KIDD'S OWN JOURNAL. 



And it is at these times, if ever, that he 

 may be called truly happy; seeing that 

 virtue, innocence, and good-will to man, are 

 the sole objects that occupy his thoughts. 

 His benevolence is mirrored in his " happy" 

 countenance ; and as he trudges merrily 

 onwards, he feels that he has no wish un- 

 satisfied. He covets no more than he has. 

 We do not say how long these Elysian dreams 

 last. Too well do we all know that, in this 

 lower world, clouds and sunshine must hold 

 alternate sway. It is well that it should be 

 so — nor would we wish it otherwise. 



" Happy thoughts" are our special delight. 

 We revel in them without end, as we stroll 

 abroad and think ;; of the past, present, and 

 future. They crowd one upon the other in 

 the most rapid succession ; each " dissolving 

 view" introducing some long-cherished re- 

 membrance, and adding one other to our 

 already countless " happy thoughts." 



And have we not millions of " little 

 things 1 ' — those graceful amiabilities of which 

 we have held recent profitable converse — to 

 make us happy ? Oh, yes ! Was there 

 ever proprietor of any periodical more 

 favored than we ? In two short years — we 

 call them " short," because of the pleasure 

 they have brought us — we have not only 

 become a public character, but we have won 

 so many hearts that we really stand amazed 

 at our position. We speak not of common 

 acquaintanceship; but of the sweetest ties, of 

 the purest friendship. A mighty magician 

 is our grey-goose quill ! 



Some men feel flattered by being at the 

 head of a popular Journal ; and boast of their 

 talent and success. Without wishing to 

 boast, let us say we have achieved this — and 

 how much more? From one end of the 

 country to the other — among the very best 

 society, are open doors and open hearts set 

 before us ; with a sincerity of welcome, too, 

 that makes us love the world better than 

 ever. Of this distinction — so unusual — we 

 ark proud. It lightens all our cares, draws 

 forth the finest feelings of the human heart, 

 hallows all our disappointments, buoys up all 

 our hopes, — and makes us a philanthropist 

 in the broadest and most significant sense of 

 the word. 



How very many there are, who, though 

 we have never seen them, yet write to us 

 freely as to an old and much-cherished friend ! 

 Papas, mammas, sons, and daughters, — all 

 recognise us, all do us pleasing homage. Can 

 we walk abroad and ruminate on such things, 

 without running riot in the happiest of 

 thoughts ? 



And what of those many dear, loving souls 

 whom we have seen — and with whom we 

 have conversed? Can we think of them 

 and their multitude of "little kindnesses," 

 without delight ? How many choice flowers, 



— commencing with those of early spring, 

 and ending with the "last rose of summer" — 

 has the postman brought us during the past 

 year, — dispersing their fragrance through the 

 folds of an envelope, and telling " in the 

 language of flowers" the amiable feelings of 

 the senders ? These — and what beside? 



Were we to expatiate (as our pen and our 

 heart would gladly do,) on the subject we 

 have chosen, we should exceed all bounds. 

 Our drift, however, will be readily seen ; and 

 our object appreciated. We want to create 

 a better feeling among society ; and to work 

 upon the kindly feelings of the human heart ; 

 to drive out the superficial, and to make way 

 for the natural. Life is very short. Why 

 then should we not be truly happy whilst we 

 live? 



We did purpose, when we first nibbed our 

 pen, to enumerate some few of our " very" 

 happy thoughts, — showing how by " sym- 

 pathy" we could walk, and actually behold as 

 well as converse with certain of our dear 

 friends at a remote distance ; but as this is a 

 delicate subject to discuss on paper, we will 

 only hint at it. There are those who will 

 perfectly understand us ; and enter into the 

 depth of our sentiments. Suffice it, if we say 

 that on all such occasions we are " never 

 less alone than when alone." Our heart is 

 full of guests. 



Among some of our happiest thoughts, 

 have been the many additions made to our 

 goodly company of subscribers by certain of 

 our earliest companions, and the associates 

 of by-gone days. They have, one by one, 

 heard of Our Journal; wondered if their 

 " old friend" was the " veritable Simon 

 Pure;" and finding he was so, given him the 

 heartiest of hearty welcomes. What pleasure 

 this! It makes our old heart rejoice. Odd 

 is it, however, that some few of our quondam 

 friends, whom we loved most dearly, yet 

 stand at an unapproachable distance from us. 

 There is no sympathy. Our love for man- 

 kind, and our plain-speaking, comport not 

 with their views of life. Fashion, the world's 

 follies, "dignity," and exclusiveness, bar all 

 the avenues to their hearts. Has this caused 

 us a sigh ? Oh, how many ! Well ; we love 

 them still — and they know it. 



We have said nothing about the varied 

 objects which lend an additional interest to 

 our walks and rambles, — such as the happy 

 birds, animals of all kinds, rejoicing in their 

 liberty and freedom, and many other things 

 which tend to the happiest of happy thoughts. 

 These may, at a future time, be profitably 

 and pleasantly alluded to. We never go 

 abroad without turning everything we see to 

 some account, and return home with a heart 

 happy as it well can be. Early Spring, too, 

 is coming. What a lovely prospect ! 



We have already begun the New Year 



