INSULAR LIFE 77 



upon which grew the yellow iris, and some other 

 vegetation. In Lilliput it would have been termed 

 an island : so in truth it was. I know not how it 

 happened unless, indeed, that I was strictly en- 

 joined not to go near the water but I had a decided 

 propensity to establish my little person on this 

 insular spot. For some time I was either very good, 

 or very much afraid it matters not which and 

 the achievement was dubious. At length the demon 

 of temptation appeared in the form of a dragon-fly, 

 which, glancing from some branches that extended 

 across the stream a little above, danced up and 

 down in the air in all its gaudy trim, and at length 

 settled on an iris in this enchanted island. I stood 

 enraptured on the bank with my arms outstretched, 

 and my longing eyes fixed upon the beauty. It was 

 irresistible I could hold out no longer. So muster- 

 ing up my naughty courage, and letting myself 

 gently down the bank, I paddled through a little 

 shallow water, till I actually set foot safely on the 

 desired spot. Here I found that my love for the 

 libella was not mutual ; or, if it was, I may say, 



" Love, free as air, at sight of human ties 

 Spreads its light wings, and in a moment flies." 



Even so did the dragon-fly : he and my hopes 

 vanished at once. Nevertheless I showed a decided 

 taste for an insular life, and sat down watching the 

 trout rise on all sides, as happy as a king ; and I 

 might have remained there to this day, had not that 

 kill-joy Martha, who was blest with the care of me, 

 and from whom I had escaped in the morning, come 



