
KIDD’S OWN JOURNAL. 

MORE ABOUT “LITTLE THINGS.” 
ce 
By ‘OUR EDITOR.” 

Take sound Apvicg, proceeding from a heart 
Sincerely yours, and free from fraudful art. 
DRYDEN. 
UESTIONABLE INDEED IS 
THAT MAN’S LOVE FOR MAN- 
KIND, who, knowing what is 
right, yet withholds that 
knowledge from his’ fellow- 
man. Most of us offend 
from the want of thought ; 
and as the object of “ Our 
JOURNAL” is to make people “think,” we 
shall try and accomplish that object as 
kindly as may be. “A word fitly spoken, 
is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” 
Our much-esteemed correspondent, Ca- 
THARINA, has invited us to dwell often upon 
“ Little Things.”” She says, and with truth, 
that life is made up of such; and that it is 
greatly in our power to make each other 
happy by attending to what are called 
“trifles.’”’ How true this is! We are for 
ever harping upon a similar string. 
It is nearly a twelvemonth since we wrote 
an article entitled ‘“ Little Kindnesses” (see 
vol. iii., p. 7). We had no idea, at the time, 
that there was in it anything of extraordinary 
interest, although we felt delighted whilst 
penning it. We are quite wrong in this 
opinion. That paper has been referred to 
times out of number. Indeed, it has been 
the means of our receiving “ proofs” innu- 
merable (through the post, and by private 
hand) of the impression it made on the minds 
of our readers. We always receive these 
welcome offerings, be it known, with real 
pleasure. Nor have certain of these “little 
things” failed to bring us into friendly inti- 
macy with the senders thereof. We owe to 
them an unceasing debt of gratitude. We 
have contracted friendships which will ter- 
minate only in death. 
This is the very season tor an observance 
of “little things.”’ A person may not be 
able to be charitable to any great extent. 
He may not be able to clothe a poor family ; 
but he may be able to give them a meal. By 
a little self-denial, he may also do something 
more than this. He might, too, get a friend 
to aid him in a good cause: and the two 
mites united might procure a flannel waist- 
coat, some stockings, and other warm ap- 
parel. A supply of fuel, too, might be sent 
in to gladden some sorrowful hearts. Where 
there is a will in these matters, there is 
generally a way. Only let the disposition 
exist. 
We are often surprised at the apathy that 
exists in some; the extravagance in others ; 
the thoughtlessness in the many; and the 
waste in all,—at a time, too, when the suffer- 


Vout. TV.—22. 


ings of the poor call so loudly for relief. 
Surely, this thoughtlessness is culpable! 
Those who most deserve relief are people 
who, though willing, are unable to obtain 
work. We advocate not the cause of the 
idle or indolent, neither do we put in a single 
word for beggars. We believe these last to 
be arrant impostors in at least ninety-nine 
cases out of every hundred. All who relieve 
them do a serious injury to society; for 
beggars live and feast, whilst the deserving 
exist and starve. This is a “little thing,” 
but worthy attention. 
In our neighborhood, beggars swarm. 
There are organised groups of them, who 
have their regular rounds on regular days in 
the week. Sturdy vagabonds are the men— 
terrible, some of them, to look upon; and 
they are mostly armed with thick sticks, to 
enforce charity. The women are sent in to 
knock at the door, whilst the men retire be- 
hind the walls without; and if a female only 
be visible, the beggars try to obtain an entry 
by placing one of their hands inside the 
door, defying her to crush it. If she use 
force, one of the men rushes in, and a row is 
the consequence. On such occasions many 
articles disappear from the passage,—hats, 
cloaks, umbrellas, &c. This is a matter of 
constant occurrence, and we give this as a 
friendly warning. Good people—always keep 
your garden-gates locked, and fasten up 
every door and window securely at night. 
Thus alone will you be safe during the coming 
winter. This is a ‘‘little thing,’’—but it is of 
great consequence. 
Connected with “little things,” CaTHa- 
RINA refers us to a small book bearing that 
title. We have procured it; and it is, as 
she says, suggestive of much that must tend 
to domestic happiness. It points out, very 
forcibly, all wherein we are deficient. It 
shows us the evil of self-indulgence; how, 
whenever “little duties” are neglected, dis- 
comfort and discontent invariably follow. 
It speaks charmingly, too, of the many ad- 
vantages derivable from method, order, and 
punctuality—things in which women are 
usually far behind, but which really are of 
immense importance. 
Each one of a thousand acts of love costs 
very little by itself; and yet, when viewed 
altogether, who can estimate their value? 
What is it that secures for one the name of 
a kind neighbor? Not the doing of half-a- 
dozen great favors in as many years. No! 
But the little every-day kindnesses, (neither 
of which seems of much consequence con- 
sidered in itself,) which, by their continued 
repetition, throw a sunlight over the whole 
neighborhood. It is so, too, in the family. 
The child whose good offices are always 
ready when they are wanted—to run up- 
stairs or down, to rock the cradle or to run 
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