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A VISIT TO THE ISLE OF WIGHT. AMONG the many lovely spots of which England can boast, the Isle of Wight is certainly one of the most attractive and inviting. The beauty and variety of its scenery, the mildness and salubrity of its climate, its fertile soil, and luxuriant vegetation, have well earned for it the appellation of the "Garden of England." An hour's ramble, especially in the interior of the island, cannot fail to afford to a lover of Botany a rich treat: he will return, laden with a budget of treasures, which by a day's seeking in the less favoured spots of the mainland he could scarcely procure. For wild flowers of every description grow in lavish abundance; the road side, the crevices of the rocks, and even the sea-shore (which latter is in general by no means favourable to vegetation), abound in rich and luxuriant foliage. Even myrtles and geraniums are found so near the sea, that they seem to kiss the spray, as it is thrown off from the surface of the billows.

My first visit to the island was in the "leafy month of June," when nature has arrived at her full proportion of vigour. The days are then at their longest; all creation is in its most active state; the insect world is most busy, and the feathered tribe most musical; the soft and gentle zephyrs waft across hill and valley the most delicious odours; and all things combine to render this month a most agreeable season for tourist or rambler. But I am sadly digressing.

Landing, then, at West Cowes (which must be distinguished from the East Cowes of royal celebrity, and which is directly opposite), we find ourselves in a neat and picturesquely situated little town, commanding some fine views.

Between Cowes and Newport, stands Parkhurst prison,-a reformatory for juvenile criminals. As we drove past, we saw a number of these young delinquents in the grounds. Their dress presented nothing outré in appearance; it was neat and simple, but not dowdy, nor offensive to the taste in any respect.

Newport, the metropolis of the island, is situated on the banks of the river Medina; it is a

cheerful, pretty town, containing some good public buildings, such as the town-hall, theatre, schools, and literary institutes. Nor must the church be forgotten, in which is interred the daughter of Charles I., who survived her unfor tunate father, and remained a prisoner in Carisbrook Castle until she died there. This reminds us that we cannot linger among streets and houses comparatively modern, but must hasten to the ancient ruin, a little more than a mile distant. Carisbrook Castle claims our interest, both from its connection with one of the saddest events of English history, and on account of its antiquity, being built by a companion, or follower, of William the Conqueror. A topographical description of the ruins would be tedious; suffice it to mention, that an interesting object is a window, through which the unhappy Charles made a futile attempt to escape. On coming to this spot, a feeling of pity naturally arises, for the weak and vacillating king, thus detained for thirteen years, a prisoner in his own country, by his own people, and at length brought forth only to lose his head. The scenery around is magnificent: from the donjon, or keep, the eye takes in an expanse of landscape, rich, varied, and beautiful.

Here we were agreeably surprised at meeting with a party of old friends, who, like us, had chosen this "sea-girt isle" for a summer trip. Among them was a young student from the University, whom we had never before seen, and who, rejoicing in the name of Tom Brown, represented himself as being

"The very Tom Brown,

Of Oxford renown." But the joke was somewhat obtuse, seeing that he came not from Oxford, but from Cambridge. They had all been regaling themselves in true pic-nic style, with a cold collation, spread upon the green sward, a Times Newspaper doing duty as a tablecloth. But when we came up to them they had finished their repast; of which they kindly invited us to partake, and which we as politely declined: for two reasous,-the débris of their meal presenting any thing but a tempting appearance, especially to us, who were not hungry, and our time being precious, we wished to avoid all unnecessary delay. So leaving them in a most supine condition, we hastened onward, in search of other beauties, and objects of interest. Nor were these long wanting; for the road from Carisbrook to the famous Black Gang Chine, abounds in attractions, not so much of scenery, as of a horticultural kind. We drive not over a rough macadamized road, but upon a soft, smooth, and level surface; comfortable homesteads, thriv ing farms, and neat cottages, are passed by in rapid succession; and which ever way we cast our eye, specimens of floral beauty, of no ordinary growth or fertility, present themselves. These scenes impress the mind with feelings of a lightsome nature, we carry away with us " memories" of their existence; while such spec tacles as those afforded by Black Gang are of an awe-inspiring kind, filling the sul with solemn wonder and intense astonishment. The pathway to the bottom of the chasm is very terrific; masses of broken rock being strewed about in all direc tions, together with its exceeding steepness, render its descent a task very laborious, and certainly dangerous, were it not for the assistance

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and protection of a rude wooden fence, or railing, on one side of the track. But the wild and romantic grandeur of the spot on reaching the bottom, well repays one for the toil. Our arrival put to flight a flock of wild-fowl, some seagulls, and a quantity of marine birds, who flew off with most discordant sounds, greeting our ears with a concert anything but harmonious.

