and any one who even thinks that he is thinking, has a very good right to call himself a philosopher. He will find plenty to keep him in countenance. There is not a parish in London, and there is scarcely a town in the kingdom, in which any fidgetty little prig, who had nothing better to do with his time, might not get up a Philosophical Society. If you have a telescope, and an almanac, and a pair of globes; and if you look at the moon with your nightcap on your head,-you are a philosopher. If you have an electrical machine, and serve your friends shocking' tricks, you are a philosopher. If you have a barometer, thermometer, hygrometer, and hydrometer-if you chronicle the clouds, and tell the world once a week which way the wind blows, you are philosopher. If you have a mantelpiece covered with brick-bats, and a bureau full of black-beetles, and cockchafers,-you are a philosopher. If you roam about the fields and the ditches with a tin box in your hand, picking up chickweed, groundsel, and duckweed, you are a philosopher. If you become a cat's butcher, and kill mice with an air-pump,-you are a philosopher. If you risk the blowing up of your house with hydrogen gas or other combustibles,-you are a philosopher. If you hunt for a soul with a dissecting knife, and then, because you cannot find one, say that there is no such thing, you are a philosopher. If you read German metaphysics, and talk moonshine that nobody can understand,--you are a philosopher. If you disbelieve what your neighbors believe, and believe what your neighbors disbelieve, you are a philosopher. If you do not care who is hanged or drowned, or whose cat has kittened,-you are a Stoic philosopher. If you grow at everybody and everything,-you are a Cynic philosopher. If you have a fancy for fish, flesh, and fowl, and like good cookery better than bad,--you are an Epicurean philosopher. In short, I verily believe that the dif ficulty now is to avoid being a philosopher. The whole air and the whole nation is tho roughly bephilosophised-saturated with philosophy. We cannot open our eyes or ears, but wisdom must come in. We cannot open our mouths, but wisdom must go out. Everything is made on philosophic principles wigs, whiskers, boots, breeches, and bedposts; so that we are almost all of us forced to be philosophers, whether we will or no. But the worst of the matter is, that, as what is everybody's business is nobody's business, so, what is everybody's distinction is nobody's distinction. In the days of old, when reading and writing were clerkly attainments, there was some merit and some desirableness in being able to read and write; but when these accomplishments became general, there was disgrace in being without them. This seems now to be pretty nearly the case with philosophy; and as when people quarrel they sometimes say one to the other, "Sir, you are no gentleman," it will presently be the mode to say, "Sir, you are no philosopher." It is indeed an unpardonable sin for any one in these days to be unphilosophical! Philosophy is now made easy to the meanest capacities; and perhaps, the meaner the capacity, the easier the philosophy. One of the chief sources of difficulty in philosophy anciently was, the restlessness of the mind in making inquiries beyond the power of the visible world to answer; mingled also with some little sense of human imperfection, and the incapacity of the mind to comprehend and know all things. This difficulty now is pretty well done away with. The mind seems to be marvellously increased in its power; or nature is greatly circumscribed as to its principles and comprehensiveness. Should there, indeed, be any knowledge which a man cannot carry in his head, he can certainly carry it in his pocket; and so long as a man possesses knowledge, what signifies where he keeps it-in his head or in a wooden box! In the eye of philosophy, there is not much difference. A Penny Cy clopædia is a kind of promissory note, which says, "I promise to pay at ten minutes' sight, John Smith, or reader, a pennyworth of wisdom, value received." The art of painting has greatly contributed to the diffusion of knowledge of all kinds-useful and useless, entertaining and wearisome, religious and profane, politic and impolitic. Formerly, knowledge was in human minds-treasured as a choice gem in the heart and understanding; but now it is no longer confined to such narrow limits, but is spread abroad over many reams of paper, and is sold very cheap in many shops, and stands on many shelves. Gracious reader, be not scandalised at these remarks; though you thought that we would grudge knowledge to the many. Alas! you know us not, if you think us capable of any such narrow views. Nay, on the contrary, our remarks are prompted by our wish, that the shadow may not be mistaken