Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

REAL CHARITY,

When thou hast done a good deed, do not show
It with thy finger, neither let it be
Profaned: else it will come back unto thee
Like to a handled flower, where the glow
Of hue and sweetness of the perfume no
More dwells. Upon God's altar, with all the
First freshness on it, place it; and then HE
Will make its perfume everlasting, so
"Twill be a joy for aye. There are but two
To whom it matters that thy deeds be known-
GOD and thyself. And if to these alone
They be so, then rejoice thereat; for you
Thus know them to be good deeds, in the true
And sublime sense-true, like thy father's own!
ELLISON.

[ocr errors]

‘Our Journal" and the Public.

AS IT IS NOW SOME FIFTY-SIX WEEKS since we put forth a Prospectus of the nature and objects of this Paper, it may be as well, for the benefit of new readers, briefly to re-state them.

Let it be borne in mind then, imprimis, that OUR JOURNAL is a Journal of Nature. We avowedly eschew all that is artificial; we lay bare the wretched hypocrisy that so universally prevails in society; and we call all things by their proper names. We regard life, not as a mere puppet to be played with as we will, but as a "reality"-involving considerations of the deepest interest here and hereafter. Thus viewed, it possesses a new interest altogether.

We are a grovelling nation, for the most part. Our lives are sacrificed in the vain pursuit of wealth. It is the only God that we "worship." When we get it, it hardens our heart; and whilst we seek it, we neglect most of the kind offices of life. "In the midst of life we are in death," and know it Neither care we for it. Here is a daguerreotyped picture of humanity! True to the letter, nevertheless. Well might WORDSWORTH say :-

not.

The world is too much with us! Late and soon,
Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers.
Little we see in Nature that is ours,-
We have giv'n our hearts away, a sordid boon!

Whatever progress we may make in the mechanical arts, it is quite clear that, in these matters, we remain totally unchanged. Nay, we retrograde. Let us reform this altogether!

We seek to unite, and make of one mind, all who have hitherto prided themselves on rigid exclusiveness. We want to establish the fact, that we are, or rather ought to be, to a certain extent, all of one family,-connected by one object; and that object, love to God and to each other. We labor hard to make people what they seem to be," but

are not; to show them that happiness does not consist in selfishness; and that true charity, if sought after, can readily be found. We want to crush false pride wherever it inhabits, and to cement a bond of brotherly and sisterly love between those who now see no beauty in such a union. We want to establish common honesty among us; a reign of kindness instead of a reign of terror. We desire to do away with a mass of the cool calculation that now exists amongst us as to "what we can get" by doing offices of socalled kindness. In fact, we want to regenerate the human heart.

Should it be urged that this is an impossibility, we admit that it is so, to a certain extent. Yet have we evidence in our possession, that we have not labored in vain touching this matter. For twelve months has our pen been unceasingly occupied in the endeavor to accomplish what we now profess to be our aim. During that period, our correspondence from all parts of the world has been immense,-more particularly during the latter quarter of the past year.

Among this correspondence are letters, whose value we can never sufficiently appreciate. Entering fully into our views, and fathoming our heart, the writers of these letters have not hesitated to tell us the large amount of good we have already done, in certain quarters; and they urge us to persevere with increased energy in "the noble work we have undertaken." This it is that has kept us so unflinchingly to our self-imposed task; and that has induced us not to give up all as lost, without a further effort.

We have found out, that there is many a heart seeking,-aye, pining, for feelings in unison with its own; but which, for lack of opportunity, it has never been able to fall in with. These hearts-not a few, have sought and found a resting place, a harbour of refuge, in OUR heart. There they have liveddo live, and will live, whilst we are an inhabitant of this lower world. This is one of the "rewards" we claim for our labor of

love.

The other main objects of OUR JOURNAL are-harmless amusement, blended with solid popular instruction; and an inter-communication of ideas between ourselves and the Public, connected with Natural History and matters of every-day life.

This renders our Miscellany an amusing one for the time being; and stamps a lasting value on it as a work of reference on Natural History, and Things in General.

Our two First Volumes are still in print; and we are well contented to let them speak for us in the absence of a longer prospectus. "Deeds, not words," is our motto; and it is one which is now very generally received.

SOMETHING "SEASONABLE."

ST. VALENTINE'S DAY,-1853.

Soon as grey morn invests yon eastern hill,
What perturbations youthful bosoms fill!
What throbs! what strange anxieties are known-
While "doubt" remains where Love shall fix his
throne!

