natural habits being reserved, and solitude their delight. These we shall speak of, at a more fitting season. However, the generality of birds prefer a commonwealth, and live in perfect amity when congregated-each individual being allowed, for the most part, to have his own way; though, by the bye, not always "his own way of having it;"-a distinction, reader, pr'ythee mark, with some considerable difference attached to it. more tender to hybernate, or try to do so, with the more robust; carefully noting how long they would exist in a state of health, without the aid of artificial warmth. It is only by these practical experiments that one can arrive at a perfect knowledge of facts. This experiment was a costly one, but it af forded us an excellent insight into what we much desired to know. We observed, not only that the tender birds drooped as the weather became gradually colder, but that their tempers and dispositions were visibly affected thereby, undergoing a remarkable change. They were sulky, fractious, quar There can be no possible objection, under certain circumstances, for granivorous and insectivorous (hard-billed and soft-billed) birds being associated together in the same aviary. But as this, for certain reasons pre-relsome, and tyrannical, by turns; and many sently to be given, can only be during the summer months, or from May to August, it will be necessary so to construct an aviary as to make it available for two distinct habitations-a summer residence, and a home for the winter. The one will then be assigned, during the inclement season, to the hardy or seed birds; whilst the other will be appropriated solely to the more tender, or softbilled birds. These last, without having their dwelling kept at a temperature of equable warmth, would infallibly perish. This is worthy of particular attention; for many a valuable bird has been lost in a single night by a sudden change in the temperature. A due regard must be paid to the proper regulation of the fire. Excessive heat is perhaps as fatal in its consequences, as extreme cold; the lungs of these delicate creatures being sensitive to an extraordinary degree. Having little muscular strength in the winter, they are unable to fight against disease; and an attack of sudden sickness is beyond their power of mastery. When once a bird is "struck" in this way, nothing but a miracle can save him. If indeed he were to survive, he would never recover; and if he were valued only for his song, not another note would he be heard to utter! Soft-billed birds, the "warblers" especially, are difficult to rear through the winter. It requires many years' practice, and patience almost unheard of, to enable one to treat them successfully; and we much doubt whether, after all, they are, everything considered, worth the anxiety and trouble bestowed on them by amateurs. Regular "dealers " in these birds will have nothing to do with them in the winter. They are wise. Thus much however may be said-if you succeed in saving only two or three really fine birds, the recompense is great. When we first stored our aviary, we placed in it an extraordinary number of small birdsincluding nearly every species, hard-billed as well as soft-billed. Being ignorant at the outset of the peculiar constitution of each, and their power to resist cold, we tried a rather hazardous experiment by allowing the of them, even in the agonies of death, left Having thus accurately ascertained what might properly be termed "hardy," and what "tender" birds, we at once and for ever settled in our own mind the proper course of action in these matters. At the latter end of August, there must be a complete change of inmates; and the second or inner aviary must be got ready for the special accommodation of the "warblers." The room being warmed by a stove, can of course be kept at one regulated heat; and, with proper care and attention, very little loss of life may be anticipated through the winter. This, however, will mainly depend upon a strict attention being paid to proper diet, as we shall hereafter more particularly mention; for on migratory birds it is impossible to bestow too much care.* * Of the various phenomena attending the "agitation" of these birds, when in confinement, and which takes place twice a-year-a most remarkable freak of Nature;--we have already treated in the JOURnal. The trouble these delicate little creatures occasion, is immense. It is therefore but little more expensive, and no more difficult, to keep a large than it would be to keep a small number of them. Moreover, by so doing, you have a good chance of rearing some first-rate birds. If well tended, they will sing both through the winter and the spring; and if you choose so far to humor their fancy as to light up their salon at night, as we did, and use yourself to sit with them, -they will amply repay you with a joyous, a "right merrie" song. Candle-light warblers are our especial fancy. We have had numbers of them; and such birds! Some amateurs would have walked a distance of ten miles to have listened to them. But their race, alas! is run; the memory of them alone remains! These little fellows throw all the powers of their soul into their "evening performances;" rarely venturing beyond a certain key-note, which may be justly characterised as harmonious. It is worthy of remark, that their vocal efforts never clash. On the contrary, every chorister's voice blends with that of his brother musician, and produces the happiest effect--the accompaniments being at all times deliciously sweet. AUTO-BIOGRAPHY OF A DOG.