are
sometimes said to be lacking; if this is a fair criticism, the Merit
Badges will certainly test it.

Nobody compels any Scout to earn these Badges; she deliberately chooses
to do so. Therefore, to fail in a task she has voluntarily set herself,
comes straight back to her and shows her what stuff she is made of. For
while it is of no particular importance how many things you start in
this life, it is of great importance how many things you finish! Out OF
GOODNESS of heart, or quick interest, or sudden resolution, a girl will
start out to master a subject, earn a certain sum of money, make
something for herself or someone else, form some good habit or break
some bad one; and after her first enthusiasm has died out, where is she?
So that a great many people laugh at a girl's plans--and with reason.

Now while this may be merely amusing, so long as it affects only the
girl herself, it becomes very annoying when other people's affairs are
involved, and may be positively dangerous if carried too far. If your
life depended upon a Girl Scout's efforts to resuscitate you from
drowning, you would be very glad if she stuck to it. But if she happened
to be a girl who had started to win five different Merit Badges, and had
given them all up, half way through, what sort of chance do you think
you would have?

Girl Scouts are slower to begin than other girls, perhaps, but they
stick to it till they've made good. "She carried that through like a
Girl Scout" ought to become a common saying.

2. PROFICIENCY TESTS

ARTIST SYMBOL--A PALETTE

[Illustration]

Submit a drawing, a painting, or a model of sculpture which in the
judgment of a competent professional represents a sufficiently high
order of ability to merit recognition.

This badge is offered with the object of
encouraging a talent already existing, and it is
not suggested that Girl Scouts should select this
badge unless they are possessed of sufficient
natural talent to warrant presenting their work to
a good judge. The standard required for winning
the badge is left to the judgment of the
professional as it is impossible for the
organization to lay down strict requirements in
these subjects.

REFERENCES:

"Children's Book of Art," A. E. Conway, Adam and Charles Black.

"Knights of Art," Amy Steedman, George W. Jacobs and Company.

"Gabriel and the Hour Book,