EATING AND DRINKING,— JULY is a tempting month to all who love to indulge in the good things of this life. But-be it borne in mind, the stomach, as we have elsewhere shown, cannot be offended with impunity. If over-loaded, it will kick; if cruelly treated, it will have its revenge. A word just now to the summer traveller may not be out of place. The chief cause of most of the diseases to which the human body is subject, is a superabundant acid in the stomach; and that superabundance of acid is occasioned by overloading the stomach with food or drink. For the stomach can digest only a certain portion of food in a given time, namely, that which is in contact with its sides. All the rest must wait its turn; consequently, if the stomach be over-loaded, the superabundant food will ferment and generate an acid; and the portion of food thus fermented and converted into acid, when it comes, in its turn, to be spread over the sides of the stomach, for the purpose of being converted into chyle-frets and irritates the stomach by the acrid and corrosive qualities. This very often produces inflammation more or less violent, which is indicated either by heartburn, eructation, stomach-ache, or some other distressing sensation. Let us here put in a good word for STRAWBERRIES. Of all fruits, they are the most innocent. Indeed, they deserve all the good things that can be said of them. They are beautiful to look at, delicious to eat, have a fine odor; and are so wholesome, that they are said to agree with the weakest digestions. It is recorded of Fontenelle, that he attributed his longevity to them, in consequence of their having regularly cooled a fever which he had every spring; and that he used to say, "If I can but reach the season of strawberries!" Boerhaave looked upon their continued use as one of the principal remedies in cases of obstruction and viscidity; and in putrid disorders. Hoffmann furnished instances of obstinate disorders cured by them, even consumptions; and Linnæus says that by eating plentifully of them, he kept himself free from the gout. They are good even for the teeth. "SEASONABLE CURIOSITIES” IN THE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE WORLDS. As regards summer diet generally, the lighter the food the better. Avoid all condiments; study simplicity; let pure spring water be your "nectar," and live in the open air. 91 We have now arrived at the precise time of year, when it becomes fashionable for papers to record not only what does happen, but, more particularly, what does not happen. The consequence is, a hearty laugh got up at the expense of truth. But we really must fire a shot at the offenders. With regard to animals and their instincts, birds, insects, &c., the marvels now publishing are indeed "remarkable." The principal "observers" of these matters are the Scotch Nor is this the whole of the injury. If the effect of the acid be not arrested, all the organs which sympathise with the stomach partake of the distress, in proportion to their previous constitutional strength or debility. Numerous instances occur in medical annals, of death having been occasioned by inordinate eating. Sir Everard Home mentions an instance of a child losing its life from eating too large a quantity of apple-pudding. Morgagni relates an account of a like fate happening to a woman from eating too large a quantity of onions preserved in salt and vinegar. And Bon-heavy work. As the last-named paper these before unheard-of marvels of nature, The three papers most distinguished for are the Dumfries Courier, the North British Daily Mail, and our own Morning Herald. There are many others; but these "do" the 1 netus, in his Sepulchrum, states the case of a boy who died in three hours from eating immoderately of grapes. In each case, the stomach, when opened, was quite tense, and, consequently, its powers of action perfectly paralysed. papers, and other of our northern neighbors. Already we have seen particulars of a Sturgeon weighing 7537lbs. Also, of some astonishingly-large pike (one weighing 103lbs.), &c. Our old friend, "the cauliflower," has again been chronicled. His size, this year, is even more colossal than usual. He measures now, ten feet around the waist, and has grown to the height of eight feet, sixinches. We are looking anxiously for our other friends, the gigantic gooseberries; and those extraordinary birds and animals which choose such extraordinary situations for their nests and summer residences. These, however, are appearing one by one. Several "plants have been made upon us, to give insertion to these imaginary wonders,-but we are proof against every kind offer of the sort. comes daily before the London public, it will speak for itself. Meantime, let us prove our case as regards the other two. We do so at random-having left lots of other curiosities imbedded in their printed columns. We must, of course, give the Dumfries Courier precedence; and two specimens shall suffice. The first extract tells of the doings of a pair of starlings, " on matrimonial thoughts intent:" Our readers, says the wag, are familiar with the tall signal posts at railway sta tions, on which large balls are run by pulleys and cords, to intimate, by their being lowered or elevated, when the way is, or is not, clear for a coming train. One of these balls at the signal post on the Ardrossan line. near Kilwinning, lately attracted the notice of a couple of starlings on matrimonial thoughts intent. With much labor they forced their way into the centre, and proceeded, despite all interruptions, to construct a nest. The ball has to be lowered and elevated 14 times a day; but this did not interfere with the proceedings of the happy pair, and in due time four eggs were deposited in the moveable nest. Our last despatch informs us that the female is still sitting closely, quite undisturbed by the It would be "wicked "in us, to italicise any of the above. It reads best as it is! We come now to immortalise the North British Daily Mail, and let his "robin" speak first: : THE ROBIN.