At this point I must leave off; for to enter into a description of the remaining celebrities of the island, viz., Freshwater, The Needles, Ventnor, Ryde, &c., would go far to occupy a book, much less a chapter; indeed, a written description will convey but a faint idea of the realities, which should be visited to be fully appreciated.

In conclusion, however, I must just mention, that on landing at Portsmouth, we were just in time to witness the disembarkation of the crew and cargo of a foreign vessel, laden with several rare productions of distant climes, among which was a young elephant, and some smaller animals, natives of the antipodes, and designed as a present to the Queen.

EMMA BUTTERWORTH.

THE DIFFICULTY OF CHOOSING A SUBJECT. AN obliging old lady when about to give directions in a certain branch of the culinary art, prefaces her re narks by saying, "First catch your hare;" and first choose your subject, is as applicable to me now, but there lies the difficulty. The majority of table artists might cook a dozen hares while catching one; just so, an ordinary writer might discuss a dozen topics, definitely pointed out, whilst prosecuting a wearying search in the region of possibilities, in hopes of lighting upon the one most happy and suitable. Yet the difficulty springs not from the scarcity of subjects, but rather from their overwhelming numbers, and the bewildering vastness of the field where they grow; thus when you have almost decided upon one, and are beginning to think how you may dress and prepare it for your purpose, up starts another, and the question arises-Why may not this do as well, or better? Now, at first I began to think of Botany; here, thought I, is such a prolific theme,-such a bud-get of treasures to choose from, and such a wide range, too, the subject promises amongst living beauties, from the lofty cedar to the humblest wild flower that receives the kiss of the dew. But, alas! just in proportion as the subject unfolds to my perception my courage sinks; and well it may, for I know scarcely anything about Botany systematically, my knowledge is all of the wild-flower order; and where is the use of spending one's pains to tie up a bouquet which is almost sure to be condemned as dowdy, and laughed at, as most dowdies are? So I give up the idea of a flowery path, and roam on, catching at first one topic and then another, still undecided and perplexed as to which to pursue. There is one advantage, however, in a position like the present, for it allows one to write upon any subject-yes, even upon one's difficulties. And it is a matter of congratulation that the metropolis of literature is not barred and bolted as formerly; we are all freeborn citizens, free to mount, free to adopt the motto of Excelsior, and free to wear laurels, too, if we can earn them, though they be not the

B.A.'s and D.D.'s with which the University rewards her favourites. Ah! freedom is a glorious thing; yet strange to say, I feel it rather perplexing just now, and am tempted to say

O! Liberty, where are the charms That sages have seen in thy face? Sages-Ah! but I am not a sage, nor a poet either, or I might revel in the opportunity of attempting "things unattempted yet, in prose or rhyme."

Solomon says that there is nothing new under the sun; still that does not prove but that there may be wonders slumbering from of old, that man with all his sagacity has not yet discovered. Doubtless, there may be as much to find out, as what has been found; now, if I should have the good fortune to strike a light in some dark region, or decipher a secret hidden in some unexplored page of Nature's book, the newspaper as well as the FAMILY FRIEND, would duly advertise the wonder, and, like Sir Walter Scott, I should wake up some morning and find myself famous!-and fame, they say, hath charms allpowerful; even its softest murmurs have often awaked the supine from their lethargic indolence, and urged them on to unwonted labours, in hopes of a full concert of the coveted harmony. Well; certainly, I am not altogether indifferent to such a reward; but, alas! I am all this while imagining the difficulty surmounted, and foolishly counting my chickens before they are hatched. I will descend to sober realities. Then, as to fame; in spite of all the fine things that have been said about it, it yet may be, like "the fruit that tempts the eye, but turns to ashes on the lip." At all events, I shall endeavour to persuade myself that its "grapes are sour."

