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KIDD'S OWN JOURNAL. 



formed will far outstrip in reality every su- 

 perlative, Latin or otherwise — it is probable 

 the name ends in issima — and that, after 

 proving them, we find they are old familiar 

 friends in a new dress, with the addition of a 

 little gilding by the way — we certainly can- 

 not subscribe to the sentiment conveyed in 

 the Hudibrastic couplet, that 



the pleasure is as great 



In being cheated as to cheat.'' 



M But, joking apart, reformation is needed ; 

 and the sooner it is commenced the better. 

 If the practice of seizing upon every little 

 variation in the appearance of a flower or a 

 vegetable, as of sufficient importance to force 

 it into public notice, and to demand a high 

 price for it, is to be followed up, when and 

 where is it to terminate ? The practice 

 ought, and must be condemned sooner or 

 later ; but, while it is allowed to be a lucra- 

 tive speculation, there is no chance of its 

 dying out." 



INDUSTRY AND IDLENESS. 



We recently fell in with a very sensi- 

 ble travelling companion, in the form of a 

 New York Magazine. There was one short 

 paper in this magazine which pleased us so 

 much, that we were determined to let the 

 readers of our Journal share our plea- 

 sure. The writer says, when speaking of 

 the part we are all called upon to play in 

 the world : — 



It is the duty of every one, to take some active 

 part as actor on the stage of life. Some seem to 

 think that they can vegetate, as it were, without 

 being anything in particular. Man was not made 

 to rust out his life. It is expected he should " act 

 well his part." He must be something. He has 

 a work to perform, which it is his duty to attend 

 to. We are not placed here to grow up, pass 

 through the various stages of life, and then die 

 without having done anything for the benefit of 

 the human race. 



It is a principle in the creed of the Mahome- 

 tans, that every one should have a trade. No 

 Christian doctrine could be better than that. Is 

 a man to be brought up in idleness ? Is he to 

 live upon the wealth which his ancestors have 

 acquired by frugal industry ? Is he placed here 

 to pass through life like an automaton ? Has he 

 nothing to perform as a citizen of the world? 

 A man who does nothing, is useless to his 

 country as an inhabitant. A man who does 

 nothing is a mere cipher. He does not fulfil 

 the obligations for which he was sent into the 

 world ; and when he dies, he has not finished 

 the work that was given him to do. He is a 

 mere blank in creation. Some are born with 

 riches and honors upon their heads. But does it 

 follow that they have nothing to do in their career 

 through life ? There are certain duties for every 

 one to perform. Be something. Don't live like 

 a hermit, and die unregretted. 



See that young man. No matter what are his 



circumstances ; if he has no particular businesB 

 to pursue, he will not accomplish much. Per- 

 haps he has a father abundantly able to support 

 him. Perhaps that father has labored hard to 

 obtain a competence that is sufficient for his sons 

 to live in idleness. Can they go abroad with 

 any degree of self-complacency, squandering away 

 the money which their fathers have earned by 

 hard labor ? No one who has the proper feelings 

 of a citizen, who wishes to be ranked among the 

 useful members of society, would live such a 

 life. 



Be something. Don't be a drone. You may 

 rely upon your present possessions, or on your 

 future prospects. But these riches may fly away, 

 or hopes may be blighted ; and if you have no 

 place of your own, in such case, ten to one you 

 will find your path beset with thorns. Want 

 may come upon you before you are aware of it ; 

 and, having no profession, you will find yourself 

 in anything but an enviable condition. It is, 

 therefore, important that you should be some- 

 thing. Don't depend upon Fortune ; she is a fickle 

 support, which, often fails when you lean upon 

 her with the greatest confidence. Trust to your 

 own exertions. 



Be Something. Pursue that vocation for which 

 you are fitted by nature. Pursue it faithfully 

 and diligently. You have a part to act, and 

 the honor in performing that part depends upon 

 yourself. It is sickening to see a parcel of idle 

 boys hanging around a father ; spending the 

 money which he has earned by his industry, 

 without attempting to do anything for themselves. 

 " Be something," should be their motto. 

 • Every one is capable of learning some " art, 

 trade, or mystery," and can earn a competence 

 for himself. He should be something, and not 

 bring down the grey hairs of his father to the 

 grave. He should learn to depend upon himself. 

 Idle boys, living upon a parent, without any pro- 

 fession or employment, are ill qualified for good 

 members of society. And we regret to say, it 

 is too often the case that it is the parents' fault 

 that they are thus brought up. They should be 

 taught to be something, to know how to provide 

 for themselves in case of necessity ; and if they act 

 well their part — they will reap the honor which 

 therein lies. 



CORRECT TASTE IN ART. 

 F L WE Fv - P A T T E R N S. 



BY DR. W. H. HARVEY. 



TO ARRIVE AT ANY DEGREE OF EXCEL- 

 LENCE in the arrangement of flower-patterns, 

 it is important to possess a knowledge of 

 Botany: this, whether as regards muslin, 

 damask, or wall papers. 



It is quite certain that true taste will prefer 

 the pattern which most nearly represents the 

 natural flowers, with all their peculiarities of 

 form, and in their true colors. The stems, 

 in nature, may be stiff and angular : if they 

 be so, it is vain to attempt, in the pattern, to 

 give them graceful bends, and to hope, by 

 so doing, to please the eye. To represent 

 branches of hawthorn flowers on the twining 