for the substance, and that the flatulence of a vain conceit may not be substituted for the solid fulness of intellectual truth. Care must be taken, that the diffusion of knowledge becomes not the dispersion of knowledge-the scattering of it to the four winds of heaven. There may be a plethora of information, accompanied by an indigestion of knowledge. Solomon, who has been generally reckoned a wise man, had no objection to the diffusion of knowledge, for he says, "Get knowledge;" but he did not think that knowledge was wisdom. He rather seemed to intimate that it was not, and that it might be in some cases an obstacle to the attainment of wisdom, for he adds, "With all thy getting, get understanding." Solomon is a good authority in such matters, and we may safely take his opinion. It is, indeed, somewhat of a matter of doubt with us, whether Solomon would have recognised "philosophy" in "modern philosophers." I hear thy father praise the quick replies screams; With many a fond and wild embrace between. The other young, gay spirits talk and shout Or, Modern philosophy differs from the ancient, in this one point as much as in any,-viz. that its possessors do not learn modesty from it. It was prettily said by one of the ancients, "My knowledge only teaches me how ignorant I am." One might make a parody of this, applying it to many modern philosophers, putting into their lips the aphorism, My ignorance only teaches me how knowing II am." It has been stated in our hearing, with some semblance of sophistry, though not altogether without some basement of truth, that the present pantological fever is not unlikely to terminate in intellectual darkness. The state of the argument is this:-The possession of knowledge requires thought. The more knowledge a man possesses, the more thought he wants; but the more a man wants thought, the less intellectual he is. To speak after the manner of the late Mr. Malthus, I think one might say, that knowledge may increase in a geometrical ratio, but understanding can increase only in an arithmetical ratio. And when a man possesses more knowledge than understanding, his intellect is in no enviable condition. In a word, the passion of the day is for knowledge; and as the citizen advised his son, saying," Get money- honestly if you can, but at all events get money;"-so fashion says, "Get knowledge; and understand it if you can; but at all events-get knowledge." LYNX. HONEY FROM A NEIGHBOR'S HIVE. THE MOTHER TO HER BOY, (BORN DEAF AND DUMB.) THOυ art not beautiful, my voiceless child,- Thou dost not heed the words that have beguiled Thou canst not chatter music in my way, But thou art precious in my household love; I stroke thy fair hair, and I hang above pressed by childish grief, they wail and pout, And pour their anguish forth in sobbing words. seldom see thy grey eye give a tear, When their red checks shine through the But I believe, my child, that thou canst hear I That falls like ringdove's wing upon my arm That chance to slip and stumble in the hall, I And hear the joyous hum thy brothers make, The birthday apples, or select the toy- For blessings on thy sisters and thy brothers- THE END OF AUTUMN. AUTUMN's last tints now linger on the trees; NATURE'S GENTLEMAN. WHOм do we dub a gentleman? The parchment scroll of titled line, And grant such high degree. Of wealth and rank to scorn; The sun that sheds the brightest day When dashed by adverse tide- WHAT AM I TO THEE?- As a flower in the wilderness, As the true when all are gone; ART THOU, SWEET LOVE, TO ME. THE JOYS OF HOPE. BY HELEN HETHERINGTON. HOPE, as a bright and gentle flower, The heart it loves to bless- Oh make thy home within my breast, Rest thee, sweet HOPE, and ever be HOPE, as a cheerful, happy bird, Our fond affection shares; To soothe our doubts and cares. Come, pretty bird, come live with me, Thou shalt my fondest treasure be, If thou wilt sing that melody, That bound my heart, sweet HOPE, to thee! My heart shall live with thee. A MAN KNOWN BY HIS DRESS, A MAN'S MIND is parcel of his fortunes,-his taste is part of his dress. If we wore diamond rings on our fingers, cameos in our breast-pins; if we sported cambric pocket-handkerchiefs (breathing forth attar of rose, and other similar smells,) and pale lemon-colored kid gloves,-our emptiness of skull would become transparent to every sensible mind. True modesty and real merit are ever indicated by a quietness of apparel, and a detestation of all ornament. How infallibly do the "decorations" of the body, bespeak the shallowness of the decorator's mind! LONDON: Published for WILLIAM KIDD, by WILLIAM SPOONER, 379, Strand, (to whom ALL Letters, Parcels, and Communications. Addressed to "the Editor," and BOOKS FOR REVIEW, are to be forwarded); and Procurable, by order, of every Bookseller and