where diamond dew-drops shine above thee,
Scatterest thy modest fragrance round;
And well may nature's poet love thee!
"Thine is a short, swift reign, I know,
But love, thy spirit still pervading,
New violet tufts again shall blow,
Then fade away as thou art fading;
"And be renewed;—the hope how blest,
(Oh, may that hope desert me never!)
Like thee, to sleep on nature's breast,
And wake again, to bloom for ever!"
Bowring.