IT SEEMS BUT AS YESTERDAY, that we sat down to pen a few random thoughts on this most interesting day; and yet have very nearly twelve months passed over our heads since our expressed thoughts went forth to the world. So very quickly does the time slip away when the mind is fully occupied ! The importance of St. Valentine's Day no person attempts to dispute. Birds and animals, lads and lasses, young people and old people, rich and poor, gentle and simple, -all seem to regard the day as an eventful one in the Calendar. As for the poor postmen-those shamefully ill-paid, but best of men, their legs know little rest from morning till night. So laden are they with "heavy "messages of love, and borne down by "pictures" of the wooed and the wooing; some very like a whale!

A tolerable idea may be formed of the extent of adoration lavished by the worshippers at the shrine of St. Valentine, on the objects of their heart, when we state a little statistical fact in connection with the 14th day of last February. Up to five o'clock, p.m., 200,000 letters over and above the

ordinary daily average, had passed through the Post Office in St. Martin's-le-Grand. This was for London alone; and the net profit was nearly £1,500. When we come to calculate further the quantity of ink, paper, wax, and pens used, and also the cost of the "Devices," &c., we imagine the revenue must feel grateful to the "good saint" for

his patronage.

The "pairing of birds" is said to commence on this day; and many bird-fanciers make their preparations in consequence. It is not for us to debate upon the policy of such a step, at a time like this; at all events, the birds are not allowed to have all the love to themselves. The example they set, is thought good enough to be followed by their young masters and mistresses. Accordingly, we find the day ushered in with an amount of pleasing curiosity, and harmless excitement, perfectly indescribable. Poor Robin says, in his Almanac for 1557, "Term is no sooner out, than in comes Valentine, to trade in sweethearts. Then the maids look out sharp to have him for a Valentine (if possible) whom they could inwardly incline to choose for a husband." He adds:

See our article on "St. Valentine's Day," in Volume 1, of OUR JOURNAL, page 97.

"A glorious month indeed, maids, this is!
It brings you scores and scores of kisses,
For always, when the sun comes there,*
Valentine's Day is drawing near;
And both the men and maids incline
To choose them each a Valentine.
Should a man get the one he loves,
He gives her first a pair of gloves;
And entre nous, to seal his bliss,
He crowns the favor with a kiss.
The kiss begets more love-and then
That love begets a kiss again;
Until the man this trade doth catch,
And then he does propose the match.
The maid is "willing" tho' she's shy,
She gives her swain this soft reply:
"I'll not decide one thing or other
Until I first consult my mother!"
When she says so, 'tis half a grant,
And may be taken for 'consent.'"

her 66

Just so, good Robin. Only get the ear of your "heart's idol" to listen to you. Your words will quickly sink into her heart; and wish" will be her mother's "law." Never go one step, say we, without the consent of the mother. Her blessing is above all. This is a remark by the way.

We are inclined favorably towards the little displays made on this memorable day, inasmuch as they are for the most part purely harmless. The ideas are, with a few exceptions, cut and dried. They are not the irrepressible bursts of passion, made by a heart ments" are prepared in a garret by some "full to o'erflowing." No! The "sentipoor author, or disappointed suitor, perhaps ; and disposed of by him to the printers of these literary curiosities. They have then and invested with a dignity meant to strike to be wedded to certain symbolic designs, deep into the heart. We will not attempt to turn such poetical effusions into contempt. Oh no! Let them go forth with their speaking voices; led by rosy-faced Cupids, armed with majestically-mischievous bows and glittering arrows, and attended with the flaming torches of Hymen-chariots of love, crowned with roses, and drawn by sylphs, flying ethereally towards the altar.

these elaborated missives of love. No sooner There is a pretty considerable trade done in has the new year dawned upon us, than "Valentines" greet us in multitudes, in nearly every successive window of the shops of London and the suburbs. How we do delight in halting now and then, to fathom the hearts behold gazing into those same shop windows! of the many pretty, innocent faces, that we Nor will we affirm that we have not made a has called forth a bewitching smile from the vivâ voce observation more than once, that rosy lips, parted by a row of ivory, which belonged to the fair creature we have been addressing.

*The sun this month enters into " Pisces."

As regards ourself, we very strongly object to all these "ready cut and dried" effusions. They are tasteless-spiritless-meaningless. They have no point. They will do for one; they will do for all. Over-grown Cupids rolling over clouds, their cheeks bedaubed with vermillion-ugly little hump-backed churches, botched with imitation-ivy (where no sane mortal could ever think of getting married); and top-heavy chariots shining in ochre-such attempts at heart-stealing as these, delight us not. Nor have we ever been seriously smitten by those hosts of little nude Cupids, who so mysteriously creep out of fullblown cabbage-roses, making the best of their way to large over-grown hearts, stuffed with double-headed arrows-these said hearts uttering dolorous complaints in so called verse, whilst frying in their own flames. These never took our fancy.

