PHANTOM FLOWSRS. 91 



hands exclusively. If some of its attendant operations 

 are unpleasant, all are yet delicate and gentle. No 

 rude hand can manipulate these tender fibres but to 

 destroy fnem. As an equivalent for deficient com- 

 mercial value, their production will afford employment 

 to minds which cannot fail to be thus informed, invig- 

 orated, and enlarged. Every where the effect wiU be 

 to elevate and refine. Should the study be found dif- 

 ficult and abounding with disappointments, it will teach 

 the learner perseverance. If it have its discourage- 

 ments, it will be found to have its gratifications also. 

 Success in such an art wiU be worth achieving ; and 

 few wiU be found so selfish as not to be proud of 

 seeing that their friends have conquered it. Commer- 

 cial value is evidently a most imperfect standard 

 of merit. 



The subjoined poetical tributes to the art have been 

 kindly ^ent to us as appropriate to this volume. The 

 second poem is now published for the first time. 