But I must bring my rambling flight to a close, or I fear our kind President will look frowningly upon me this time; at any rate, I trust he will give me credit for my adroitness in contriving to escape from a difficulty which at the outset seemed formidable and stubborn, but which, now I am come to the end, I see might be made as flexible as the trunk of an elephant. No one will say I am selfish, for I have taken up but a very moderate share of the ground, just scratching on the surface, and leaving the whole mine from here to the antipodes unexplored.

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LILY H.

What our minds will become if seldom used.J. G.

The cloud which the narrow mind puts between all things and itself.-W. Y. S.

The winter of suspense despairing of the spring in which it should trust.-PINK.

A blindness of the heart which pervades action, thought, and speech.-ALEXANDER.

A word whilk reminds us o' our darkness, and the blessed light whilk streams from a' around us.-ELSPIE.

The spirit in which our worthless servant receives mamma's lecture.-LUCINda B.

Those who won't understand a London fog.H. J. H.

A cat playing with a mouse.-FANNY.
The fat boy in "Pickwick."-ALFRED A,
Mental torpitude.-NELLIE.

A pin without a point.-ALPHA. Topsy's faculty for improvement under Miss Ophelia's tuition.-MARY D.

An author's idea of a publisher who rejects his manuscript.-R. L.

An uncultivated mind.-STEPHANIE. "You must be obtuse," said a maiden one dav: "You do not suppose that I meant to say 'Nay.' You must be stupid if you do not know That to say 'No' means 'yes;' and to say means 'no.""-JOKESPEARE. Those who cannot see the fun

'Yes'

Of my best and wittiest pun.-A. DE YOUNGE. One who is deaf to hints.-MABEL.

One who cannot perceive any charm in music.E. J. C.

TORTURE.

The feeling in the schoolboy's mind previous to being tanned.-J. G.

Nature's undeniable protest against untruthfulness.-W. Y. S.

The feeling that frequently springs from defeat in a noble object.-J. C.

An angel, whose mission sternly teaches that there is balm in Gilead.-PINK.

An anxious mind brooding on its own sad thoughts and fears.-J. T.

The arrows of an aroused conscience.-ELSPIE. Distrust to a noble mind.-LUCINDA B.

A rapid deux-temps in tight shoes.-H. J. H. The rack in the reign of James I.-NARCISSA. A young lady reading the marriage announcement of her old lover.-HECKMONDWIKE.

The tyrant's weapon.-NELLIE. Arriving at the railway station just in time to be too late.-ALPHA.

The Black Hole of Calcutta.-SELINA.
The fruition of despair.-G. M. F.G.

The self-imposed misery of keeping up appearances. MARY D.

The feelings of the mother when Solomon ordered the child to be divided to rove the maternity.-R. L.

A visit to your dentist.-STEPHANIE.
Where the shoe pinches.-EMMA B.
Discord to the lover of music.-E. J. C.
Bigotry's instrument of revenge.-LILY H.

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The charm of life.-C. S.

The definition of this it is useless to send,
As you find it each month in the Family Frien
JOKESPEARE.
The ingredients of a Christmas pudding.
EMMA B.

A provision for the restless curiosity of ma kiud.-LILY H.

WORDS FOR DEFINITION. ARDUOUS I EQUIVOCATION | METHOD

ANSWERS TO THE ENIGMAS, &c.

(On pp. 308, 309, 310.)

129.-Win-try. 130.-Mur-mur. 131.-T Times. 132.-Dent-if-rice. 133.–Cho-co134.-Earl, Ruse, Arm, Ale, Sea, James, Se Jam, Mule, Reel, Laura, Elm-Jerusale 135.-Starling.

136. a. A delineation of the world-Ma b. A rich and uncommon article of manufactu - OrmolU. c. One who calls things by the d. proper names-Nomenclato R. hose who we ought to love-Enemies. e. A personal pr noun-YE-Money; Purse. 137. Castor-oil.

