asked what he is to do with what he cannot Sow, we answer, he would rather burn it than let it out to beat himself. On this ground, therefore, we say there is no hope of obtaining from any source Auricula, Dahlia, Pansy, Ranunculus, Anemone, Geranium, Fuchsia, Polyanthus, or any other seed of perennials grown by name, and in collection, likely to produce a good variety; therefore the wisest plan is to buy or select at once a few of the very best only, and excluding all others from these, save your own. ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE. [THIS DEPARTMENT OF OUR JOURNAL is one of its most interesting, as well as valuable features. Amusement, Instruction, Mental Improvement, and all the Social Virtues, are here concentred. Whether the Subjects introduced be on Natural History, Popular Science, Domestic Economy, the Fine Arts, or Matters of General Interest,-ALL are carefully digested, and placed before our readers in the winning garb of cheerfulness, goodtemper, and a determination to please. Our amiable correspondents enter readily into our naturally-playful disposition,-hence are their contributions divested of that dry formality which cannot be other than repulsive to a true lover of Nature. Our columns, be it observed, are not exclusive; but open to ALL amiable writers.] The great raisers of everything did so; but even these retrograded when they got Notes on the Progress of Spring; with Remarks more extensive in their collections, and less upon Birds, Flowers, and the Modesty of Nature. select in the plants they saved from. A man-The ready insertion you gave my last lengthy may immortalise himself by mixing a firstclass flower; that is, a flower that beats all we have, and maintains itself in good collections for a series of years; and yet we see hundreds every year called first-class for the year they are sold out, but never called so again. Let us look at some of the real raisers, who, though dead, are still living in their flowers. Auriculas, the most difficult of all flowers to improve, some of the old standards still head the fancy: Grimes's Privateer, Page's Champion, Lee's Col. Taylor, Taylor's Glory; Booth's Freedom. These stood their ground before the moderns began; yet scores of seedling Auriculas have been shown and had prizes, that were never again heard of. the worse. The principal characteristic of modern flowers is their likeness to something we have had; their only difference being for This applies to all the original florists' flowers; but in the Carnation, Picotee, the Pink, Pansy, and some others, much good has been done; and steps in advance have been taken and maintained, although there have been hundreds pronounced good that have scarcely survived a communication, induces me again, my dear sir, to both take delight in the same harmless pursuits, send you a few of my Spring thoughts. As we and the readers of OUR OWN have but one heart and one mind, apology from me there will be none. What a lovely month has March been! All that you have said and sung about it has already been nearly realised. The sun has shown his dear loving head every day; and his sweet face has shone gloriously as the face of an angel. Magical has been the consequence. From the tiniest flower to the largest tree, the influence has Creator, the earth is full of Thy Works! Endbeen felt and acknowledged. O, thou Great less is Thy goodness towards us children of men! I have almost lived in the garden during the past month. I have had so much to do,-sowing, planting, tieing up, cutting, trimming, beautifying, and arranging! Have I told you that I wear a garden tunic? [No.] I do though. [That's right.] Well; my labors give good promise of being amply rewarded; and when my eye falls upon my pets, all looking so lovely in their innocence, I am more than recompensed. As for the fruit trees,currant, gooseberry, peach, nectarine, pear, &c., they positively tremble beneath the weight of their sweet drapery and blossoms. How green and gay they look in their Spring dresses; and yet how modest ! [This remark of yours, Honeysuckle, charms us. Yes; it is the "modesty" of Nature that is so attractive. Let her ornaments be never so beautiful,-never so varied, yet are they all "set" in such pure, perfect taste, that the heart is fairly fascinated with their attractions. It is an observation of this, that makes our pen so bitter against the prevailing usages of society. To look at the dresses of our men and women,-especially at this season of approaching gaiety, one would imagine their wearers to be insane. And a very charitable excuse would this be for their folly. The word "modesty" is all but unknown amongst us, in its true meaning. We talk about it,-insist loudly upon its excellences, and rail extravagantly when any glaring case of immodesty is dragged into the light, but alas! this proceeds not from any hatred of vice. No. People find it convenient and profitable to everywhere. The voice of the blackbird is, whilst I write, sweetly distilling from the top of a