238° 
me. I beheld it coming, and felt my end 
was near. It came; andas it broke over 
me, I heard one loud piercing scream, and 
all was dark. Dark indeed would it have 
been now, had not Major Broadsword been 
there with one of those noblemen of our 
race. No order was needed; no reward ‘ex- 
pected. ‘“‘ Neptune” saw my danger, and, 
with a single bound, dashed into the angry 
sea. For a moment he was battling with 
the briny foam; and then—I was rescued 
from a watery grave. 
Iawoke with a start, and stared about me 
in surprise. I thought I was drowned; but 
my lot was not so cast, for now I was nearly 
smothered with kisses. ‘‘ Neptune” was 
there too, drying his rich black curls before 
a glorious fire, and regaling himself with 
a large basin of good pot-liquor, prepared 
expressly for him; and when I stirred, on 
coming to, he put his dear mild-looking face 
on Miss Emily’s knee, where I lay ensconced 
in flannel; wagged his glorious tail in con- 
gratulation on my recovery ; and licked the 
hand of his fair mistress. He loved her, and 
she loved him. Well did they understand 
each other! 
Men, my dear sir, and women, are change- 
_able,—very ; not to be depended on. Dogs, 
however, are noble-hearted creatures, and 
may always be trusted in the time of 
danger. Yours as ever, 
CHARLIE. 
October 19th, 1853. 
P.S.— My kindest love, s’w vous plait, to 
dear old Fino. He Is a dog! 
LIGHT AND SHADE. 

Wintry souls are ever flinging 
On the world their icy chill ; 
From the realm of fancy bringing 
Every form of mortal ill ; 
Till life, the home of joy no more, 
With sorrow’s hue is sicklied o’er. 
They who seek for gloom may find it 
Where the sun’s rays brightest shine ; 
Not a hill but hath behind it 
Spots where light and shade combine. 
Our souls are ever free to choose 
The fairer part, or still refuse. 
Hearts there are more warm and sunny, 
Which, in every scene of life, 
Leave the poison, sip the honey, 
Wooing peace in homes of strife. 
Ill-fortune hath no power on such,— 
All turns to joyance at their touch ! 
Would that souls like these more often 
Cross’d our spirit’s path below ; 
With their smile of hope to soften 
Rocky hearts, that thence might flow 
A fall fresh stream of sacred love 
O’er all their race, like His above ! 
C. Swain. 
KIDD’S OWN JOURNAL. 
HINTS TO AMATEUR GARDENERS. 
THE CALENDAR FOR NOVEMBER. 
THE seasons are now so “gloriously 
irregular,” that it is hardly possible to do 
more than give general directions. Rain, 
this year, has been destructive of many fond 
hopes; and now we feel prepared for any- 
thing. Leaving everybody to make their 
own observations as to what is best to be 
done, under circumstances, let us offer a few 
remarks on the 
FRUIT GARDEN. 
Tus is the proper month for pruning or trans- 
planting. The pruning of fruit-trees and bushes 
is sadly neglected in some gardens ; the trees often 
presenting a complete wilderness of crowded 
branches; producing in some seasons great 
numbers of small, worthless fruit, and in others 
failing entirely ; besides, by their impenetrable 
shade, permitting nothing to grow beneath them. 
One great cause of these evils is want of 
pruning. Those, therefore, who do not understand 
the principles of pruning, will do well to thin out 
yearly, at this season, the weak spray wood ; 
removing all branches that cross each other, leay- 
ing the trees and bushes regular and uniform, and 
keeping them open in the centre. Admitting that 
they do not cut so judiciously as a practised 
gardener would, they will yet find that they have 
done a a great deal of good, which will be appa- 
rent in the increased health and fruitfulness of 
their trees. 
Now is the most proper time, for planting or 
pruning the Vine: if a young layer is to be 
planted, the soil should be light and rich, and 
precautions taken, as recommended before, to 
prevent the roots penetrating deep, beyond the 
sun’s influence; for this and badly-drained soil is 
the main reason of Grapes so often failing to come 
to maturity out of doors in this climate; the 
bottom of the border should, therefore, be well 
drained with broken stones. Put about two feet of 
soil above them, well enriched, for the plant to 
grow in; crushed bones, or pounded oyster-shells, 
are lasting manures, and the light scrapings from 
a highroad will be found an excellent addition. 
Many authors recommend exciting manures, as 
bullocks’ blood, pigeons’ dung, ' &c., which cause 
a robust growth. But this is not so valuable as 
firm, round, short-jointed wood of a moderate 
strength. 
What is termed spur-pruning is the best system 
for out door Grapes; that is, leaving only one or 
two eyes of the last year’s wood on the main 
branches, and a few short rods, four or five eyes 
each, in situations where it may seem expedient 
to replace an old shoot. Orcut one down at some 
future time, which should always be considered, 
as by this means your Vine may be kept furnished 
with young, healthy, fruit-bearing branches ; even 
where the space intended to be covered is con- 
siderable. ‘The young wood at the end of the 
main stems should not be left too long, as some 
are apt to leave them, thinking to gain time. The 
consequence would be, that the lower part of the 
Vine would become weakened, and its regularity 
destroyed by the upper eyes breaking strongly, 