138.-TOWNS IN IRELAND ENIGMATICALLY EXPRESSED.

a. Castle-bar. b Ant-rim. c. Ban-try. Black-rock. e. Down-patrick. f. New-ry q. Thomas-town. h. Dingle. i. West-port Mary-borough. k. Long-ford. Z. Wick-low.

139.-ACROSTIC.

a. LeccH. b. AsI(A). c. MattresS. d. Ari tocraT. e. (B) Ravo. f. TutɔR. g. Isl(s). NevA. i. EricssoN-Lumartine; Historian. 140.-TOWNS IN ENGLAND ENIGMATICALLY EXPRESSED.

a. Peel. b. Man-chester. c. Horn-castle. Apple-by. e. Peter-field. f. Rug-by. g. Wor ton. h. Wig-an. i. Stock-port. j. Chat-han k. Eve-sham.

141.-Stocks (in the last line referring to Join Stock Companies).

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LAID IN WOOD.-File the brass very clean with a smooth file; then take some tripoli powdered this a rubber of hat, with which polish the work very fine, and mix it with the linseed oil. Dip in

until the desired effect is obtained. If the work

THE EDITOR TO HIS FRIENDS. ADDRESS: 122, FLEET STREET, E.C., LONDON. PRESSURE of matter connected with the completion of our Volume compels us to postpone answers to several inquiries from our friends, which is ebony, or black rosewood, take some elder coal, otherwise would have been inserted in this num- powdered very fine, and apply it dry after you ber. We have made arrangements for all arrears have done with the tripoli, and it will produce a connected with our "Please Inform Me," in our superior polish. The French mode of ornamentnext, which, we beg leave to remind those who ing with brass, differs widely from ours; theirs have a practical interest in our welfare, is the being chiefly water-gilt (or-molu), excepting the first of a new volume, and therefore a good oppor-flutes of columns, &c., which are polished very high tunity for introducing our Magazine to the notice of other friends. Cases for binding the Volume, price 6d., can be obtained through any bookseller, or may be ordered direct from our Publishers.

FIRST CLASS.

Rosa F.-Alfred A.-Eliza.-Bouquet (we do not see that you are to blame; place yourself in the hands of a judicious friend).-Narcissa.Heckmondwyke.-Alpha (always correct).-B. G. Thompson (Certificate shall be forwarded).-A. de Younge.-Mistletoe.-Emma B.-Mary Anne.Abelard.-Funnyboy.-Happy Heart.-Confessor. -Gipsy King.-Rosa Matilda.-Number One. SECOND CLASS.

W. Garbutt, jun.-J. G. (chess at one time formed a feature of our Magazine; in our new and improved Series, no doubt we shall return to this interesting Pastime; yes, when Definitions are accepted you are entitled to the privileges of the Council; you have omitted the Solutions to your Enigmas).-Kate Leslie.-Jane Anne.-Mary 'S Nellie (you have acted well in sending; we cannot undertake the binding of your volume; order the case through your bookseller, and then hand over case and numbers to any binder in your neighbourhood).-Mabel. - Ella. Honest John. Robin Hood-A Brave Bɔy.—E. J. B.-M. C.-Oyster Catcher.-D. D.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED.

67. C.P.-RASPBERRY WINE.-Bruise the fruit to a mash, and strain it through a cloth; measure your juice; take an equal quantity of water, boil it, and when cold pour it on the dry fruit that you have strained; let it stand six hours, and then strain it, and add it to the juice; to every quart put rather more than half a pound of sugar; let it remain in an earthen steen, close covered for a week; then turn it into a clean cask; bung it up close for a month or more, and then bottle it off.

with rotten-stone, and finished with elder coal.

70. SIGHT-SEER.-COST OF THE MONUMENT AND FIFTY CHURCHES BUILT BY SIR CHRISTOPHER WREN.-The following amount of the expenses of the fifty churches and the Monument, built by Sir Christopher Wren, is memorable, and worthy of being recorded:St. Paul's Allhallows the Great.. Bread Street Lombard Street ....

,

........

St. Alban's, Wood Street
St. Anne and Agnes
St. Andrew's, Wardrobe
Holborn

St. Antholin's..
St. Austin's.

