LOVE THY MOTHER! LOVE thy MOTHER, little one! Will kiss and clasp her neck in vain. Gaze upon her living eyes, And mirror back her love for thee.- To meet them, when they cannot see. With love, that they have often told,— And kiss them till thine own are cold. Although it be not silver-grey; Pray for her at eve and morn, That Heaven may long the stroke defer; For thou may'st live the hour forlorn, When thou wilt ask to die with her. PRAY FOR HER AT EVE AND MORN! [The above exquisite sentiments have been distilled on us from the pen of poor Toм HOOD. Of all delightful sights, give us a living picture of mother and child. Talk of blessings, what can equal the blessing of a fond mother's love? It shadows forth something yet to come, which makes one long to enter on eternity-drawing the sting" of Death fairly out.] 66 A SONG. TO DAISY. THERE is a flower-a little flower, In gay but quick succession shine; But this small flower, to nature dear, While moon and stars their courses run, Wreathes the whole circle of the year,COMPANION OF THE SUN. It smiles upon the lap of May, To sultry August spreads its charms; Lights pale October on his way, And twines December's arms. TASTE. VIOLET. REAL taste is a quality with which human nature is very slenderly gifted. It is indeed so very rare, that scarcely any two authors have agreed in their notions of it. It is "a true harmony existing between the imagination and the judgment." Is it not? care, When wearied by sickness and painWould weep o'er thy sufferings, soothe thy despair, And bid thee be happy again? IS THERE ONE who would faithfully watch o'er thy health, And fearlessly shield thee from harmWould cheer thee in penury, bless thee in wealth, And guard thee from danger's alarm? THEN thou hast A FRIEND-a bright beacon of light, To guide thee on Life's troubled sea; A refuge; a home from the dark, stormy night, In a heart that beats fondly for thee. AFFECTION's kind hand every doubt will destroy, Whilst HOPE brightly beams from above, To guide thee in peace to a haven of joy, The watch-word is, "FRIENDSHIP AND LOVE.” SONNET FOR DECEMBER. GIVE to the poor! warm clothing-firing-food— At once, unsparingly, and humbly give! Prevent the winter cough, and frame-chill'd brood Of throes, which make it weariness to live; For, lo! December, drenched in fogs and rains, Glooms on the air, and incubates the earth. Days, short and fickle, nip the laborers' gains, And bring increase-of suff'ring and of death. Lucky the woodman who shall find employ; The hinds who stall the kine, or pen the sheep: Plant the young tree; or, lest the flood destroy, Extend the drainage, and the courses keep. The busy, and the bounteous, at this time Are mind and body warm, alone, throughout our clime. NOTICE TO OUR SUBSCRIBERS. STAMPED COVERS for VOLUME I. of OUR JOURNAL, price 1s. 2d., also a copious INDEX, TITLE, and PREFACE to VOLUME I., price 3d., are Now READY, and may be had of our Publisher. Also VOLUME I., price 5s. cloth; Post-free, 5s. 6d.; and Vol. II., Part 1, price 4s.6d. cloth LONDON: Published for WILLIAM KIDD, by WILLIAM SPOONER, 379, Strand, (to whom ALL Letters, Parcels, and Communications, Addressed to "the Editor," and BOOKS FOR REVIEW, are to be forwarded); and Procurable, by order, of every Bookseller and Newsvendor in the Kingdom. Agents: Dublin, John Wiseheart; Edinburgh, John Menzies; Glasgow, John M'Leod; Liverpool, Miss Meyrick, Hanover Street, and J. Evans, 216, Falkner Street; Manchester, Abel Heywood, Oldham Street. CITY AGENT: J. ALLEN, 20, Warwick Lane, Paternoster Row. Sold also by BERGER, VICKERS, PURKESS, and all the Wholesale Dealers. London: M. S. MYERS, Printer, 22, Tavistock Street, Covent Garden. THE UNIVERSAL FAMILY PAPER FOR INTER-COMMUNICATIONS ON NATURAL HISTORY-POPULAR SCIENCE-THINGS IN GENERAL. Conducted by WILLIAM KIDD, of Hammersmith,— AUTHOR OF THE FAMILIAR AND POPULAR ESSAYS ON "NATURAL HISTORY;" "BRITISH SONG BIRDS; "BIRDS OF PASSAGE;" "INSTINCT AND REASON; ""THE AVIARY," &C. "THE OBJECT OF OUR WORK IS TO MAKE MEN WISER, WITHOUT OBLIGING THEM TO TURN OVER FOLIOS AND QUARTOS.-TO FURNISH MATTER FOR THINKING AS WELL AS READING."-EVELYN. No. 50.-1852. