LXXXIX.] 



OF SELBORNE. 



One of these crickets, when confined in a paper cage and set 

 in the sun, and supplied with plants moistened with water, will 

 feed and thrive, and become so merry and loud as to be irksome 

 in the same room where a person is sitting : if the plants are 

 not wetted it will die. 



SELBORNB. 



LETTER LXXXIX. 



TO THE HONOURABLE DAJNES BARRINGTON. 



" Far from all resort of mirth 

 Save the cricket on the hearth." 



MILTON'S II Penseroso. 



WHILE many other insects must be sought after in fields, and 

 woods, and waters, the Gryllus domcsticus, or house-cricket, 

 resides altogether within our dwellings, intruding itself upon 

 our notice whether we will or no. This species delights in 

 new-built houses, being, like the spider, pleased with the 

 moisure of the walls ; and besides, the softness of the mortal- 

 enables them to burrow and mine between the joints of the 

 bricks or stones, and to open communications 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 dose 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, ranging 

 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 



