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inhabitation of vermin. I once was similarly circumstanced. I observed all my young birds were looking dejected and uneasy, and that some of them could not perch. On handling them to discover the cause, I found them full of vermin; and several of their claws were eaten off by these Thugs, as you properly call them.-W. C. W.

Sky-larks and Wood-larks, with Club Feet.All my skylarks (I have five) and my woodlarks (I have three) have their feet deformed; and they make a sad noise, as they run to and fro in their cages. They seem positively frightened at the noise they make! Do tell me, Sir, the reason of this; and also how I shall bring my birds into song, with any other useful particulars. I have only just heard of your Paper; and I mean to take it in regularly.-CAROLINE P.

[We are glad to hear you are about to take in OUR JOURNAL. If you are fond of birds, and are desirous of knowing how to treat them, procure our first and second Volumes. In these you will find the most minute particulars given for the management of all kinds of birds-not only from our own pen, but contributed by many of our correspondents, whose experience has been registered in our columns pro bono publico. The case of your wood-larks and sky-larks has been treated of at much length, as the "index" will show you; and it would be unfair to our readers to go over the same ground again here-nor is it needful. This periodical of ours, is not ephemeral. Its value as a "" practical work of reference" is inappreciable. As it has been rendered so by our contributors, we may say this without incurring a charge of egotism.]

On Taming Animals. I am really surprised, my dear Sir, to see how you are teased on this subject! Long before your, or rather OUR OWN JOURNAL saw the light, I had a cat which would follow me about everywhere. Long after I had quitted my father's roof, that cat bore me in unceasing remembrance. I used to pay a weekly visit to the old house, every Sunday. Did that cat know when Sunday came round? Did she not! As regularly as clock-work would she come out to meet me, as I neared the spot. Then would she jump, frisk, gambol, and bound merrily homewards, to announce that I was near at hand. There was no mistake here. We all understood thoroughly what was to happen, and what did happen. One day-forgive me if I was cruel-I resolved to play off a little trick to try the sincerity of my feline friend. We met as usual, and away flew Tom, to say to the inmates "here he comes !"-However, this time "he" did not come. I hid myself behind a tree, and watched the event. As I suspected, all came out to meet me-"Tom" included. I was absent! How dolefully that poor dear creature did whine when he missed me! His look was that of despair. However, I soon discovered myself; and his joy was unbounded. His end was that of most "pets." He had strayed-had eaten of what was not meant for him; and when sought for was "found dead." I have several little anecdotes to send you shortly that will just suit OUR JOURNAL. I have been a constant reader of yours from the first. I have met with a host of difficulties in getting it—but I

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always peremptorily insisted on the bookseller procuring it; and thus alone could I have succeeded. All your readers should do the same. I am glad to hear of your new change; and sincerely say to you-" Go on, and prosper." I will recommend OUR JOURNAL whenever and wherever I have an opportunity.-A. B. M., Coventry.

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[You did right in compelling the bookseller to procure you the JOURNAL. We only wish all our kind friends in the country had done as you have done. We should then-instead of being minus nearly £600, have been that amount in pocket--a serious "difference" to us! We have three parts killed ourself during the past year. One head, and one pair of hands, did then-as they are doing now, the work of at least half a dozen individuals. Not being gifted with a "lined " purse (our hardhearted brethren know this), our head and hands have been constrained to make up the heavy deficiency. We have paid the penalty in a shattered constitution. What makes us refractory is-that when it is admitted on all hands that we ought to have succeeded, we did not succeed. Our Paper has been reported as "dead," dropped," "out of print," &c., &c., without mercy. This, in all parts of the country. The Town trade are blameable for this,-for the Country bookseller can only give the answer he receives from his London agent. "Paternoster Row " is notorious for these dirty tricks. The large houses sell just what they please; and annihilate the rest. The COUNTRY TRADE are quite at their mercy; and it is only fair for us to state this. Our files groan under complaints from the country. These complaints are founded in reason; but we can, personally, offer the writers no redress. Now that we have a Monthly issue ONLY, let us hope we shall sail more smoothly. As regards the labor attached to OUR JOURNAL,- -we may remark that, to reply to the Correspondence" alone, by post, would keep a man of ordinary talent unceasingly at work. Yet do WE, unaided, manage the whole-from first to last! We think we have "a right" to the "Mysterious Cloak," under such circumstances.+]