-No. I. WRITTEN BY HIMSELF. DEAR MR. EDITOR,-In No. 38 of OUR JOURNAL, I have perceived with much surprise, not unmixed with some feelings of indignation, that yourself and my old master (Bombyx Atlas) -God bless the old boy! have been showing me up in rather a ridiculous position. But let me tell you, Sir, this was scarcely fair play without giving me due notice of your intention, so that I might have been enabled instanter to defend my character. Now I do not mean to deny the rest of the statement; but as your words might be taken (yes, Mr. Editor, and it is quite evident they have been so taken by some of my neighbors), to insinuate that I was such a coward that I ran away from a swallowit is a slur upon my character that I cannot stand. It is well known that neither cowardice nor fear ever entered into the noble race of the "Finos ;" and had you thought for a moment, you must have known that had I only opened my jaw when the swallow was approaching me, he would have passed clean down my throat without being aware of where he was.-Had I even wagged my tail, I should have brushed all the swallows into the lake! No, Mr. Editor, it was a kind motive that induced me to retire. I did so that my master might enjoy the sport between puss and hirundo. To be sure, I did give a growl; as I did not wish to be disturbed from my quarters for such nonsensical sport. But could I have foreseen that I should have been shown up in OUR JOURNAL, I would have swallowed up all the swallows in the Bûcher; and puss with them. I have lived to a very respectable old age; and my faithful services (I believe I may say so without vanity) to one master, during a long career, entitle me to a certain degree of respect. I have seen many a curious sight, witnessed many a strange scene; and being naturally of an entomological turn, and a great admirer of nature and natural history, also a constant companion by day and by night of my jolly old master-I think I can recite some scenes that I have witnessed that will interest and amuse the readers of "OUR JOURNAL." If I should show up "Bombyx Atlas," it is his own fault; he began the attack. I first drew breath in the country house of Villamont, near Lausanne, Switzerland, in the autumn of 1844. Before I could crack a bone, or even lap milk, I was taken to my present master (whom I have never left one minute); and joined my elder brother, who was already in his service. This said brother,to say the truth, was the most impudent dog in the whole canton; and excepting myself (of course) the boldest rascal that ever barked; he cared for nothing, and would attack anything that came in his way, from a butterfly to a parson. He was an out-and-out queer fellow; but he has finished his career, and I have mourned for him ever since. For the first fifteen to eighteen months of my life, I was very much caressed and coaxed; and initiated into all the little tricks that endear a dog to his master: moreover, being rather a handsome-looking fellow, I was much petted (perhaps I am so now), but I am no "ladies' pet." I lived like a fighting-cock. So I do now.-All my amusements consist in catching cats, rats, hedge-hogs; in fact anything that comes in my way. I used every morning to do the work of a pony; for my master keeps such a quantity of insects, that I was harnessed to a little cart, and received the different leaves that he deposited in the cart. I knew perfectly well every tree where he had to stop, as well as he did himself. And how often have I seen occasion to remind him that he had a particular caterpillar, by stopping before the tree it fed upon, and wagging my tail till he had put the necessary leaves in the cart! whereas, without me, he would have gone on and returned home without them. I have often been out hunting insects with him; and in my next I shall describe some of these exciting scenes; for I can assure you a merry entomological ALL the numbers of this JOURNAL are IN PRINT; and may be had from No. I. inclusive, price 3d. each. Also, PARTS 1 to 10, price Is. Id. each; post-free, Is. 4d. As due notice was given to our Subscribers, early in June last, to complete their Sets without delay, it is hoped they have done so, as the Stock is now made up into Sets, and very few "odd" numbers are on hand. The price of the first two Quarterly, and the first Halfyearly Volumes, will remain as before-until December 26th. TO CORRESPONDENTS. PHRENOLOGY FOR THE MILLION will be continued in our next. COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVED.