cumstances had compelled me to make the art of wax flower modelling a
source of profit. Her Majesty, unsolicited by any, spoke to the then
Lord Chamberlain relative to a warrant of appointment being granted to
me; and I forthwith received the Royal Letters Patent, being the first
in this country who enjoyed the privilege of being styled "Artist in Wax
Flowers to Her Majesty." I hope I may not be deemed prolix in giving
these particulars; it is not from any feeling of vanity, but from
gratitude due to the high power that encouraged my talent in its
infancy. The auspicious patronage I received gave an impetus to my
labours; and I have from that royal day taxed my energies to the utmost,
to prove that my works deserved the high honour that had been conferred
upon them.

As this work is intended for the perusal of the young, as well as the
adult, I trust I may be pardoned for pausing a moment to dwell upon the
all-wise dispensations of Providence. The talent which inspired me would
have been useless, had not the "Giver of all good" discovered to me the
knowledge that I possessed it; and I wish to impress upon the notice of
my young friends and pupils, the advantage, I may say necessity, of
embracing every opportunity of improving any talent committed to their
charge; for my life has shown that what is acquired as an accomplishment
or amusement, may one day become of vital importance to them.

It occurs to me, that it may not be uninteresting to many of my readers,
to become acquainted with the period and by whom

THE ART OF MODELLING FLOWERS IN WAX WAS BROUGHT INTO ENGLAND.

I consequently subjoin an extract from Miss Strickland's Life of Mary
Beatrice, second consort of James II., A.D. 1686.

"The beautiful imitations of natural flowers in wax which have
lately afforded an attractive exercise for the taste and ingenuity
of many of our youthful countrywomen, were first introduced into
England by the mother of Mary Beatrice, as a present to her royal
daughter; as we find by the following passage in a contemporary
letter from a correspondent of the Lady Margaret Russell, which
gives some information relative to the ornamental works then in
vogue among ladies of rank, in the court of Mary Beatrice.

"'In gum flowers, Mrs. Booth tells me you and she is to doe
something in that work, which I suppose must be extraordinary. I
hope it will be as great perfection as the fine WAX WOR