KIDD'S OWN JOURNAL. 



217 



gradual decay which loosens the withering 

 leaf, and which gilds the autumnal land- 

 scape with a temporary splendor, superior to 

 the verdure of Spring or the verdure of 

 Summer. The sensations we experience at 

 this season, are different from those felt in 

 the earlier months. They were joyous then 

 — now they are holy : — 



The autumnal blasts, which whirl while we 

 listen; 



The wan, sear leaf, like a floating toy ; 

 The bright round drops of dew, which glisten 



On the grass at morn ; and the sunshine coy, 

 Which comes and goes like a smile when 

 wooed ; 



The auburn meads, and the foamy flood, 

 Each sight and sound, in a musing mood, — 



Give birth to sensations superior to joy. 



We may rather call our feelings those of 

 admiration, meditation, adoration, and praise. 

 We love our Creator, at such times ; and we 

 want to love his creatures also — if they 

 would let us. 



Among those trees which retain their 

 green hues, the firs are the principal ; and 

 these, spiring up among the deciduous trees, 

 now differ from them no less in color than 

 they do in form. The alders too (recently 

 heavily over-laden with fruit), and the 

 poplars, limes, and horse-chestnuts, are still 

 green — the hues of their leaves not under- 

 going much change so long as they remain 

 on the branches. 



The other forest trees have, for the most 

 part, put on each its peculiar livery — the 

 Planes and Sycamores presenting every 

 variety of tinge, from bright yellow to bril- 

 liant red. The Elms are of a rich sunny 

 amber ; varying according to the age of the 

 tree and the nature of its soil. The Beeches 

 have deepened into a warm glowing brown. 

 This the young trees will retain all the 

 winter, and till the new Spring leaves push 

 the present ones off. The Oaks vary. Some 

 are of a dull dusky green ; others of a deep 

 russet, according to their ages. The Spanish 

 chestnuts, too, with their noble embowering 

 heads, glow like clouds of gold. 



The month of October is usually fine. 

 The days, though short, are bright ; and at 

 mid- day the sun has great power. Walking, 

 therefore, is a most delightful pastime, and 

 should be encouraged. There is still very 

 much out of doors to please the eye ; and 

 there will be constant changes in the scenery 

 as the days get shorter. The hedge -rows, 

 although they have nearly lost all their 

 flowers, are still gay — hardly less so than in 

 the spring and summer. They revel in the 

 various fruits that are spread out upon them 

 for the winter food of the birds. The most 

 conspicuous are the red hips of the Wild- 

 rose ; the brilliant scarlet and green berries 

 of the Night-shade ; and the dark purple 



bunches of the luxuriant Blackberry. These 

 are now most abundant, and we often meet 

 lots of lads and lassies busy in reducing 

 their numbers. Then we have the wintry - 

 looking fruit of the Hawthorn ; the blue 

 Sloes, covered with their soft tempting- 

 looking bloom ; the dull bunches of the 

 Wood- bine ; and the sparkling Holly- 

 berries. 



We might go on for ever, enumerating the 

 beauties that are daily unfolding themselves 

 to view. Every season has its peculiar 

 attractions — and all are, without exception, 

 worthy of our most patient regard. 



Our watering-places are now becoming 

 wow-conductors. The winds blow keenly 

 upon the thin skins of our Londoners ; and 

 they begin to shiver as the shades of evening 

 draw on. They are now fast shifting their 

 quarters, and travelling homewards. Let 

 them not, however, crowd over a fire, or 

 immure themselves indoors. Having " pur- 

 chased " a little health, let them " gratui- 

 tously" seek a little more. Spare bed-rooms, 

 in country villages near London, are still 

 obtainable for the asking ; and a peep into a 

 lovely garden from a chamber window is in- 

 cluded in the grant. Only, good folks, do 

 keep your tobacco at home — your pigtail, 

 your birds'-eye, and your endless variety of 

 curiously-twisted pipes; and try to leave off 

 drinking " grog," and indulging in ardent 

 spirits. W 7 e cannot give you any promise of 

 "renewed health," or of a rosy countenance, 

 unless you do as we do — viz, renounce all 

 these " vulgar errors." They can do you 

 no good, and positively do you much harm; 

 though you may not feel inclined to be- 

 lieve' it. 



We cannot, at this season, delight you 

 with — 



Those virgin leaves of purest vivid green, 

 Which charm' d ere yet they trembled on the 

 trees ; 

 but the time will come round for this. Mean- 

 time, you can take a peep at those which now 



Cheer the sober landscape in decay — 

 The lime fast fading, and the golden birch, 

 With bark of silver hue; the moss-grown oak, 

 Tenacious of its leaves of russet brown, 

 The ensanguined dogwood, and a thousand 



tints 

 Which Flora, dress'd in all her pride of 



bloom, 

 Could scarcely equal. 



And as for new-laid eggs — country but- 

 ter — ham — bacon; thin, streaky, frizzly, 

 crisp bacon — home-baked bread — and aro- 

 matic coffee — these, and what else ? (fresh 

 air included) — are they not " equivalents " 

 for the sacrifice of clouds of filthy tobacco- 

 smoke, and jorums of whisky-toddy? 



" Ask your conscience," say we. 



