UNCLE IN ENGLAND. 253 



comfortable look ; and as it has two windows, 

 one to the south, and one to the west, we have 

 now the delightful warm sun shining in from ten 

 till past five. 



"This is really'a pretty spot even now, though 

 the ground is covered with snow. The river is 

 broad, and rushes by with great noise and rapi- 

 dity, carrying down lumps of ice from the lake ; 

 it winds beautifully, and the banks are fringed 

 with fine spreading cedars and lofty hemlock 

 pines. 



" We have been most prosperous in everything, 

 voyage, journey, and health ; and when I look 

 back and think of all we have gone through 

 since you and I parted, I cannot help feeling 

 surprise, mixed with gratitude, to that merciful 

 Being, who has watched over us and protected 

 us all/' 



16th.' I was talking to Mary after dinner, 

 about the ant and the little puceron, and prais- 

 ing their mutual good feeling; but she said 

 there were very few instances of such friendship 

 among insects, and a great many of their hosti- 

 lity to each other. She mentioned the following 

 fact, which will, I think, amuse Marianne. 



The piercc-boiSy or wood-boring bee, an inha- 

 bitant of warm countries, and distinguished by 

 her beautiful violet wings, is remarkable for 

 boring long cylindrical cells in decayed trees, or 



VOL. II. Z 