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A Lesson to Parents.-Oblige me, my dear Mr. Editor, by inserting the following in OUR JOURNAL. It is a scene from Jean Paul Richter, and carries with it an obvious moral for all but the wilfully blind. "A delicate child, pale, and prematurely wise, complained on a hot morning that the poor dew-drops had been too hastily snatched away, and not allowed to glitter on the flowers like other happier dew-drops, that live the whole night through, and sparkle in the moonlight; and through the morning, onwards to noonday. "The sun,' said the child, has chased them away with his heat, or swallowed them up in his wrath.' Soon after, came rain and a rainbow; whereupon his father pointed upwards. See,' said

We are continually receiving private notes, addressed to Hammersmith, enclosing remittances for Nos. and Parts of the JOURNAL, to be forwarded by post to the writers. The country booksellers tell them," the Work is not to be had, and it is no use writing any more to their London Agents for it."-ED. K. J.

† See Vol. i., Page 104.

he, "there stand the dew-drops gloriously re-set -a glittering jewellery-in the heavens; and the clownish foot tramples on them no more. By this, my child, thou art taught, what withers upon the earth blooms again in heaven.' Thus the father spoke, and knew not that he spoke prefiguring words; for soon after the delicate child, with the morning brightness of his early wisdom, was exhaled, like a dew-drop, into heaven."-How many of these "delicate, prematurely wise children" live but to die! How many of their gentle spirits are broken, by the gross ignorance and wickedness of their parents in training them up in a "wrong way!" How soon is the innocence of childhood seduced into the paths of sin!NANNETTE.

[Most true, Nannette! Let us echo your sentiment from pole to pole. The "innocence of childhood," now-a-days, is a mis-nomer. The "inno

observation, I will get you or some of your correspondents, to tell me whether this is a parasitic plant, or whether it is attacked by disease? How shall I describe it? There is but one way, and it shall be an original way, i. e., straightforward. The branch which is attacked is tolerably thick. The bark has split in all directions, and the whole of the upper part is covered with (what appears like an army of) meal-worms,-all busily intent upon moving downwards, and scrambling one over the other, helter-skelter. The growth of these has been rapid. Outwardly, let me remark, the tree has proved itself of the world-worldly. It has, like the world's inhabitants, kept up appearances while "sick at heart." Till closely examined, it would seem to be healthy and vigorous.-PRISCILLA, Worcester.

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[Well done, excellent Priscilla! you raise an interesting question, and "point a moral" at the cence" of children is reckoned of no moment. On same time. Enrol yourself from to-day " as one of the contrary, pains unceasing are taken to us. We shall turn your talent to a profitable make them precociously forward. The conse- account. We have not, ourself, met with a case quences," alas, we all daily suffer from !] similar to the one you mention; but we have no doubt some of our readers will soon come to your aid, and solve the riddle.]

The Shrike, or Great Butcher-bird.-A very fine specimen of this rare bird was shot a short time since, near St. Catharine's Hill, by Mr. W. H. Bayent. It was observed the day previous, hovering at a great height; but it was inaccessible from its extreme shyness. On beating about early next morning, the bird was fortunately flushed within distance, and brought down. It is worthy of note, that the shot in no way injured the plumage of the bird. One shot only, had taken effect; and that one pierced the brain. The bird, which is a most beautiful one, is stuffed.-L., Winchester.

A Seasonable Hint,-The Oak.-The oak, Mr. Editor, is a noble tree, and you will agree with me, the more we have of them the better. Let us try, and add to their number. There is "reason" in it. The far-famed Admiral Collingwood thus speaks of the "brave old oak," in a letter dated "The Dreadnought, off Ushant," in 1805: "If the country gentlemen do not make it a point to plant oaks wherever they will grow, the time will not be far distant when, to keep up our navy, we must depend entirely on captures from our enemy. You will be surprised to hear that most of the trees which were used in the Hibernia were taken from the Spanish ships captured on the 14th of February, and what they could not furnish was supplied by iron. I wish every one thought on this subject as I do they would not walk through their farms without a handful of acorns to drop on the hedge-sides to let them take their chance." Every thing we see, Mr. Editor, is in favor of the oak. Therefore, I say again, let us keep adding to their number.-QUERCUS.

