The bold West Wind loved a crimson Rose. West winds do. This dainty secret he never had told. He thought she knew. But there were poppies to be caressed-- When he returned from his fickle quest, He found _his_ Rose on another's breast. Alas! Untrue! IDA MANSFIELD-WILSON. FEBRUARY 4. THE FIRST FLAG RAISING IN CALIFORNIA. In February, 1829 the ship Brookline of Boston arrived at San Diego. The mate, James P. Arthur, was left at Point Loma, with a small party to cure hides, while the vessel went up the coast. To attract passing ships Arthur and one of his men, Greene, concluded to make and raise a flag. This was done by using Greene's cotton shirt for the white and Arthur's woolen shirts for the red and blue. With patient effort they cut the stars and stripes with their knives, and sewed them together with sail needles. A small tree lashed to their hut made a flag-pole. A day or two later a schooner came in sight, and up went the flag. This was on Point Loma, on the same spot, possibly, hallowed by the graves of the seventy-five men who lost their lives in the Bennington explosion, July 21, 1905. MAJOR W.J. HANDY. FEBRUARY 5. Live for to-day--nor pause to fear Of what To-morrow's sun may bring! To-day has hours of hope and cheer. To-day your songs of joy should ring. The Yesterdays are dead and gone Adown the long, uneven way; But Hope is smiling with the dawn-- Live for To-day! * * * * * Live for To-day! He wins the crown Whose work stands but the crucial test! Who scales the heights through sneer and frown And gives unto the world his best. Bend to your task! The steep slopes climb, And Love's true light will lead the way To perfect peace in God's own time-- Live for To-day! E.A. BRININSTOOL FEBRUARY 6. It is a peculiar feature of our sailing that within a few hours we may change our climate. Cool, windy, moist, in the lower bays; and hot, calm, and quiet in the rivers, creeks, and sloughs. As you go to Napa, for instance, the wind gradually lightens as the bay is left, the air is balmier, and finally the yacht is left becalmed. We can, moreover, in two hours run from salt into fresh water. In spring the water is fresh down into Suisun Bay; and at Antioch, fresh water is the rule. The yachts frequently sail up there so that the barnacles will be killed by the fresh water. CHARLES G. YALE, in _The Californian._ FEBRUARY 7. Across San Pablo's heaving breast I see the home-lights gleam, As the sable garments of the night Drop down on vale and stream. * * * * * Hard by, yon vessel from the seas Her cargo homeward brings, And soon, like sea-bird on her nest, Will sleep with folded wings. The fisher's boat swings in the bay, From yonder point below, While ours is drifting with the tide, And rocking to and fro.