-A curious instance of the familiarity and sagacity of this little bird is to be seen at a house near Roseneath, where a young gentleman occupies one of the upper rooms as his bedchamber. In one corner stands his clothes'-bag, and in the mouth of it the owner found one day a robin's nest built, and filled with eggs. The little pair had taken advantage of the window being left open, to occupy such a singular locality for their breeding place. The eggs are by this time hatched, so that the parent birds have to be early astir to find food for their little ones; indeed, much earlier than the other occupant of the room. The young robins can't wait for their early breakfast until their fellow lodger gets up, and the old birds are driven to the necessity of awakening him, which they do at an early hour every morning, by flapping their little wings in his face-when he gets up, and kindly opens the window for their free egress and ingress. will, we fear, somewhat injure our eminent oculists : --- covered with a white speck, that it was rendered A little girl had her left eye so completely sightless. A few days since, while amusing he self out of doors, a dove descended from a neighboring dwelling-house; and, as if in search of food, removed the speck with its bill, without causing the slightest injury-so that ever since, the vision of the girl has been perfect. We think we have now "proved our case. 19 We pass over other records in the above two papers--showing how two knowing chickens jumped out of one Shanghae pullet's egg; how a tom-tit built its nest and reared its young in a poisonous gas-tube, &c., &c. Suffice to say, the jokes are rich. THE MONTHS OF APRIL, MAY, AND JUNE, have paid us their annual visits; and having fulfilled their mission, they have gradually melted away. We could not, during their sojourn amongst us, exactly tell what their mission was; for each of the months, this year, was unusually eccentric, and played us tricks innumerable. We thrice put away our over-coats, and had to bring them out again. We shelved our umbrellas too; and found more use for them than ever! three fair maidens; and seems to have JUNE, however, was the least fickle of the intended us much good. Her golden days, and genial nights, have produced golden results. The valleys have shouted, and the birds have sung. Flowers have raised their heads in every direction; and all the fruits of the earth give promise of a most abundant supply. We have not parted from June, without bearing in lively remembrance the "little kindnesses" she has done us. She invited us forth far and near; she has shown us sights that no Emperor could command; introduced us to scenes of loveliness that no tongue could describe, no pen give even an idea of; and she has fully prepared us for what is now to follow. We have rambled hither and thither, and been fairly fascinated with what we have seen. All nature has appeared gay and animated; all creation happy. Not the least part of our enjoyment, has been the society of our vernal and summer songsters; whose voices have filled the air with rejoicing. As early as 2, a.m., have we risen to greet them, and bid them good morrow. From our open casement, we have listened to their "matins" with rapture; and heard them rehearse their ceaseless songs of praise till we have caught the very spirit of their music. Oh! what calm delights are those, which hold the mind spell-bound whilst contemplating the world and its Maker! To see and hear how these little creatures worship; and to reflect how wE, "reasonable creatures," worship-opens the door to reflections which are certainly not unprofitable. Their worship is adoration; ours, for the most part, dry, formal "duty." They never neglect their worship. Let us hope we are as particular : The feather'd tribe can chant their lay, 66 Nor must we forget that the feathered tribe never retire to rest at this season without attending vespers." They literally sing themselves to sleep. Thus are they consistent worshippers, and surely patterns for us to follow. But we must leave the past (" chewing the cud" of what has given us so much pleasure), and come to the present. We are in JULY. The year has now attained its manhood. The sun has intense power. Everything yields to its influence, and marvels are worked every hour. We advised our readers, long since, to make much of the refreshing green whilst it lasted. WE did. Our eye was never removed from it long together; so highly did we estimate its loveliness. It is now gone; and will return no more. Summer is now perfect. The month is fairly poised between the seasons of growth and decline. It stands forth in all its prideat once strong, full-grown, glowing, and beautiful. The trees, which hitherto boasted of lightgreen tender leaves, are now in full foliage. Their vesture has darkened into a rich sobriety. Their youthful days are over. Flowers of every kind abound in the garden. Many too, of the richest brilliancy, are scattered over mead and mountain, over heath and glen. All is bright and hot. Thunder makes us sensible of this, every now and then. So do the numerous tribes of insects, that hum around us in the lazy listlessness of their joy. This is the beginning of our benignant mother, Nature's triumph. She looks upon the work of her hands, and behold it is good-very good. So lavish is she of her favors, so determined that we shall all be happy, that she provides an abundance of everything. The poor are not forgotten. The fruits of the earth are in excess; there is more than sufficient for man and beast. It is Nature's own holiday. "Let the world rejoice and all that is in it. Let the sea make a noise, and all that therein is!" 