that it shall not be so; and England is just England-that is to say, simply with her people the first and finest country on the face of the earth. Those who rail at our climate are but shallow people, and we pity their ignorance!

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVED. FELICIA. By all means. Write fully. Anything imparted to us, confidentially, lives and dies with us. JAMES W. In about ten days. -ELIZA F. Most assuredly send the particulars at once.-LOUISA K. You are not forgotten. That would be impossible. Wait one week longer.-E. W., and a host of other kind correspondents, shall have their

wishes complied with at the earliest possible moment. PENELOPE.-Your frankness charms us. We therefore unreservedly sav, "yes." Let your pen follow the dictates of your heart, and fear nothing.-S. B. W. In our next.-G. S., Thanks. All in good time.-" VERBUM SAT." A good idea. We will improve upon it.

PRIVATE LETTERS. Of these we daily receive such immense quantities, that we must really beg the writers to excuse our not replying to them; our time being overwhelmingly occupied with PUBLIC duties.

CORRESPONDENTS sending in any "facts" connected with Science or Natural History, are requested in every case to append their names and places of abode. In no instance, however, will their names be published without their express sanction.

To obtain this Paper without any difficulty, our readers need only ORDER it to be sent to them by any of their local Booksellers or Newsvendors. It is published simultaneously with all the other weekly periodicals.

KIDD'S OWN JOURNAL.
Saturday, July 3, 1852.

OUR FIRST VOLUME, ranging over a period of twenty-six weeks, is now pleted.

com

For the last fortnight, we have been busily occupied in preparing an INDEX worthy of it, we say "worthy" of it, for the mass of contributions upon which our eye has fallen, are indeed valuable.

We are to-day about to try an interesting experiment-interesting in a two-fold view. First, as regards ourselves; we are once more going to invoke the aid of our "grey goose quill" to help us up the few remain ing steps of the ladder of life, and secondly, we propose to see if the old writers were not in error when they said "Friendship," properly so called, "exists but in name.

This

last essay is particularly pleasing to us; for, ere this Volume is completed, the question will have been tried, and the point decided. Oh, how we do long to prove that the world is not so universally bad as some pronounce it to be, altogether hollow, altogether If there be faith in Man; if there be faith in Woman, we believe there is in both, then will our JOURNAL progress from to-day in a manner perfectly delightful.

false-hearted!

We have had it said to us,-"Be of good courage, Mr. Editor; you have friends all

over the country, who will never let your Paper perish while you live. Only be true to yourself. Issue it at a price that will keep it alive; continue its present excellence; and trust to our good offices for the rest. Every day adds to your fair fame; and victory will soon be yours."

The above sentences embody, in few words, the spirit of a multitude of other kind communications that have reached us. We cannot bring ourselves to believe, that such friendly promises were ever made with a view to their being remorselessly broken. At all events, we are

"Again afloat,"

and we return to our labor of love with a lighter heart (though not with a heavier purse), than accompanied us during our FIRST half-year.

The SECOND half-year will show whether we have wisely confided in our kind patrons, or whether we have, like the rest of the world, been again pursuing a shadow.

"'Tis not in mortals to COMMAND success," but we will do all that in us lies to DESERVE it. If we fail, we shall have no cause, hereafter, for self-reproach.

TO WRITE ABOUT PRETTY WALKS in shady groves; to give glowing accounts of wild flowers rejoicing in the fields and the woods; and to luxuriate in flowery descriptions of what grows in our gardens-is delightful, truly. But how does our pen shrink from this pleasing employment at the present time! It refuses to describe what it cannot enjoy.

Rain is falling in torrents; the elements are raging; the winds are howling; the clouds are big with mischief; and all nature seems at war with itself. We have gone abroad to admire our roses. We have seen them "open," and for a few hours we have enjoyed their fragrance; but alas! all have been destroyed, one by one, by a succession of heavy showers! The peonies too, of which we have before spoken, how soon these were

"Gone from our gaze !"

We left them reposing, over-night, in their loveliness; and at day-break, found them and many others mere fragments. Wind and storms had bowed down their heads which alas! will be raised no more! Pinks, Balsams, Geraniums, Fuchsias, Sweet Williams, Pansies, and Virginia stocks -all have shared a like fate, and our garden

is a comparative wreck.

As for the foliage which clothes the trees, it is indeed luxuriant in its wildness; but it has superseded both flowers and fruit,

dom where we had fondly hoped to find nothing but flowers.

To endure this patiently, is a proof of Philosophy. Let us candidly acknowledge that we are "young" in that school. Our heart aches at the "progress of the seasons" thus far, for we have lost what we cannot see again for another twelve months, and ere we had time to take even a parting leave of it. Like Jonah's gourd, our delights of Spring seem to have withered so soon as they have sprung up.

pletion of their work in the harvest field, is a sight we love to gaze upon. Often have we followed the "last load" home, and made merry in the farmer's hall on our arrival!-How is it that these early scenes dwell so vividly in the remembrance? We would not forget them if we could.

