OCTOBER SIXTH.-Delia, fetch thy guitar and set these lines to music. They have a ring of contentment in them, which I love.

"How bravely Autumn paints upon the sky,
The gorgeous fame of summer which is fled!
Hues of all flowers that in their ashes lie,
Trophied in that fair light whereon they fed,
Tulip and hyacinth, and sweet Rose red."

OCTOBER SEVENTH.-"If in the fall of the leaf in October, many leaves wither on the boughs and hang there, it betokens a frosty winter and much snow."

"Chaff, leaves, thistle-down, and such light things whisking about and turning round, forshews tempestuous winds."-Shepherd's Kalendar.

"Of Plants, some are Greene all Winter; others cast their Leaves. There are Greene all Winter; Holly, Ivy, Boxe, Firre, Eugh, Cypresse, Juniper Bayes, Rose-Mary, &c. The Cause of the Holding Greene, is the Close and Compact Substance of their Leaves, and the Pedicles of them. And the Cause of that againe, is either the Tough and Viscous Juyce of the Plant; or the Strength and Heat thereof. Of the first Sort is Holly; which is of so Viscous a Juyce, as they make Bird-lime of the Barke of it. The Stalke of Ivy is Tough, and not Fragile, as wee see in other small Twigs dry. Firre yeeldeth Pitch, Box is a fast and heavie Wood, as we see it in Boules. Eugh is a Strong and Tough Wood, as we see it in Bowes. Of the second Sort is Juniper, which is a Wood Odorate, and maketh a hot Fire. Bayes is likewise a Hot and Aromaticall Wood; and so is Rose-Mary for a Shrub. As for the Leaves, their Densitie appeareth, in that, either they are Smooth and Shining, as in Bayes, Holly, Ivy, Box, &c.; or in that they are Hard and Spirie, as in the rest."-BACON, Sylva Sylvarum.

I find in Bacon this delightful expression. Speaking of a "Chappell," he says it is "some Bird-bolt Shot, or more, from the river."

OCTOBER EIGHTH.-I have been watching at night for gleams of light from my nasturtians, which are still in flower, but have not as yet seen even a spark. In Darwin's book Í read that "one evening M. Haggren perceived a faint flash of light repeatedly dart from a Marigold; and, to be assured that it was no deception of the eye, he placed a man near him, with orders to make a signal at the moment when he observed the light. They both saw it constantly at the same moment. The light was most brilliant on Marigolds of an orange or flame colour; but scarcely visible on pale ones.

"This phenomenon was remarked in the months of July and August, at sunset, and for half an hour later, when the atmosphere was clear; but after a rainy day, or when the air was heavy with vapour, nothing of it was seen.

"The following flowers emitted flashes, more or less vivid, in order :—

"The Marigold

Garden Nasturtian,
Orange Lily,

African Marigold.

"Sometimes it is also observed on Sunflowers. But bright yellow, or flame colour, seemed in general necessary for the production of this light; for it was never seen on the flowers of any other colour.

"From the rapidity of the flash, and other circumstances, it might be conjectured that there is something of electricity in this phænomenon."

OCTOBER NINTH.-I must copy to-day Bishop Heber's lines on the Seasons. There is much to learn in such writing, and though some folks presume to pass him by for modern writing, they lose much by such an act.

"When Spring unlocks the flowers to paint the laughing soil;
When Summer's balmy showers refresh the mower's toil;
When Winter binds in frosty chains the fallow and the flood;-
In God the earth rejoiceth still, and owns his Maker good.

The birds that wake the morning, and those that love the shade
The winds that sweep the mountain or lull the drowsy glade ;
The sun that from his amber bower rejoiceth on his way,
The moon and stars, their Master's name in silent pomp display.

;

Shall man, the lord of Nature, expectant of the sky,
Shall man, alone unthankful, his little praise deny?
No, let the year forsake his course, the seasons cease to be,
Thee, Master, must we always love, and, Saviour, honour Thee.

The flowers of Spring may wither, the hope of Summer fade,
The Autumn droop in Winter, the birds forsake the shade;
The winds be lull'd-the sun and moon forget their old decree,
But we in Nature's latest hour, O Lord! will cling to Thee."

OCTOBER TENTH.-It is a Polish superstition that each month has a particular gem attached to it, which governs it, and is supposed to influence the destiny of persons born in that month; it is therefore customary among friends, and lovers particularly, to present each other with some trinket containing their tutelary gem.

JANUARY.

Jacinth or Garnet denotes constancy and fidelity in every enjoyment.

FEBRUARY.

Turquoise or Malachite denotes the most brilliant success and happiness in every circumstance of life.