176 



KIDD'S OWN JOURNAL. 



rare bird ; for the transition from fresh roast 

 beef, as recommended by the highest autho- 

 rities now, to raw carrion, is so very easy, 

 and so much more economical, that we need 

 not wonder at the improvement being very 

 soon tried and in active work ! 



I should just as soon think of making my 

 dinner off the carcase of a carrion crow, as 

 that of a chicken fed on flesh of any kind. 

 It is a common practice with beginners to 

 give parrots a bone to pick ; and they seem 

 very handy at it. Parrots thus fed, peck 

 their own feathers at moulting time, and get 

 quite disgraceful in plumage. Precisely the 

 same complaint is now raised against domestic 

 poultry, when fed with flesh. They quarrel 

 and peck each other at moulting ; and it is 

 only at such a critical period as moulting 

 time, that we find the want of proper food. 



China fowls always moult badly ; so much 

 so, that when they have changed their coat 

 once or twice, they become turncoats indeed, 

 and bear no resemblance to the majestic, 

 happy bird with maiden plumage. Had 

 finely-powdered bone been given to birds 

 instead of flesh, the case would have been 

 very different ; for chemical analysis sheweth 

 its fitness, where lime and gelatine are so 

 much needed. But a very little research 

 into the admirable arrangements that Nature 

 has made, to reap that which she hath scat- 

 tered (or, as the Bible has it, " strawed"), will 

 show that these domestic birds are the 

 gleaners after the reapers ; and the chances 

 are that that which hath been cast upon the 

 earth will be earthy. So we see earths, and 

 even stone, not only admissible into the 

 stomach of the fowl, but actually necessary 

 to be there for its health and well-being. 

 Food containing the same proportion of earth 

 or sand, taken into the stomach of a horse, 

 produces frightful agony and death. 



When fowls assume any other character 

 than gleaners and pickers up of crumbs, it 

 must be either at the expense of their own 

 health, or of their owners 1 profits ; for, 

 leaving out the " crack feeds " of bread soaked 

 in old ale, fresh roast beef, hempseed, candle- 

 makers' greaves, &c. ; and taking only the 

 cheapest grain — barley, for example — at 

 present prices, we have one-third of a peck a 

 week for each hen, or four bushels a year — 

 say 18s., or, if wheat, 27s. 



Six dozen of eggs a year, even at Is. a 

 dozen, is but a poor set-off against such a 

 sum ; and this does not include the cost of 

 keeping the cock bird. 



Besides, if chickens reared are to be taken 

 into account, so must the food they eat be 

 accounted for also. 



David Sangster. 



Passion. — Passionate people are like men who 

 stand upon their heads. They see all things the 

 wrong way. 



THE BLESSINGS OF PEACE. 



BY HELEN HETHERINGTON. 



Seek peace, and pursue it, for time flieth fast ; 

 This morning we hail may, perhaps, he our last ! 

 We may see the sun rise (free from sorrow or pain), 

 Yet never, oh never, behold it again ! 



Then part not in anger ; 'tis better to bend, 

 Though thou'rt not in the wrong, it may gain thee 



a friend ; 

 Establish true peace e're the bright sun has set, 

 By the ties of affection — forgive and forget ! 



Seek peace, and pursue it ; tho' lowly thy lot, 

 The brightest of blessings will beam on thy cot. 

 The home of the wealthy, unbless'd by its smile, 

 Knows not the pure joy that can sorrow beguile ! 



Oh yes ; 'tis a treasure the poorest may prize ; 

 A rare gem of beauty, that none dare despise. 

 Unsullied by sorrow, in mercy 'tis given, 

 To cheer those on earth with a foretaste of Heaven. 



Seek peace, and pursue it ; we know not its worth, 

 'Tis the blessing our Lord brought from Heaven to 



earth, 

 And the angels of Heaven who guarded Him then, 

 Sang " peace upon earth and good-will towards 



men." 



Let us follow the things that belong to our peace ; 



Let envy, and malice, and enmity cease ; 



When we know we're but pilgrims and sojourners 



here, 

 How bitter do all such dissensions appear ! 



Seek peace, and pursue it ; oh, let not a word 

 That would tarnish its brilliancy ever be heard ; 

 Bind it close to thy heart, as a trophy of joy, 

 That the world cannot give,nor its minions destroy. 



Its home is in Heaven. Twin sister of Love, 

 It dwells with the bright, happy spirits above. 

 Then let not our prayers for its blessings e'er cease, 

 Ouk God is a God of compassion and peace ! 



THOUGHTS ON BORROWING. 



To borrow anything, is bad habit. The lender 

 is almost invariably M done." In the matter of 

 books, this is universally true. When Farquhar 

 was at Trinity College, Dublin, he sent to a gen- 

 tleman to borrow u Burnett's History of the Re- 

 formation." The gentleman sent him word, that 

 " he never lent any book out of his chamber ; but 

 that if he would come there, he should make use 

 of it as long as he pleased." A short time after, 

 the owner of the book sent to borrow Mr. Far- 

 quhar's bellows. Mr. F. returned for answer — " I 

 never lend my bellows out of my own chamber ; 

 but if the gentleman would please to come there, 

 he should make use of them as long as he would !" 



Some time since, we sent to borrow of a neigh- 

 bor a long ladder, for the gardener to mount on, 

 whilst trimming a high vine. The answer was — 

 " I never borrow, nor lend ; and I am ten pounds 

 a-year in pocket by it.' ' Our neighbor's reply 

 delighted us ; and we have adopted his principle. 

 We are more than ten pounds in pocket by this ! 



