VHAT I SA W IN AN ANTS NEST. 



AMONGST those spectacles and incidents in human existence 

 which remain fixed on the memory of the spectator from 

 their sad or unwonted nature, that of a panic-stricken crowd, 

 gathered by the report of some national disaster, stands 

 pre-eminent. Still more terrible in its details is the history 

 of some catastrophe which has laid a city in ruins and 

 wrought death and desolation to thousands of the inhabitants. 

 A deadly epidemic, or fatal plague, searing a nation with its 

 dread, mysterious power, is a calamity appalling enough ; 

 but the spectacle of a city overthrown at one fell swoop by 

 the earthquake shock, may perhaps rank foremost amongst 

 the untoward incidents which environ the sphere of man. A 

 certain event, occurring during a recent holiday by the sea, 

 tended forcibly to impress upon the mind that the great 

 catastrophes of life are not limited to humanity's special 

 sphere, and that in lower life panic and alarm seem to 

 exercise no small influence, as in man's estate ; whilst the 

 incident referred to also afforded food for reflection on 

 topics not far removed from some weighty matters in the 

 history of man's own nature and constitution. In this latter 

 view, it is especially hoped the observations of a brief period 

 of leisure-time may not be without their due meed of interest. 

 The chance removal, from its secure site, of a large stone 

 placed in close proximity to the sea-beach, where the bliss 

 of idleness was being fully exemplified by a small party of 

 holiday-makers, proved, on close examination, to be the 

 cause of a literal revolution in lower life. Imagine a city to 