'Tis now that God, and Nature, poetry and benevolence, call us forth. We must not be selfish. We must not overtask ourselves. We must not forget that "To day we live,-to-morrow die." We owe a duty to ourselves and to each other. Anxiety must be laid aside for a time, and must band together in brotherly and sisterly love. So, up with you, all ye who are morbidly inactive :— we Awake! awake! the flowers unfold, For the young day has begun. We are now about to change one pleasure for another. We have had the song of the birds, early and late. We have enjoyed it to perfection. It is now gradually growing faint, and it will soon cease altogether. The nightingale is hushed. The cuckoo is with us; but very shy, and very silent. The blackbird sometimes favors us with a happy chant from the top of a high tree; and the thrush, too, occasionally throws in a few of his joyous notes; but they are only occasional. The rose fades on the way-side bough. Dust and heat strive for mastery over the leaves; and the corn begins to grow pale in anticipation of its impending fate. The grass has already fallen. Do you not smell the aroma from yonder hay-field? And hark! there is a ringing of the scythes on every hand. There is the laughter too, of the hay-makers, the sound of the sheep bell, the bleating of sheep, and the lowing of oxen. Sit beneath a shady tree and watch the movements of these hardworking people; then see if memory will not call to mind the scenes of early youth, and make you happy. Quitting the hay field and its nut-brown occupants, away at once for a stroll; and contemplate amongst the multitude of leaves the delightful stillness, the peace which nature gives. Listen! How soft and how sweet are the sounds of that Ring love's plaint,Moan'd from the twilight centre of the grove, While every other woodland lay is mute, Save when the wren flits from her down-coved nest, And from the root-sprigs trills her ditty clear,― The grasshopper's oft-pausing chirp-the buzz, Angrily shrill of moss-entangled bee, That soon as loos'd, booms with full twang away! These are a few of the delights of Summer. We might multiply them ad infinitum; but it would be a work of supererogation. One word more. Let all who are now in London, from choice, remain there. But let all such as hate the city and its "lying vanities," flee from it at once. We Make mean, of course, all who can do so. up a party to Chobham, and view the military encampment, speed away to Epping Forest, Richmond, Windsor; anywhere, so that you can breathe, and unbend your mind. The secret of health, is to give free play to the lungs. Next month, we will try our hand at the elements of "a Pic-nic Party," and see whether our pen will not work a spell upon the skin-dried Londoner; we will draw him out, if we can-and make him enjoy himself, nolens volens. Only think of a man or woman hugging themselves up in a smoky city, in July, when, from the intensity of the heat, birds are sitting open-mouthed upon the bushes! Why, fishes are now being fried in shallow ponds; sheep and cattle congregate in the shade, and forget to eat. Pedestrians along dusty roads quarrel with their coats and waistcoats, and cut sticks to enable them to carry them across their shoulders. Cottagers' wives, too, go about their work gown-less; and so would their fair daughters had they not bodily fear of the Vicar before their eyes. Oh! good folks! be warned in time. Leave the cities, and seek refuge in the country. Come and see the snow-white swans float above their own image on the water; and seat yourselves beneath the weeping willows, as they dip their green and taper fingers in the clear, cool lake beneath. We have said, Come. We will be answerable for your not wishing to return very soon -that is, if you have a heart : They love the country, and none else, who seek Delights which, who would leave that has a heart Those who live in cities must be encum bered with much rust. Nothing willnothing can rub this off, but pure air and the society of a cheerful friend. FARE THEE WELL! BY HELEN HETHERINGTON. FARE THEE WELL, my dearest mother, Fate decrees that we must part; Vainly dost thou strive to smother Sighs that rend thy gentle heart. By the light that shines above thee, By affection's magic spell, I will never cease to love theeDearest mother, fare thee well! Let us hope a brighter morrow Will life's fairer joys disclose; Oh! I would not cause thee sorrow, For the wealth the world bestows! On my lips thy name shall ever With affection's fondness dwell; It is hard indeed to sever Dearest mother, fare thee well! Do not weep, for God will bless thee, Now with tears thine eyes are dim; When the cares of life oppress thee, Bear thy sorrows unto Him. Tell Him too the doubts that