LETTER XLVII 



TO THE SAME 

 DEAR SIR, 



" Far from all resort of mirth 

 Save the cricket on the hearth." 



MILTON'S // Penseroso. 



SELBORNE. 



While many other insects must be sought after in fields 

 and woods, and waters, the gryllus domesticus, or house- 

 cricket, resides altogether within our dwellings, intrudind 

 itself upon our notice whether we will or no. This species 

 delights in new-built houses, being, like the spider, pleased 

 with the moisture of the walls ; and besides, the softness of 

 the mortar enables them to burrow and mine between the 

 joints of the bricks or stones, and to open communications 

 from one room to another. They are particularly fond of 

 kitchens and bakers' ovens, on account of their perpetual 

 warmth. 



Tender insects that live abroad either enjoy only the 

 short period of one summer, or else doze away the cold 

 uncomfortable months in profound slumbers ; but these, 

 residing as it were in a torrid zone, are always alert and 

 merry, a good Christmas fire is to them like the heats of 

 the dog-days. Though they are frequently heard by day, 

 yet is their natural time of motion only in the night. As 

 soon as it grows dusk, the chirping increases, and they 

 come running forth, and are from the size of a flea to that 

 of their full stature. As one should suppose, from the 

 burning atmosphere which they inhabit, they are a thirsty 

 race, and show a great propensity for liquids, being found 



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