PHANTOM FLOWERS. 71 



discouragement to some, and in entire disgust to 

 others. 



The writer has here given her own practical rules 

 and ideas, adopted from actual experience, and no 

 careful learner need hesitate to follow in her foot- 

 steps. But, however invaluable instruction may be to 

 the beginner, personal experiment will be found in- 

 dispensable. We cannot write up the amateur to the 

 position of an artist. Yet a desire to reach the 

 status of the latter will stimulate to exertion and 

 perseverance, and these, with ordinary taste and skill, 

 will surely be rewarded with success. None, there- 

 fore, whose love for the truly beautiful in art is 

 deep and strong, and whose aspirations for eminence 

 are decided and sincere, will permit a few early 

 discouragements to turn them aside from the under- 

 taking. 



