132 



KIDD'S OWN JOUKNAL. 



The gardens are tastefully laid out ; there 

 are, too, some pleasant terraces, and some of 

 those walks (or alleys) bounded by tall ever- 

 greens, such as we read of in old books and 

 see in the paintings of Watteauand Lancret. 

 We need not stay to notice the external 

 appearance of the house. It is one of those 

 heterogeneous jumbles well named " Modern 

 Gothic." The interior is designed with 

 much more judgment. But we must turn to 

 the picture gallery, as there are works there 

 that will need all the time we can devote to 

 them : the productions of Raphael and Bar- 

 tolomeo are not to be understood at a hasty 

 glance. The gallery is a noble room, well 

 lighted by two or three lanterns, and also by 

 a large bay-window that looks over a richly 

 cultivated scene. The walls are hung with a 

 bright scarlet cloth, which, with the gilt cor- 

 nices and other ornaments, and the rich fur- 

 niture of the room, has a brilliant effect — 

 too brilliant indeed, for the sober character 

 of the pictures, which would better accord 

 with a more sombre tone of color in the 

 fittings. The ante-room, through which we 

 pass into the gallery, is chiefly hung with 

 family portraits ; among others is that of the 

 celebrated Chancellor Cowper, who looks as 

 if the cares of state sat lightly on him. 



As we have suggested a visit to Pan- 

 shanger as one of the most agreeable day's 

 excursions from London, we will just point 

 out how it may be easiest accomplished. By 

 the North-Eastern Railway, the visitor can 

 at once reach Hertford, from whence a pretty 

 walk of little more than two miles will bring 

 him to Panshanger. The way is by the north 

 road for about a mile beyond Hertford, and 

 then along a very rural road on the left of 

 the main one, till the lodge is reached. Dr. 

 Waagen says, that, " being a great walker," 

 he managed to reach it on foot from Hert- 

 ford by the aid of a guide ; but the most 

 feminine of our readers need not fear being 

 tired by the length of the way, or be deterred 

 by its difficulty. As we have hinted, the 

 collection is not of a kind to be hastily ex- 

 amined, and the visitor is allowed to remain 

 as long as he pleases in the room, especially 

 if the family is absent. Still by a little 

 management, and leaving London by the half- 

 past nine o'clock train, time enough will be 

 afforded for a stroll through the park, which 

 should not be omitted ; and there are many 

 walks beyond its limits of remarkable beauty, 

 particularly up some of the lanes to the west 

 of it. The stranger should not, however, 

 wander too far. Hertfordshire ways are very 

 crooked, and Hertfordshire directions still 

 more crooked ; he might therefore perchance 

 find himself too late for the last train. 



Affectation. — The result of a weak mind; 

 showing that its possessor has a head, — but 

 nothing: in it. 



BIEDS OF SONG. 



No. XXIV.— THE BLACK-CAP. 



The hen black-cap differs from the male, 

 in the color of her head-dress ; which, 

 instead of being jet black, is a dusky brown. 

 She is, too, of a more sombre Quaker-like 

 aspect. She is often mistaken for the garden- 

 warbler at a distance, though the latter has 

 a much longer and fan-like tail ; also a more 

 taper and genteel neck. The nests of both 

 these birds are firmly and strongly built, and 

 of the same materials. They are composed 

 externally of dry grass, twigs, and the fibres 

 of roots, and are lined within with fine hair, 

 delicate blades of grass, and soft, pliant 

 moss. 



The number of eggs laid by each is from 

 four to six. Those of the black-cap are of 

 a yellowish- white color, with brown spots ; 

 whilst the eggs of the garden-warbler have 

 in addition a mixture of pale grey spots upon 

 them. Their nests are seldom built at a 

 height exceeding three feet from the ground. 

 They are usually found in a Hawthorn. The 

 notes of distress uttered by both during the 

 season of incubation, are greatly alike, being 

 harsh and discordant. Those of the black- 

 cap are the loudest, and fall most gratingly 

 on the ear. In song, these birds differ widely. 

 The notes of the garden-warbler are soft, 

 gentle, and quietly sweet. The song of the 

 black-cap is loud, bold, clear and distinct. 



Whilst instituting a comparison between 

 this bird and the nightingale, much judg- 

 ment should be shown. They are both 

 equally excellent in degree. While the 

 quality and power of the nightingale's voice 

 cannot be over-rated, yet he sings for a very 

 limited time only ; and is subject to great 

 depression of spirit. The rapidity of his 

 execution, and the " value " of his notes, 

 while he is in song, place him certainly 

 highest in the scale of excellence ; and, so 

 far as this extends — " Pahnam qui meruit 

 feral." When, however, we weigh well the 

 comparative tempers of the birds, their 

 general deportment in a cage, and the un- 

 ceasing attention they require, — it then 

 becomes a matter of question how to choose 

 between them. Both are equally robust in 

 point of constitution ; both arrive here nearly 

 at the same time, and both are heartily 

 welcomed when they do come. Of all the 

 summer warblers, these are " the " two, par 

 excellence. 



The depression of spirit in the nightingale, 

 it must be borne in mind, does not exist when 

 he is enjoying his liberty out of doors. It 

 is only when caged that he is seen to mope.; 

 and this is why we have so sedulously en- 

 deavored to prevent his being numbered so 

 generally among " cage birds." He may, 



