256 HOUSE-CRICKETS. 



LETTEE LXXXIX. 



TO THE SAME. 



SELBORNE. 



" Far from all resort of mirth, 

 Save the cricket on the hearth." 



MILTON'S II Penseroso. 



DEAR SIR, "While many other insects must be sought after 

 in fields, and woods, and waters, the gryllus domesticus, or 

 house-cricket, resides altogether within our dwellings, intru- 

 ding itself upon our notice whether we will or no. This 

 species delights in new-built houses, being, like the spider, 

 pleased with the moisture of the walls ; and, besides, the 

 softness of the mortar enables them to burrow and mine 

 between the joints of the bricks or stones, and to open com- 

 munications from one room to another. They are particularly 

 fond of kitchens and bakers' ovens, on account of their 

 perpetual warmth. 



Tender insects that live abroad either enjoy only the short 

 period of one summer, or else doze away the cold uncomfort- 

 able months in profound slumbers ; but these, residing as it 

 were in a torrid zone, are always alert and merry ; a good 

 Christmas fire is to them like the heats of the dog-days. 

 Though they are frequently heard by day, yet is their natural 

 time of motion only in the night. As soon as it grows dusk, 

 the chirping increases, and they come running forth, and are 

 from the size of a flea to that of their full stature. As one 

 should suppose, from the burning atmosphere which they 

 inhabit, they are a thirsty race, and show a great propensity 

 for liquids, being found frequently drowned in pans of water, 

 milk, broth, or the like. Whatever is moist they affect ; 

 and, therefore, often gnaw holes in wet woollen stockings 

 and aprons that are hung to the fire ; they are the house- 

 wife's barometer, foretelling her when it will rain ; and are 

 prognostics, sometimes, she thinks, of ill or good luck ; of the 

 death of a near relation, or the approach of an absent lover. 

 By being the constant companions of her solitary hours, they 



