The Life of the Grasshopper 



Yes, the description is about right, though 

 it remains very inadequate and does not 

 bear the stamp of immortality. The 

 Cricket is still waiting for the few lines 

 needed to perpetuate his merits; and, since 

 La Fontaine neglected him, he will have to 

 go on waiting a long time. 



To me, as a naturalist, the outstanding 

 feature in the two fables — a feature which 

 I should find repeated elsewhere, beyond a 

 doubt, if my library were not reduced to a 

 small row of odd volumes on a deal shelf — 

 is the burrow on which the moral is founded. 

 Florian speaks of the snug retreat; the 

 other praises his lowly home. It is the 

 dwelling therefore that above all compels 

 attention, even that of the poet, who cares 

 little in general for realities. 



In this respect, indeed, the Cricket is ex- 

 traordinary. Of all our insects, he alone, on 

 attaining maturity, possesses a fixed abode, 

 the monument of his industry. During the 

 bad season of the year, most of the others 

 burrow or skulk in some temporary refuge, 

 a refuge obtained free of cost and abandoned 

 without regret. Several create marvels, with 

 a view to settling their family: cotton 

 satchels, baskets made of leaves, towers of 



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