CHAP. XT.] EARMIISIG FOR LADIES. 303 



abroad upon the wing, they will assuredly 

 return to their original home. We, ourself, 

 indeed, many years ago, lost a considerable 

 number of young pigeons, which we incau- 

 tiously bought of a poulterer in Leadenhall 

 Market, for the purpose of stocking a dove- 

 cote at a farm in Surrey, about thirty miles 

 from London. They were sent down in a 

 closely covered cart ; kept for several days 

 within the cote, and fed upon all sorts of 

 dainties, until they were presumed to be 

 reconciled to the change ; yet no sooner 

 were they let out, than they, one and all, 

 flew off : no doubt to their breeder ; but the 

 poulterer either knew not, or would not tell his 

 residence ; and of the birds we heard no more. 

 They are gentle little creatures, of very en- 

 gaging manners, doing no mischief in a garden, 

 either by scratching it or eating the fruit, and 

 are models of mutual affection ; for when 

 paired, they pass the remainder of their harm- 

 less lives in aiding each other to bring up their 

 offspring. " Constancy" is, indeed, the prover- 

 bial motto of the dove : and, as Addison says — 



" Chaste are their instincts, faithful is their fire ; 

 No foreign beauty tempts to false desire." 



