48 



KIDD'S OWN JOURNAL. 



mention. There were among them some 

 fine specimens. We must also accord our 

 praise to the geese and turkeys, which 

 were in fine condition. 



On the whole, this exhibition ranks high. 

 Competition is evidently putting breeders on 

 their mettle ; and every season will add to 

 the real value of the animals shown. 



We were exceedingly pleased to observe 

 the interest excited among the visitors, male 

 and female, at the earlier part of the ex- 

 hibition. Women are now beginning to see 

 that these things are not so contemptible ; 

 and that a love of nature may be cultivated 

 without a loss either of time or money. 



Oh, if we could but kick fashion, and a 

 love of finery, out of this country ; and let the 

 heart be studied before the outward person — 

 what a happy people we should be ! But as 

 this never will be the case, let us be thankful 

 for any (the smallest) instalment towards 

 " the consummation so devoutly to be 

 wished." 



If to breed animals, and show them, be a 

 " fashion 1 ' among our women, — may the 

 fashion ever prevail ! It will tend to 

 soften their hearts homceopathically ; and 

 cannot but effect some good. 



THE TENCH AND THE PIKE. 



We find in a late number of the " Zoolo- 

 gist," a few curious Notes on the Tench and 

 Pike. They are from the pen and obser- 

 vation of W. H. Slaney, Esq., of Hatton 

 Hall. They are as follows : — 



It is generally considered amongst keepers and 

 fishermen, that the tench is a fish which all others 

 of a voracious nature — such as pike, perch, trout, 

 and eels, equally avoid feeding on ; and the reason 

 given is, that the slime of the former possesses a 

 healing quality of which other kinds of fish are 

 aware ; and that, when wounded or ill, they resort 

 to this physician of the waters, and, by rubbing 

 themselves against the tench, extract a remedy 

 for their ailments; for which, instead of paying any 

 fee, they all agree in considering the former so 

 great a benefactor that it ought to go free, and be 

 protected from all harm. How far it becomes one 

 to doubt the truth of this belief, it is unnecessaiy 

 to state ; but I may be excused in relating the fol- 

 lowing circumstance which I witnessed a few days 

 since, and leave the conclusion to be drawn from 

 it to others, as to the sentiments imputed to the 

 other kinds of fish in abstaining from feeding on 

 the tench. In a pit or small pool at the back of 

 the house, it is the custom to put such fish of 

 different kinds as are likely to be wanted for the 

 table during the summer, and consequently there 

 is a pretty good store of fish kept in the pit ; 

 amongst which are some carp, and many good 

 tench, varying from 1 to 4 lbs. in weight; and 

 there are also a few pike put with them, of from 

 4 to 9 lbs., as well as some perch, and but a few 

 roach, for the pike to feed on. 



These different kinds of fish can be easily seen 

 swimming about in the clear water ; and the loud 

 splash of the pike indicates that he has seized 

 some victim, and brought it to an untimely end. 

 The other day I saw, at some distance from the 

 side of the pit, and deep in the water, a bright 

 shining substance slowly moving about, and which 

 I could by no means satisfactorily make out ; but 

 after watching it for some considerable time, and 

 endeavoring to discover its nature, I at last per- 

 ceived that across the middle portion projected a 

 dark band, looking as if it were fastened to it and 

 pushing it along : and this turned out to be the 

 head of a large pike. The latter, having seized a 

 tench of about 3 lbs. weight, crossways, which it 

 was totally unable to swallow, was gently swim- 

 ing about with its head somewhat elevated and 

 its tail sunk lower in the water ; vainly endea- 

 voring to get the tench down its throat, or to twist 

 it round so that the head of the tench might the 

 more easily lead the way for the rest of its body 

 further into the capacious jaws of its captor ; but 

 this could not be effected. The latter therefore 

 continued to carry its prize slowly about the pit, 

 as a dog would a bone. 



After watching the two fish for some time while 

 engaged in this way, I saw the pike approach the 

 side of the pond ; and the keeper, happening to be 

 near at hand, brought a casting-net and threw 

 over both ; but unfortunately a bough in the water 

 kept the net from closing, so that the two fish 

 escaped, and were afterwards seen in the pit still 

 in the same position as before, the pike retaining 

 a firm hold of the physician. At last, however, I 

 thought I perceived the latter freed from the te- 

 nacious grasp of the pike, who probably finding it 

 impossible to devour so large a prize, let it go free, 

 and the tench, no doubt, rejoicing at its timely 

 escape, considered the attack of its foe a most un- 

 grateful return for favors conferred. 



This is the only instance I ever met with in 

 which the tench was attacked by any other fish ; 

 though I have constantly had them put, together 

 with pike and perch, in small stews and other 

 places, where the absence of food for the predatory 

 species has induced them to seize upon almost 

 every other living thing : all other kinds of fish, 

 rats, young ducks, and moor-hens, have fallen a 

 sacrifice to the all-devouring pike, but not the 

 tench ; and keepers always avoid setting their 

 trimmers or trolling for pike with a tench for a 

 bait, alleging as a reason that no other fish will 

 touch it. 



ON A VIRTUOUS GIRL SLEEPING. 



Thou liv'st ! yet how profoundly deep 

 The silence of thy tranquil sleep ! 



Like death it almost seems ; 

 So all unbroke the sighs which flow 

 From thy calm breast of spotless snow,- 



Like music heard in dreams ! 



Thy soul is filled with gentle thought, 

 Unto its shrine by angels brought 



From Heaven's supreme abode ; 

 Thy dreams are not of earthly things, 

 But borne upon Religion's wings 



They lift thee up to God ! 



