The "biziness of making flowers" was a thriving one in Boston. We
read frequently in newspapers of the day such notices as that of
Anne Dacray, of Pudding Lane, in the _Boston Evening Post_, of 1769,
who advertises that she "makes and sells Head-flowers: Ladies may be
supplied with single buds for trimming Stomachers or sticking in the
Hair." Advertisements of teachers in the art of flower-making also
are frequent. I note one from the _Boston Gazette_, of October 19,
1767:--
"To the young Ladies of Boston. Elizabeth Courtney as several Ladies
has signified of having a desire to learn that most ingenious art of
Painting on Gauze & Catgut, proposes to open a School, and that her
business may be a public good, designs to teach the making of all
sorts of French Trimmings, Flowers, and Feather Muffs and Tippets.
And as these Arts above mentioned (the Flowers excepted) are
entirely unknown on the Continent, she flatters herself to meet with
all due encouragement; and more so, as every Lady may have a power
of serving herself of what she is now obliged to send to England
for, as the whole process is attended with little or no expence. The
Conditions are Five Dollars at entrance; to be confin'd to no
particular hours or time: And if they apply Constant may be Compleat
in six weeks. And when she has fifty subscribers school will be
opened, &c, &c."