KIDD'S OWN JOURNAL. 



105 



extremity of old age ! It is seventy miles off 

 where her son now lies, but she thinks of nothing 

 less than going to him. Not go ! — not try to see 

 him, and to comfort him, and to know exactly 

 how his mind is at the last ! By the help of God 

 she will, though ! — and early on the following 

 morning, her little solitary house is shut up — 

 door and window-shutter carefully closed ; and, 

 with her key in her pocket, and with her red cloak 

 and black bonnet on, she is setting out. The 

 neighbors come out in wondering kindness to bid 

 her good-by ; but there is more offence to her in 

 their remarks on her son, than comfort in the ex- 

 pression of their pity ; and she moves quietly away. 

 And that poor old creature is bound on a journey 

 of seventy miles across the country, and without 

 the expectation of an hour's carriage ! She takes 

 no stick in her hand, for she never used one ; but, 

 with her arms crossed under her cloak, she pro- 

 ceeds at the same feeble pace that she has been 

 accustomed to move about her cottage. It seems 

 impossible that she should ever accomplish her 

 undertaking. My imagination beholds her as 6he 

 crosses a vast moor. On and on she goes with 

 such an almost imperceptible motion, that the 

 very width of the moor appears itself a day's 

 labor for her. Yet she shall go forward, day by 

 day, and, unlike the deserted wife, she shuns no 

 salutations ; nay, to such accommodating persons 

 as are willing to slacken their speed and lend a 

 patient ear, she can find many things in her 

 mother's heart to say. Her troubles, like the fire- 

 damp, are only dangerous when they are confined 

 — give them air, and they will dilute themselves 

 till they become almost innocuous. Life has long 

 ceased to appear desirable in her eyes ; and if that 

 her son but find acceptance with God, it is all 

 that she desires. Nay, if she be permitted to reach 

 him while alive, and to know that he departs with 

 " a sure and joyful hope," she will tread back her 

 weary way with a comparatively happy heart, 

 and sit down again,for a little time, by her cottage- 

 fire in peace and thankfulness. God be with her ! 

 When to these we add the weary wanderers the 

 world over — the shipwrecked crew, making their 

 way through some 6trange land ; the solitary 

 travellers in the savage deserts of the earth ; the 

 worn-down remnants of discomfited armies ; the 

 captive driven in fetters to the distant mart, or, 

 escaped from thraldom, flying by night, and 

 lurking by day, from the fury of his pursuers, 

 filled with fears, and faint with famine — we have 

 summoned up images of earthly woe so immense, 

 that we are constrained, with a feeling of agonised 

 energy, to cast the care of them upon Heaven, 

 and to grasp eagerly at the only comfortable 

 thought, that they are all in the hand of God ! 



William Howitt. 



HINTS TO AMATEUR GARDENERS. 



THE CALENDAR FOR MARCH,— 



THE FLOWER GARDEN. 



As March is a variable month, and sometimes 

 "blows hot and cold," we must narrowly watch 

 his manoeuvres, and guard against surprise. Cold 

 winds may be looked for ; if not looked for, they 

 will come ! 



The subjoined remarks on the routine of duties 

 connected with a flower-garden in March, are 

 from "Edwards' Garden Almanack," a little tome 

 full of useful information, and which we have 

 pleasure in recommending to our readers' notice. 

 Of course the writer's remarks are general. The 

 weather must, in all cases, decide the particular 

 mode of action to be pursued. Whilst frost 

 prevails, plants of course must not be watered ; 

 nor must a few passing rays of the glorious sun 

 induce the owner of choice plants to trust them 

 too long in the open air. "Mistakes " of this kind 

 kill many flowers, and as many choice birds. 



Annuals. — Continue to sow the hardy sorts in 

 borders. 



Antirrhinums. — Cuttings of any that it is desirable 

 to increase may now be taken, they will 

 readily strikean a moderately hot frame, and 

 furnish a succession of flowers to the early 

 potted or planting out stuff. 



Auriculas. — Increase the amount of water, it will 

 be needed by the rapid growths observable 

 at this time. It will be interesting to select 

 the plants whose trusses display pips in suf- 

 ficient numbers for exhibition ; and these 

 being selected, may receive an increased 

 amount of attention and care. By no means 

 keep from a full share of air ; robustness 

 and vigor are only obtained and maintained 

 by its free play amongst the plants. 



Bedding plants that have been kept in pots, in 

 frames, &c, may now be potted on and pre- 

 pared for turning out. 



Borders need raking down, cleaning, &c. 



Box edgings may be planted, if omitted in 

 Autumn. 



Bulbs. — A larger supply will now be at command ; 

 those kept in their cold quarters will be 

 rapidly progressing. 



Calceolarias. — Re-pot into 6-inch pots with 

 plenty of drainage ; keep close for a few days. 



Camellias will be fast going out of flower ; en- 

 courage growths by all available means. 



Carnations will require considerable care and 

 protection from cold, cutting winds; those 

 vigorous may receive additional supplies of 

 water. 



Chrysanthemums. — Pot into 48 's or 32 's towards 

 the end of the month, and place them where 

 they will be sheltered from strong easterly 

 winds, taking care they are not so much 

 sheltered, or placed so close together, as to 

 cause weak growth. 



Cinerarias. — Weak manure water given occasion- 

 ally, will now be beneficial. 



Cuttings may be taken of bedding-out plants, and 

 struck in hot- house or frame. 



Dahlias. — Take off the shoots when with three 

 pairs of leaves, and place round the edge of 

 forty-eight pots, or singly, in small thumbs ; 

 they will quickly strike root. Place in hot- 

 bed. 



Dig quarters to receive Dahlias, &c. 



Epacrises will be interesting ; the early spring 

 varieties in flower, the later sorts progressing. 

 If in full vigor, give a copious watering, to 

 insure the whole soil being fairly saturated. 



Ericas. — The directions similar to the Epacrises 

 may be carried out 