We believe we were the first to originate the idea, of sending the girl of our heart an emblematical device on pasteboard of a closed cabinet, with a latch attached. On lifting this, the doors flew open; and an elegant silvered mirror, concealed by a veil of silver gauze, was seen suspended in the front. Beneath it was written :

Remove this veil with care, and sce
The ONLY girl who's dear to me;

If she will let me call her "mine,"
I'll seek NO OTHER Valentine.

This, though a boyish effusion, was, we remember, a dead shot. The idea was a

pretty one; we were suspected, accepted, beloved, and caressed (of course).

HURDIS says, writing of this memorable day:

This day doth herald in St. Valentine!

Now maids are brisk, and at the break of day
Start up and turn their pillows, curious all
To know what happy swain the fates provide
A mate for life. Then follows thick discharge
Of true-love knots, and sonnets nicely penned;
But to the learned critic's eye no verse,
But prose distracted.

We have not made much progress since the days of Hurdis. If ladies' hearts fall before the poetry of modern Valentines, they must, we think, be indeed made of "melting

stuff!"

It is said that the sweet air of "Rousseau's Dream" was first imported into this country some fifty years ago; and that the first English words ever written to it were in the form of a serenade from a lover to his be

trothed, on the morning of St. Valentine's
Day. We have a copy of the lines in our
possession, and we subjoin them :--

Health to thee, mine own sweet lady!
Health and blessing, first and last!
Now may Heaven, all bounteous, aid me
Round thy path new spells to cast.

Blessed be thine early morning!
Blessed be thine evening close!
Blessed thy going and returning,
Summer hours and winter snows!
Not to thee, all undeceiving,

Pure of spirit, frank of heart,
Shall the Muse, her fictions weaving,
Act the faithless flatterer's part.
Win and wear thy prize, fair lady!
Faith as true, as pure as thine,
Love and service ever ready,

From thy well-known Valentine.

We must confess that, as we grow older, we cling more to the poetry of love than to the rattling jingle of School-boy sonnets. Love is an expansive element--not a mere simpering look of yes or no. It is a deep stream, into which the lower you plunge the sweeter the feeling. We could write on this subject for ever; but we forget that this is a mere pièce de circonstance. Let us conclude, therefore, with the "Valentine Wreath," by Montgomery. It is a gem worth "setting" in OUR OWN JOURNAL:—

Rosy red the hills appear

With the light of morning;
Beauteous clouds in æther clear,
All the East adorning.

White through mist the meadows shine,
Wake, my love-my Valentine!

For thy locks of raven hue,

Flowers of hoar-frost pearly,
Crocus-cups of gold and blue,
Snow-drops drooping early,
With Mezereon sprigs combine:
Rise, my love-my Valentine!

O'er the margin of the flood,
Pluck the daisy peeping;
Through the covert of the wood,
Hunt the sorrel creeping.
With the little celandine,
Crown my love-my Valentine!
Pansies, on their lowly stems,
Scattered o'er the fallows;
Hazel-buds with crimson gems,
Green and glossy sallows;
Tufted moss and ivy-twine,
Deck my love-my Valentine!

Few and simple flow'rets these;
Yet to me less glorious
Garden beds and orchard trees!
Since this wreath victorious
Binds thee now for ever mine,
Oh! my love-my Valentine!

One parting remark about Valentine, who
Ladies! one little
to-day woos the fair.
word in your ear, if
you please :-

Let virtue, honor, sense, and truth unite,
Whate'er the fortune, VALENTINE is right.
Absent these qualities (thus ends our song),
Whate'er the fortune, VALENTINE is wrong.

GULLS AND THEIR VICTIMS,

OR THE

MYSTERY OF AN ADVERTISEMENT.

Ir is a curious fact connected with our race, that whilst one part is progressing with railway speed towards perfection, the other part is retrograding in intellect in an inverse ratio. If any proof of this be wanting, see it in the blind allegiance paid by the million to newspaper advertisementsall of them just so many "shams."

as

Let us take up any one of the daily sheets of the Times newspaper. What see we there? Why, advertisements innumerable of every kind of "want"-whether applied to things, people, or money. It has been said, that the public may be divided into ten parts. Nine of these parts are fools, the tenth consists of wise men. It has been further said, and truly-that the tenth part swallows up the other nine! This is a fact!

