10 THE CKICKET, A PILFEREK. 



properly symbolic of that which must form the ground- work 

 of our book, matters of solid fact, mixed with and lightened 

 by the " yeast " of illustration, discursive and pictorial. As 

 for the "flesh" and "fat," the strongest fare on which the 

 Cricket delighteth to regale, may they not serve to typify 

 that principle of mental nourishment, of all the most vital, 

 afforded by the religious contemplation of all natural objects 

 endowed with life. 



The Cricket is the thirstiest of all thirsty creatures. He is 

 not therefore 



" the Hither for the drouth," 



for where no ampler supply of liquid is at hand, he is said 

 (heed it, ye careful house-wives ! ) to gnaw holes in wet woollen 

 stockings or flannel, hung by the fire to dry. Therein, also, 

 (though in more harmless fashion), we would make him our 

 representative, as, thirsting after knowledge of our subject, 

 we strive to extract from it, even when seemingly most arid, 

 a something of refreshing moisture. 



Lastly, in all his doings, our Cricket is, confessedly, a pil- 

 ferer, and taking, as we largely must, from stores collected 

 by the labours and observations of others, we shall herein, 

 also, resemble our prototype, except that we rob in open 

 daylight, and thankfully acknowledge what we appropriate. 

 There are yet other points of resemblance, more personal, be- 

 tween ourselves and the house Cricket. As with him, a warm 

 hearth in winter and a sunny bank in summer are the seats of 