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A Laurel bewitched.-No little surprise, Mr. Editor, has been excited here (Worcester), by the appearance of something extraordinary in laurel tree. All the professed wise heads who have come to examine the matter, have gone away dumb-founded. Even John, the gardener, a knowing fellow in his way, shrugs up his shoulders, and exclaims in true Worcester phraseology, "I never seed the likes of him!" Now this king of spades, having had but limited opportunities for

The Robin, a Cage Bird.-You have immortalised the Robin, Mr. Editor, in OUR JOURNAL, and he deserves all you have said of him. I too am blessed with one of the most splendid specimens of the tribe. I do not mean to say as to beauty. No! my pet is the ugliest of a nest of five (four of which are now dead). His head is over-large; his beak, too, slightly malformed, and it does not close properly. This, however, goes for nothing. Master Bob is intelligence itself. Whether it be day-light, candle-light, morn, noon, or night, all is one to him. He knows my footfall; he catches my slightest whisper. Either will call forth from him, at all times, a joyous, rolling song. The same if he is in-doors, and I am in the garden. Sympathy unites us as by an electric wire. He is the pet of the family, of course; his price beyond rubies. I always caress him, or he would pay me off for it; and when I give tid-bits to my other favorites, he must be first served! To tell you all his endearments, and all the games we have together, would occupy too much of your space. Suffice it to say, his love for me is extraordinary indeed! As for his song, it is indescribably rich. It is partly the natural song of a sweet-song robin-the remaining notes are superb imitations of snatches of music performed by German bands, who often perform under my window. Will you come down and hear him? How glad I shall be to see you !— R. B., Winchester.

[You have indeed a treasure in your redbreasted little friend! These birds are very subject to "fits;" beware, therefore, of giving him too much live food when in confinement. Bread and egg, cheese, moistened bread and butter (very little butter); a spider or two, an earwig, or a few ants (in the season), will keep him hale and hearty. Don't slight him. These are very jealous birds. One act of neglect might keep him "silent" for ever! We have had two or three birds exactly like this "Prince of Robins." We did, as you do, make much of them. Alas! they are now dead! We have, however, plenty

60

of red-breasted play-fellows in the garden-so tame! We have many a game together now. In the spring, it will be delightful to play together. We dig up worms, and they eat them from our hand. We thank you for your kind invite. We may, perhaps, some day take flight, and will then gladly make one at your hospitable table.]

The Siskin.-I have a pet siskin, Mr. Editor; such a dear little fellow! He is so tame, too! However I do not let him out of his cage. I call him Huie; and he comes when called, to take a seed from my mouth. He is quite a traveller. Bought at Newburgh, Fifeshire, he was taken to Dundee; thence by Aberdeen to Inverness; thence by Glasgow, Liverpool, and Birmingham, to his present residence at Coventry. So accustomed is he to locomotion, that he is never disturbed when his cage is about to be covered over. He was never trained to sing; but, whilst travelling, picked up the song of the chaffinch, mixed with the notes of a canary. These he combines with his own natural, sprightly song. It is pretty to hear him "lead off" with his own notes, then swell out into the canary-notes, and finally end with those of the chaffinch. His value to a dealer might be next to nothing-to me he is invaluable. He was ill in June last; but you prescribed for him. He took what you recommended, and was soon" n" himself again.”—A. M., Coventry.

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destroyed his own life by cutting his throat with rary insanity, brought on by separate confinement." a razor, he being at the time in a state of tempoLet us hope, my dear Sir, that some reform may be soon effected, in the abolition of this fiendish refinement upon cruelty!-PATER-FAMILIAS. [We most cordially agree with you, in the sentiments you express. have long been studying. Insanity is a subject we alas! too many-thus mentally afflicted. We have seen manyhave come to the firm conviction that, of the two, We death is the more desirable. We ought to be very tender indeed, with all persons suffering from ance, under such circumstances, must be exemnervous affection. Our endurance and forbearplary. It is a duty we owe to God and to each other. The intellect is frequently poised on the weight of a single feather. The gigantic streetmarked, have more than once nearly turned our organs under our very window, as we before reeditorial brain, and rendered us fit objects for Bedlam. These infernal machines, these " gans of destructiveness," greet our ear at least thrice daily, (beginning at nine A.M.)—sometimes lingering near us for an hour at a time. Our pen is then at once thrown down-our ideas seek an hour's refuge in Hanwell, and we realise not a few of the mental tortures known only to the dwellers in that and similar asylums. These are some of those fearful inflictions upon society, are for which there is no remedy. Foreigners, too, still we have no redress. The "law" laughs at the offenders-not our own countrymen! us, and we grin at it. we learn, in taking the law into our own hands. We are " not justified," That may be-but we greatly fear, ere the Spring is over, we shall be indicted for "manslaughter" at least. We have certain indefatigable Italian their boxes of whistles immediately under our "performers" in our mind's eye, who grind window-and in our street,* that most assuredly stand every chance of being speedily registered defended our own cause, that we might plead "a in the Bills of Mortality. We feel sure, if we justification," and so get "acquitted." worth the trial; for we may as well be "martyred" west-end jury, and we are content.] one way as another. Only let us be tried by a