OUR SUBSCRIBERS are reminded, that it will be needful for them to order IMMEDIATELY, through their respective Booksellers, any of the BACK NUMBERS of this JOURNAL which they may require to complete their Sets.

sents a treat that we dearly love. Who is there amongst us that cannot associate some of his happiest hours with the hay field? Who is there that cannot remember when, among the frolicsome lads and lasses, all has been hurry-scurry; leading to "scrimmages" innumerable; these eventually ending in a ringing laugh of innocent, boisterous merriment? Sunny days, these! say we; and if the Sun ever means to show his golden head again (which our pen now ventures, and with good reason, to doubt) -won't we once more join in the festive dance among the new-mown hay! What a profusion of it there will be this year!

We long once more to see the merry mowers, stooping over their scythes, and moving with measured paces through the early morning mists-interruptedat intervals by the freshening music of the whetstone. We love to call to mind the many pastoral enjoyments of bygone days, the zest for a renewal of which is even now on the increase. In these scenes, we live again.

And what of the harvest-home and its attendant pleasures? A glance at these would fill a volume. Where is the heart that cannot rejoice when the fruits of the earth are about to be all gathered safely in, and housed? The last load! There is

music in the words.

The time is then come, when man and nature, mutually assisting each other, have completed everything that remains for them to do. The'laborers all stand round in a amerry group, joining in a laughing chorus. Their wives and joyous children echo the song, whilst the cart stands still to receive the last fork-full of hay. The horse, too, understands well what is going forward, and enjoys it as much as the rest. All but hidden beneath his over-arching load, you may see him lift up his patient head to take a "sweet mouth. ful "-by way of companionship.

The sun-burnt laborers, leaning listlessly

The Stock is being made up into VOLUMES; and there may be, hereafter, some difficulty, if not an impossibility, of obtaining any parti

A copious INDEX to the First Twenty-six Numbers, with Title-page, Preface, &c., is now ready, price Threepence. It is procurable in the same manner as the JOURNAL.

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Does the Robin sing at this Season, whilst his Mate is sitting? - Dear Mr. Editor; the very same day I forwarded you the particulars of the young Robins domiciled chez moi (see page 361, Vol. I.), their mamma paid them a final visit. Nor would she then have entered the room, had not her children put forth the most entreating and eloquent cries. When she did come, she had some moss in her bill! You will be glad to hear that all my little friends are well. There is already a tinge of orange perceptible on their breast breasts, and one has already commenced "recording" his song. I must tell you, that my "pet"

par excellence has since hatched another brood; although food is abundant, she is as familiar as ever. Am I wrong in thinking that her mate sings? and that he has sung all the Spring? He is never near the nest, but in quite the opposite part of the garden, excepting when the hen was so frequently in my room. He then came nearer the window. The note has not the fullness of the autumn song,-yet still I think it is he. What think you?-Fo

RESTIERA.

[What you here remark, has also been re

marked by ourselves. The male does sing (sweetly) at a remote distance, whilst his cara sposa is sitting. He remains in the garden, but far removed; and his song is varied for the purpose of amusing his partner during her arduous task. You may rely on this being the same bird that has sung all the Spring; for he never would have allowed access to any other bird on his premises. The other portion of your letter, which we have not printed, shall have due attention paid it ata fitting season. We are under obligations to you for your friendly communications, that we shall not readily forget; nor would we "cancel" those obligations for the wealth of the Indies.]

Emancipated Canaries at Maidstone. I have

taken up with the juices into the capillary tubes of all vegetables, and so appear when decomposition affords them a pabulum and excitement, or rotten wood and leaves. This seed is produced in such excessive quantities, thrown off so freely, and borne about so easily, that perhaps there is hardly a particle of matter whose surface is not imbued therewith; and had these seeds the power of germinating by mere wetness alone, without some other exciting cause, all surfaces would be crowded with them, and pasturage impeded. Now, were these rings caused by the seeds falling continually, they would enlarge, which they do not; after a year or two, they utterly disappear, though plenty of seed may be seen to load the grass all round. I have brought large patches of these rings into other fields, but never found them to enlarge; and the turf I have taken back to replace in the rings, has never partaken of their nature. Why should the grass be more rank in the rings? One would conclude the seeds of fungi would make it lessso Now the exciting cause that occasions these fungi and deeper verdure to come up, in circles, I hold to be strokes of electricity. They are generally found in open places, on hill-sides, wide fields, and broad meadows, where lightning is more likely to strike; and seldom near trees or woods, which throw off, or receive the fluid silently, and im perceptibly. FRANCIS MYLES GOLDING.

