250 



KIDD'S OWN JOURNAL. 



now to watcli them in their eddying flight. 

 They are evidently uneasy, and have some 

 " reason " for their prolonged stay which is 

 not quite unknown to us. 



It is curious, while strolling out at this 

 season, to watch the singular effects pro- 

 duced on the face of all Nature by one of 

 those sudden mists so peculiar to our 

 climate. As it comes gradually on, — 

 wrapping in its dusky cloak a whole land- 

 scape that was only the moment before clear 

 and bright as a morning in Spring — we feel 

 spell-bound. The vapor may be seen to 

 rise (from the face perhaps of a distant 

 river), like steam from a boiling caldron. 

 It then climbs up into the blue air as it 

 advances — rolling wreath over wreath until 

 it reaches the spot where you are standing. 

 Then, seeming to hurry past you, its edges, 

 which have hitherto been distinctly defined, 

 become no longer visible. The whole scene 

 of beauty, by which only a few moments 

 previously you were surrounded, is as it were 

 wrapt from your sight like an unreal vision 

 of the air, and you seem to be — indeed you 

 are — transferred into the bosom of a cloud. 

 We have witnessed these scenes frequently 

 of late, and reckon them among the attrac- 

 tions of the country. 



We might go on ad infinitum, detailing 

 the attractions out-of-doors during this 

 month; but we have perhaps said enough 

 to create an appetite. The insect world is 

 just now a study of itself. Every garden is 

 a little world of living curiosities. We 

 should never be weary of the investigations 

 that woo us from day to day, as we pass and 

 repass the threshold of our dooi\ 



Good folks — do come and see ! 



The Philosophy of Sleep, and the cause 

 of Dreams, are subjects on which we have 

 often pondered. As the winter advances, 

 these and other matters (while nature is 

 sleeping in the fields) may profitably engage 

 our pen and exercise our thoughts. They 

 afford food for much and curious reflection. 



Some people are in the habit of " dream- 

 ing" more than others ; and the impressions 

 left on the mind on awakening, are occasion- 

 ally very vivid. We have had some remark- 

 able cases brought under our own notice, 

 from time to time ; and the fulfilment of cer- 

 tain dreams has in many instances been mar- 

 vellously puzzling. The same with certain 

 " fortunes," told of certain people, by certain 

 Gripsies and " wise women." Their predic- 

 tions have been ridiculed ; nevertheless their 

 prophecy, on more than one occasion, has 

 come true. We will not now discuss the 

 " why and because" of this ; but admit the 

 evidence of our senses as confirmation of 

 the " fact." 



Having ourself been the subject of one of 



T 



hese " spells," we will recount as briefly as 

 possible what we heard, saw, and experienced 

 during sleep. We may observe en passant, 

 that our mind was naturally pre-disposed to 

 what came under ' our vision, as no doubt our 

 waking thoughts were en rapport with those 

 which were more ethereal, during the separa- 

 tion of mind and body. 



We were wandering a few days since, 

 whilst the sun shone brightly, in the neigh- 

 borhood of Acton and Hanger Hill — explor- 

 ing some of the most favorite spots of ours. 

 We were observing with delight, the progress 

 of the seasons ; the movements of birds; the 

 operations of certain workmen on the new 

 line of railway (now forming) ; and were, in 

 short, as "happy" as we well could be. 

 Everything around us was quiet. Flocks of 

 sheep were near us ; and we heard the dis- 

 tant lowing of cattle. A wide landscape lay 

 before us, of exceeding beauty, enhanced by 

 the now varying shades of many-colored 

 leaves. There was too a certain haziness in the 

 distance, which threw some of the large ob- 

 jects into relief, imparting to the whole scene 

 an air of grandeur inexpressible. 



Suddenly a kind of torpor crept over us. 

 We felt a strong inclination to doze. There 

 was no valid objection to it. A gate was 

 near; and on it, our head reclining against a 

 post, did we court repose. Our senses gra- 

 dually became dull, our eyes heavy. We were 

 fast asleep. 



By a rate of speed, inseparable from sleep, 

 we were instantaneouslv at Manchester. 

 We found ourselves in the shop of a book- 

 seller there, walking about (evidently invi- 

 sible to the inmates), and making observa- 

 tions. It was just the hour of noon, and 

 customers were beginning to drop in every 

 moment. Among the latter was one gentle- 

 man, tall, of a graceful mien, and of an amiable 

 presence. The expression of his counte- 

 nance we shall never forget. He smiled 

 sweetly, as he asked Mr. Meairwell, the as- 

 sistant, if Mr. Playfair, the master, was at 

 home ? The answer was in the affirmative. 

 Mr. Heart enall was asked into the back par- 

 lor ; and Mr. Playfair Avas called down 

 stairs. 



We were so completely enslaved, if^we 

 may so speak, — so spell-bound at the sight 

 of this gentleman, that we felt as if our life 

 were at his disposal— at all events, our hap- 

 piness. With the lightness of gossamer, 

 we passed through the key-hole ; and, un ■ 

 seen, we took a seat beside him. Just at 

 that moment, Mr. Playfair entered. He, too, 

 looked the very picture of cheerfulness ; and 

 benignity lighted up his countenance. We 

 observed the meeting of the pair with sur- 

 prise. They seemed actuated by one spirit, 

 and shook hands with the utmost cordiality. 

 " Mr. Playfair," said Mr. Heartenall, " I 