-BOMBYX ATLAS.-J. M. S. J. Many thanks.-L. O.--FORESTIERA.-F. M. GOLDING. A very kind proposal. Thanks.-C. M. In our next.A CONSTANT READER. Give your husky canary some boiled milk (fresh daily) instead of water. Continue this for two or three days; and keep him out of all draughts. Read our "Treatises on the Canary," in Vol. I. This matter is there discussed at much length. TO CORRESPONDENTS.-As we always print one number of the JOURNAL in advance, such of our Correspondents as may not receive replies to their questions in the cur rent number, must bear in mind that they are not forgotten. We pay marked attention to ALL favors. THE CONTENTS OF OUR LETTER-BOX are again beginning to surprise us; and in some degree, to perplex us. It would seem that the enlarged sphere of our usefulness is becoming appreciated in the highest quarters; and that the tone of our articles on the usages of society, is recognised and approved by individuals on whom we never could have hoped to make any impression. The manner in which certain parties address us, is as creditable to their own feelings as it is delightful to us. They suggest that the size of our paper, as to quantity, should be increased at least one half; and that the subjects on which we love to treat, should have more space allotted them. These, and several other really valuable suggestions, have been made to us; and we listen to them with all due deference. As regards the public benefits derivable from a Paper like ours, we have never had two opinions on the subject. We have in our desk letters out of number, which amply and most satisfactorily prove to us that we have been useful, and in no small degree. The writers, in the fulness of their confidence, have indeed nerved us up to persevere, with all our energies, to become increasingly use ful. We have "the will" to do wonders ; it is "the power" alone that is wanting. The year is fast running out, and Christmas will soon be upon us. We shall then have been fifty-two weeks buffeting the waves of a most cruel opposition. Till that time, we shall unflinchingly "hold out." No one can then say we have been fickle, unfaithful, or unmindful of any promise given. If one or more of the parties who express themselves so interested in our progress, can offer proposals to us, or show us how our head and our pen can be made subservient to their views, the "sinews of war" being also forthcoming-most gladly will we enter into any arrangement that may tend to our own and the public good. No difficulties in such a matter ought, we imagine, to present themselves; but, as we have already frankly said, -our own powers are limited. The first practical lesson we were taught at school, still lives in our memory—" Never venture out of your depth, unless you can swim." We have seen many-far too many, offend against this rule-and we have witnessed their death. They have been drowned before our very eyes, and have drowned many others with them. We shall most assuredly take a warning from their fate! When making these comments, en passant, we had little idea that we should ever be called upon to give our "reasons for the inferences we have deduced. Much less did we expect, that we should be asked to "how" this insight of character can be gained from the perusal of a letter! say However, seeing that the request has been urgently made, by some half-dozen individuals whom we hold in great reverence, why should we be backward in trying to please them? They are well aware that we cannot now recal our words-nor would we, if even it were possible. We have already spoken of them as being." amiable ;" and every letter they send us, only tends to make us more confident in our own powers of divination and long-sight. Let not our readers class us among the "advertising "charlatans who profess to tell character by handwriting, on the receipt of money or stamps; or on the receipt of a lock of hair, &c., &c. These wandering starvelings live on the credulity of John Bull, to a pretty tune; and we hardly need say that they are ignorance personified. No! we leave them to prey as they list, upon their eager and easily-caught victims; nor do we see any reason to pity the latter. They want experience; and it is perhaps right that they should" pay" for it. The power of arriving at people's characters by a perusal of their MSS., is most assuredly an intuitive gift. It is not merely the formation of each separate letter that would enable us to form a judgment. It is the mode of expression (crude or otherwise) -the style of composition, as well as the manner of tracing