KIDD'S OWN JOURNAL. 



375 



ployers ! It quite rejoiced our heart. The man 

 of whom we speak, had lived here some eleven 

 years. His countenance was truly intelligent, 

 and his bearing quite amiable). It would 

 be unfair not to tell of all our treat. Some thin 

 slices of home-made bread (of a slightly brown 

 shade), so sweet that the taste yet lingers in our 

 mouth, — wedded to some home-made butter, im- 

 parted to that " new milk " a relish which we 

 shall never forget. What is stiJl better, there is 

 a pleasing prospect of its being — " repeated oc- 

 casionally." We have some half-dozen kind " in- 

 vites, " too, to taste these rarities (" real " milk, 

 butter, and cream) in different parts of Devon- 

 shire. On our return, we shall no doubt man- 

 fully resolve to dispense with milk altogether ; 

 taking our tea and coffee " neat. " Shall we not 

 pant for the summer of 1854 !] 



Metropolitan Fancy Babbit Show.- As I reported 

 proceedings for you last year — I do so again, with 

 your permission. The Club held their summer 

 exhibition (this being their 22nd session) on the 

 15th of June. Their place of rendezvous was, 

 as usual, Anderton's Hotel ; and as usual, the 

 old respected Chairman, Dr. Handey, was found 

 at his post. There was an excellent show of rab- 

 bits ; all remarkably healthy, and all finely coated. 

 The club, however, had not been quite so success- 

 ful as usual in producing the length of ear. Mr. 

 Parks carried off the first and second prizes. The 

 third and subsequent prizes, were awarded re- 

 spectively to Messrs. Stinton, Bird, Arnold, Han- 

 dey, and Wynne. I enclose you all particulars, 

 for the satisfaction of the curious. [We shall be 

 happy to show the list to any amateur who may 

 feel interested.] After the exhibition had 

 concluded, the Chairman dwelt at large upon 

 the general views of the Club, detailing 

 its progress, &c. ; and wound up by pro- 

 posing in a bumper — "Its continued suc- 

 cess." His health was then proposed with ac- 

 clamations. The same honor was also paid to 

 their Hon. Secretary, Mr. William Jones, and 

 many high and deserved compliments were paid 

 him for his great and unceasing exertions to pro- 

 mote the welfare of the Club. Then followed a 

 neat speech from Mr. Jones, which was enthusi- 

 astically applauded ; and immediately afterwards, 

 came the "flow of soul." The company were in 

 full festivity until 11. They then evaporated. — 

 Observer. 



Curious Situations for Birds' 1 Nests. — In one 

 of the flower-baskets on my lawn (^the bark having 

 cracked and become partially separated from the 

 wood), a blue titmouse has profited by the opening ; 

 and, passing through a passage of some length 

 behind the bark, has found sufficient room for its 

 nest, and is rearing its young successfully. In the 

 neighboring church of Bultcrmeve, a wren has 

 filled one of the divisions of a window with its 

 cosey domicile, and is sitting on its eggs at a dis- 

 tance of not more than 2\ feet from the elbow of 

 the preacher when in his pulpit. But the most 

 curious situation for a nest, is the following : — In 

 the garden of a neighbor, a lady had placed a flower- 

 pot over a patch of sweet-peas ; and on removing 

 it to ascertain the progress of the flowers, was 

 surprised by the sudden escape of a bird from 



within. It appeared that a tit-mouse (the Varus 

 major, Joe Bent, or Ox-eye) had entered through 

 the hole at the top of the inverted flower-pot ; had 

 formed a nest on the ground ; and was then sitting 

 on ten eggs ! The bird subsequently became ac- 

 customed to visitors ; and would allow the flower- 

 pot to be tilted, so that she might be seen on her 

 eggs within. The nest is now filled with eight or 

 nine little tits ; and it will be a matter of curiosity 

 to watch how, in the first instance, they will escape 

 from their confinement, — as some skill and accu- 

 racy of movement must be necessary in order to 

 pass through the only outlet, — the small hole, 

 which is some nine or ten inches above, and which 

 is only just large enough for the passage of the 

 parent. — H. H. W., Combe Vicarage, Hdnts, 

 June 21. 



Mesmerism as a Curative Power. — I have 

 observed several hints in our Journal, from 

 time to time, connected with the subject of mes- 

 merism ; and I have noticed your bias in its favor. 

 Having a card given me, I attended the recent 

 Annual Meeting of the Committee of the Mesmeric 

 Institution, held at Willis's Eooms, determined to 

 see if I could understand the mystery. What I 

 heard there was so marvellous, and yet apparently 

 so true, that I confess I am puzzled. If the cures 

 " said " to be performed were really performed, we 

 do indeed live in an age of wonders ! Would you 

 mind giving me your opinion upon the subject ? I 

 feel, my dear sir, that I can trust rou safely. — 

 Matilda D., Tooting. 



[All you heard stated, Mademoiselle, at the 

 meeting of June 17 (we were there from first to 

 last), you may give ready credence to. Earl 

 Stanhope, Dr. Elliotson, Professor De Morgan, 

 and indeed all who deposed to certain facts, are 

 entitled to the fullest confidence. You might well 

 be astonished at what you heard. But this is 

 really nothing to what is in the near distance. 

 What Dr. Esdaile is effecting in India (to the 

 details of which no doubt you listened in amaze- 

 ment) will ere long be effected here. Our medical 

 men, who once affected to despise mesmerism, are 

 now (secretly) its warmest admirers. They do 

 not speak well of it, nor practise it, — simply be- 

 cause it would deprive them of their fees and 

 credulous patients. This alas! is "human nature." 

 But the curative power of mesmerism cannot be 

 hid. It is spreading far and near. What did you 

 think of the man who addressed the meeting on 

 the north side of the room, — and showed how 

 scalds, burns, wounds, bruises, diarrhoea, &c, 

 might be readily cured? Did not .his words carry 

 conviction with them, and reach your heart? The 

 same with Captain Hudson's remarkable chain of 

 facts. The evidence of this wonderful man (what 

 a presence he has !), given as it was with all the 

 emphasis and earnestness of conscious truth — 

 bore down all before it. ' Remember, what you 

 heard were not loose statements; names were 

 given, and references offered ; so that, deception 

 was impossible. There is no secret in mesmerism, 

 — none whatever. We have practised it; yon 

 can practise it. We have easily removed pain 

 from sufferers ; you can do the same. If you will 

 oblige us with your full address, in confidence, we 

 will explain further, and send you some singularly 

 interesting facts. There is something about your 