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11. THE WORLD WE LIVE IN. PRICE 3d. Or, in Monthly Parts, Price 1s. 1d. circle of a school, and consequent greater di. versity of character and temper, there must PICTURES OF SOCIETY,-No. II. necessarily be more occasion for the exercise EARLY EDUCATION. IF, WITH THE CHILDREN OF THE LOWER CLASSES, the early part of life be darkened by those under whose control they are unhappily placed; and with the poor, by the hard necessity of labor-such as are more favored by fortune are not exempt from influences injurious to the development of mind and character. The greater number of those who are entrusted with the education of youth, seem to have one type which all must be brought to resemble. To use a hacknied simile, it is the bed of Procrustes applied to the intelligence. A French writer laments, that in the education of girls at school, no pains are taken to inculcate principles of order and economy; that the high and generous instincts which would preserve them from jealousy, envy, and unworthy feelings, are not cultivated; and that they become mentally dwarfed, untruthful, and frivolous. He sums up their education nearly as follows:"The participle agrees with the regimen, when the regimen precedes the verb. The children of Charlemagne were John, Peter, Paul, and Louis, the fox and crow-fable. If one egg costs so much, what are they a dozen? Mademoiselle, tenez-vous droite! -et voila." It would seem that, generally, the memory was exercised disproportionately to the judgment, whether in home or school. education. The Queen's Colleges appeared to me a step in the right direction; but so many objections have been raised against them, and against school-teaching generally, that it would be tedious were I fully to enter into the subject. It is argued, that schools foster selfishness, envy, and hatred. Evil passions are not restricted to schools, but I think they would there be sooner detected, and more effectually checked than at home; while, in the larger VOL. II. of forbearance, patience, kindness, and atten tion to the wishes of others, than can exist in the more limited one of home. It is also objected, that even "book-learning" cannot be acquired at the Queen's Colleges; no girl liking to ask questions before so many people; and that even writing does not remove the natural shyness of girls at that awkward age"-twelve to eighteen! I do not think the shyness, or "mauvaise honte" would be found in all girls; and even if so, there could not be more favorable circumstances for overcoming it. I always suspect something wrong where it is present; either, that the girl has been discouraged by ill-timed reproof, or that there exists an oversensitiveness of character, which it is important for her future happiness should be early controlled. School experience, moreover, is not bought at the price of that of after-life. A certain degree of confidence, by no means touching upon unpleasing boldness, may surely be acquired. At home, this timidity is sometimes injudiciously combatted by a girl being required to play or sing to visitors. Conscious of her unfinished performance, the feeling which might have been easily mastered, becomes a nervous one, not always overcome even after the attainment of a respectable degree of talent-utterly preventing the performer doing herself justice, and rendering her, as I have known to be the case, deaf alike to the sound of her own voice and the good-natured applause of a crowded room. It is asked by the advocates of homeeducation, "Why all girls should not be kept at home, and subjected only to home influence?" Peace and harmony, content and cheerfulness, do not dwell under every rooftree. Where there are dissension, difference in religion,-where, from whatever cause, sorrow and gloom abide; where the father returns home weary and depressed from the toil of his daily avocations: or worse, from his luxurious club and gay associates, discontented with the contrast of his humble dwelling,-far better is school than home for a child. If the heart of the child be not light, neither will be that of the woman; and the habitual melancholy thus created, is not the frame of mind best suited to fulfil duties to herself or others. Even where such serious drawbacks do not exist, the child is alone. Its instinct is unerring. As soon as it perceives the joining in its games is a condescension, a duty to be discharged, all possibility of amusing it is out of the question. It will rather take a book, and muse quietly alone; looking enviously on the play of other children, but not daring to join. It does not know how to "play." If of imaginative temperament, it will create for itself another existence, at first undefined, and exerting no serious influence over the character; but in time, its thoughts will take a definite shape. The actual life will become distasteful; the real cause being unsuspected, it will meet reproof for inattention, giddiness, ill-humor; all this will only drive it back with deeper love to its ideal world. The conversation of school-girls is said to be especially frivolous, "dress and riches; lovers and weddings," with