lofty tree. The thrush, too, is piping away merrily; and the robins are in a perfect ecstacy of song. In a word, all nature is happy. We have had some large flocks of starlings in the neighborhood. How beautiful they look in their flight, as the sun reflects the brilliancy of their gay colors! [Yes; it is a pretty sight. About three weeks since, when approaching Tottenham, along the road known as the "Seven Sisters," a flock of at least 600 starlings passed over our head. The sun had the same effect as you now speak of.] I have not observed them for the last few days. No doubt they too, have family engagements to arrange; and are gone to "see about it." We are daily expecting the nightingale, blackcap, and other warblers. But I must not continue gossiping at this rate, or you will vote me a bore. When I sat down to write, I seemed to have a multitude of things to tell you. One half of them, at least, I have omitted! You can imagine me in my garden palace of delights "-and no doubt realise in thought, what my naughty pen cannot reduce (in few words) to writing.-HONEYSUCKLE, Henley, March 24. is not worth a thought, we are yet constrained winter pensioners. They find food in abundance, to speak our mind very freely to them. Every day brings under our eye specimens of immodesty in dress, so truly disgusting, that we are unable to characterise it as it deserves. Look, too, at a woman's bare head and brazen face as she parades the streets, proud to be so meretriciously conspicuous; and glorying,-yes, glorying in her shame! This, from the very highest to the very lowest. There is scarcely an exception to be met with. We are not a misanthrope by nature,assuredly not; but when we look round, and gaze upon the lax morality of our countrywomen, so universally prevalent (and such little care taken to conceal it), we confess our disgust to be unqualified. Men take their cue from them, of course; and run to an excess, in closely assimilating them selves to brutes. Accordingly, we see hairy faced savages starting up all over the country, and caricaturing our streets and highways, the whole world laboring hard to prove (what many naturalists have boldly asserted) that men and apes are only one slight remove from each other. But this is a long digression.] On the 18th-my 64 of March, we had some most refreshing showers. The rain fell,-not heavily, yet abundantly. It continued to fall during the night of the 18th, and on the whole of the 19th day. The surface of the ground (to use an expression of yours) was "panting" for these reviving showers; and now may be seen the most surprising results. Vegetation is in all its glory. Trees, plants, flowers, buds, blossoms, all are luxuriating in simple, yet bewitching grandeur. Let me remind you of your promise to come and see what my pen finds it impossible to describe. ["We never can forget!"] As for my friends, the birds; they are busy as the bees. These last are now out for the season. We have six hives of them. This enables me to study their habits, which are singularly interesting. You love bees, I know. [We do indeed.] My robins have now become shy. They are sitting. The thrushes and black-dent in the country has a larger share of enjoybirds are all at nest. A few young ones are already hatched. The hedge-sparrows, "chinks," and wrens, too, have begun to look "important." They are doubtless thinking about family matters; as are also others of our numerous visitors. Meal now afford but little temptation to our worms You are such a favorite, dear Honeysuckle, with our readers, that we can never use the knife to prune away any offshoots proceeding from your happy fancy. Lovers of Nature, like yourself, are not met with every day; so prattle away whenever you will.] A Day in Devonshire.-It is one of the many advantages belonging to the country over the town, that in the former a day's recreation can be obtained at a trifling expense; whilst the delight to those who can appreciate the beauties of nature. is infinitely greater. To the dweller in the great metropolis, a day's pleasure involves a considerable cost in locomotion; while the more fortunate resi ment for less than the cost of a single meal at London prices. Some time since, I was residing in the suburbs of the ancient city of Exeter, the capital of a most picturesque county, truly styled "the Garden of England." In the glorious month of September, I had a visit from a London cousin, -a quiet steady man, who had seen nearly fifty * A person of sense may be recognised at once years of London life, and was the trustworthy by his outward deportment. His appearance clerk of a celebrated banking-house. He was out (unstudied) tells us at a glance what he is. We for his autumn holiday. While closing one happy never find him guilty of an excess in apparel, nor day (with the addition to our small party of an "remarkable' for his close resemblance to a Exeter friend, the Dominie of a foundation school), savage, a great recommendation now-a-days, and it was mutually agreed that the