such efforts were productive of something even better and more beautiful than their immediate object; that whoever felt an interest and joy in Nature's beautiful works, such as they were well fitted to cherish and deepen, was not likely on that account to be the less pure and good; that such pursuits took the mind away from grosser thoughts, and occupied a spare hour profitably and pleasantly that might not be so well spent ; that flowers have hidden meanings for the eyes that can see them, and preach quiet revival sermons to the ears that can hear them ;-with many other remarks equally recondite, which were received with much applause, but which I need not inflict on the reader.

Innocent pleasures, it has been well remarked, are not only joys at the time, but pleasures in the recollection. The man shut up within city walls, and immersed in city pursuits, during the most part of the year, often recalls, at counting-house and desk, the jolly vacation rambles with some choice companions in days that are no more; and enjoys them, too, in memory, without the discomforts and annoyances that will sometimes occur in actual travelling, however pleasant

"Kind memory treasures up the scenes for weary heart and brain ; And thus, amid the city's dust, we tread the hills again."

So have I been present many a time and oft, in memory,

at the village flower-show; its fragrance lingers about me still, and scents, methinks, the musty parchments and prosaic legal documents wherein my ordinary vocations lie. And shall I own it, old fogey though I am, that the magic-lantern of memory also sometimes sends across the screen the figure of one of those fresh and lissome village maidens who were dressed out, like the flowers, in their best, and makes me feel how lonely is the life of an ancient bachelor, either in village or in city. For truly (although I have been jilted in my time) I do own that I have seen in no garden or show any flower that gives such beauty and fascination to a house as an accomplished, intelligent, and loving woman, particularly when she takes the shape of wife—

"A creature not too bright and good

For human nature's daily food;

For transient sorrows, simple wiles,

Praise, blame, love, kisses, tears, and smiles."

But I am drifting into a strain that only reminds me the more how much of life's best joys I have missed, and is little in keeping with the pleasing and refreshing memories of the village flower-show. The only unpleasant reminiscence, indeed, I can connect with it, arose from my dreaming, one night some time afterwards, that I had become transformed into a huge chicken;

that I was industriously scraping, in that capacity, among the doctor's leeks; that that enthusiastic horticulturist suddenly appeared on the scene; that, in my attempts to escape, I awoke, and, remembering the untimely fate of the other chicken, I was pleased to find that I had not been converted into soup.

105

MOST IMPORTANT NEW PROJECTS.

THE superabundance of capital in the country at present and the low rate of bank interest, have induced a host of professional philanthropists, who view this state of things with much concern, to devise means whereby this inconvenient plethora of wealth may be conveniently absorbed. With this object, numerous joint-stock projects have been launched on the public market, each possessing features peculiarly its own, and from many of which large returns may be expected-for a long time. The interest of the promoters of these institutions being a matter of the very highest principle, the shareholders have the satisfaction of knowing that their capital will be taken care of. While, however, such a multitude of companies (particularly limited) have been established recently, a number of publicspirited gentlemen, who take an interest in these matters, are satisfied that other fields equally profitable

still remain to be occupied by other enterprising associations, which will prove as remunerative as many of those already in existence. As their spokesman, they have asked me to lay before a discerning public the particulars of a few forthcoming new schemes, as to the necessity for which there can be no doubt, and which, it will be observed, possess very striking advantages and recommendations. When the proper amount of capital is subscribed (but not sooner), each company will be duly registered, "in terms of the Act."

First-THE SHETTLESTON BISCUIT COMPANY AND SCONE AND SNAP ASSOCIATION.-Looking to the rapid growth of the population, and to the fact that the great majority of people are born when they are young, and remain so for a considerable period thereafter, it is manifestly of much importance that the supply of biscuits, snaps, and scones should bear some proportion to the crying demands of the juvenile portion of the community. Now, there can be no doubt that the supply in many instances falls greatly short of the demand, especially among the children of the poorer classes; and the present company is determined, by the introduction of improved machinery, to make up the deficiency. In the immediate vicinity of the romantic village of Shettleston, so famed for its historical associations and otherwise, the promoters propose to establish