Our large cities are enlarging their borders and daily becoming more crowded by the industrious and earnest pursuers of wealth; yet there are few in this eager crowd who are not looking forward to the happy time when the accumulations of skill and toil shall enable them to possess a home in the country, where they can enjoy their well earned treasures. The merchant, confined to his counting-room, his mind absorbed and wearied by business cares, longs ardently for the time when he can leave stocks and markets, to other and younger heads and hands, and breathe once more the pure air of the country, and drink again at the bubbling brook, as in earlier and happier days. This thought lightens his toils by day, and furnishes pleasant dreams by night. Even now, in imagination, he walks the green fields, climbs the hill-side, and reposes in shadowy groves, where gentle zephyrs cool his heated brow.

"Mid the crowds I need must linger,

Aye, and labor day by day; But I send my thoughts to wander,

And my fancies far away.

Little wot you, looking upward

At the smoke wreaths low'ring there, That my vision is not bounded

By this dull and murky air; That those thick; close streets and alleys

At my bidding vanish quite, And the meadows ope before me,

And the green hills crowned with light"

Many, impatient of delay, are possessing themselves of suburban residences, near enough to the city to allow them to attend in a measure to daily business. Here they can enjoy most of the pleasures of country life. Many more are compelled " 'mid the crowds" to "labor day by day" with little prospect of release; yet the imagin ation is free - hope is still in the ascendant; - there is an earnest waiting for the " good time coming".

All who are thus eagerly longing to enjoy the pleasures and endure the toils of a country life have not a very perfect idea of the former, and of the latter their notions are not more clear. Few who desire a country residence are prepared to enjoy a country home. If the relation of my experience in adapting myself to such a home, and in forming a place to meet somewhat my wants and wishes, shall be of service to the great army who have their faces set country-ward, my hopes will be realized.

It was on one of those very warm days common in August that I determined to commence life in the country. I was walking leisurely from my office, in the business part of one of our commercial cities, to my home in the upper part of the town. The stages rolled by, and as the drivers cast inviting glances toward me, I mentally discussed the advantages to be gained by the outlay of a six-pence in this way, and soon rejected the idea of packing myself into a crowded omnibus, as suffocation under such circumstances, on such an afternoon, seemed almost certain: so choosing the coolest side of the street, I summoned my flagging energies for the walk before me, comforting myself with the thought that of the two evils I was choosing the least. I fear my statement that it was a very warm day will give my readers who are so happy as to live in the country, surrounded by cool groves and rippling streams, and where the pure air sweeps unobstructed, but a faint idea of the state of the weather, or the amount of suffering necessary to drive me to the resolution to leave the city. For two weeks, each succeeding day had surpassed its predecessor, and the thermometer continued to rise, and the energies of the people to fall, until "every thing that had life" languished.

The usual health salutation was forgotten, and as friend met friend, " how hot!" was to be heard on every side. Man and beast suffered alike. The horse fell down before his load, to rise no more; the driver fell from his seat; and the laborer expired in the midst of his labors.

I had taken my family to the country a week previous, for a little relaxation, and although my children were blessed with tolerable good health, I became seriously alarmed when I contrasted their delicate complexions, - the white skin so transparent, the blue veins so visible, - with the rugged, vigorous appearance of their country cousins, whose every look and action spoke of overflowing health and happiness. After becoming familiar with the healthy faces of my friends, I did not feel very well satisfied on viewing my own countenance in the mirror, although in my more youthful days I had derived some satisfaction from this source.

On the previous day I had returned to the city, and enjoyed by the way, for the first time in many years a moon-light ride in the country. The cool breezes, the beautiful prospects, the illuminated sea of glass, as suddenly an opening through the trees, or a turn in the road gave a view of the river - all this may be felt but can not be described. Now, the streets seemed narrower and dirtier - the houses higher and morecompact - the air more impure and suffocating - the heat less endurable than before my visit to the country. The bill of mortality for the last week seemed more terrible than ever. The city seemed to me to be fast becoming the great slaughter-house for children. Women," weeping for their children, and would not be comforted because they were not".

My mind was busy with such reflections, and before I reached my home, I had resolved to seek a home among the green fields. I would no longer sacrifice health and comfort in the pursuit of wealth. " I am not rich," I said half-aloud, " but I have something, and with care, enough to make me a comfortable, tasteful home in the country".

OAKLAND HOME, As I FIRST SAW IT.