Chambers's Journal of Popular Literature, Science, and Art, Fifth Series, No. 112, Vol. III, February 20, 1886

In this lively Victorian issue, a thoughtful essay opens the discussion by turning the familiar proverb about habit onto the world of plants. The author shows how repeated patterns shape not only our own speech and writing, but also the growth habits of leaves, the sensitivity of stems, and even the hidden currents within cells. By comparing plant responses to touch and their ability to synthesize matter from air, water, and minerals, the piece invites listeners to reconsider the quiet intelligence that drives the green world.

The rest of the publication offers an eclectic mix for curious minds: sketches of colonial farm‑students learning their trades, a travelogue that follows a golden argosy across distant seas, and a witty look at investors navigating the stock exchange. A short dramatization of the legendary Lady Godiva adds a touch of legend, while occasional notes round out the experience with brief observations on art, science, and everyday life.