course must be adopted, for vigorous vines require a great extent of foliage to digest the food with which these stems are charged, and to place too narrow limits on this will be to cripple the energies of the plant, and the result will be a less robust growth than it ought to be. Peach-houses.-Diminish the amount of fire-heat while the frost lasts, and be careful about letting in any quantity of cold chilly air, except in such a way as to modify it of most of its pernicious qualities. If the internal atmosphere of the house becomes too warm in bright sunshine, a portion may be let out at the top ventilators, by opening them a little while, and placing muslin, or some other check, upon the direct influx and efflux of air: this will materially relieve the house of its undue heat, while the portion admitted will be also softened so as to become harmless. Water the borders and other places wanting it, and disbud and tie in all shoots requiring the one or the other. The fruit also may be thinned in the same gradual way that we advised the disbudding to be done; reserving a good portion of the fruit, however, until the "stoning" be over, when the principal danger of their dropping will be past. Keep a sharp look-out for insects, which are quite as likely to be clinging to potted plants that may be allowed a lodging here, as the more legitimate crop of the house. process Cold Pits. In these structures we presume many of the intended ornaments of the flower-garden are now stored away; these, if at all touched with frost, must be very gradually inured to the light and air again, as much mischief results in their being too suddenly exposed to currents of mild air after their long confinement: it is needless to urge on their being well covered up, as, after some 18 degs. or 20 degs. of frost-which has been felt in many places the capability of their "dwelling" to resist cold will have been tested tolerably well; and if they have hitherto escaped unhurt, the same treatment TO will assuredly carry them through all the changes that are likely to happen after this. KITCHEN AND FRUIT GARDEN. The frost and snow have come in good stead to retard the blooming of such wall-trees as showed symptoms of it during the latter part of the mild weather, while but little harm is done so long as they are not expanded. Keep a sharp look-out to the Gooseberry and Currant-trees, which are likely to suffer at this season by small birds (especially bullfinches) picking out the young buds. We have seen almost all the trees in a garden spoiled in a day, or at most two days, by these audacious depredators. In the kitchen-garden take all advantage of the weather to dig and wheel where wanted; only do not dig in the snow, because whatever benefit it may confer on the ground by lying there and melting, it certainly does harm by being dug in. Cover up and protect Peas and other tender crops that it may be prudent to save against the vicissitudes of the season, and examine carefully all stores that may be put away. This latter duty may be as well done on wet or stormy days. FLOWER GARDEN. The necessary stand-still observed here while the snow lies on the ground, must be exchanged for one of great activity when it becomes fine and more settled weather, and all outstanding work must be finished forthwith; but while it remains severe, prosecute all inside work that has a bearing on this as well as other departments; for it certainly has a tendency to forward the whole when the most advantageous time is taken to prosecute the duties required by each; so that, although all departments will require increased attention hereafter, yet, if anything can be done now to relieve the pressure then, that operation ought at once to be done by the collective force, regardless of the duties which each holds as its peculiar "own." CORRESPONDENTS. LUCY L.-So careless are people in sticking postage stamps on letters, and the stamps fall off in such heaps, that we believe it is found necessary at the General Post Office in London to employ some one to sweep them up. L. M.-" Lines on Hope" declined with thanks. GOLDING PENROSE.-Duly received. His confidence is not lost upon us, and we shall always be glad to hear from him. A. G.-Will find her request remembered. INSECTINA. Will the following extract from "The Transactions of the Entomological Society" satisfy her curiosity?" Mr. Spence exhibited specimens of the fly called 'Tsétsé,' which he found were identical with the Glossina mossitans of Westwood. He also communicated some observations thereon, founded on a note forwarded to Dr. Quain, by W. Oswell, Esq., who has travelled extensively in Africa, and on one occasion lost forty-nine out of fifty-seven oxen, of which his teams consisted, by the attacks of this fly, the animals dying in a period of from three to twelve weeks after being bitten. It appears that three or four flies are sufficient to kill a full-grown ox; and the following appearances were observable in numerous examples which were examined. On raising the skin, a glairy condition of the muscles and flesh, the latter much wasted; stomach and intestines healthy; heart, lungs, and liver, sometimes all, and invariably one or the other, diseased; the heart, in particular, being no longer a firm muscle, but collapsing readily on compression, and having the appearance of flesh