following day indicating the depth of a man's "mind!" Neither should be devoted to an excursion to the romantic do we see him rejoicing in jewellery, perfume, a scenery of the Teign. We were to start shortly profusion of hair, and other such ridiculous, dis- after daybreak; and the place named for breakfast gusting effeminacies. None but fools are ever was a well-known rendezvous for anglers, about found thus offending, We speak not of women. seven miles and a quarter distant. For myself, the They have nothing else to set them off, and little walk was only a pleasant exercise; but my cousin, else to think about,-thanks to modern education! being unused to climbing Devonshire hills, and In our boyhood, Modesty used to be "the orna- the Dominie being lame in one leg (from an acciment in which they most delighted; and right dent of old standing), they were tempted into well did it become them. That garment, how-undertaking the journey by the doubtful promise ever, is now quite laid aside. "Fashion" has long since banished it, by consent, from all (so called) decent society. "Punch" has truly said --all our women are "bare-faced!"-ED. K. J. of a lift on the road being probable. Accordingly, the trio started at six clock the next morning. The sun rose gloriously-the day was all before us; and as we ascended the hill from St.Thomas's, we began to feel the invigorating influence of the pure air. From Little St. John's Cross, we passed through the deep cutting in Pocombe Hill; and, dipping into the valley beyond, crossed the brook, and climbed the opposite hill; from the top of which (for more than a mile) the road proceeds on a ridge, called Long Down, presenting a bird's-eye view of rural scenery on each side-with white farm-houses, just visible among the trees, small fields skirted with tall hedges, patches of coppice, and a gentleman's mansion, backed by a precipitous circular hill, which a local antiquary has discovered to be the site of an ancient military station. Beyond the three-mile stone is a roadside inn, well known to visitors to the Teigu as a half-way house; here we paused a short time, for ny less active companions to refresh themselves. At a short distance beyond this, a turn in the road (on the same ridge) affords magnificent views. On the left hand lay the estuary of the Exe, with the oblique rays of the sun upon its waters, giving them the appearance of molten silver; and in the far distance, we obtained a glimpse of the ocean, seen between the rising grounds of Exmouth and Langstone Cliff, forming the entrance to the port. On the right hand, looking through a picturesque valley, may be seen the hills of Dartmoor, and the tall Cawsand, said to be the highest in Devonshire, and not less than fourteen miles distant. On descending the hill (about a mile further on), we have a beautiful view of Culverhouse, a mansion in the Elizabethan style, the seat of the Rev. Sub-Dean Stephens, son-in-law of the Bishop of Exeter. The road from this point proceeds along the bottom, skirted by a small brook, on the sides of which are many fruitful orchards; and is bounded by long lines of hills, the fields on which seem to have been recovered from the primeval woods. Close to the five-mile stone is a little cider shop, kept by an ancient dame, and so low that it seems but a step from the roof to the road; and half a mile further, we turn from the main road into a new road to the left, which leads us direct to the river Teign. This last is here crossed by a stone bridge originally of two arches, but which has since been widened by one arch. Turning to the left, down the course of the stream, about a quarter of a mile distant is the Teign House Inn. Arrived here, our first duty was to order breakfast; and, having met with no assistance on the road, I was pleased to find that my friends had accomplished the journey with comparatively little fatigue, though it had occupied nearly four hours (the ordinary allowance for practised pedestrians is two hours and ten minutes). This is perhaps one of the sweetest spots in Devon, but I shall not trust myself to attempt a description; and it has the additional recommendation of an inn, which, for rural refreshments, quantity, quality, cleanliness, and good attendance, may be considered "luxurious." The previous exercise, and the pure air, had acted as incentives to appetite, still further stimulated by the delicious yet homely fare. I never knew one who breakfasted here for the first time, who did not ackowledge himself more than satisfied. We did ample justice to the fair Mary's provision. This consisted of home-made bread, bacon, eggs, butter, cream, &c., &c. We now re-crossed the river by the ivy-covered bridge, near to the house, and proceeded along the banks down the river-my companions pausing to admire the picturesque beauties around them, while I tried the temptation of flies for the speckled trout with which this river abounds. Our course was, about a mile and a half, through fields and orchards, and over stiles and