£736,752 0 3

5,641 9 9

3,348 7 2

8,058 15 6

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St. Benet, Grasschurch
Paul's Wharf
Fink

t. Bride's
St. Bartholomew's
Christ Church....
St. Clement, Eastcheap..
Danes

St. Dionis Back Church
St. George, Botolph Lane
St. Edmund the King.
St. James, Garlick Hill
Westminster

St. Lawrence, Jewry.
St. Michael, Basinghall..

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Royal...
Queenhithe
Wood Street

-, Crooked Lane
Cornhill

St. Martin, Ludgate.
St. Matthew, Friday Street......
St. Margaret Pattens

Lothbury

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St. Mary, Abchurch
Magdalen
Somerset
at Hill..
Aldermanbury
le Bow.
le Steeple
Magnus, London Bridge
St. Mildred, Bread Street.
Poultry..

68. NEW SUBSCRIBER.-To PLATE IRON.Iron may be plated by three different modes. First-By polishing the surface very clean and level with a burnisher; and afterwards by exposing it to a blueing heat, a leaf of silver is properly placed and carefully burnished down. This is repeated till a sufficient number of leaves is applied, to give the silver a proper body. Second-St. By the use of a solder: slips of thin solder are placed between the iron and silver, with a little flux, and secured together by binding-wire. It is then placed in a clear fire, and continued in it until the solder melts; when it is taken out, and, on cooling, is found to adhere firmly. Third-By tinning the iron first, and uniting the silver by the intermedia of slips of rolled tin, brought into fusion in a gentle heat.

69, H.V.-To POLISH BRASS ORNAMENTS IN

St. Nicholas Cole Abbey
St. Olave, Jewry.
St. Peter's, Cornhill
St. Swithin, Cannon Street
St. Stephen, Walbrook

Coleman Street
St. Vedast, Foster Lane
The Monument

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71. ONWARD.-DERBYSHIRE SPAR.-The orna- graved, and inscribed "Sack," was found in Old ments which are made of the Derbyshire Spar, Tabley Hall, Cheshire, and is a veritable specimen ought never to be washed with water, either with of the sort of vessel from which the topers of the or without soap. The best way of cleaning them "good old times" poured into their cups the is first to use a little spirit of turpentine, and then to polish with white wax melted in a little spirits of turpentine. In this way their beauty can be long preserved.

72. MARIA. THE FRENCH FLOWER VASES, blue and pearly white, cannot have their colour restored when once decayed, but by taking a little care the injury may be prevented. Flowers left to decay in unchanged water always leave proof of the neglect in a circle, partly of stains, partly of discharged colour, which marks the height of the putrid water, entirely destroying the beauty of these semi-transparent vases.

73. A FRIEND.-THE ELECTRICAL POWER OF THE TORPEDO is well known to those fishermen who are in the habit of catching them. As soon as it enters the net, the electric current is transmitted through the medium of communication, often producing a shock to the men sufficiently violent to compel them to let go the nets altogether, and thus lose the whole proceeds of their toil.

74. ROBINA.-WENHAM LAKE is situated eighteen miles from Boston, in the State of Massachusetts. It occupies a very elevated position, and lies embosomed in hills of majestic height, and bold, rugged character.

75. INQUIRER.-OLD ENGLISH SACK-POT.Sack was the national beverage of old England of the seventeenth century. The bottle here en

SACK
1659

drink with which they so loved to warm their heart-strings. It is of a dull-white, with blue letters, and it is in the possession of the Hon. Robert Curzon, jun., author of the interesting work on the Monasteries of the Levant. Two old English bottles of similar character, one lettered Sack, the other Claret, dated 1646, were sold at Strawberry Hill.

WE have reached another stage of our long existence. While here we pause to make preparations for a new journey, we confidently hope that in the one we have just accomplished our fellow-travellers have been refreshed by the mental streams from "the well of English, pure and undefiled," that we have procured for them; and that they have found in us an entertaining host. In taking a brief farewell of our subscribers and contributors, we beg to tender them, what we have often had so much occasion to do, our grateful thanks for their liberal support, and to assure them that we shall more and more exert ourselves to maintain our Magazine in the position it has so long held, as the first in Domestic Literature.

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H. TUCK, PRINTER, 16, AND 17, NEW TREET, CLOTH FAIR.

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