xxvi LETTERS TO MARCO 173 



the ice floating down gradually in large 

 pieces. The jagged edges of solid ice along 

 the banks remained for a long time ; much 

 damage being here and there done when the 

 floods came and carried them off, tearing up 

 many willows and bushes to which they 

 were frozen. 



I have during the last year added to my 

 live stock, now having a duck and drake and 

 two pigs. The ducks are perhaps purely 

 ornamental, as I cannot succeed in rearing 

 any young ones ; but they have amused me 

 greatly. The first duck died soon after I 

 had her, leaving the drake disconsolate ; but 

 at last he consoled himself by forming a firm 

 attachment to my donkey, " Rosie " ; follow- 

 ing her about wherever she went continually, 

 sleeping beside her in the stable, feeding 

 close to her nose, lying down when she lay 

 down, getting up when she got up ; when 

 Rosie brayed the drake flapped his wings and 

 quacked. It was most curious, and showed 

 what craving there is for fellowship amongst 



