210 

KIDD’S OWN JOURNAL. 

people of the town that it should be so— 
for their sakes. Mr. GrorGE PHILuips is 
the person to whom we allude. To this 
individual we explained who we were,—our 
object in calling,—our desire that he would 
kindly assist us in promoting the sale of OuR 
JOURNAL, already so popular. We furnished 
him with sundry Circulars, &., &c. He 
heard us out; and then sneeringly com- 
menced laughing at us! From his observa- 
tions, we gather that he took wus for the 
Pope of Rome, and Our Journat for an 
heretical document that ought to be burnt 
by the common hangman. We were glad to 
make our escape; and as we shut the door, 
we told him he might burn all the circulars, 
&c., we had left him—a permission, we 
imagine, promptly acted upon. This strange 
man’s grin was positively frightful. May 
we never behold it again ! 
Of the other booksellers in the town— 
gentlemen all—we cannot speak in terms 
of too high praise. Their kindness towards 
us was great. Beginning with Mr. Sharland, 
we visited all in turn—Messrs. Forbes and 
Marshall, Webb, Rayner, Bown, &c. These 
all keep OuR JOURNAL, and do everything 
in their power to promote its circulation. 
But we will now take our leave of Southamp- 
ton. We have promised to return there 
anon, to partake of certain hospitalities in 
store for us. This promise, on some leisure 
day, it is incumbent on us to redeem; for 
the invitation given was the spontaneous 
offering of kindred spirits—one for the rest. 
We had never before met; and when we do 
meet, it will not be for that time only. The 
jolly face we last looked on in Southampton 
High Street, will answer for this (?). 
Our readers will now please to picture us, 
with a very happy face—with a heart as 
happy as a heart could be, seated in an open 
carriage, and surrounded by some noble- 
hearted friends, conducting us towards their 
country mansion. This was situate not 
more than twelve miles from Southampton. 
How the time flew, we know not; but we 
were there “in no time.” We had quite a 
“picture” of a horse to look at ; and as for his 
paces, up-hill or down-hill to him seemed one 
and the same thing. That horse is well off— 
and he knows it! 
Arrived chez nous, the first welcome that 
awaited us was that accorded to us by three 
caTs—three of seven; the other four being 
at muster next morning, when we strolled 
out. Now that we are mentioning our friends 
the cats, let us note that two of them (blackies) 
were minus half a taileach. When lying in 
the manger, asleep, the pony had contrived, 
whilst munching his hay, to munch off half 
their tails. Ere our departure we had fami- 
liarly named them “ Docket” and “ Stump.” 
Three dogs, too, welcomed our approach; to 


which were afterwards added two others, 
besides an in-door pet—‘ Tiney.” 
Of the internal hospitalities practised by 
our most excellent host and hostesses, it would 
be in bad taste to speak. Suffice it, that 
certain fair hands had themselves made cer- 
tain nice things, of which we partook with an 
appetit de loup; and that true, genuine hos- 
pitality reigned throughout the mansion. 
We entered it with delight—we quitted it with 
unfeigned regret. We had never been there 
before ; but we should indeed be sorry were 
we never to revisit the scenes where we were 
so thoroughly welcomed, so truly happy. It 
will be our own fault if we do not,—for 
another “invite ’’ has already reached us! 
It will be accepted—cf course. 
We have not spoken of the scenery that lay 
on each side of our road from Southampton ; 
but it was richly varied, and woody ; abound- 
ing in undulations of hill and valley. The 
autumnal tints were in their full glory; and 
Nature, clad in her most beautiful attire, 
seemed to be proudly gazing on the work of 
her own fair hands. We enjoyed the drive— 
we enjoyed the prospect—we enjoyed the 
day—we enjoyed the society of our dear, 
good friends. The evening passed delight- 
fully. We witnessed a glorious sunset ; and 
we beheld, in all its quiet majesty, the rising 
of the harvest-moon. ‘These two sights we 
gazed. on every evening, with feelings of in- 
tense admiration. Happy in our society, 
peaceful in our mind, and our brain released 
from labor (a rare thing, this, with us!), we 
looked on all around us with the placid en- 
joyment of earlier days. At a reasonable 
hour, sleep bowed down our eyelids. The 
excitement of the day had brought on a 
pleasing disposition to slumber. We retired 
to rest ; and, in a bed that royalty itself might 
envy, and a room fit for a palace, we tucked 
our head behind our wing and were in Heayen 
ina moment! ‘Thus ended our first day. 
The following morning, early, found us 
equipped for a walk. The sun, however, rose 
a little earlier than we did ; and prepared for 
us in the garden (somewhat less than two 
acres in extent, and beautifully laid out) a 
treat indeed! Our early rising had been 
anticipated and provided for. Our friends 
were all on the wing, and awaiting us. One 
gentle hand brought us a fine ripe green fig ; 
another, a most luscious peach; another, a 
splendid pear ; and a fourth, some other deli- 
cious fruit—and here let us say, that this was 
done every morning during our stay. 
Then—there was the walk together; the 
friendly chat, the questions, the answers, the 
good wishes, &c. &c. Oh, how the time flew! 
And then breakfast was announced. Break- 
fast? ‘Aye, marry, sir,—breakfast.” To 
tell of “the’’ cream, “the ’’ entrées, “ the”’ 
delicious relishes, “the” provocatives, &c. 