the elder. Cannot the teacher, whose pleasant study it should be to win the affections of the pupils, guide their minds to other subjects, without unpleasing exercise of authority? Were it not better to show them life as it is-heavy in its task of suffering, and trial, and sacrifice, instead of (as youth is so apt to imagine it) crowned but with flowers? It were better they looked beyond the bridal wreath; and learnt that in assuming it, they at the best cast youth away, and enter upon a series of grave duties, of heavy responsibilities, of constant self-abnegation. One great cause of the inanity of school-girls' conversation is, I think, that arts are taught, but not the love of art. Study is considered as a necessary task, or a means of " showing off," -seldom as an unfailing and an increasing source of pure and refined enjoyment. Were it otherwise, there would be less frivolous conversation out of school-hours, and the "genus tabby" you have signalised, Mr. Editor, would become extinct. It has also been remarked, that "there is a sort of information not to be acquired from books, and never learnt at school, and without which a woman cannot share in her husband's pursuits." I cannot refrain from quoting the passage, which has appeared in a deservedly popular Magazine. A young lady in the first month of her introduction to the society of an intelligent home and well-informed men, will hear of taxes, grand juries, customs, mortgages, unions, insurances-which will be to her an unknown tongue." In this comprehensive view, it would seem desirable that Muller, Vauban, Naval Tactics, Blackstone's Commentaries, Hawker's Instructions to Young Sportsmen, &c., should be included in the course of study. In an age where so much is sacrificed to the "Idol of Gold," I do not think it is to be lamented that a girl should at least leave school without such premature wisdom. It is desirable that women should, in their own interest, possess a clearer idea of business-transactions than they generally do; but I cannot consider it in all cases desirable they should share their husbands' pursuits. Some men, I think, seek at home a relief from mercenary considerations; a change from, and a contrast to, the more serious and laborious portion of their existence. I am borne out in this by an opinion for which I entertain the highest respect, as will all your fair readers, Mr. Editor. It was that of a gentleman who, from a very inferior position, raised himself by probity and intelligence to one of high standing, and was to the effect "that gentlemen should make money, and ladies spend it." Without going quite the length of this gallant assertion, it seems to me that the art of judiciously disposing of money is more in a lady's province, than that of acquiring it. I have observed that girls brought up exclusively at home, when absent from their habitual guardians, or even otherwise, fall easily a prey to the designing,-disappointing their parents, and plunging themselves in livelong wretchedness; this, not from wilfulness or want of reflection. Such girls will talk shrewdly enough of the concerns of others, but are mere infants where personally interested; they will avoid the errors of the more thoughtless, but see not the pit fall yawning at their feet, and become victims of the grossest deception-merely, it may be said, from its very grossness, mistaking "the stances of girls accustomed to military soreverse of wrong for right." There are inciety; to the so often irresistible fascinations of a red coat; who have made an unhappy choice, where neither that prestige nor any other (obvious at least to indifferent eyes) existed. Let me here beg your patience, while I relate a circumstance which early led me to doubt the general judiciousness of homeeducation.-The parents of Ellen S. left their country home for a residence in the Metropolis. Where else could competent teachers for herself and sisters be found? To schools, there was an objection. Some months after taking possession of their new abode, a party of friends met to celebrate Ellen's birthday; and on that occasion, the second sister, who lived with an aunt in the country, joined the circle. It was amusing to observe Bowed by that grief which cannot be com- Well may it be said of these fair girls :- Et roses, elles vecurent ce que vivent les roses, FORESTIERA, the ill-concealed dread of Mrs. S., lest Bella's natural but somewhat romping manners should be caught by the more strictly-trained sisters. Her voice was more inaudible, her smile more imperceptible, her movements more dignified than even they usually were. Upon Bella they had no effect; she continued to speak