It is

Insanity-This fearful malady, Mr. Editor, is fast spreading amongst us; and I regret to say that it is not a little increased by the peculiarly cruel punishment inflicted in our various prisons. A case in point-one of how many others?-presents itself in an inquest just held in the Millbank prison. The suicide, Thomas Wilkinson, was aged only nineteen. He had been in separate confinement three months and eight days. The subjoined, from the evidence given before the coroner, is worthy the perusal of every heart that can feel. We may be "just," being unnecessarily "cruel." Mr. Postance, the surely, without religious instructor, deposed that, on the 27th of October last, the deceased had expressed great sorrow for his former conduct, and appeared very rational. Dr. Baily, the prison physician, under whose medical care the deceased had been, considered the act of suicide to have been unpremeditated, and to have arisen from his long sen- Editor, there are many of your readers ignorant The Wine-Cork Insect.-I dare say, Mr. tence. This witness thought the general cause of of the appearance presented by the walls of a the suicide of prisoners arose from the long pros- merchant's wine-cellar. pect of transportation. Mr. J. D. Rendle, resi- floating web, or mould, must be seen The large bodies of dent surgeon, had seen nothing in the manner of credited; and a sight more remarkable of its the deceased to lead him to suppose he would kind, perhaps never existed. commit suicide. Dr. Baly here said, that the six here-above, below, all around. Aye, even the Insect life is busy months' separate confinement had greatly ag- corks in the bottles are alive! gravated the diseases of prisoners, and only on Westwood says about the Wine-Cork Insect :Hear what Mr. Saturday last he recommended that a number should be placed in association until they could to more than ordinary visitation, and long stored "At a season when our wine-cellars are subject be removed to Dartmoor or other places. Cap-up bottles of choice wine are dislodged from their tain Groves, in answer to questions from the coroner, said, that he had no doubt the separate confinement, even in its mitigated form, affected both the body and the mind of the prisoners. He came to that conclusion, from a mass of observations which he had made from time to time, and the statistics of the prison. The jury unanimously returned a verdict-" That the deceased

to be

we may be allowed to leave the gardens and dark retreats, and their contents duly discussed,

We selected a lofty attic in this streetsecluded in London,-simply because we thought "said to be" one of the quietest and most we should be free from annoyance. Yet are we persecuted, almost to death!-ED. K. J.

