KIDD'S OWN JOURNAL. 



after this same old fashion of ours. And we 

 still declare our old sentiments to be un- 

 changed. We study to love — and be loved; 

 and we verily believe that we shall die in this 

 " faith." If it makes our thoughts so happy 

 whilst we live, our death may be anticipated 

 without a sigh or misgiving. 



"Little children, love one another," is the 

 gentle command which encircles our heart. 

 It will be found there long after we shall have 

 been gathered to our fathers. 



FIRE-SIDE JOYS. 



BY HELEN HETHERINGTON. 



How pure is the joy in the Husbandman's breast, 

 As he hies from his toil to the home he loves best ! 

 Though wearied with labor, he does not repine ; 

 For his dear little cot, with its blessings, combine 

 To chase away sorrow, and cheerfully hide 

 E'en a semblance of grief from his bright fire-side. 



He knows gentle hearts are awaiting him there, 

 His slippers are placed by the old easy-chair ; 

 And his children are waiting with anxious delight 

 To have but his blessing, and wish him " good 



night." 

 And see, — from the lattice, his wife has espied 

 His presence who gladdens her bright fire-side. 



A kind note of welcome now falls on his ear ; 

 The way has been long, and the path dull and 



drear. 

 Their looks reveal more than their lips can express, 

 As each one in turn shares a gentle caress; 

 All care is forgotten, his heart beats with pride 

 As he joyfully rests by his bright fire-side. 



No riches could cause him the thrill of delight 

 That cheers his kind heart as he pictures the sight ; 

 Nor could music create a sensation so sweet 

 As the dear voice that welcomes him. Happy to 



meet, 

 In the breast of each other they fondly confide 

 The heart's dearest wish by a bright fire-side. 



His children now gather around him, to share 

 Some proof of his kindness, affection, and care ; 

 And each has a tale of amusement to tell, 

 Or some childish grief that his smile can dispel. 

 He prays God to bless them, and still to provide 

 The comforts they share round a bright fire-side. 



Now supper awaits him. Though homely the 



fare, 

 The pure air of comfort is felt everywhere ; 

 In a tankard of ale, with its white tempting foam, 

 He pledges his love bythe dear name of "home," 

 And shuns those temptations that seek to divide 

 The Englishman's heart from his bright fire-side. 



There yet is another, whose welcome reveals 

 But a tithe of the faithful attachment he feels ; 

 He has listen'd for him since the close of the day, 

 And with what joy he welcomes him ! — honest old 



Tray! 

 A kind, grateful heart, beats beneath that rough 



hide, — 

 There's a warm place for thee at the bright fire- 

 side ! 



ROME AND NAPLES. 



A GRAPHIC SKETCH. 

 BY G. S. HILLARD. 



Rome and Naples, though only about a 

 hundred and thirty miles apart, and in- 

 habited by a population of the same faith, 

 the same language, and of kindred blood, are 

 singularly unlike. 



Rome is situated in the midst of a sombre 

 plain, is without foreign commerce, is the 

 capital of an ecclesiastical state, and over- 

 shadowed by the solemn memories of a great 

 past. From these, and other external influ- 

 ences, and, perhaps, from some of those pri- 

 mitive and inexplicable peculiarities in the 

 organisation of the inhabitants themselves, 

 there is a general air of gravity and silence 

 in the streets, and in the countenances of 

 those who frequent them. The light from 

 the sky seems absorbed by the gloomy walls 

 of the new passages upon which it falls; 

 and at night the dim lamps are mere guiding 

 points to the eye, with but faint illuminating 

 power. The absence of loud noises of any 

 kind is remarkable. There are no heavily- 

 laden carts or drays thundering over the 

 pavements ; no huge omnibuses lumbering 

 along. The carts, which come in from the 

 country, are either lightly constructed, or 

 move at a slow pace. The sound of the 

 human voice does not gather and swell in 

 streams. Ecclesiastics glide along without 

 speaking ; foreigners and artists do their 

 talking in the cafes ; the peasants from the 

 country do not seem to be a very chatty 

 race ; and even the beggars are not clamorous 

 in their approaches. 



Naples, on the contrary, situated in a re- 

 gion of varied and smiling beauty, is full of 

 life, movement, and gaiety. To the swarm of 

 unthinking ephemera that hum and dart in 

 the sunshine, the present is everything ; and 

 the past history of Naples, as compared 

 with its present state, throws a shadow on 

 the brow of the most sensitive patriot. 

 There is no ghost of departed power and 

 glory to rise up and frown upon the giddy 

 gaiety of a thoughtless race. 



In Naples, the outward aspect of the 

 earth, sea, and sky, have passed into the 

 spirit of man, and kindled it to a genial 

 emulation with nature. The better classes 

 are fond of showy colors in their dress. 

 Soldiers in gay uniforms take the place of 

 ecclesiastics in Rome. That taste for rich 

 and gorgeous splendor, which we notice as 

 characteristic of the African race, sheds its 

 influence over the city upon which the wind 

 from Africa so often blows. In Naples, too, 

 the silence of Rome is displaced by a roar of 

 voices. Everybody talks in a loud tone, and 

 enforces his words with the most animated, 

 gestures. This universal and fundamental 