What Animal is it that perforates the Nests of Birds, and afterwards removes the Eggs?-The following particulars are too curious, Mr. Editor, to pass without notice in the Public's "OWN JOURNAL," to which all the world ought to contribute what comes before them in the way of novelty. In a large walled-in garden, containing about an Irish acre, and surrounded with fruit trees, two missel thrushes built their nests within the last three weeks, in two pear trees, on opposite sides of the garden, -the greenhouse dividing them The one was beyond my reach, requiring a short ladder to gain access to the hen's nest: she was sitting with such assiduity that on my approaching very closely she did not move off. Not wishing to molest her till the yourg were out, I refrained visiting the nest again for some days; when, to my surprise, I found the eggs which had scarcely time to be hatched, had been gone, to all appearance, some time. Thinking this must have been done by the magpie, or some other depredator, I took out the nest; and on examination found a large oval hole neatly scooped out of the bottom part, next the wall, beginning at the outside, and very neatly cut through the twigs and mud with which the interior of these birds' nests is always lined. The missel thrush, on the opposite side, built her nest much lower down, so as to be quite accessible to the hand; and contained, as indeed both did, five eggs. The nest was so concealed by the leaves, that it was only when the bird flew off, with aloud chattering cry, that it could be discovered. On Sunday last, I raised her twice off the nest; but on going round the garden to-dayto examine the fruit trees, I was surprised not to see her; and on putting in my hand I found the eggs gone, and the nest cold and damp. On bringing it out, the bottom part, next the wall, was scooped out,

even more neatly than the former one,-beginning at the outside so as to form a considerablesized oval, or rather long-shaped hole, through which the robber gained access to the eggs; and some small portions of the sweets were adhering to the mud lining. Though the missel thrush has frequented my garden for many years, and committed vast depredations on the apples and pears, which it destroys in great numbers, I have never observed its nest attacked in a similar manner: and I should be glad to know from you, or any of your subscribers, what animal you think was the intruder, and how he might be trapped? I may remark, that in another pear tree, close by, a green linnet had built. The nest was examined in the forenoon by two or three individuals; and on going again in the evening, the five eggs it contained were gone. This, on the very day the others were missed. The gardener ascribed both to the cuckoo, which at that time was observed in the garden every morning. In another part of the wall (but in a currant tree) on a level with one's hand, is the nest of a blackbird, which has brought out her young unmolested; also a hedge sparrow's; and I confess I am at a loss to account for the destruction of the thrushes in both instances. The cutting of the nests from the outside, proves that either the rat, weasel, or other animal was the thief; and not the magpie or cuckoo as is generally supposed. - WILLIAM M., Carrickfergus.

Habits of the Owl. -The habits of the common owl often appear strange and curious; and when an opportunity occurs for ascertaining the mode of living pursued by these tenants of the air, the inquirer generally observes some before-unheardof peculiarity in their economy. The writer of this notice recently found an owl sitting with all the gravity of Minerva in a last-year's magpie nest, near Alltyrun House, the residence of John Hodgkinson, Esq. The circumstance struck him as being remarkable; and he was anxious to learn something of the bird's history. He was informed that the nest (as he had surmised) was once the property of a magpie; and that the owl in its wanderings having apparently conceived a high opinion of its commodiousness, seemed determined upon having it for its home, and communicated that conclusion to the magpie, who, however, would not hear of it-it wasn't fair or honest. The owl, however, was firm, the magpie equally so; consequently there was no alternative but to fight for it. Fortune deserted right; the owl proved the conqueror, and took possession of the nest, which has been retained ever since. It is built in a lofty fir-tree, from which all the mice, toads, and frogs of the neighborhood can be seen at proper hours.-G. H., Stepney.

"Throwing the Hatchet."-You have very properly, Mr. Editor, been putting your paw upon those ridiculous anecdotes of animals which are going the rounds of the papers at this season of dullness. Nothing can do more towards bringing them into contempt, than exposure. Read the following, taken from the Canterbury Journal:

"The Cat and the Owl.-A curious circumstance [very!] happened at Manston Court, Isle of Thanet, on Monday last. A cat had kittened in a barn, at the upper end of which an owl was located, evidently watching the movements of puss. As soon as the latter had succeeded in getting her little family into a quiet sleep, she gently withdrew, for the purpose of obtaining the necessary aids for the body corporate. She had hardly left the barn when the owl descended, and after narrowly scanning the kittens, he took them with great care, one by one, and without injuring them in the least, placed them safely in his own domicile. Puss returned, but found the objects of her care gone! With the sagacity of her tribe, she began an exploration of the barn for her progeny, and at length discovered the place of their retreat; but here her difficulties were not complete. The owl had got possession, and would not budge an inch; a terrific battle ensued of three quarters of an hour's duration, in which both were severely injured-and puss came off triumphant. She immediately took her kittens off to their old quarters; but the owl was so seriously wounded in the battle that he died the following day."-Is it not a good thing, Mr. Editor, that the owl is dead? he cannot now be called in as "a witness." -JAMES E., Maidstone. [These marvels are only now "beginning." They may be looked for in extenso daily. The above certainly was a "remarkable" owl!]