that had been steeped in water; the blood greatly diminished in quantity and altered in quality-not more than twenty pints could be obtained from the largest ox, and this thick and albuminous; the hands when plunged into it came out free from stain. The poison seems to grow in the blood, and through it to attack the vital organs. All domesticated animals, except goats, calves, and sucking animals, die from the bite of this insect; man and all wild animals are bitten with impunity. This fly is confined to particular districts, chiefly between the 15th and 18th degrees of south latitude and the 24th and 28th degrees of east longitude, and is never known to shift. The inhabitants herd their cattle at a safe distance from its haunts; and if in changing their cattle posts they should be obliged to pass through the country in which it exists, they choose a moonlight winter's night, as during the cold weather it does not bite. It seems to differ in several particulars from the account given by Bruce of the fly called Zimb,' which was only found on plains of black fat earth,' whereas this was an inhabitant of jungles and country not open. Mr. Oswell, who was present as a visitor, gave a more detailed account of his experience with this African pest." Printed by Rogerson and Tuxford, 246, Strand, London, MONTHLY BELLE ASSEMBLÉE. INCORPORATED WITH THE LADIES' COMPANION. APRIL, 1853. THE RACE CHAP. VI. WOOD-END. FOR GOL D. BY MISS PARDOE. (Continued from page 121.) are anxious to direct their attention; for, accus- Near the fire of a small, well - arranged breakfast-room sat three ladies, as scrupulously neat, orderly, and precise in their appearance as the inanimate objects about them. They were all in the decline of life; and had indeed reached that period when even women cease to resort to artifice in order to counteract the insidious effects of time. It was evident that for them the romance of life was over, or existed only in memory. The noontide of the heart, with its heat, its glare, and its hurry, was spent ; and the calm shadows of that quiet twilight which precedes the last long night of the grave was softly gathering about them. The opening chapters of our tale bear, as the reader will already have remarked, no small resemblance to the slides of a magic lantern, each occupied by its own particular set of figures, and independent of those by which it has been preceded. And truly, life can only thus be faithfully represented, with its rapid transitions, its diversified feelings, interests, habits, and as pirations. Like the shadows on the whitened wall, the human puppets, after playing their fantastic parts for a brief moment, pass away, and are lost to sight; while their place is filled by others who live in like manner their little hour, and in their turn make way for their successors. In this world all is change; the sunshine of today is lost in the shadow of to-morrow; the young fresh heart grows cold and heavy beneath the touch of time; the child springs from infancy to youth; the strong man bends under the weight of years; and the gray hairs of age are laid to rest in the narrow grave. Nothing is stationary; nothing is stable; save That Hope and That Trust which are based on a Hereafter. There is, or was, at the period of my story for bricks and mortar make strange innovations now-a-days in the environs of London, even in the few months which are necessary to the writing of a simple tale-in the pleasant suburb of Old Brompton, a singularly pretty little residence, too small to be called a villa, and yet well worthy of the name, from its neatness, seclusion, and general air of refinement. A high fence, thickly lined on the inner side with foliage, over which waved the flexile branches of a variety of those blossoming shrubs which give so graceful and so glowing English gardens, enclosed a well-kept lawn, an aspect to our dotted with flower-beds, which led up to the house. French windows opened upon a veran dah overgrown with clematis, honeysuckle, and Wood-End, the scene of our present chapter, creeping roses; and from the broad pathway and Miss Penelope Lyle, their friend and inmate. glimpses could be obtained of the comfortable They had lived so long together, that at the first apartments within. It was, in short, one of glance a sort of family likeness appeared to exist those elegant but unpretending homes, which, between the three, which was, however, rather far more than the prouder objects to which we as we have reason to know, astonish foreigners the result of a similarity of manner and deportment than an actual physical resemblance; and There was no master's measured footfalls, no children's joyous laughter to arouse the echoes of that tranquil house; for the three venerable ladies whom it is now our province to introduce to the reader were, one quently most valuable class, popularly denoand all, individuals of that despised, but freminated old maids. The little party consisted of the two Miss Hallingfords, the proprietors of it is singular that a long community of thought | know, my dears, it is seldom that he even invites and interest frequently produces this effect. him to his house." At the moment when we have ventured to intrude upon their privacy, it was easy to perceive that some subject of mutual importance engrossed all their thoughts, and powerfully awakened their feelings; for while there was an expression of stern resolve on the somewhat harsh features of Miss Penelope Lyle, there was a look of deep sadness on the mild countenance of the elder Miss Hallingford, and large tears were falling slowly and silently down the cheeks of her sister. "It will appear so strange, so sad;" observed the eldest lady, in reply to something which had just been said; "that I cannot imagine what we shall do without you. Only conceive, Clarissa, to part after four-and-thirty years of daily and hourly intercourse." 