KIDD'S OWN JOURNAL. 



127 



tridges ? Down we go along the " burn" ( brook), 

 where we may see the water hen dropping off her 

 nest among the flags, and swimming silently down 

 stream, underneath water ; or hear the water rat 

 plumping off the bank, and see him making for his 

 hole on the other side. " After him, Punch !" but 

 it's no use now, for Don Whiskerandos has disap- 

 peared before one can say " Jack Robinson." Now 

 through the woods we go ; where we hear the 

 heavy flap of the startled wood-pigeon, as ri- 

 sing from her frail apology for a nest, she leaves 

 exposed her two beautiful eggs ; or the impudent 

 chatter of the magpie, just disturbed perchance 

 from a feast on poor " Robin Redbreast's" callow 

 young. And when returning from such walks, 

 Punch and I rest in a snug room, by a cosy fire, 

 we lie and dream, and think ( I at least) how long 

 happy companionship like this shall be ours ! — J.B. 

 M., Glasgow. 



Naturalist Clubs. — I observe the following, Mr. 

 Editor, in the Worcester Herald : — " Local in- 

 stitutions of this instructive and pleasing kind 

 have now been established in this country, in 

 Herefordshire, and in Gloucestershire ; with some- 

 thing of a corresponding or federal feature. There 

 is the Woolhope in Herefordshire, the Cotswold 

 in Gloucestershire, and the Malvern in Worcester- 

 shire. The latter held its first annual meeting on 

 the 3rd of February last, at Hardwicke Court, the 

 seat of Barwick Baker, Esq., president. The 

 Eastnor meeting is announced to be held on the 

 3rd of June." It is pleasing, Mr. Editor, — is it 

 not ? to see the taste for Natural History spread- 

 ing so widely. — Sarah Ingledew, Bath. 



[It is indeed ; and we shall be happy to pro- 

 mote the best interests of these, and similar in- 

 stitutions, by publishing any curious and remark- 

 able particulars that may be brought under their 

 notice.] 



° Diogenes" among the Publishers. — I have a 

 grave charge, Mr. Editor, to bring against your 

 printer, for making me appear foolish before the 

 world — a matter on which a " Quiz" is naturally 

 sensitive ! I told you, in my last, (see p. 61), that 

 " Diogenes" had been in Paternoster Row a full 

 month, hunting, vainly, to find an "honest book- 

 seller ;" and I spoke, at the same time, of Pater- 

 noster Row being recorded, in history, as u the 

 grave of poor authors" — strangling them in their 

 birth, and. ruining all their prospects. Your 

 printer may be, for aught I know, " a wag." At 

 all events he printed the word grave, " grove ;" on 

 the principle, I suppose, of " lucus a non lucendo !" 

 Still he ought not to pass off his waggery at my 

 expense. Paternoster Row has nothing green 

 about it ; as you and Our Journal know, but too 

 well. They bury, in their narrow grave, every- 

 thing they dislike ; and should "a poor author" 

 survive, his life is sustained by " a miracle." Do 

 just set the matter right, for propriety's sake ; lest 

 the worthy " Diogenes" — whom may God still 

 speed in his search ! [Amen !] should turn his 

 lantern upon us honest men, and catch us tripping 

 — Quiz, Cheapside. 



[Quiz ! you are a funny fellow ; but we suppose 

 we must humor you, even though we incur the 

 charge of ill-nature for so doing. We are glad 

 you have combed our printer's hair for him. He 



will heed it more from you, than from ourself. The 

 error, though palpable, was a silly one, and we 

 regret its occurrence. We will take care, this 

 time, that there shall be no more "joking" upon 

 so " grave" a subject.] 



Select Specimens of Wood Engraving. — Mr. 

 George Dorrington, the celebrated engraver on 

 wood, has just sent us a very neat specimen book, 

 containing ample evidence of his varied talent as 

 an artist and engraver. Being extensively em- 

 ployed by the newspaper press, and publishers 

 generally, he has force sufficient to enable him to 

 compete with the cheapest in the trade ; whilst he 

 can, if needs be, rival the most expensive in ability, 

 and at a much lower charge than is usually de- 

 manded. His address is Ampton Street, Gray's 

 Inn Road. 



Melting Snow with Salt. — Persons are in the ha- 

 bit of sprinkling salt upon snow before their doors. 

 They could not do a more silly or injurious thing. 

 The result is, to change dry snow or ice at the 

 temperature of 32° to brine at 0. The injurious 

 effect of damp upon the feet at this excessive de- 

 gree of cold, is likely to be extreme. If, then, 

 any one does sprinkle salt upon snow in the street, 

 he ought to feel it a matter of conscience to sweep 

 it away immediately. — Faraday. 



Heraldic Figures. — Will you kindly tell me, 

 Sir, through the medium of Our Journal, where 

 I shall be able to procure plaster figures of warriors 

 and other heraldic objects, painted and bronzed ? 

 Many months ago, I saw an advertisement of the 

 kind, but quite forget the address of the advertiser. 

 As I am a constant reader of your's, I ask this 

 little courtesy at your hand, without apology. — 

 Eleanor T. 



[We are happy, fair Eleanor, to be able to answer 

 your question. These figures are executed by 

 Mr. John Mabley, No. 9, Wellington Street 

 North, Strand, who, we believe, keeps a variety 

 of them on sale. We have frequently admired 

 them whilst passing the window.] 



PUBLIC EXHIBITIONS. 



SALLE ROBIN, PICCADILLY. 



The notoriety attached to this place of harm- 

 less amusement, has not abated. It has re-opened 

 for its third season ; and as of yore, is rich in all 

 that can interest the young and old. It is pleas- 

 ing to hear the irrepressible mirth of the happy 

 children, as they innocently ask, — " How does he 

 do it ?" Mr. Wellington Young, however, does 

 not tell his secrets ; but he sends his audience 

 home fully impressed with the idea that he is a 

 conjuror ; and a conjuror of no common kind. His 

 adroitness and science are remarkable. The pro- 

 gramme is in two parts. Between these, an 

 Indian Juggler Dak-Ka by name, goes through 

 some most extraordinary performances ; and the 

 evening terminates right pleasantly at an early 

 hour. Messrs. Avenan and Smith have catered 

 well for our juveniles. May they reap the benefit 

 due to their enterprise ! 



