OPEN-AIR LIFE. 37 



New Year's Day I spent in mending my 

 piano, which had sustained a good deal of 

 damage during the voyage. I was horrified 

 when I unpacked it ; hardly a note would 

 sound ; and when I took it to pieces the inside 

 seemed full of loose bits and in a hopeless state 

 of confusion. However, a little glue, patience, 

 and cogitation soon put all to rights, and then 

 I only had to tune it. 



All these necessary duties took up a great 

 deal of valuable time, and more than a month 

 elapsed before I was able to begin my regular 

 occupation of collecting insects. 



I wish it was possible for me to describe the 

 charm of this wild, free life in the open air 

 (and there seems so much more air to breathe), 

 untrammelled by " society " forms or dress. It 

 is so delightful to wake in the early morning, 

 often before sunrise, throw open all doors and 

 windows, and drink in deep draughts of the cool 

 morning air, and listen to the singing aud twit- 

 tering of the numerous lovely little birds with 

 which this country abounds, whilst watching the 



