[5] Evelyn passed much of his time in planting; and his _Sylva, or a Discourse on Forest Trees_, is one of the most valuable works in the whole compass of English literature. He describes himself as "borne at _Wotton_, among the woods," situate about four miles from Dorking, in a fine valley leading to Leith Hill. In book iii. chap. 7, of his _Sylva_, he says, "To give an instance of what store of woods and timber of prodigious size were grown in our little county of Surrey, my own grandfather had standing at Wotton, and about that estate, timber that now were worth £100,000. Since of what was left my father (who was a great preserver of wood) there has been £30,000. worth of limber fallen by the axe, and the fury of the hurricane in 1703, by which upwards of 1,000 trees were blown down. Now, no more Wotton! stript and naked, and ashamed almost to own its name." The Wotton woods are still flourishing, and within the last fourteen years we have passed many delightful days beneath their shade. Many a time and often in our rambles have we met the venerated Sir Samuel Romilly in one of the most beautiful ridges of the park, called the _Deer-leap_, wooing Nature in her delightful solitudes of wood and glade. He resided at Leith Hill, and the distance thence to Wotton is but a short ride. * * * * * KITCHINERIANA. (_From the Housekeeper's Oracle, by the late Dr. Kitchiner_.) The Greek commanders at the siege of Troy, and who were likewise all royal sovereigns, never presumed to set before their guests any food but that cooked by their own hands. Achilles was famous for--broiling beefsteaks. * * * * * Instead of "Do let me send you some more of this mock turtle"--"Another patty"--"Sir, some of this trifle," "I must insist upon your trying this nice melon;" The language of _hospitality_ should rather run thus:--"Shall I send you a fit of the cholic, Sir?" "Pray let me have the pleasure of giving you a pain in your stomach." "Sir, let me help you to a little gentle bilious head-ache." "Ma'am, you surely cannot refuse a touch of inflammation in the bowels." If you feed on rich sauces, drink deep of strong wine, In the morn go to bed, and not till night dine; And the order of Nature thus turn topsy turvy! You'll quickly contract Palsy, jaundice, and scurvy!! * * * * * The man who makes an appointment with his stomach and does not keep it disappoints his _best friend_. * * * * * SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY * * * * * [Illustration: Swan River Settlement.] Copied from a handsome Chart, by permission of the publisher, Mr. Cross, 18, Holborn, opposite Furnivals' Inn. EMIGRATION.