in the natural tone of her voice, to laugh as merrily, and to move without any greater consideration for the exigencies of grace and dignity. She could not, or would not "show off." She congratulated herself upon it, speaking in what then seemed terms of comic commiseration of her "poor" sis- THE AVIARY AND ITS OCCUPANTS. ters, whose triumphs she in no way envied. It was evident that her departure would remove a load of anxiety from Mrs. S.'s mind. Bella made no attempt to disguise the pleasure with which she herself looked forward to it. Notwithstanding this unpromising "debut," I may observe that she became, in a few years, a very pleasing and sufficiently-accomplished young lady. During the evening, Ellen was frequently called to the piano; and at last, her mother requested her to sing. Somewhat heated and excited by her exertions in entertaining her young friends, and having hoped the long-deferred request would not be made, it was painful to observe the effort she made to obey cheerfully. Ellen, let me remark, was a saintly creature; and to excuse herself, or hesitate in acquiescing to any wish of her parents, was not in her nature. The sudden flush, the nervous contraction of the throat, were painfully evident, but the song was got through. Hearty were the good wishes on parting,-earnest the promises to meet soon again; for although of an infinitely more matured mind, and superior steadiness of character to her companions, Ellen's seriousness was tempered with so much sweetness, her superiority was so unpretending, such a loving affectionate heart was apparent through the gravity of her manner, that all, however dissimilar to herself, loved her. We called a few days subsequently. Ellen had been ill, and was going to be bled. We were asked to return, no danger being apprehended; "and," added the old butler earnestly, "Miss Ellen would be so grieved to hear that you had called without seeing her." We did return,—but saw her no more. BIRDS OF SONG,-No. XXXVI. No. IV. ties in the matter of external operations, we HAVING CLEARED UP all existing difficulhave now to consider minutely the essentials necessary for fitting up the interior of an aviary; for on the completeness or otherwise of the internal arrangements, do the comfort and happiness of your birds depend. First, of the flooring. Our flooring was of wood; laid on sleepers, and elevated some considerable distance from the ground. The unsuitableness, however, of a wooden flooring, has been rendered apparent by the total destruction of all our feathered family (a very large number) by an army of rats, who, at midnight-assassin-like-made their way through the floor, and conveyed away their innocent victims one by one from off their perches. For full particulars of this murderous onslaught, reference can be made to our FIRST VOLUME-where will be found recorded, chapter and verse, the first-rate reception we gave the enemy,-ending in their total annihilation. We had a grand cause for quarrel, and amply revenged ourself. If ever revenge was lawfully sweet, it was then. We should recommend that the flooring be of thick tiles, about twelve inches square each, and made of brick earth. This would effectually prevent the entrance of vermin. The walls all round the room should be cased with floor-cloth-of a white marble vein, with a black pattern on it, in the form of a large diamond. This looks remarkably well, both in summer and in winter; and it can be readily cleaned with a sponge and warm water. A correspondent under the signature of "X. Y. Z., Hants," says, in reply to this sad record:"Every one who has read Mr. Kidd's lamentable narrative of the destruction, by rats, of his beautiful and unique aviary, will deeply sympathise with him. The loss is not only great to himself, but to all who love nature. * If Mr. Kidd had laid down a bed of shingle or rough gravel, from six to ten inches in depth beneath the floor of his aviary, no rat could have reached him. They cannot burrow in shingle. I have tried it beneath the floor of a barn here, and it has effectually kept this vermin out." In each of the four corners of the room, about twelve inches from the windows, a square upright pole, nine feet long and 14 inch thick, should be let into the floor, and carefully secured by nailing the feet to the ground. To steady these, at their summit, round perches of sufficient lengths, and of a quarter of an inch in thickness, should be nailed, one upon the top of each. This will form a kind of rail all round the rooni; leaving the centre open, so as not to interfere with the grand fountain, which will be in the middle. On these lofty perches the birds will, for the