I could think up. Mr. Blaschka did some leaf work again 
and Miss N. felt just as I do, that it is a great experience 
to watch that man at work. His whole head and hands 
are a study, and he worked until it was about dark with- 
out turning on his electric light. She also felt that the 
work was enough to wear anyone’s nerves to madness, 
the confined position and closed room being a part of it. 
I told him again that he must stop evening work with 
late hours and must get out for air and exercise for a 
time every day, that it was not fair to his wife or him- 
self, that it made no difference how long it took to com- 
plete the models and that I should tell you that I said 
so. She is 45 only and perfectly devoted to him, but 
nobody can keep fresh without a little fun. She said they 
used to come in to Dresden sometimes when first mar- 
ried but it had been a long time since they were there. 
I tried to get them in to supper and the opera but un- 
fortunately had to give it up on account of a cold. I 
know it has given him a fresh start and fresh courage to 
see me. I have been out there five times and I am sure 
that I accomplished what I came for. I wish I could 
have run in oftener, for so few realize what he is doing 
and their lives are necessarily secluded tho’ evidently 
they are on friendly terms with their neighbors. 
And now a word about the way in which he works. 
I watched while he painted a peach leaf affected by a 
fungus. 
{ach leaf is formed of clear white glass, pulled and 
worked by simple instruments in the flame, and each 
point on the margin has to be pulled out separately from 
the hot glass, to make the crenate edge to the degree 
characteristic of the species. 
The leaf remains attached to the long stem of glass, 
12 inches perhaps, from which it has sprung, until the 
coloring is completed and annealed. Then it is separated 
[ 133 ] 