66 Sad, indeed!" was the murmured answer. "But, my dears;" interposed Miss Penelope Lyle, with the slightest possible accent of importance; "you must not forget that my brother will keep his carriage as a matter of course; and that I shall be able to call upon you constantly, and perhaps even occasionally drive you out. I cannot, you know, ever feel towards any of my other friends as I do towards you." "How very kind you are to give us such an assurance!" sobbed the tender-hearted Miss Clarissa. "For my part," remarked her sister; "the prospect of this separation makes me so miserable, that I could almost find it in my heart to wish that Mr. Lyle might decline Penelope's very considerate offer." "No chance of that, my dear Agnes;" said Miss Pen, drawing herself up with considerable dignity; " and, for all our sakes, you ought to desire to see me domesticated with my brother. People on the spot, you know, my dears, have always more influence than those who are absent; and I have several little matters at heart, as you may naturally suppose. I shall, after making such a sacrifice, expect to be handsomely provided for after his death-that will be only justice; but I am anxious for more than this. I wish my friends to become his friends; for there is no telling what it may lead to for all parties, as it is only rational to suppose that, after the lonely life which the poor dear man must have led in that half-savage country, he will be delighted to enjoy the society of wellbred gentlewomen. And then, that poor unfortunate Octavius-who, although really a good, well-disposed boy, seems to me to spend his existence in getting out of one difficulty into another-I shall never rest until I have secured some certain provision for him; and this Reginald really ought to do, if it were only to make that pompous, selfish Percival ashamed of himself; who might, long ago, if he had possessed proper feeling, or even proper spirit and respect for his name and blood, have taken him into his counting-house, and secured him at least from obligation to strangers; while, as you well "Yes-but-" interposed Clarissa, wiping away her tears, and looking earnestly at the excited speaker; "you must remember, Penelope, that Mr. Percival Lyle has two daughters; and that Mr. Octavius is very handsome and very agreeable." "Pooh, nonsense, Lissy; the purse-proud merchant need not alarm himself on that score, for I am very much deceived in Octavius if he would throw himself away upon a mere Miss, pretty as she might be. No, no; the boy will do better, poor as he is; or he will have the sense to remain single, which, under present circumstances, is what he must do." "Still, even should all your hopes be realised, we shall lose you," remarked Miss Hallingford. "Only for a time, Agnes. But who is that ringing at the gate? Come, Clarissa, cheer up; and, my dear, do gather your worsteds together; only see, there are no less than three skeins lying at your feet on the carpet; and-just take one look at yourself in the glass, for you have quite disarranged your cap. I should not wonder if our visitor should be my nephew Lancaster." "And Mr. Lancaster it is." said Miss Hallingford, who from the spot where she was seated commanded a view of the approach. "I quite expected him;" remarked Miss Pen; "I thought that this extraordinary news would bring him to Brompton. Mercy on us! how he is wrapped up. He looks like a Laplander. Why, he will be an hour in the hall taking off his wraps." "I dare say it is very damp out;" said Clarissa, who was settling her curls at the glass; "and Mr. Lancaster always complains of the heat of the government offices." "Does he? Well, I suppose he does, for he is always complaining of something or another. I believe if they were to make him Prime Minister he would complain, because the members of the government are not allowed to break the laws as well as to make them," observed Miss Penelope, as she went on with her netting. In a shorter time than his kinswoman had foretold, the matronly servant who had answered the gate-bell announced Mr. Lancaster; a tall, gaunt, hard-featured man, who entered the room with a grim smile, and a broad-brimmed hat in his hand, which had evidently undergone the process of brushing in the hall. Mr. Lancaster had small, cold, dull, grey eyes, an abundance of harsh, grizzled hair, cut so short as to stand on end like a framework to the upper part of his sallow countenance, pinched cheeks, and a long chin which fell over his tight black stock; and, as he jerked out his sentences in conver sation, projected in a manner perfectly incomprehensible to the uninitiated. No wonder that Mr. Lancaster had remained a bachelor; for there was not one feature, or one expression of his face which did not reveal the most cold and |