KIDD’S OWN JOURNAL. 

295 

night. We must draw a curtain over the 
bestiality. 
Now, do Mammas look anxiously forward 
to the return of their boys from school. Now, 
do the boys begin to “notch off” the 
lingering days that intervene between them 
and the time for “breaking up.” Now do 
school-books begin mysteriously to lose their 
covers; and all sorts of sly tricks to be 
played off on the masters and ushers—‘ no- 
body”’ being the offender (as usual). 
Now, do the London shopkeepers begin 
to bait their traps, to tempt the curiosity 
of passers-by. Grocers look plum-y, and 
bakers crumby; we returning the compli- 
ment by looking crusty at the rise in 
bread. And then, note the tempting caps 
and ribbons stealing daily into the windows ! 
What a little darling is that Cerise neck- 
tie; with its centre ornament! “ Shouldn’t 
I like to have it!” softly sighs a pretty 
innocent face, as it ambles by. ‘“Shouldn’t 
I like to give it you!’ breathes a voice, 
heard only by the owner of that innocent 
face. A blush and a smile join issue. 
Two people look happy, and flit merrily 
onward. ‘The day is crisp, the air clasping ; 
long faces daily-grow shorter; and “ coming 
events cast their shadows before.’’ Surely 
“There’s a better time coming, boys ;”’ 
and it is not very far off. Smiles out-weigh 
frowns already, and there are bustling 
indications of hilarity and universal good 
humor. 
Already, too, do we see large quantities 
of those lovely red berries, so indicative of 
the joys of Christmas. The holly signifies 
“ foresight.” 
‘‘ And what are those curious-looking 
white berries, which seem to accompany 
the holly everywhere? We mean those— 
yonder, growing upon branches whose leaves 
are oblong lance-shaped; the stems forked, 
and the heads of the flowers seated in the 
axils of the leaves.” 
‘““Oh, Sir, those 
berries.”* 
“Thank you, kindly. 
quite out of our line. 
out of curiosity.” 
““T dare — say — you—did, Sir! Most 
people are very ‘ curious’ at Christmas 
time ; and some particularly so.” 
Such a dialogue has, ere now, passed 
between ourself and a fair vendor of these 
annual delectabilities in Covent Garden 
Market. The look of that fair maiden is 
alone wanting, to complete a very comic 
picture. She, we, and some half-dozen 
are called misseltoe 
They are, then, 
We merely asked 
* Misseltoe is emblematical of ‘ obstacles to be 
overcome.” It is significant,—very. 
other by-standers, formed a “remarkable” 
tableau vivant. 
But we must not anticipate all the fun that 
is yet behind the scenes. Let the curtain 
fairly draw up, and no doubt the actors and 
principal performers will be preter-plu- 
perfect. “ Rehearsals” are not absolutely 
necessary; albeit they do occasionally take 
place under certain circumstances. A—hem! 
Ere Christmas arrives, we shall have many 
snug little evening parties, no doubt. And 
here let us, at parting, urge upon one and all 
the necessity there is, if we would be truly 
happy ourselves—not to forget the pressing 
wants of certain individuals who are debarred 
the comforts we enjoy. They see all that is 
going on without. They have appetites— 
more craving, perhaps, than ours. Many of 
them are houseless—penniless. We must 
not let these be altogether destitute of our 
hospitality. A trifle from each of us will do 
‘“ something.” 
Many a heart-ache have we had, whilst 
observing these poor shivering wretches 
peering in at an attractive window filled with 
all the delicacies of the season. ‘The night, 
perhaps, has been bleak, the wind keen and 
cutting; and they, destitute of needful 
clothing. The next day has brought a 
similar scene. Indeed, there are always crowds 
of these poor wretched creatures visible, 
when eating, drinking, and feasting become a 
national custom. We will not do more than 
throw out ‘‘a hint’’ on this matter, as we 
feel sure none of us will enjoy our Christmas 
dinner one whit the less for having made a 
fellow-creature jolly for the nonce. “It isa 
faint heart that never rejoices; ” and there 
is a time for us all to sing,—even though it 
be “ small :’?— 
So, Welcome—Curistmas, to thy hallow’d 
reign, 
And all the social virtues in thy train! 
Strike up! and bid the sprightly harp resound, 
To-bless the hours with genial plenty crown’d. 
"Tis ours the gay domestic joys to prove— 
The smiles of peace, festivity, and Lover. 
SUGGESTIONS BY STEAM. 

WHEN woman is in rags, and poor, 
And sorrow, cold, and hunger tease her ; 
If man would only listen more, 
To that?small voice that crieth—‘‘ Kase her !” 
Without the guidance of a friend, 
Though legal sharks and screws attack her ; 
If men would only more attend 
To that small voice that crieth—‘ Back her !” 
So oft it would not be his fate, 
To witness some despairing dropper 
In Thames’s tide, and run too late 
To that small voice that crieth—‘‘ Stop her!” 
Tom Hoop.-° 

