Thus, having mastered the very easy principles of design which govern
all organic development or vegetable growth (as set forth in a plant
with roots, offshoots, or crochets, and end ornaments, flowers, or
finials, with the circle, spiral, and offshooting ornaments; rings
made into vines and wave patterns; all of which can be understood in
an hour with diagrams), let the beginner attempt a design, the simpler
the better, and reproduce it from memory. If on going to bed he will
impress it on his mind that on the morrow he would like to make more
designs, or that it _must_ be done, he will probably feel the impulse
and succeed. This is the more likely because patterns impress
themselves very vividly on the memory or imagination, and when studied
are easily recalled after a little practice.

The manner in which most artists form an idea, or project their minds
to a plan or invention, be it a statue or picture; and the way they
think it over and anticipate it--very often actually seeing the
picture in a finished state in imagination--all amounts to foresight
and hypnotic preparation in a crude, imperfect form. If any artist who
is gifted with resolution and perseverance will simply make trial of
the method here recommended, he will assuredly find that it is a great
aid to Invention.

It is probable that half the general average cleverness of men is due
to their having learned, as boys, games, or the art of making
something, or mending and repairing. In any case, if they had learned
to use their hands and their inventiveness or adaptability, they would
have been the better for it. That the innumerable multitude of people
who can do nothing of the kind, and who take no real interest in
anything except spending money and gossiping, are to be really pitied,