Newsvendor in the Kingdom. Agents: Dublin, John Wiseheart; Edinburgh, John Menzies; Glasgow, John M'Leod; Liverpool, Miss Meyrick, Hanover Street, and J. Evans, 216, Falkner Street: Manchester, Abel Heywood, Oldham Street. CITY AGENT: J. ALLEN, 20, Warwick Lane, Paternoster Row. Sold also by BERGER, VICKERS, PURKESS, and all the Wholesale Dealers. THE UNIVERSAL FAMILY PAPER FOR INTER-COMMUNICATIONS ON NATURAL HISTORY-POPULAR SCIENCE-THINGS IN GENERAL. Conducted by WILLIAM KIDD, of Hammersmith,— AUTHOR OF THE FAMILIAR AND POPULAR ESSAYS ON "NATURAL HISTORY;" "BRITISH SONG BIRDS; " "BIRDS OF PASSAGE;" "INSTINCT AND REASON;" "THE AVIARY," &C. "THE OBJECT OF OUR WORK IS TO MAKE MEN WISER, WITHOUT OBLIGING THEM TO TURN OVER FOLIOS AND QUARTOS.-TO FURNISH MATTER FOR THINKING AS WELL AS READING."-EVELYN. No. 52.-1852. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 25. I AM VERY PARTIAL TO THE HOLLY, THE YEW, AND THE IVY. They give both food and shelter to the birds; whilst their charming green foliage makes us almost forget that winter has set in. The holly claims my preference; for, in addition to food and shelter, it affords an impenetrable retreat to those birds which take up their quarters on its branches for the night. Our ancestors knew and felt the value of the holly hedge, when the wintry blast whistled through the naked hawthorn. Hence they raised it as a barrier against the north; and, on the breaking of the clouds at noon, they would resort to the protection which it offered, and there enjoy the sun's delightful presence. But modern innovation, which, in nine times out of ten, does more harm than good, seems to have condemned the holly hedge as a thing of stiff unsightly form, and in its vacant place has introduced a scanty sprinkling of isolated plants. I own that I am for the warm arboreous plan of ancient days; and thus I never pass a garden where yew and holly hedges grow, without stopping to admire them, and then I proceed onwards with favorable notions of the owner's taste. But, to the holly in particular. I am so convinced of its utility both to men and birds, that I have spared no pains in rearing it as a shelter from the cold, when Boreas, sure harbinger of storms, sweeps over the dreary waste. The deeper and richer the soil, so much the better for the holly. Still, this favorite plant of mine will thrive almost in any soil, and even amongst the clefts of rocks, where there is scarcely any soil at all. Neither can any of the four rude winds of heaven affect the perpendicular growth of the holly tree, although they make an impression upon VOL. II PRICE 3d. Or, in Monthly Parts, Price 18. 1d. the sturdy oak itself. Thus, in this neighborhood, whilst we see the elm and the beech leaning towards the east by the overbearing pressure of the western blast, we find that the holly has not given way to its impetuosity. Indeed, keep the roots of the holly clear of stagnant water, and you will have little more to do, for it forms its own defence; and, moreover, it has one advantage over most other plants-namely, it can push its way successfully up amid surrounding shade and pressure. Its lateral branches, too, will take root, so soon as they come in contact with the soft soil beneath them. If you place a young holly-plant in a fullgrown hawthorn hedge, it will vegetate in that incommodious site; and will manage at last to raise its head aloft, and flourish clear of all opposition. Thus, driven from its native home, perhaps through scarcity of wheat and whiskey, I have known a hardy son of Caledonia, although put in a situation apparently hostile to advancement either in fame or in fortune, maintain himself under fearful trials of adversity. In process of time, his perseverance and honesty were crowned by complete success. He took kindly to it, where you thought there would be no chance of ever getting on; but, by carefully watching his hour of advance, in the death of this competitor or in the negligence of that, this frugal, careful, steady emigrator from the North, moved slowly onwards, till, in due good time, he passed through all surrounding difficulties: and, having got at last into the full sunshine of good fortune, he there took the lead on the high road to long-expected wealth and honors. He whose nerves would be affected at the sight of a straight holly hedge, might prevent their irritation by forming a crescent; say a segment of a circle to a radius of sixty yards. This would present a fine appearance to the eye, whilst it shut out both the north-west and the north-east winds of winter. Hollies, too, may be planted in a clump, I with very pleasing effect to the beholder. consider a regularly formed clump of hollies to be the perfection of beauty, in grouped arboreal design. One single tree of mountain-ash in the