hedges, until we reached the Fishermen's Inn at Ashton, where the kind-hearted Mrs. Taylor supplied us with a simple refection by way of lunch. Here I inquired for a miner with whom I was acquainted, and who had long promised to show me a silver-lead mine in the neighborhood. I was informed that he had left that part of the country; but another miner who was present (and whom I had previously known as a skilful fisherman) offered to perform the same kind office. I may mention as an instance of the good feeling borne towards me in this locality (to which I had been a frequent visitor), that this man told me he had saved several mineralogical specimens for me, which he afterwards forwarded to me. The mine was nearly a mile from the inn. After resting ourselves, we proceeded thither, to explore its recesses. Being Saturday afternoon, we found the men leaving work; but the captain was present, and he at once lent us proper dresses, and gave us the use of the count house, where we equipped ourselves in a style which proved efficient disguises even from one another. Taking off merely our upper coats, we put on large canvas trousers, flannel over-coats of most capacious make, and linen caps under hard broadbrimmed hats (to protect us from any falling stones). We were then furnished with candles, stuck in lumps of wet clay; and we seated ourselves in what appeared to be iron boxes, mounted on four small wheels, which ran upon a narrow railway. The mineral treasures of the mine were not approached by a shaft, but through a tunnel. The entrance was from the side of a precipitous hill, running nearly on a level for about three quarters of a mile, and so small that the mouth appeared no bigger than a moderate-sized closet. My cousin and myself were seated in one carriage, crouched together within its narrow sides; the Dominie (in compliment to his lame leg) had a carriage to himself; and each was propelled by a miner. After proceeding about half a mile into the bowels of the earth, and crossing the mouths of one or two shafts, which were driven downwards, we reached a wider space, about the centre of the hill, and proceeded about a quarter of a mile further on foot, occasionally feeling ourselves splashing through water; and stooping to prevent knocking our heads against the superincumbent rocks. On approaching the end, we turned out down a branch cutting; and from heaps of rich lead ore which lay before us, to the extent of several tons, we selected some convenient-sized pieces for specimens, and turned to retrace our steps. On regaining the open air, we found plenty of soap and water, and a little maiden with a towel, by the aid of which we refreshed ourselves; and having regained our attire, returned by the road to the inn where we breakfasted. Here I was anxious to obtain assistance for my companions on the road home; and with reasonable hope, as, owing to the mining enterprise in the neighborhood, it was not uncommon for several vehicles to start in the evening for Exeter. However, on reaching the inn, we found there was but one fly, for which four gentlemen (who were seated in the back parlor) might be considered a reasonable complement. On applying to one of them, the present High Sheriff of Devon, he kindly made room for one of our party, which we decided should be the Dominie; and my London cousin, notwithstanding his unwonted exertions during the day, manfully made up his mind to walk the seven miles that lay before us. On reaching the half-way house of the morning, we made a pause, and listened to the music of the village choir of Holcombe Burnell, who generally assemble here on Saturday evenings, to practise anthems, and the church services for the following day. Nor is it an uninteresting sight to witness a small body of hard-working agriculturists, who with the aid of two violins, a flute, and a violoncello, and their own really melodious voices joining in the music of Handel, Mozart, and other first-rate composers, contrive to produce a good effect. It was refreshing both to mind and body; and I had the satisfaction of seeing my relative little fatigued after a walk, which, in the morning, he did not believe himself capable of performing. It was a day that each of the party will long remember,-rich in the enjoyment of the sweet beauties of Nature, interesting in many ways; affording us ample creature comforts,-and yet the whole expense to each of us was less than half-a-crown.-EPHRA, Birkenhead. English and Foreign Flowers.