fields, and call attention to the proceedings of the Entomological Society, on the 5th of April several species of insects which have the instinct last, in which it was stated that the corks of some to devour the corks, and so to cause the wine to port-wine bottles which had been packed in straw leak-thereby occasionally producing woful disap-in wooden cases, in which it remained undisturbed pointment to the expectant connoisseur. The for seventeen or eighteen years, were found to most injurious of all these wine-cork insects is the have been much gnawed, so that in some cases caterpillar of a little moth which gnaws the cork leakage and evaporation had completely emptied in all directions, weaving at the same time a slight the bottles. In others, there was only a little loss; web, to which are attached small masses of but in most cases the corks were more or less degrains, which are the dried excrement of the stroyed. This partial destruction seemed as if it insect. The ravages these larvæ commit are were prevented from being complete by the wine fearful. The larva itself is whitish-colored, oozing out in a single drop, and being pernicious fleshy, and slightly clothed with erect scattered to the insect. He moreover suggested that the seta; and with a dark-colored head. When dis- insect seemed to enter into the cork, and commence turbed it writhes about, quits its burrow, and its ravages at that part where there is a depression lets itself down from the cork by a fine thread. caused by the instrument used by wine merchants When full grown, it forms an elongated cocoon, in corking wine, to compress the cork, and make attached to the surface of the material upon it enter more readily into the neck of the bottle. which it has been feeding, formed of a fine layer He proposed, as a remedy against the mischief, to of silk, to the outside of which are attached par- cut the cork level with the mouth of the bottle, ticles of excrement and gnawings of its food. and then to dip the top of the bottle for half-anWithin this cocoon it is transformed to a small inch into a mixture of yellow bees'-wax, eight chrysalis, rather slender in form, with the head- ounces, and sweet oil four ounces, melted togeease pointed, and the antennæ cases extending ther; or to surround the upper part of the cork quite to the extremity of the body. The perfect with a thin coat of gutta percha, or after the botinsect is a minute moth belonging to the family tle has been corked, to immerse the mouth in a soTineida, placed by Haworth in the genus lution of alum in vinegar. None of these plans,if efGracillaria, and specifically named by him G. V. fectual, would injure the wine, or render it less fit for flava, from the pale V-like mark on each of the drinking. I have recently been over some large fore-wings, which measure rather more than one-wine-cellars, Mr. Editor, and it is what I saw there third of an inch in expanse, and are of a shining that has induced me to copy and send you the brown color, with a narrow pale clay-colored angu- above particulars from my paper. It appears that lated transverse bar running across the fore-wings, various other species of insects feed on the corks of at about one-third of their length from the base, wine-bottles. An account of them will be found resembling a placed side-ways, the point of the in the first volume of "The Transactions of the letter being directed towards the tip of the wings, Entomological Society," p. 55; "Kirby and and connected by pale scales with a large spot on Spence's Introduction," 6th edition, vol. i., p. the fore-margin towards the end of the wings, 197; and "Curtis's British Entomology, Genus, which is indistinctly formed into a fascia on the Mycetæa," fol. 502. Nature is indeed wonderful hind margin. The fringe is very long, the hind in all her works.-CURIOSUS, Hampstead. wings very slender and pointed, with very long fringe, of a pale straw-colored buff. The head is clothed with a dense tuft of buff-colored hairs, truncated transversely. The palpi are of moderate length, very slender, drooping, and extending outwards, so as to be seen at the sides of the head. The antennæ are very long and thread-like, and the hind tarsi are considerably elongated. This insect has formed the subject of several communications made to the Entomological Society during the last three or four years. It has no taste for the wine itself; as it invariably leaves that portion of the cork which is saturated with the wine, untouched. From recent observations, communicated to us by Mr. Bedell, there is reason to doubt whether its exclusive or perhaps even natural food is cork, and whether it has not resorted to the cork of the wine bottles because its own food has been destroyed or wanting. Mr. Bedell, in fact, finds the moth in the vaults of the London Docks, where the wine is never kept in bottles; and he has, moreover, found the caterpillars feeding upon fungi or mould growing upon the walls of cellars; where, also, no corked wine bottles were kept. Another circumstance is also worthy of remark, namely, that the insect seems almost unknown on the Continent; whereas if it fed naturally on the cork, it would surely be found more commonly in the south of Europe. A communication by Dr. Felkin, of Richmond, was made to

Diogenes and his Lantern.-A new weekly periodical, Mr. Editor, yclept "Diogenes,' has appeared amongst us. His philosophic lantern has been turned already upon a multitude of dark subjects. It is now turned upon a very dark locality indeed! I mean Paternoster Rowor grove of poor authors" as it stands recorded in history. The philosopher, and his lantern, have been in "the Row" one whole month, seeking to find "an honest bookseller." "When found," he will no doubt be "made a note of."QUIZ.

the

[Diogenes will die, MR. QUIZ,-at least we fear as much. He has undertaken too much. Yet do we readily acknowledge that "we live in an Age of Wonders."]

New mode of Coloring Silk, previous to Spinning.-It has long been known to physiologists, that certain coloring matters, if administered to animals along with their food, possess the property of entering into the system and tinging the bones. In this way, the bones of swine have been tinged purple by madder; and instances are on record of other animals being similarly affected. No attempt, however, was made to turn this beautiful discovery to account until lately, when Mons. Roulin speculated on what might be the consequence of administering colored articles of

food to silk-worms just before they began spinning their cocoons. His first experiments were conducted with indigo, which he mixed in certain proportions with the mulberry-leaves, serving the worms for food. The result of this treatment was successful-he obtained blue cocoons. Prosecuting still further his experiments, he sought a redcoloring matter capable of being eaten by the silk-worms, without injury resulting. He had some difficulty to find such a coloring matter at first, but eventually alighted on the Bignonia chica. Small portions of this plant having been added to the mulberry leaves, the silkworms consumed the mixture, and produced red-colored silk. In this manner the experimenter, who is still prosecuting his researches, hopes to obtain silk, as secreted by the worm, of many other colors.LECTOR.