centre of this, would add another charm to it; and would be of use to the ornithologist at the close of summer. When the holly trees are in full bearing, and the berries ripe, we may roam a long while through the whole extent of British botany, before we find a sight more charming to the eye than the intermixture of bright red and green which this lovely plant produces. I have a fine circular clump of hollies here (Walton Hall), under which the pheasants are fed; and to which, throughout the whole of the winter, a vast number of sparrows, green linnets, buntings, blackbirds, and some starlings resort, to take their nocturnal repose in peace and quiet. The holly sheds a large proportion of its leaves, after the summer has set in. These remain on the ground in thick profusion. So formidable are their hard and pointed spikes to the feet of prowling quadrupeds, that neither the cat, nor the weasel, nor the foumart, nor the fox, nor even the ever-hungry Hanoverian rat, dare invade the well defended territory. Hence the birds, which in yew trees and in ivy would be exposed to inevitable destruction from the attacks of these merciless foes, are safe from danger in the holly bush. People generally imagine that the holly is of tardy growth. It may be so, in ordinary cases; but means may be adopted to make this plant increase with such effect as to repay us amply for all our extra labor and expense. Thus, let us dig the ground to a full yard in depth, and plant the hollies during the last week of May-taking care to puddle their roots well into the pulverised soil. We shall find, by the end of September, that many of the plants will have shot nearly a foot in length, and that not one of them has failed, let the summer have been ever so dry. Small plants, bought in a nursery, and placed in your own garden for a couple of years, will be admirably adapted for the process of transplanting. Had I been aware in early life of this encouraging growth of the holly, it should have formed all my fences in lieu of hawthorn, which after arriving at full maturity suddenly turns brown in summer, and dies in a few weeks, without having given any other previous notice of near approaching decay. Birds in general are not fond of holly berries; but many sorts will feed upon them when driven by "necessity's supreme com. mand." Thus, during the time that the fields are clad in snow, and the heps and the haws have already been consumed, then it is that the redwing, the blackbird, the fieldfare, and the storm-cock, numbed by the cold, and bold through want of food, come to the berry-bearing holly close to your house, and there too often fall a prey to the gun of the designing fowler. In these days of phantom schemes and national extravagance, when work is scarce and penury fast increasing, the holly tree is doomed to suffer from the lawless pilferer's hand. When least expected, you find it arrested in its growth. Its smaller branches by degrees lose their vitality, and, by the end of the following year, one half of the from the passing tree appears as though it had received a blast thunderstorm. This declining aspect of the holly has been occasioned by the hand of sordid mischief. It is well known that birdlime is produced from its bark. In the spring of the year, at earliest dawn of day, our finest holly trees in this neighborhood are stripped of large pieces of their bark by strolling vagabonds, who sell it to the nearest druggist. So common has this act of depredation been in this vicinity, that I should be at a loss to find a single holly tree, in any hedge outside of the park wall, that has escaped the knife of these unthinking spoilers! Some six or seven years ago, there stood in the ornamented grounds of my baronet neighbor a variegated holly, of magnificent growth; and it bore abundant crops of berries; a circumstance not very frequent in hollies of this kind. Many a half hour have I stood to admire this fine production of nature; for it was unparalleled, in this part of Yorkshire, in beauty, size, and vigor. But, at last, it was doomed to perish by a plundering and unknown hand; one morning in spring I found the whole of its bark stripped off the bole, for full two feet in length. Notwithstanding this disaster, the berries became ripe in due time; whilst its leaves apparently retained their wonted verdure upon the greater branches. Even the year following it was alive, and put forth new leaves and blossoms; but the leaves were of a stinted growth, and the berries did not attain their usual size. During the course of the third year from the day of its misfortune, the whole of the foliage fell to the ground; and then the tree itself became, like our giant debt, a dead unsightly weight upon the land. CHARLES WAterton. SYMPATHY. THE tender violet loves to grow |