The Sacred Beetle 



pers the heat of the sun and allows only a 

 moist and gentle warmth to penetrate; the 

 undisturbed quiet, the darkness, the Crickets' 

 concert overhead are all pleasant aids to di- 

 gestion. So complete has been the illusion 

 that I have caught myself listening at the 

 door, expecting to hear the revellers burst 

 into the famous snatch in Galatee:'^ 



Ah! qu'il est doux de tie rlen faire, 

 Quand tout s'agite autour de nous.^ 



Who would dare disturb the bliss of such 

 a banquet? But the desire for knowledge 

 is capable of all things; and I had the neces- 

 sary daring. I will set down here the re- 

 sult of my violation of the home. 



The ball by Itself fills almost the whole 

 room; the rich repast rises from floor to 

 ceiling. A narrow passage runs between 

 it and the walls. Here sit the banqueters, 

 two at most, very often only one, belly to 

 table, back to the wall. Once the seat is 

 chosen, no one stirs; all the vital forces are 

 absorbed by the digestive faculties. There 



1 A light opera, with music by Victor Masse and libretto 

 by Jules Barbier and Michel Carre (1852). — Translator's 

 Note. 



2 " Ah, how sweet is far niente, 



When round us throbs the busy world ! " 



37 



