Before I commence my course of instruction in the fascinating art of
representing in wax the floral beauties of nature, I deem it necessary
to prelude by a brief explanation as to my pretensions, and the cause of
my offering such instructions to the notice of the public.
I have constantly applied myself, during the last fourteen years, in
strictly copying from nature every flower that has come under my notice,
from the simple wild flowers of our hallowed native fields, to the
latest and rarest exotics brought home by our most eminent collectors. I
have also been materially assisted in this particular branch of my art,
by the nobility and gentry having kindly granted me the indulgence of
selecting as copies, from their conservatories, aught that I might
consider as valuable additions to my specimens.
I have been frequently asked by my pupils to publish such a work as the
present; but diffidence, amounting perhaps to a weakness, has hitherto
prevented me from even momentarily exchanging the pencil of the artist
for the pen of the author:
"Authors, you know, of greatest fame,
Through modesty, suppress their name."
In the year 1847, I wrote several articles for the _Lady's Newspaper_,
in the shape of instruction in Wax Flower Modelling, which articles
appeared under the initials of "E. H., late pupil of Mrs. Peachey." I
must confess I felt much gratified upon hearing my pupils, as well as
other ladies, speak of these articles in terms of commendation. I trust
I may be pardoned for this little piece of deception, and beg to remind
those who might regard the "ingenious device" with censure, that Sir
Walter Scott and many other writers of celebrity have done the same. If
great and talented persons shrink from making their compositions known
as their own creations, it is not surprising that I, who have no
pretension to literature, should be equally tenacious of my incognito.
I have at this period determined upon publishing a book of instructions,
purely in consequence of feeling quite inadequate to receive, as pupils,
the numerous applicants that daily visit me, and express much anxiety to
be initiated into my method of modelling and grouping.
They are two distinct things--to accomplish an art well, and to impart
it to others. I hope I may not be considered egotistical in boldly
asserting that, as an instructress, I stand pre-eminent. I feel proud,
most proud, in having received repeated assurances from the
distinguished and numerous ladies who have placed themselves under my
tuition, that my method of teaching is such as to enable the most
inexperienced to acquire with facility a perfect knowledge of this
pleasing art.
The distinguished patronage I have from the first received at the hands
of her Most Gracious Majesty, must surely convey to the minds of all,
that I have a right to lay claim to artistic skill.
When I first commenced the agreeable occupation of imitating nature, I
had not the slightest idea of ultimately making it a profession. My
anxious desire, I may say, my ambition, was to produce something that
might be considered worthy the notice of our most Gracious Queen, who at
the period I allude to, 1837, had just ascended the throne.
A spirit of loyalty had been fostered in me from my earliest infancy;
and a pardonable glow of pleasure always animates me, at the remembrance
that I am the daughter of an old officer, who served as surgeon in the
British army the long period of fifty years. The result of my wishes has
been great success. Our beloved Sovereign, ever ready to encourage
talent or industry in any form, condescended to permit a bouquet, which
I designed and executed for her inspection (in token of my loyalty), to
be placed as an ornament in one of the royal palaces. This was indeed an
honour I had scarcely dared to anticipate. Two years after the period
alluded to, the Queen became acquainted with the fact, that a change of
circumstances had compelled me to make the art of wax flower modelling a
source of profit. Her Majesty, unsolicited by any, spoke to the then
Lord Chamberlain relative to a warrant of appointment being granted to
me; and I forthwith received the Royal Letters Patent, being the first
in this country who enjoyed the privilege of being styled "Artist in Wax
Flowers to Her Majesty." I hope I may not be deemed prolix in giving
these particulars; it is not from any feeling of vanity, but from
gratitude due to the high power that encouraged my talent in its
infancy. The auspicious patronage I received gave an impetus to my
labours; and I have from that royal day taxed my energies to the utmost,
to prove that my works deserved the high honour that had been conferred
upon them.
As this work is intended for the perusal of the young, as well as the
adult, I trust I may be pardoned for pausing a moment to dwell upon the
all-wise dispensations of Providence. The talent which inspired me would
have been useless, had not the "Giver of all good" discovered to me the
knowledge that I possessed it; and I wish to impress upon the notice of
my young friends and pupils, the advantage, I may say necessity, of
embracing every opportunity of improving any talent committed to their
charge; for my life has shown that what is acquired as an accomplishment
or amusement, may one day become of vital importance to them.
It occurs to me, that it may not be uninteresting to many of my readers,
to become acquainted with the period and by whom