At the International Exhibition of 1851, Mrs Mogridge—then Miss Mintorn—in conjunction with others of her family, took the first prize for models of wax-flowers; notably a model of ‘Victoria Regia’ lilies, taken from the first to bloom in England, by permission of Her Grace the Duchess of Northumberland. Of late years, Mrs Mogridge has used the new Art Material in place of wax, on account of its superior strength, and indestructibility, it being unaffected by heat, the great enemy to all work in wax. Moreover, it admits of more perfect colouring; no shade being unattainable in this composition, and permitting of the most brilliant effects of pigmentation. It is adaptable to all artistic decorations on account of its greater strength; and flowers made in it can be mixed with living foliage so as to be a perfect deception, when the real flowers are unattainable. It may be interesting to notice that naturalists will find a ready means of enhancing the value of their collections, not only of birds, as before noticed, but of insects. Lord Walsingham, we are told, has a large collection of butterflies and moths which are mounted in this way, surrounded by the smallest weeds and plants on which they feed. Botanical specimens for all purposes, particularly in schools, &c., where botany is taught, may be made of this material with advantage, as the natural specimens are so easily destroyed with handling. Its value for designs for china-painting, where the choice flowers, such as orchids, &c., cannot be procured in their natural state, will be easily appreciated; and models made of it are, in fact, already used by the artists at the Royal Porcelain Works at Worcester for this purpose, as all the detail is faithfully carried out, from the flower of the common nettle to the large oak-bough. THE LINDSAY’S BRIDAL. [The first marriage of Colin, Earl of Lindsay and Balcarres, to Maurizia de Nassau, took place in extreme youth, at the court of James II., under the circumstances and with the result narrated.] In blithe London Town Ne’er such bridal was known As this of Earl Colin the Lindsay so gay: O’er the Border, in sooth, Never came bonnier youth, And the king’s self shall give the fair lady away. The bridemaids and bride Are here in their pride, But why ere the rite this long pause and delay? ’Tis for Colin they wait— The ‘Light Lindsay’ is late: The bridegroom forgetteth his own marriage-day! The envoy was meet, And the bridegroom is fleet, He stands at the altar in bridal array: But what lacks he now? Why this cloud on his brow?— The ring that should make her his countess for aye!