LETTER XLVII. 



To the same. 



SELBORNE. 



3IEAR SIR, 



" Far from all resort of mirth 

 Sam the cricket on the hearth." 



MILTON'S // Penseroso. 



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, intruding 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 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 doze away the cold uncom- 

 fortable 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, 