grieve thee; He will every fear dispel,To His faithful care I leave thee, Dearest mother, fare thee well! Fond remembrance o'er me stealing Speaks of many a happy day, When in joyous childhood kneeling At thy feet I learned to pray, Scenes of home, and joys that cheer it, Shall life's anxious fears repel; Let thy smile again endear it Dearest mother, fare thee well! Cheerful thoughts in retrospection Ne'er from memory shall depart, And thy look of fond affection Still shall bless and cheer my heart. See! the flowing sails above thee With light breezes proudly swell; Heaven is witness that I love thee Dearest mother, fare thee well! I shall brave the boundless sea; Let these tears my anguish tell; Hark! the signal! I must leave theeDEAREST MOTHER, FARE THEE WELL! TRUE RELIGION. HE fears GOD most, and lives the best life, who is unwearied in well-doing. Long faces and sanctified looks, are marks of hypocrisy. An "honest" When we "love one another," we are fulfilling heart invariably produces a cheerful countenance. the Divine Command. "God is Love." We do glory in the religion of our fore-fathers,-albeit it is so nearly extinct ! generally known, how dearly we love animals, -birds, dogs, &c. Here, we found them in choice variety. It was singular to notice how soon the dogs, in particular, cultivated our IN OUR FIRST VOLUME (p. 169), a much-acquaintance. Well did they know we were valued correspondent, "P.," "drew our atten- a friend to their tribe! tion to the nuthatch—a pair of which birds, remarkably tame, she informed us had wintered in her garden. They came regularly to the window to be fed, both in winter and summer. Our correspondent asked us to insert some particulars of these sweet birds. We did so, and they will be found recorded as above. Whilst sojourning in Hampshire, we paid several visits to Oakley Park-the residence of Colonel Beech, who, observing the great interest we evinced in the numerous starlings domesticated here, very kindly pointed out to us one of their nests, built at the extremity of a long iron tubular chimney. It was very amusing to see all the little heads raised up, when we whistled at the orifice of the chimney. The number of starlings living in Oakley Park is considerable. The sun, which shone brightly on their plumage the first day of our visit, set their colors off to great advantage. We followed them far and near, and were highly diverted by the rapidity of their movements, and their untiring spirit of fun. Mirth and jollity, amity and good-will, seem characteristic of their tribe. We try to attract these birds to our grounds. They bors as often disperse them with their muroften visit us; but our tender-hearted neigh THE NUTHATCH AND THE STARLING, NOTES DURING A VISIT TO HAMPSHIRE. Little did we imagine at that time (March 15, 1852), that we should be on June 1, 1853, peeping in at the young family of those same nuthatches, closely and happily nestled in the hollow of an old tree, growing in a sequestered village in Hampshire! Yet such is the fact. A particularly kind invitation was given us, which we most readily accepted; and we have seen the birds whose praises we sang, busily engaged in feeding their young. A pretty sight indeed it was! The extreme tameness of the parent birds pleased us not a little. They freely permitted us to ask,-"Is there any one within?"--and they seemed delighted to hear the inquiry responded to by certain tiny voices in the inner cradle. We could both hear them and see them; for the nest was by no means high. When we withdrew a few paces, the mamma immediately came creeping down the branches; and entered the hole leading to her habitation with the most unsuspecting confidence. Her mouth was well filled with delicacies. These were soon distributed; and she came out to make room for papa, who was also the bearer of other tid-bits. A nicer couple were surely never mated. They were so perfectly happy! Let us add, they ought to be so; for a kinder mistress and a fonder master could not be found. Every living thing on the estate proved it. Our readers would have stared to see US "cosset "-ing a fine cat! We really did do this. Aye, and how the time flew! Whilst in the lovely garden, we discovered quite a variety of nests,- some with eggs, some with little families; others in progress of completion. It was delightful to know how sacred they all were here! It was still more delightful to observe how well the birds seemed aware of their security; for they took little care to conceal their dwellings. Oh! the joys of a country life! Our kind host and hostess resided some few miles from Basingstoke. It would be superfluous to say that we were most hospitably received by them, or that we were happy" in so very delightful a spot. The fact is, we were more than happy; and so let us describe our actual feelings. It is pretty 66 derous guns. We left at least one half of our heart in Hampshire. We saw so much, and so many of the charms of a rural life, that we positively sighed when compelled to turn our back upon them,-again to revisit this city of bricks and mortar! We could not help soliloquising as the train sped furiously homewards"Beatus ille qui procul negotiis;" and we vowed that, if ever Fortune should give us the humblest independence (without our being compelled to toil so desperately hard for it), we would accept it joyfully; and bid adieu for ever to London and its artifi cialities. Non est vivere sed valere vita: Existence is not Life, properly so called. |