most part, roost. Indeed, in the winter, they will always use them for roosting on. The cause is evident. Being immediately below the ceiling, and not exposed to draught, they will sit warmly, cosily, snugly-defying the most severe frosts. Through the four square upright poles, round perches, four inches long, and of half an inch calibre, should be inserted, at a distance of five inches apart, every alternate perch being let in transversely. This arrangement will prevent the plumage of the birds being unnecessarily dirtied, by those which are sitting the one immediately over the other as they will do in the day-time, when they are singing. Another rail of round perches, a quarter of an inch thick, should run all round the windows; they should be about five inches from, and immediately level with, the bottom of the lower panes. The birds, by this plan, will be readily and constantly seen from the dwellinghouse, and the variety of their colors will be shown to a great advantage. The beauty of the latter will be materially enhanced by reflection and refraction in the lookingglasses, of which we shall presently speak. At the back of the aviary-five inches distant from the wall, a long round perch, half an inch thick, must run from end to end. All the perches must be painted over four times at least, in the best green color, and be thoroughly dry before they are fit for use. Round the ceiling there should be a neat moulded cornice; and a narrow skirtingboard, painted stone color, all round the bot tom of the room. To The next thing to be considered is the fountain. This should be of zinc; and its circumference about eighteen inches, with a turnover lip, and sides gradually shelving downwards to the depth of about four inches. The position of the fountain should be immediately in the centre of the room. carry off the superfluous water, a waste pipe should pass through the wooden support of the fountain and under the floor. A second pipe, similarly introduced, would carry off the foul water every morning, by the withdrawal of the plug attached to the bottom of the basin. The same aperture that conveys away the waste-pipe, will also admit the pipe which is to supply the water; which last must be forced up by high pressure, and regulated in its ascent by a moveable jet. To accomplish this, a large zinc cistern must be fixed immediately over the aviary, on the outside; and it must be kept constantly filled with spring water.* To prevent the possibility of any of the birds being accidentally drowned, and to afford them no facilities for acts of "self-destruction," pieces of coral, stone, or crystal rock, should be introduced into the water. On these they will stand in security; and, placing themselves immediately under the descending shower, they will lave themselves in the limpid stream, at least twice every day-retiring from "the bath" in a perfect ecstacy of delight. The birds having performed their ablutions, which they do in the most perfect order, will now necessarily require to make their toilet. And here let us tell our reader, if he has never yet witnessed this sight, he has a rare treat to come. The "ceremony" observed on such occasions is worthy of royalty itself. In furnishing them "Aids for Reflection," we should recommend three looking-glasses, each three feet long by four inches wide. These should be mounted in narrow frames of flat oak, and nailed to the back of the aviary-just above or nearly level with the long perches. They should be twelve inches apart. The introduction of these glasses will afford a never-ending source of amusement to all parties concerned; and they will "respectability of appearance" at least, among all the inhabitants. insure The door of entrance, which should be of glass, must be at one end of the aviary, and must open outwards; over it the double window before spoken of, also opening outwards. Just within the glass door, should The "hoppers" or food troughs, for the be constructed a three-sided mahogany frame- seed birds, are made of mahogany, on the work or partition, fourteen inches deep, principle of a rack; having a moveable slide having a painted shelving top-of wood. The of transparent glass in front, and a cover or front should form a door opening inwards. lid with hinges, lifting up at the top, to reThis partition should be faced with closely-ceive the seed. All along the front of these meshed galvanised iron wire, and the door of it never opened until after the outer door has been closed, and vice versa. By adopting this precaution none of the inmates can escape. Any practical plumber would understand this matter; and would fix the whole, at a small cost. |