INTRODUCTION. 1 1 



The representation of flowers is the proper 

 style of drawing for the softer sex. In this 

 attempt they will succeed, and by this study 

 will afford us a delight which they cannot 

 do, when, " o'erstepping the modesty of na- 

 ture," and the limits of their proper employ- 

 ments, they present us with specimens of 

 their proficiency in the science of anatomy. 

 A pursuit like this is often too bold, and the 

 subjects sometimes too masculine, to suit the 

 feelings of those who can never be admired for 

 acting and feeling like men. But flowers are 

 the peculiar province of the fair, and the 

 nearer their imitation approaches to nature, 

 the more it delight us; which paintings of mur- 

 ders, massacres, deaths, and agony, certainly 

 cannot. The beauty and grace that may be dis- 

 played in grouping flowers, united with the 

 gaiety of their colours and the harmony of 

 their tints, are objects well worthy the atten- 

 tion of those who were born to render life 

 delightful. The neatness, nicety, and patience 

 required in finishing flower-pieces, seem to 

 demand the delicate hand of a female artist, 



" Oui, beaux arts, oui, la fern me, employant vos secrets, 

 Meme sans etre vue, ajoute a vos attraits. 

 Des fleurs par Valayer sur la toile jetees, 

 On estpret a cueillir les tiges imitees." 



LEGOUVE. 



