xiv A SHOET BIOGRAPHY OP 



shopkeeper's children. These matters displease me ; but there is 

 another that hurts my pride, I mean the contempt shown for 

 my understanding, which these " lords of the creation " are very 

 apt to discover, thinking that nobody knows anything but them- 

 selves. I heard my master say that he expected I should some 

 day tumble down the ha-ha ; whereas I would have him to know 

 that I can discover a precipice from the plain ground as well 

 as himself. Sometimes my master repeats with much seeming 

 triumph the following lines, which occasion a loud laugh : 



" Timotheus, placed on high 

 Amid the tuneful quire, 

 With flying fingers touch'd the lyre." 



For my part, I see no wit in the application, nor know whence 

 the verses are quoted ; perhaps from some prophet of his own, 

 who if he penned them for the sake of ridiculing tortoises, 

 bestowed his pains, I think, to poor purposes. These are some 

 of my grievances ; but they sit very light on me, in comparison 

 of what remains behind. 



Know then, tender-hearted lady, that my great misfortune, 

 and what I have never divulged to any one before, is the want of 

 society with my own kind. This reflection is always uppermost 

 in my mind, but comes upon me with irresistible force every 

 spring. It was in the month of May last that I resolved to 

 elope from my place of confinement ; for my fancy had repre- 

 sented to me that probably many agreeable tortoises, of both 

 sexes, might inhabit the heights of Baker's Hill, or the exten- 

 sive plains of the neighbouring meadow, both of which I could 

 discern from the terrace. One sunny morning I watched my 

 opportunity, found the wicket open, eluded the vigilance of the 

 gardener, and escaped into the sainfoin, which begun to be in 

 bloom, and thence into the beans. I was missing eight days, 

 wandering in this wilderness of sweets, and exploring the 

 meadow at times. But my pains were all to no purpose ; I could 

 find no society such as I sought for. I began to grow hungry, 

 and to wish myself at home. I therefore came forth in sight, 

 and surrendered myself up to Thomas, who had been incon- 

 solable in my absence. 