-I cannot resist saying a few words with reference to the interesting communication in your last, from" The Lily of the Valley." To my mind it is full of truth; and I rejoice at its being recorded in OUR JOURNAL. There can be no doubt that the flowers which clothe the tropical countries are very magnificent, and very effective; but I must re-quote the words: "For every stem of this kind, we may find another at home of equal beauty, and with an equal amount of brilliant colors." With respect to beauty and effect; if, my dear sir, you could see the lovely little plant which bears the name of the contributor of this, growing as I have seen it,-covering a space of some 200 feet square, and all in blossom from the 10th to the 15th of May, I think you would say that, with all the brilliancy of color that the tropical plants may display above ours, the beauty and elegance of growth of the Convallaria bifolia, and the loveliness of the little expanded bell-shaped corollas, of such a clear and pure white, so prettily placed on little stalks, half concealed by the sheathing leaf, together with the delicious fragrance which arises from them,-is sufficient to make you re-echo with us that we have flowers of equal beauty and brilliancy at home. I say brilliancy also; for the effect of these lovely little white flowers is nothing less than brilliant. Nor do I value this wee flower the less that it does not come forward (as do many tropical ones), 80 that you cannot pass by without being struck with its beauty. No. This little specimen of our pretty wild flowers, is so humble and modest, that it is generally concealed from us in the recesses of some deep and dark wood or copse, where it only enjoys the sun's rays for a small portion of time, as they penetrate here and there between the mixed foliage of the varied trees. I could mention other equally beautiful little wild flowers, but will rest satisfied with having said a few words about this one emblem of "purity and sweetness." There is a lesson in each flower, So sings Allan Cunningham; and few, I imagine, of your readers will dissent from such pure gospel."-AGLIA TAU, Stoke Newington. Fresh-water Molluscs.-One day last week, the water of the Sheffield canal burst into the works of an old coal mine at Sheffield; which must have been worked when that large town was (some two or three hundred years ago) but a small village; the consequence was, great destruction of property by undermining the foundation of buildings; and also that part of the canal (a length of three miles) was nearly emptied. In passing along the canal banks, after having been to see the devastation caused thereby, I was astonished to witness the innumerable quantity of small bivalved shells adhering to the walls of the various bridges and locks. They were about the size of Windsor beans, and the walls were completely crowded with them. What could they be? Not mussels I think, as I always understood they embedded themselves in the mud. Can you tell me the name of them, or refer me to any work which will give me some particulars of their economy? Some of them I have got; and I am keeping them in a glass in order to watch their movements.JOHN V., Yorkshire, Feb. 24. [If you could contrive to send us in a pill-box (by post), one or two specimens of the bivalves you speak of, we would answer your question at once; but it will be needful to see them before giving a positive opinion.] The Sun-flower-Tell me, my dear sir,—do, please, why the large flowers of this annual always face the sun? At sunrise, they are turned towards the east; and at sunset, towards the west. I should very much like to know the cause of this.-Lucy N., Tottenham. [The sun-flower, Lucy, is a fervent, true, and constant lover. She rises betimes to greet the God of her idolatry, and never ceases to regard him so long as his golden features remain visible. This is true love. Our flowers study no "fashion." They are "natural;" consequently, lovely and amiable. Tom Moore has this sweet simile in his "Irish Melodies: " Oh, the heart that has truly lov'd never forgets, As the sun-flower turns on her god, when he sets, Let us take a lesson out of Tom Moore's book, fair Lucy; for constancy and true love are inseparable. The flowers were no doubt sent for our instruction and improvement. They teach us many a profitable lesson.] Cruelty of Fowls, one to the other.-Can you in any way account, my dear sir, for the marked antipathy shown by certain fowls towards some one of their (apparently amiable) companions? I have had several hens thus slighted; and have one now, which is so cruelly beaten by her associates that I am compelled to remove her. To me she seems perfectly harmless, and goodtempered; but she is nevertheless voted de trop by her companions, and has been severely mal-treated. -HONEYSUCKLE, Henley. [Fowls, dear Honeysuckle, like the human race, are full of whims, caprices, fancies, evil passions, and prejudices. The antipathies you speak of, are very common amongst poultry; and when fowls do take a dislike, their hatred becomes deadly. No jealous woman ever carried her projects out more surely or more fatally! We have ourself, just now, a very beautiful golden-spangled Hamburgh hen thus maltreated by her companions. They had nearly "finished" ber, when we discovered her misfortune; but we have succeeded in preserving her life. However, she must be parted with; or she will inevitably be killed. She seems "amiable," so far as we can judge; but her own tribe have condemned her, and our intercessions are of no avail.] Citrons, Lemons, and