The tenth part of the public, then, are those who live by putting specious advertisements into the "Times," so artfully worded as to work upon the passions or the weak point of an erring mortal. The hook is, for the most part, so nicely, so temptingly baited, that it is sure of securing a victim: when secured, bis "fate" may be guessed: ex.

gr.

It is well known that many of our work. ing clergy are very poor (all "worthy" clergymen must be very poor. This is nature's law). Well; to meet their views," money is advertised as forthcoming "on easy terms." The poor clergyman sees the bait; swallows it; corresponds; sends up his acceptance on blank paper, gets no money in return; finds himself "done" on coming up to town, and his acceptance originally sent for £100 altered to £400. The bill is passed away; it becomes due; the clergyman is sued; persecuted; ruined! The same trick, in different disguises, fills the columns of the "Times" daily. The advertisers live in style; whilst their victims are plundered, and frequently

commit suicide.

As for the simple who believe every thing on a small scale, they are plundered very easily. Thus, if a man be bald headed, he reads, in the advertisement of a swindling advertiser,-"hair is perfectly restored after seven years baldness." Miss Dean tells him the "fact" so positively, that he cannot but believe her. He pays 2s. for the "elegantly scented compound," and finds himself

[ocr errors]

done,"-besides being more bald than ever he was. He is exhorted to "persevere." He does so; buys some dozen pots, and finds himself without a single hair on his head! The same with quack medicines,-in fact with nearly all the marvellous advertise

ments. The greater the fabrication, the more impossible the cure,--the greater the credit given to the wonderful heal-all! One "Professor" tells us daily in the "Times," that his ointment cures broken legs, after two or three applications; and that his pills will make an old man young again. He says so; and people believe him. They take his physic and die; he takes their money and laughs at them. The fact is, none of these advertisements can be believed. "They lie like

truth."

It is vain for us, to hope to effect much good by any expose that we might make; still if we only save one intended victim, we shall be more than satisfied. We will now introduce a brief account of a recent "L Matrimonial case of extortion made by a Alliance Association," who had volunteered by advertisement to procure wives or hus"done" on bands "to order." The person this occasion, was MR. PELLAS-a merchant of Fenchurch Street; but it turned out, subsequently, a case of " the biter bit." We record the circumstances of the trial in OUR JOURNAL, by way of a warning to all who want wives, or husbands "by proxy." Rely on it, good people, the old way is best. If a woman is not worth winning and wooing, she is not worth having:

An action was brought in the Westminster County Court, by a foreigner named Pellas, a merchant, of Fenchurch Street, City, against a person of the name of Hunter, a manager of the Legal Matrimonial Alliance Association, the offices of which were stated to be at No. 2, Portsmouth-street, Lincoln's-inn-fields, to recover the sum of £10, which he had paid under a promise of being introduced by the "Society" to a lady destined to be his wife, but which promise had not been performed.

From the statement of Mr. De Jersey, who detailed the facts in an unusually humorous style, it appeared that in September last his client, who was a native of Genoa, observed in a weekly newspaper an article headed "Important to Bachelors and Spinsters," wherein all who were single were invited to become members, if they riage to be of mutual advantage. The plaintiff desired to taste the joys of wedlock; the marwishing to try such an event, wrote to Mr. Hugo Beresford, to whom applications were to be made at the above address, he being secretary, the following letter:

an

'Sept. 3, 1852. "Sir,-Some time ago, the writer saw advertisement of yours in the London paper, under the title of 'The Matrimonial Alliance Association,' and now should feel obliged by your letting him know, at the earliest convenience, what you think you could really do for him, he being a most honorable and respectable unmarried gentleman desirous of getting mar ried to a respectable lady-no matter her age -possessing a handsome fortune, and who, after satisfactory inquiries, might be disposed to help him with a loan of £2,000, purposely to increase

his business which is most lucrative, and presents the greatest security. He has for several years been an established foreign commissionmerchant in the city of London, enjoys great respectability and credit in the trade, is banking with a first-rate firm in Lombard-street, and in fact, can give the best references for the period of the last twenty years. He is only hardly a middle-aged gentleman, foreigner by birth, and is living in London. He has a dwelling-house for himself, entirely for him, and it is furnished the same as any lady or gentleman of style can wish. With the rest, please to state your terms, as these must be settled beforehand. Enclosed you will find five postage stamps. I remain yours truly, A B. P.S. Please address the letters only Mr. W. Jones, No. 10, the Grove, Claphamroad, Surrey."