the writer's thoughts on paper. The re-perusal of a letter some halfdozen times, seems to bring you into sympathetic contact with the party who penned it. Every time you commence reading it anew, you seem to catch the feeling that directed the pen to the first word. As you proceed, the feeling becomes more intense; and eventually, you become" one" with your correspondent. We have "presumed" on this feeling, with very many of our correspondents; and in no one instance have we ever been mistaken in our judgment. We have indeed formed just estimates of each other. When we first launched our literary bark; and at a price that placed us on a level with the, so-called," cheap Periodicals "-a peep at our Letter-box was a curiosity truly. It was filled, daily, with communications from all sorts of people-cold, selfish, overbearing, opinionated, conceited, and impertinent. These good folk supplied us with fuel sufficient for many a blazing fire. We did not -we confess it-know how to deal with some of them. We had no wish to offend them, and yet we could not avail ourselves of their favors. However, they one and all took to flight the moment we began to talk about raising our price, with a view to secure ourselves from the very heavy loss we were sustaining from week to week. Theirs was evidently cupboard love. With them, Christian charity began at home." They have fled-and left their characters in our hands! We lost, be it known, when we raised our price, ONE-HALF our supporters at least -but do we not value those who remain behind, and those choice spirits who have since joined our standard? Indeed do we. Our present "body-guard," as we are pleased to call them, are the delight of our life. May the day never arrive, when aught but death shall separate us! 66 With regard to the inherent power of estimating characters by their letters of correspondence, is it not in accordance with other similar, though less sensitive, powers? If you meet a man in the street, with a remarkably-built hat on, and observe him narrowly in his gait, you shall soon fathom his empty mind. The same with a man habited in a figured shirt, on which opera girls are vigorously dancing the cachouca. The man's mind, and thoughts, are here fullblown. Highly as he may extol the purity of his taste, yet you may write his daily life. Then again, gaze upon a young man with an open waistcoat, and wide expanse of curiously-worked linen shirt--illuminated in its centre with a pin somewhat less than the egg of a pheasant, and having globular pendants above and below" to match." His history is short but impressive. You know at once the depth (!) of his mind. The same, with young men fond of an exuberance of rings, and an elaboration of ornamental jewellery; and the patrons of those gigantic heads of matted hair. More “examples," too, are to be seen, among people who ape moustaches, imperials, and any other vulgar assumption of dignity. Then look at our streets, filled with respectably-dressed men "ornamented" with cigars and cheroots in their mouths-poisoning the very air we breathe. Many of them have been "educated;" but their ideas of "refinement are at least curious. Then look at the conceits of our "fine men,' and our "fine women," whose tailors and dress makers have hung upon them, as "" devotees patiently writhing under the inflicpegs," the last new fashion. To see these tion-one does sometimes feel moved (almost) to pity them as they pass in their agonies. Fashion! thou art a tyrant. Then again, how easy is it, by closely observing the human countenance, to get at it for one single day; whilst walking from the measure of a person's mind! Only try Regent-street to the bottom of Cheapside. We often thus employ ourself while threading the public thoroughfares. A philosopher never needs want food for thought, whilst he is in London. Every lane, alley, and bye.. way, is a study for a twelvemonth. Where do those children come from? and those indices of what their future lives must be? mere infants, whose faces already are become Where do they all sleep? What is their occupation? What do they consider to be their duty toward God and man?" Look at them, and read the "answer" plainly written on their frontispieces. So much for character. We might pursue the subject for ever. The power of defining the natural dispo sition of persons from the character of their handwriting, and expressed ideas-is more subtle, we grant, than the power of drawing general inferences from the modes of dress, and outward bearing of such individuals as daily come under our eye in public. latter speak for themselves. Although an incubus on society-yet are they links in the chain of humanity, by means of which, cer The tain necessary events are brought about, to IT HARDLY NEEDS BE A MATTER FOR accomplish some grand final purpose. As butterflies they exist, flutter away their useless existence, and