At least, if

"The Christmas Rose."-Do, Mr. Editor, let me call your attention, and that of your readers, to the value of this plant as an ornament to our gardens during the winter months. There is surely no reason why the flower-garden should present the dull and repulsive aspect it usually exhibits at this season of the year. any reason there be, it is not found in the fact that no means exist of obviating it. And I am happy to find the subject is beginning to occupy attention. In the meanwhile, I know of no plant better deserving the notice of those who are anxious to have a winter-garden, than that which I have named. It commences its flowering in November, and lasts till March or April. Nothing is easier than its culture. It will invariably thrive in good vegetable mould; but it does not like too frequent a removal. It is very useful, too, as a green-house plant during the winter. When intended for this use, the plants should be kept plunged in ashes in a shady place during the summer, and removed to the house when they begin to bloom.-W. T.

The Venomous Fly of Southern Africa.-This fly, called by the natives Tsetés, is the same that was found to the east of the Limpopo, and which infests the country of Sebitoani; it is fortunately confined to certain localities, from which it never removes. The inhabitants lead their cattle within a certain distance of the places where it is found; and if they are compelled, in moving about, to cross those portions of the country infested by the insect, they choose for this purpose a moonlight night in the winter, because the insect does not bite during the nights of the cold season. From what I have seen, I think that it only requires three or four flies to kill a large ox. We examined about a score of ours which had been bitten and died; they all presented the same appearances. On removing the skin, the muscles had a slimy aspect, and appeared much altered. The stomach and intestines were healthy; the heart, the lungs, the liver, sometimes all at once, and always one or other of these organs, were affected. The heart especially attracted our attention; it was no longer a hard muscle, but a contracted and emaciated organ, which might be crushed by the least pressure of its walls; it resembled flesh which had been soaked in water. The blood was diminished in quantity and altered in quality. The

largest ox did not furnish more than twenty pints; it was thick and albuminous. The hands, when immersed in this blood, were not spotted by it. The poison appeared to spread in the blood, and to change the rest of the organs through its intervention. I believe that all domestic animals, except the goat, die of the bite of this insect; calves, and other young animals, are secure from it during the whole time that they are sucking; man and all wild animals are also proof against its venom..-W. OSWELL, in the Comptes Rendus, October 16, 1852.

Love one another!-Your delightful correspondent, NANNETTE, has sent you many nice little pickings from her "Note-Book." Let me also assist in the good cause advocated by OUR JOURNAL. The subjoined, from the pen of Charles Swain, is, I think, worthy general regard. There is so very little loving and forgiving going on in "the days we live in," that it may perchance have some good effect. Let us hope so.- -ROSE. Oh, loving and forgiving

Ye angel-words of earth,
Years were not worth the living
If ye too had not birth!
Ob, loving and forbearing-

How sweet your mission here;
The grief that ye are sharing

Hath blessings in its tear!
Oh, stern and unforgiving-
Ye evil words of life,
That mock the means of living
With never-ending strife!
Oh, harsh and unrepenting-
How would ye meet the grave,
If Heaven, as unrelenting,
Forbore not, nor forgave!
Oh, loving and forgiving-
Sweet sisters of the soul,
In whose celestial living

The passions find control!
Still breathe your influence o'er us
Whene'er by passion crost,
And, angel-like, restore us
The paradise we lost.

[Thank you, dear Rose. Any garland, so twined, will be always acceptable.]

More of the Fidelity of the Dog.-The following, Mr. Editor, is recorded in the "Dundee and Perth Advertiser," as having just occurred in Perth.-" Our respected Braemar carrier, Alexander Grant, in his going north last week, was overtaken with a violent snow-storm on the Cairnwell; and finding it impossible to proceed from the drifting snow, he saw no alternative but to lock up his van, take his horse from the carriage, and retrace his steps to the Spital Inn. This he did with much difficulty; and calling on his dog to follow, he did not miss him until arriving at the inn. After a diligent search, no dog was to be found. But when, on the following Monday, Mr. Grant went with assistance, to get his cart dug out of the snow, to his astonishment there was his faithful dog; alive, and in charge of the van, having watched it two days and two nights! Such an animal is truly valuable; and such an

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