A prompt reply from Mr. Hugo Beresford was sent, asking for the usual registration fee of 5s. in postage stamps, on the receipt of which a printed form of application would be forwarded. The stamps were sent, the plaintiff in exchange being supplied with the said form. In this he was to state his age, weight, height, complexion, color of hair and eyes; and, in fact, describe himself as he would a horse he had to dispose of laughter). He did all that, after which Mr. Hugo Beresford again wrote to him, intimating that he had a very choice collection of ladies on hand, the charge on an engagement with either of which would be between £30 and £40; and that a small deposit was required, which, if, after forwarding, the plaintiff should not be "suited," it would be placed to his credit, and deducted from the gross amount when he was. Plaintiff thereupon enclosed in an envelope to Mr. Beresford a cheque upon Messrs. Glynn, his bankers, for £5, which had the effect of causing Mr. Beresford to make another demand upon plaintiff's purse, at the same time intimating that the Christian name of the lady he was to be introduced to was "Fanny" (loud laughter). His client, still under the impression that this was only the legalised ordeal of bachelorship, and the name of his perspective wife invigorating him, transmitted another cheque of £5-hoping he should be introduced to the lady. Mr. Beresford, however, judged he had got a flat in plaintiff, to whom he made a communication that on the receipt of another £10, his wish should be gratified, but otherwise it could not be. The plaintiff then, for the first time, began to feel a little doubtful of the affair he had blindly embarked in, and resolved to go to the company's office, in Portsmouth-street, where on asking for Mr. Beresford, he was introduced to the defendant, who, having taken him into a dark, dirty apartment, more like a den than a room, asked him his business, which he told. Defendant upon that, having locked the door, said, Mr. Beresford's abroad; my name's Hunter; I have been corresponding with you for him, and I suppose you have come to pay the required £10." Plaintiff assured him that he meant no such thing, and should not advance any more money till he could see the lady, or have some reference given him as to the respectability and honor of the company he had entered into dealings with. On uttering these words, the defendant complained of the slur thus cast upon

an association having in its banker's hands upwards of £3,000; and his fierce looks frightening the plaintiff, he promised to send £10 on the morrow, and was allowed to depart. On reaching the street, he ran away; not stopping till within a few paces of his own residence. Thiswas on the 29th of September, and on the following day he sent a note, declining any further transactions with the Matrimonial Alliance Association. The Association was, however, not to be so easily disenthralled from a person who had got into their meshes, and threats of proceedings against him in the Sheriff's Court were made unless he paid the £10 by twelve o'clock on a certain day; when, if the lady, on an interview did not suit, it would be returned. His client was inflexible; and being on two occasions refused the £10, which had been fraudulently, as he considered, obtained from him, he instituted these proceedings. Subsequently to that event, Mr. Hugo Beresford was loth to lose his game in the person of the plaintiff, and sent him the following rich morceau:-" Mr. Beresford would be happy to arrange a meeting with a lady, another likely' character, with whom an interview can be given." Plaintiff was proof against this and other overtures made to alter the course he had adopted, and he was determined that, through an exposure by the press, the public should be put on their guard from being defrauded by an alleged bona fide association, not worth a straw.

The plaintiff, a good-looking gentlemanly young man, of mild demeanor, in broken English corroborated the facts in chief, as narrated by his solicitor.

Cross-examined by Mr. Roberts: He had never before speculated in marriage. His father wanted to bring him up a priest; but he did not like it, and came to this country. He was under thirty years of age. He did not care about his wife's age, as he wanted a companion in a woman, and money might give her a favorality (laughter). He should, he thought, have objected to marry a woman more than middle aged. On seeing the Matrimonial Alliance, he said let us try. He knew of no firm of that name (laughter), but said so to himself.

His honor observed, that no doubt the money had been obtained by fraud upon the plaintiff, and the defendant, who was the only person he had seen throughout the transaction, was liable, and he should, therefore, make an order for its payment.-I propose, then, ten shillings a month.

Mr. De Jersey: What !! By an association boasting of having in their banker's hands £3,000 order was then made for immediate payment(laughter)! I press for payment forthwith.-An

WITH ALL COSTS.

An occasional exposure of this kind is salutary. Let us hope that "wives by advertisement" will be laid aside for a long time to come. Connected with "Matrimonial advertisements," to catch flats, the subjoined is far too good to be lost sight of. It is now appearing daily and weekly in the newspapers; and would not, we imagine, be so industriously kept up, unless it amply repaid Madame M., the flat-catcher, for her

« AnteriorContinuar »