206 MANAGEMENT IN SWARMING. 



being in the garden, offered her assistance to hold 

 the hive while I dislodged the bees. Having never 

 been acquainted with bees, she put a linen cloth over 

 'her head and shoulders to secure her from their 

 stings. A few of the bees fell into the hive, and 

 some upon the ground, but the main body upon the 

 cloth which covered her garments. I took the hive 

 out of her hands, when she cried out that the bees 

 were got under the covering, and were crowding up 

 towards her breast and face, which put her into a 

 trembling posture. When I perceived the veil was 

 of no farther service, she gave me leave to remove 

 it; this done, a most affecting spectacle presented 

 itself to the view of all the company, filling me with 

 the deepest distress and concern, as I thought myself 

 the unhappy instrument of drawing her into so im- 

 minent hazard of her life. Had she enraged them, 

 all resistance would have been vain, and nothing less 

 than her life would have atoned for the offence I 

 spared not to use all the arguments I could think of, 

 and used the most affectionate entreaties, begging 

 her with all the earnestness in my power to stand 

 her ground, and keep her present posture ; in order 

 to which I gave her encouragement to hope for a full 

 discharge from her disagreeable companions. I be- 

 gan to search among them for the Queen, they hav- 

 ing now got in a great body upon her breast, about 

 her neck, and up to her chin. I immediately seized 

 her, taking her from the crowd, with some of the 

 commons in company with her, and put them toge- 

 ther into the hive. Here I watched her for some 



