KIDD'S OWN JOURNAL. 

29 

that the others, being old, did not dance. They 
wear a copper armlet as a sign of distinction. 
We should very well like to be present 
at ascene of this kind. It must contrast most 
powerfully with an English ball, and be 
infinitely more animated. That kick, too, 
must be seen—perhaps felt, to be properly 
appreciated. We would, however, much 
prefer being the endorsor. The endorsee, we 
imagine, would be apt to consider the kick 
to be a breach of good manners—especially 
when administered with the “ full force of a 
donkey’s hoof.” 
Tropical Southern Africa must be just 
“the” place in which to teach a man 
activity ! 
THE EVENING HOUR, 
BY HELEN HETHERINGTON. 

THERE is a calmness in the evening hour, 
A soothing joy that words can ne’er describe ; 
A social intercourse from flower to flower— 
And from their happiness our souls imbibe 
Reliance on the hand that made them fair, 
Blessing the meanest creature with his care. 
This is the season for reflection. Far 
From anxious care and strife, from pomp and 
pride, 
We find rich treasure in each twinkling star, 
And breathe a fragrance from the mountain 
side. 
In every simple flower that deeks the sod, 
We trace the hand,—the mighty hand of God! 
And now the birds commence their vesper lays, 
Low, plaintive music falls upon the ear; 
A soft sweet cadence breathing prayer and praise, 
As if they felt a hand to save was near. 
And who protects them? who their wants sup- 
plies? 
And lends an ear to listen to their cries? 
They build no barns to hoard their treasures in ; 
Nor coffers fill with gold, a secret store. 
And though they toil not, neither do they spin, 
Yet have they all they need, nor wish for more. 
The same kind hand protects both birds and 
flowers, 
And oh, how far their faith exceedeth ours! 
Oh, let us love the flowers that God has made, 
And cherish with affection each dear bird ; 
And when our footsteps wander through the 
glade, 
And their sweet evening hymn is softly heard, 
Forget our sorrows in their plaintive lays, 
And join their little song of grateful praise. 
Oh, Nature, how I love thee! At this hour, 
Drest in thy fairy mantle, thou dost prove 
- A balm for sorrow ; and I bless the power 
ena made thee fair, and taught my heart to 
ove. 
Cheer’d by thy smiles, secure from man’s device, 
THE EARTH STILL HOLDS A PART OF ParapisE. 
SUMMER DELECTABILITIES. 
PIC-NICS. 

Ler’s be a cu1tp! by Nature’s kindly law 
Pleas’d with a rattle—tickled with a straw. 

IN THIS VERY UNCERTAIN, FICKLE CLI- 
MATE OF OURS, wherein seven-eighths of the 
year may be called “ winter,” it becomes us 
allto ‘‘make hay while the sun shines; ” 
and if the sun does not shine in August, when 
will it shine? But the sun does shine, and 
the ground is dry—very dry, the woods are 
shady, and the foliage of the trees forms a 
most umbrageous covering to prevent lily- 
white necks from being ‘done brown.” 
What is our mission then, this month? 
Pleasure! harmless, innocent pleasure : 
The youth who bathes in Pleasure’s limpid 
stream 
At well-judged intervals, feels all his soul 
Nerv’d with recruited strength. 
This applies to youth of either sex, and 
is good for “old boys’’ and young boys— 
‘old girls’? and young girls. Add mankind 
have hearts to be happy; and happy they 
must be. No exclusiveness must be per- 
mitted in August, Human nature is ‘ out 
for a holiday ;’’ and the conventional mask 
peculiar to cities must be hung up till next 
winter, That point is settled. 
“Well, Mr. -Editor, but what about 
Pic-Nics? What are they? What do they 
consist of ? What is their object? How 
are they to be got up? Whois to be of 
the party ny 
Gently—gently—if you please, good peo- 
ple. We are just coming to the point. 
A pic-nic party should consist of a mis- 
cellaneous assemblage ; some, young ; some, 
middle-aged; and some, old folk. It must 
not be planned very long before it ‘comes 
off;’’ but be a kind of improvision—got up 
on the instant. All these little matters 
should be done off-hand. Select the names 
of the intended dramatis persone, send 
“ letters of advice,” and prepare at once for 
the grand carnival al fresco. A joyous 
maiden of seventeen should undertake this 
duty. 
There is a difference of opinion as to who 
should, and who should not form elemental 
particles in a pic-nic. The Americans tell 
us, that a smart humorist and a good butt 
are two indispensable ingredients ; for that 
a pic-nic party, without these, would be like 
a pantomime without Clown and Pantaloon. 
We strongly object to this. It is wrong 
in principle. The same authorities say: 

“By all means avoid asking engaged pairs. 
Selfish as an alderman, they will sneak off 
slyly into some secluded spots to bill and coo, 
and contribute nothing 
to the common 