Gold and Silver Pheasants. All hail, Mr. Editor, to your "Consulting Journal!" And let me congratulate you on your new resolution. May it answer the desired end! It shall, if unceasing energy on my part can avail anything. I have a pair of beautiful gold pheasants; their eggs are plentiful, but the hen never wants to sit. I therefore rear young birds under bantam fowls; strange to say, they all invariably die from the third to the fifth day. I am convinced there is something wrong in their diet, that I am unacquainted with. I expect very shortly to have a brood hatched, and therefore feel anxious about the mode of treatment. Where can I procure a hen silver pheasant? [Address a note to Mr. Baker, "Pheasantry," King's Road, Chelsea, enclosing a stamp; he will tell you the price, and recommend you a good bird.] My male bird is a sad savage in his temper and disposition; will he be likely to pair with, and take kindly to, a young hen? [Certainly not. He is a Turk.] He has already played the part of Bluebeard to some ten bantam hens. [Has he! At once, then, reduce his stature by a head. He is useless to breed from. Procure a pair of young "silvers" immediately; then will you escape all disappointment.] I shall be so greatly indebted to you if you will answer my questions.-ARTHUR H.

[You ought to rear your young pheasants under larger fowl-not under bantams. They require much more warmth than can be imparted by these little creatures; and they ought to have a mother, if we may so speak, of altogether larger proportions. Feed them on soft food, and let them have flies, worms, and insects, in preference to grain, when so very young. Above all things keep them clean, and let their habitation be free from contamination of every kind. Extreme cleanliness is a "domestic talisman," and ought to be practised throughout all creation; yet is it but very little regarded.

We shall no doubt be able to offer you, through the medium of our columns, much minute information about golden pheasants and their progeny. Meantime, these remarks will serve your present purpose.]

Philosophy of Combustion as shown by a Common Candle.-How very few of us, Mr. Editor, are practically conversant with the commonest principles of cause and effect! I was much struck the other day by the following, which I found on papa's table, in the Builder. Thinking it just the thing for a periodical of popular science like yours, I have copied it and now send it you. "Before you put your candle out, look at it. It has been burning some time unsnuffed, and gives little or no light; the wick is long, and is topped by a heavy black clot-a lump of unconsumed carbon. Take the candlestick in your hand, and move it gently from side to side; the superfluous wick burns away, and the candle is again bright. When you ask yourself why this is, you learn that flame is hollow, and as it admits no oxygen, which is necessary for combustion, the wick which it surrounds remains unconsumed, and diminishes the light. When the flame, by motion, leaves the wick exposed at intervals to the oxygen of the atmosphere, it speedily burns away. Note the valuable deduction from this fact the formation of a wick which constantly turns outward and reaches the exterior air, and so gives us a candle requiring no snuffing. There is much philosophy in the burning of a candle. The wick you may think is intended to burn and give light; but this is not exactly the fact. The wick is simply to bring the melted tallow, or oil, if in a lamp, into that finely divided state in which it is best fitted for combustion. The heat applied to 'light' the candle, decomposes into its constituents the small quantity of tallow next the wick: heat and light are produced in the operation, and the heat so produced carries on the decomposition."-Let us hope that the Public's "OWN JOURNAL" will be the means of making many other of these delightful facts known to the inquiring mind. My aid, dear Mr. Kidd, in so good a cause, shall assuredly not be wanting.-LAURA C., Finchley.

[Miss Laura! you are a dear girl; a jewel in your papa's crown; a perfect philosopher in petticoats. You stand enrolled "one of us." Continue active in the good cause, and command our services at all times. Try something " original." There is evidence in one part of your epistle to us (not printed), that you are a girl of much thought and accurate perception.]

Chickens,-What is the Cause of their suddenly dropping off ?-Dear Mr. Editor, -We are sadly plagued this year with our chickens, which, when nearly reared and about to be taken from their parents, suddenly die. This is not the case with a few of us only, but with most of us. How is it? Do pray prescribe for us; for in our parts you are an idol. We all say, among ourselves, "May the Editor and his pet Journal live for ever!" -SARAH W., Worcester.

[Miss Sarah! gently, if you please. Do not get into our good graces by flattery. We value the regard of yourself and towns-folk highly;