OF SELBORNE 353 



by five in the morning ; and, traversing the garden, 

 examines every wicket and interstice in the fences, through 

 which he will escape if possible : and often has eluded the 

 care of the gardener, and wandered to some distant field. 

 The motives that impel him to undertake these rambles 

 seem to be of the amorous kind ; his fancy then becomes 

 intent on sexual attachments, which transport him beyond 

 his usual gravity, and induce him to forget for a time his 

 ordinary solemn deportment. 



