KIDD’S. OWN JOURNAL. 

871. 

Now there was joy throughout the Christ- 
mas Islands! And as in the pudding-planet 
there was enough and to spare for all genera- 
tions, the King bade his subjects feed, and 
instituted a small allotment system; and 
although the globe they fed on had its origin 
in hot water, its influence kneaded up all 
bosoms in content and peace. Moreover, 
the King summoned his favorite, Spoon, into 
his presence; and delivering unto him the 
sprig of holly, stuck in the new brown 
speckled world he had discovered, bade him 
keep the same as a token, and bequeath it 
to his children with ten thousand acres of 
plum-pudding—suffused with inexhaustible 
sauce and brandy of undying strength. 
And it is in that spirit that the sons of the 
first discoverer of plum-pudding drink, to 
this late day,—the “ Health of the Gocd 
King of the Christmas Islands !”’ 
ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE. 
Thoughts on the Odor of Flowers —The idea 
that perfumes of flowers, believed to be universally 
delightful, should offend certain perceptions, is 
often held up to ridicule and unbelief. But, my 
dear Sir, the following observations furnish evi- 
dence to correct this common error. They occur 
in Sir James Smith’s valuable Hlements. He 
describes himself as peculiarly affected by honey- 
suckles, which, however grateful in the open air, 
affected him in the house with violent pains in 
the temples—soon followed by sickness, and a par- 
tial loss of recollection. Yet the equally delicious 
and very similar fragrance of the butterfly orchis 
afforded him pleasfire in the closest apartment ! 
He could not perceive the scent of Jris Persica, 
though some find it extremely pleasant. Its 
flowers, nevertheless, affected him in a room 
almost to nausea and suffocation. The white lily, 
mezereon, lilac, and Peruvian heliotrope—with 
many other scents delightful in the open air, were 
poison in the house; and he had seen a strong 
healthy man greatly distressed by one carnation 
which had fallen down, and remained concealed 
by a piece of furniture, in a spacious airy drawin g- 
room. It may be asserted, I believe, as a general 
tule, that plants of the same genus, or natural 
order, produce, by the odor of their flowers, a 
similar effect upon the same person. But this 
effect often varies in degree, according to any 
person’s state of health. The blossoms of the 
Portugal laurel, when abundant, exhale, in Sir 
James’s opinion, a nauseous feetor, which, in 
some of the same tribe, as hawthorn, is not too 
strong to be agreeable, partaking of an almond 
flavor. Ina very different flower, Bolemonium 
Ceruleum, a similar odor, though generally not 
very remarkable, has proved, during illness, quite 
intolerable in aroom. Sir James concludes by 
observing, that roses are universally acceptable, 
and scarcely noxious to anybody. But, perhaps, 
the odors of the various kinds of Stapelia, imita- 
ting carrion, decayed cheese, and foul water, may 
be better suited to the taste of the Hottentots, in 
whose country those singular plants abound. A 
: eee 
botanist of Sir James’s acquaintance could per- 
ceive no scent in any flower whatever!—Honry- 
sucKLE, [enley, 
[The above has been sent us by a young lady, 
who, in a beautifully-written note (enclosing other 
amiable contributions, two of which only we have 
room to insert this month), says:—‘‘ What a 
happy man you ought to be, my dear Sir ; having 
so many charming correspondents conversing with 
you, month after month, under the names of 
Flowers,—eloquent, too, as fragrant! Do, | entreat 
you, take me also under your wing; and let me be 
associated among the ‘choice few’ of whom you 
so lovingly speak when: ‘numbering up your 
jewels.’ I would be known to the public simply 
as-—‘‘ Honeysuckle ;” my dwelling—Henley. To 
yourself, 1 of course make known who and what 
Tam. I propose beginning the New Year with 
you; and with all my heart (a tender one!) wish 
long life and prosperity to oUR NOBLE JOURNAL.” 
—Are we not a happy man? Oh, yes!] 

An“ open” Character is the best Gift of God. 
—The world is made up, my dear Sir, as you say, 
of “odd” materials. ‘ Men should be what 
they seem ;”’ but they are not so. Hence, the 
artificial state of society you so much deplore. 
Your axiom,—‘“ Be frank with the world,” is a 
good one. Frankness is the child of honesty and 
courage. Say just what you mean to do on every 
occasion (this is my doctrine); and take it for 
granted you mean to do what is right. Ifa friend 
ask a favor, you should grant it, if reasonable; 
but if it is not, tell bim plainly why you cannot. 
You will wrong him and wrong yourself by equivo- 
cation of any kind. Never do a wrong thing to 
make a friend, or keep one. The man who 
requires you to do it, is dearly purchased at a 
sacrifice. Deal kindly and firmly with all men. 
You will find it the policy that wears best. 
Above all, do not appear to others what you are 
not. Ifyou have any fault to find with any one, 
tell him (not others) of what you complain. 
There is no more dangerous experimené than that 
of undertaking to be one thing to a man’s face, 
and another behind his back. We should live, 
act, and speak out-of-doors, as the phrase is; and 
say and do what we are willing should be known 
and read by allmen. It is not only best as a mat- 
ter of principle, but as a matter of policy. A good 
character will make us always welcome, go where 
we may. And if we are known to be candid and 
honest, are we not “loved” for these qualities by 
the good and the noble? Surely yes !}—Honzy- 
sucKLE, Henley. 
[Well said! Honeysuckle. Are we not over- 
joyed to begin the New Year with a Flower 
diffusing such sweet odors? Judge us by your 
own honest heart.] 

The Mocking-Bird—I have a very tame mock- 
ing bird; nor is he less remarkable for his song, 
which is sweet indeed! I conclude you know all 
about the peculiarities of these birds. [Yes. They 
are most amiable little creatures, and are truly 
“wonderful,” in every sense of the word,—fit com- 
panions for man, woman, and child. Their intel- 
ligence and musical powers almost surpass belief.] 
He warbles for hours together, during the day ; 
also when the gas is lighted. [You do not act 
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