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The Primrose


(PRIMULA.) Forsaken.



"Look on these flowers! as o'er an altar, shedding

On Milton's page soft light from coloured urns--

They are the links man's heart to nature wedding,

When to her breast the prodigal returns.



"They are from lone, wild places--forests, dingles,

Fresh banks of many a low-voiced hidden stream;

Where the sweet star of eve looks d
wn and mingles

Faint lustre with the water-lily's gleam."

MRS. HEMANS.



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.



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