KIDD'S OWN JOURNAL. 



311 



greatly increased ; whilst a periodical investi- 

 gation of the nitrogenous contents of our 

 rivers and springs should not be neglected. 



We have numerous painstaking meteorolo- 

 gists scattered over the islands, and amongst 

 them, doubtless, several sufficiently skilled 

 in analytical chemistry to undertake this 

 task ; which would prove not valuable alone 

 to the agricultural chemist, but, it is not im- 

 probable, would shed considerable light on 

 certain atmospheric conditions accompany- 

 ing the visitation and spread of epidemic 

 diseases. Hermes. 



ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE. 



[This department of Olr Jocrxal is one of its most 

 interesting, as well as valuable features. Amusement, 

 Instruction, Mental Improvement, and all the Social 

 Virtues, are here concentred. Whether the Subjects 

 introduced be on Natural History, Popular Science, 

 Domestic Economy, the Fine Arts, or Matters of General 

 Interest, — all are carefully digested, and placed before 

 our readers in the winning garb of cheerfulness, good- 

 temper, and a determination to please. Our amiable 

 correspondents enter readily into our naturally-playful 

 disposition — hence are their contributions divested of 

 that dry formality which cannot be other than repulsive 

 to a true lover of Nature. Our columns, be it observed, 

 are not exclusive ; but open to all amiable writers.] 



The Robin, the Swallow, and some " Season- 

 able" Gossip on Things in General. — That was a 

 very pretty little anecdote, my dear Sir, of the 

 Robin, which appeared in your last; and the way 

 in which it is told is convincing evidence of its truth. 

 You did right to withhold the apocryphal anecdote 

 furnished by the waggish Dumfries Courier. 

 The very facetious editor of that droll paper, and 

 the editor of a certain North British paper also, 

 may be laughed at, but certainly not believed, 

 Scotland and the North of England are famous, — 

 not only for the record of things which do happen, 

 but for thousands of things that do not happen. 

 Their inventive powers are called largely and 

 constantly into exercise ; and it is marvellous to 

 observe how greedily most of your London papers 

 copy the fabrications. Great faith have they; 

 but very little judgment. Nature's ways are 

 unknown to them ; for they live, alas ! in cities. 

 How slwuld they then know better ? Let us pity 

 them. [We do, — most truly. Every day, now, 

 they are giving currency to the most extravagant 

 tales of wonder in the insect, vegetable, and 

 animal worlds, — none of them true, and all of 

 them farcical.] But I want to tell you something 

 more about the Robin. A pair of these dear, 

 loving little creatures, have just constructed them- 

 selves a nest in the snug little tool-house which, 

 you will remember, is at the rear of our house, 

 behind the two large elder trees. It is compactly 

 formed in a flower pot, — one of four, placed each 

 in the other, — the topmost being "the" favored 

 spot where lies that sacred little cradle (as you 

 are wont to call these pretty structures). There 

 are, whilst I write, four eggs. I learnt this 

 interesting fact by mounting (not a very feminine 

 feat !) on a pair of short steps (the nest is on the 

 second shelf from the floor). Being an immense 

 favorite with this "happy pair," my curiosity was 

 not only forgiven, but it seemed to afford the 



occupant real pleasure. She did not quit her 

 nest, but allowed me to touch the top of her head, 

 whilst sitting; and affectionately to press it with 

 the back part of my little finger. You should 

 have seen her crest erected, and her fine, speaking 

 eye! And then, her jovial little partner, — how 

 pleased he looked to see me pleased ! If ever 

 friends — truly so called — loved one another, these 

 birds love me. We three are a united trio. I 

 have no fear of the cats, for the door is kept closed ; 

 and my little pets enter from a small hole in the 

 window above. What fun I shall have when the 

 little chirpers come out ! How I will watch them, 

 and protect them from their enemies ! I should tell 

 you that both birds enter freely into all the rooms 

 in our house, — being constant guests (one or other 

 of them) when the table is spread for breakfast, 

 luncheon, or dinner. Indeed they are " free of the 

 house," and loved by all the household. Our 

 other pets, that you played with so joyously, are 

 all well, — guinea-pigs, rabbits, pigeons, and ban- 

 tams. " Trim," too, seems to long for another 

 race with you across those fields. How that dog 

 did enjoy your company ! He thoroughly read 

 " Our Editor's" character, — but then, who that 

 knows him, does not ? [No compliments, Honey- 

 suckle, please.] After you left us, and the carriage 

 turned round towards home, the grief of that 

 poor animal it was distressing to witness. [This 

 little fact does our heart good.] More than he, 

 too (perhaps), participated in the same feeling. 

 [Honeysuckle, — d — on't !] However, as Papa and 

 Mamma have given you free range of our house, 

 I need not say more about that ; and now that 

 our dear Journal is about to be suspended — heart- 

 rending thought ! — your time will be more at your 

 own disposal. You need repose, I dare avow. 

 Come and seek it here. [In very deed will we. 

 It is a positive promise ; towards the fulfilment of 

 which we fondly lean. We have only one more 

 Journal to issue.] A pair of swallows are now 

 building immediately over my window. The nest 

 is more than half completed. I watch their move- 

 ments and unceasing activity with intense 

 curiosity, and real pleasure. Then we have a 

 nightingale's nest in one corner of the garden 

 (near the copse) ; two more hedge-sparrows' nests, 

 another blackbird's, and two more thrushes'. The 

 wrens, too, are very busy building, as are a variety 

 of others. At least a dozen nightingales have 

 escaped the fangs of the wicked trappers, and the 

 blackcaps have been equally fortunate. How 

 deliciously they do sing from morning till night ; 

 and at daybreak, how the welkin does ring with 

 vocal melody ! My garden is now a paradise. 

 The great care I took of my choice flowers during 

 the cold weather, has saved all their lives. And 

 how they return my care for them, — breathing on 

 me their sweetest incense ! Happy innocence is 

 theirs ! How often I think of what you say about 

 this, in Our much-loved Journal. I still carry 

 it about with me in all my rambles. It is seldom 

 out of my hand long together. I have said 

 "nothing" yet ; but I must away; or I shall be 

 called to order. — P.S. Do not forget the little hint 

 about " Trim," and some other parties. A-hem ! 

 Honeysuckle, Henley, May 24. 



[Gentle maiden, — fathom our heart; and let 

 that be our answer in full. Judge of it by your 

 own. Sympathy shall be our postman. But let 



