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KIDD'S OWN JOURNAL. 



us, and slunk away disappointed. Our name 

 is secret, our person impalpable to the touch, 

 our ensemble invisible to the sharpest eye. 

 We flit into our sanctum noiselessly, and 

 dissolve into thin air when we make our exit 

 to the busy world. We see and hear every- 

 thing, yet are we seen and heard by none. 

 We repeat this, to satisfy all who are so 

 annoyingly "curious." They never have 

 seen us — never will see us. Why, therefore, 

 do they sacrifice so much valuable time ? If 

 we reply to all questions asked — what would 

 they more ? 



There is only one way of getting access to 

 our royal person ; and that is, by the chord of 

 sympathy and cordiality which genially binds 

 us and our choicest readers so closely 

 together. That is the key which unlocks 

 our heart. We will visit all over the world, 

 most gladly ; only let the masonic signal of 

 brotherly and sisterly love reach us. The 

 "open sesame" that we require, is simple; 

 but it is eloquent. We seek no honor, want 

 no homage — but wherever we go, we must 

 feel "at home." These remarks will be 

 extensively understood. They are called for, 

 or would not have been offered. Our 

 Journal is a printed record of what we are. 

 What we therein profess, that do we practise. 

 Singular are we — very ! 



We may introduce here, very consistently, 

 the result of a note addressed to us by one of 

 our kind readers. The object of his commu- 

 nication was, to set us right upon the subject 

 of a remark we made at page 258 — about 

 " Character-reading." We ridiculed the idea 

 of any one being able to define character 

 simply by the handwriting, and called all 

 such professors "jugglers." 



Our unknown friend says: — 



Do send thirteen stamps to tbe address en- 

 closed, and fill up the required particulars. You 

 will assuredly get an answer ; and when it reaches 

 you, print it. It is a public question ; and those 

 who know you, can say whether you have received 

 a false character or not. 



We smiled, or rather laughed heartily, at 

 the suggestions made by our correspondent ; 

 nevertheless we did write, under a fictitious 

 name, to the party indicated ; and took special 

 care to throw them off the scent as to our 

 identity, &c. We sealed and despatched our 

 missive. The reply arrived in due course. 

 It is printed without any comment of 

 ours : — 



To "Ignotus," — Sir, The most brilliant acquire- 

 ments and rhetorical powers are not always a sure 

 indication of success in life. A certain knowledge 

 of the world is required to direct one's prurient 

 energies, or all efforts will prove abortive. " Ig- 

 notus " possesses the faculties capable of achiev- 

 ing more than the usual amount of honor and 

 respect. This is demonstrated in a maimer which 

 will not admit of its truth being questioned ; and : 

 whilst the talents so liberally bestowed upon him j 



j are wielded with an impetus commanding atten- 



I tion wherever exhibited, his natural feeling of 



i humility asserts her prerogative ; allowing no 



appearance of pride to divide the laurels, or share 



the honorable position it is his destiny to fill. 



But as no one is correct at all hours (A T emo 

 mortalium omnibus lioris sapii), so no character 

 ■ can be " perfect." Imperfections must and will 

 ! make inroads, to act as antagonistics. These 

 may be wisely designed to show, by contrast, the 

 spotless beauty of virtue and the hideous deformity 

 of vice. Ambition, therefore, the graphiologist 

 would deem to be " the " failing ; but the 

 poisoned barb is mollified by Benevolence. 



Wealth may be desired and sought after ; but 

 no mercenary motive will be instrumental in its 

 accumulation. 



The desire for domestic happiness and comfort, 

 in "Ignotus" reigns paramount ; nor would he 

 allow any invasion upon his recreation — suffering 

 rather a personal pecuniary deprivation ; for, like 

 ^Esop's bow, when 



" Once relax 'd, 

 'Twill bear a tighter string." 



Such is a literal transcript of " Our Editor's" 

 character.* He gives it as he received it. 

 The power of divination in the graphiologist, 

 is left for the decision of the public. 



* It is not a little amusing to note the very odd 

 ideas that some people form of our identity and 

 qualifications. On reaching home, we frequently 

 find on our table letters addressed to us as a 

 " reverend," a "doctor," a " professor," &c, &c. 

 Our worthy postman is bewildered — fairly puzzled, 

 by our " famous titles," each day adding to the 

 variety. A question was recently raised in a 

 public carriage, travelling through Hammersmith 

 to London — as to who we really were. A strange 

 gentleman (very strange !) took upon himself to 

 answer the question. He said he knew us well — 

 very well ; and that we were — a Quaker ! He 

 described us as of " a stern presence, but of un- 

 compromising principles ; austere in manner, but 

 of a kind heart, hard features, a rotund person, 

 and a peculiarly-plain cut." Wenev-er! Perhaps, 

 however, it is well to be thus " figured." It will 

 protect our royal person. " Our Editor" of a stem 

 presence and hard features ! rotund, austere— and 

 a Quaker too ! Let us remark that, if not pro- 

 vokingly handsome, he is not so alarmingly ugly. 

 He is " sensitive" on this point ! — Ed. K J. 



A LOVE-LETTER. 



Why dost thou wound and break my heart, 



As if we should for ever part ? 



Hast thou not heard an oath from me, 



After a day, or two, or three, 



I would come back and live with thee ? 



Take, if thou do'st distrust that vowe, 



This second protestation now ; 



Upon thy cheeke that spangl'd teare, 



Which sits as dew of roses there ; 



That teare shall scarce be dri'd before 



I'll kisse the threshold of thy dore ; 



Then weepe not, sweet ; but thus much know,- 



I am halfe return d before I go. 



Herkick. 



