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;

Whil 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.



"A violet, by a mossy stone--

Half hidden from the eye;

Fair as a star, when only one

Is shining in the sky."

WORDSWORTH.



Prepare the petals in white wax: there are five in number. Pass the head

of a large pin firmly down the centre, so as to cup each. Cover a fine

green wire with a strip of light green wax; at the end of this affix a

small piece of orange wax, and mould it to a point, not allowing it to

be larger than a carraway seed. Dip the point of this foundation in

water, and then into the second yellow powder, which gives it the

appearance of farina. Place three petals under the foundation, and the

remaining two on the top, turning them back; bend the stalk up, and

under the three petals place a small piece of white wax, which is to be

coloured purple after it is attached. The calyx consists of five points,

and are placed round the neck of the flower.