Limes; grown in the Open Air-We have recently given some very remarkable instances of the mildness of the climate of Devon. The papers furnished by our highlyesteemed correspondent, "C. F. T. Y.," Stockleigh Pomeroy, Crediton, throw a light upon the matter that invests it with a more than common interest. But we have something beyond mere assertion to bear our kind friend out in his observations. We have received, during the past month, a basket of fine citrons, lemons, and limes, which were grown in the open grounds of Cliff House, Salcombe, Kingsbridge, Devon. These were most handsomely franked to us by the fair owner of the mansion,-MRS. WALTER PRIDEAUX; and we here tender that lady our most grateful acknowledgements. So surprised were we at the sight of such curiosities, that we have publicly exhibited them in a principal thoroughfare, not thinking it right to withhold from general observation, such "proofs" of the mild climate of Devon. We hardly need say that our surprise has been largely shared by others. The time has now come for these citrons, lemons, and limes, to be "preserved." The receipt for this, has also been considerately for warded to us; and we live in the hope of sharing with more than one, two, three, or a dozen of our readers, the treat that, at present, is in embryo. We learn, in confidence, that such conserves are exquisitely delicious, so that Honeysuckle," Puss,' Lily of the Valley," and many other of our "pets" may-look out !-W. K. There is "Something" to be learnt Daily.-The 1st of Chronicles, chap. iv., is replete with hard names, surrounding one single verse (the 10th), which contains alone the beautiful ejaculatory We received, at the same time, a gentle "order" to enroll this esteemed name (for a twelvemonth in advance) among our choice readers. For this we are specially indebted. Few journalists, we imagine, can boast of a family of supporters like those of OUR OWN.-ED. K. J. prayer of Jabez, calling on the God of Israel. May this not remind us of a botanist, on an interesting tour, coming to a rough and tedious pass, full of hard rocks and barren soil? His first impulse would doubtless be, to avoid this uninteresting spot, and not lose time in endeavoring to overcome the opposing difficulties. Experience has, however, taught him that, even amidst all these wild and apparently unfruitful wastes, some hidden treasure may lurk, to compensate his toil; some lovely, delicate, and rare flower may meet his languid eye, and amply repay his past exertions.-AGLIA TAU, Stoke Newington. [We quite agree with you in this sentiment. Many a rare jewel is lost, for the want of carefully searching it out. Perseverance rarely goes without its reward. The only difficulty is, to get people to believe this. Nil sine labore" is a saying treated with supreme contempt now-adays!] Ardent Spirits fatal to Health.-It is a very well-known, though little cared-for fact, that ardent spirits kill twenties of thousands amongst us yearly. Beer, too, slays its votaries in immensely-large numbers. A very interesting lecture to prove this, was recently given by Dr. Carpenter, who most satisfactorily showed that health instead of being sustained, was impaired in its activity by the use of alcoholic liquors. Alcohol stopped the process of elimination of everything that ought to be carried away; impeded the body from getting rid of its effete and used-up matters; curdled albumen, which was one of the greatest constituents of the blood; and prevented the removal from the tissues, of the inert fatty matters which accumulate about them. He quoted a remarkable circumstance, which had been told him by a friend who had commanded a ship from Sydney. Shortly after leaving Australia, a leak was discovered in the vessel; and, unable to put in at the Cape of Good Hope, they were obliged to sail homewards, keeping the men night and day at the pump. When each man's work was over, he was allowed a good quantity of grog for his extraordinary physical endurance. But, as the men would not take their proper quantity of food and fell off, the captain stopped their grog, and ordered them a mess of cocoa, biscuit, and meat. They turned in hearty, awoke fresh, regained the flesh they had lost, and came into port as fine a crew as ever was seen. In noticing the effects that alcohol had upon the mind, the lecturer said that it weakened the power of the will; and, although by stimulating the automatic tendency of the mind, it produced extraordinary activity for the time, yet it weakened and, if continued, destroyed external control; that no man who had taken to a habit of drinking could concentrate his mind on a subject as he used to do; nor could he even properly direct his mental powers to any object on which he wished to exercise them.-E. W. A Pretty Garden at a nominal Cost.-There are, I believe, many possessors of a small garden who feel the expense they deem necessary to its fertility; although the labor bestowed upon it is all their own. To such I would divulge the plan |