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KIDD'S OWN JOUKNAL. 



Something with passion clasp, or perish — 

 And in itself to ashes burn. 



It is very gratifying for us to observe, that 

 our sentiments and habits of life are daily 

 becoming more universally known. We find, 

 now, smiles awaiting us on every side ; and 

 the right hand of fellowship extended to us 

 by many of whom previously w T e had no 

 knowledge. This favors our fond remark, 

 that cheerfulness and goodnature (thank 

 God, these are constitutional with us) 

 carry weight with them. No person can 

 say (whatever our load of care or sorrow of 

 heart) that our face is ever "long," or our 

 brow clouded. Nor will we permit these 

 disfigurements of the human countenance to 

 prevail where we are. True philosophy will 

 ever conceal sorrow. That is a morbid feel- 

 ing which w r ould make others unhappy 

 because we are so. 



To prove our sincerity, let us here make a 

 little confession. No man living, perhaps, 

 has seen more of the ''dark side of nature' 1 

 than ourself. We have been singularly tried 

 throughout a long life. Year after year, 

 have troubles innumerable rolled over our 

 head, — troubles that would have placed 

 thousands Jwrs de combat, — " finishing" them 

 completely. Nothing daunted, though suf- 

 fering painfully in mind, we have ever risen 

 superior to all this. Nor have we dared to 

 blame kind Nature. Why should we ? She 

 was not in fault. We have borne our sor- 

 rows manfully ; and put on a smiling face, — 

 of course. This is true philosophy. "Sorrow 

 may endure for a night, but joy cometh in 

 the morning." For example's sake we are 

 always cheerful, and have a face round as a 

 top. To " Laugh and Grow Fat," as a fair 

 correspondent tells us in another page of 

 our journal, is the true philosophy of life. 

 We believe it firmly, — and practise it. 



It is a wise provision of Nature, — all Na- 

 ture's provisions are wise— to usher in a 

 change of seasons. As they change, so, most 

 assuredly, do we. Only think of the season 

 that now awaits us ! Every latent principle 

 of good in the human system must be opera- 

 ted upon. The sun never shines, never 

 smiles in vain. What we deplore is, — that 

 these good feelings, once excited, should be so 

 evanescent. They ought to outlive the sea- 

 son, because of the pure delight they afford ; 

 and they would do so, in many instances, 

 were it not for the trammels of "Fashion," 

 which so thoroughly hates all that is good, 

 pure, and natural. 



To see, in our summer rambles, how some 

 persons are irresistibly unbent by circum- 

 stances to admire the country, — how they 

 dare venture to pronounce this lovely, and 

 that beautiful, and to give way to the im- 

 pulses of generous feeling exhaled by the 

 genial influences of spring and summer, — 



how we do rejoice in all this ! It shows that 

 the heart is not naturally "bad," but made 

 bad by contact ; and that in a pure soil (if not 

 again transplanted) it would flourish and 

 blossom luxuriantly. This, as regards men, 



en, and children. 



We would, at this season, have all good 

 people up early. The lark sets such a noble 

 example ! When Aurora first peeps, and 

 dissipates the shades of night, we seem to 

 enjoy a new creation. The soul is in a pure 

 element of joy and freshness. The faint 

 streaks that mark the eastern horizon soon 

 become more and more vivid. The morning 

 breaks with the richest beauty. Now do we 

 begin to distinguish the verdure of the hills, 

 the opening flowers, and the pure streams that 

 water the meads. Our spirits become joyous, 

 our frame receives an increase of strength 

 and vigor. We are " happy." 



And now the horizon becomes more lumi- 

 nous. The clouds assume the most beautiful 

 tints. The charms of the distant valleys 

 open upon us. The breath of the hawthorn 

 is " achingly" sw^eet. The clew T drops upon 



pure lustre of pearls, 

 and Nature rejoices 



the flowers show the 

 sapphires, diamonds ; 

 in her existence. 



And see where the first sunbeam darts 

 from behind the mountains that skirt the 

 horizon, and plays upon the earth ! More 

 succeed ; and the brilliancy increases, till the 

 disc of mighty Sol, encircled in glory, becomes 

 visible. Then, bursting in full refulgence, he 

 gains the mid-Heaven, till no eye can sustain 

 his glory, though they feel its influence. 



Of this, and of flowers, and of birds, and of 

 the happiness of all creation, we could fain 

 gossip on for hours ; but we can do no jus- 

 tice to such subjects ; and therefore refrain. 

 If our pen has uttered any wholesome 



thoughts, if our heart has 



suggested 



any 



amiable impressions, we leave them as " bread 

 upon the waters " 



All we have ever labored at — all we ever 

 shall labor at, — is, to make men good, wise, 

 and happy. That the world is not generally 

 happy, everybody knows. We wish every- 

 body to know also, that if they are not happy 

 it is their own fault. Our Creator has pro- 

 vided bountifully for us ; and made the 

 world expressly for our sakes. Is it not so ? 

 Let us, then, one and all, turn over a new 

 leaf ; and ever behold with thankful hearts, 



"The Bright Side of Nature." 



A PLEASING EXFERIMENT. 



Never return home without having in some way 

 benefited society during the day, — either by good 

 counsel, good example, an act of disinterested 

 kindness, or a gentle word to soothe grief. Then 

 will you sleep soundly, and rise happy. Try it ! 