die. Their names are Legion." Let us cite one more instance only, of the power of reading a person's mind and character, by his expressed ideas, and manner of expressing them. We have now been before the Public many years; and with a very active pen and as active a mind, we have written on almost every popular topic connected with domestic life. This has caused us to be so well known in all parts of the world -that, when people address us, it is for the most part with all the pleasing familiarity of an old friend. They know us just as well, by that peculiar sympathetic chord and geniality of feeling, to which we have more than once before alluded, as if they had been personally intimate with us for Ex. gr. years. Not long since, a gentleman residing in the Midland Counties, who had long corresponded with us by letter, had occasion to come to town. We made an appointment to meet. We had never seen each other. How did we meet? Just as two old and excellent friends would have met after fifty years living under one roof. Our letters had been duplicates of ourselves. We could have answered for each other with our lives.* It is this subtle gift of character and thought-reading, fair ladies, that has caused us to make the comments on your communications, that have suggested the inquiry which we now bring to a close. We hope we have done your bidding satisfactorily. We may add that, since we raised OUR JOURNAL to its present level, we have had ONLY ONE cold-hearted Correspondent COCOA. That lady, however, has long since seceded from us; so that we and our readers are now-and, let us fondly hope, ever shall be, "A UNITED HAPPY FAMILY." Since penning this article, we have received a most pleasing evidence of the truth of our position. We were called upon, two days since, in the exercise of our vocation, to reply to a letter received from a lady residing some forty miles from London. We did so in our usual manner, the writer not being known to us. The result was, that by return of post we received a very kind invitation to visit the family (who are very fond of birds); and to tell them, when amongst them, how best to treat their pets, in the Aviary. As this high mark of consideration is not usual, we cannot help believing that the party to whom our letter was addressed, read somewhat of our disposition in the character of our expressed thoughts. We wish to believe it to be so.-ED. K. J. ASTONISHMENT, that the remarks we made in our "Code of Health," (see p. 209, et seq.) have roused the public to a consideration of the danger they run, in the free use of London omnibuses, cabs, etc. We cannot too strongly urge upon the public, yet a second time, how many, and what dire diseases are disseminated, daily, by the close contact of the sound and healthy with the ailing and diseased. Now that the Cholera has arrived amongst us, it has become a duty for us to dwell upon all that may assist in preventing its ravages from spreading, unnecessarily, wider. All who can walk, at this season, should do so; and no person ought needlessly to incur a risk, the danger arising from which it is too horrible to contemplate. The "cheap" omnibuses are little better than common locomotive pest-houses. If you enter them and escape "scot free," be thankful to PROVIDENCE; but say nothing about your own prudence and sagacity. Penny wisdom" costs many "pounds," to set such "folly" right. We have received a multitude of Communications, having reference to our Code of Health,"-in all which the Public are greatly interested, and of which we shall take notice from time to time. For the presentwe will content ourselves by printing a letter received from a gentleman, signing himself "A Guardian of the Poor for ten years, and a Reader of OUR JOURNAL from the commencement." "Your remarks upon Cabs," says our correspondent," "must not be suffered to pass by unheeded. The Whitechapel Union, to the frightful danger which all persons the Strand Union, and others, are fully alive incur, who are daily in the habit of using cabs; seeing that the latter are constantly conveying people in the last state of fever, to the respective metropolitan hospitals. Woe be to the next man or woman that enters such cabs! If the father or mother of a family-of course they not only suffer themselves, but carry, locked up in their very garments, the insidious disease into the houses where their children live! Thus are lives daily sacrificed, and, by contagion, mischief follows mischief. These facts are too palpable for any one to attempt to gainsay them. "The Fever' and 'Small-pox' hospitals, have expressed themselves most desirous of having proper, easy conveyances, provided on purpose for sufferers from these diseases. But sad to say, the Board of Guardians have no power to apply money to such purposes. Yet could this be easily remedied by the Poor Law Board issuing an order to that effect. |