

THE GNAT. A LIFE OF BUOYANCY. 



" En toutes saisons, danser c'est ma vie." 



THERE are certain temperaments which, hard as iron, are only 

 acted on precisely like that sturdy metal by atmospheric 

 changes. In dull, damp weather, they gather an additional 

 coat of rustiness or crustiness, while the finest and driest fails 

 to produce any visible effect upon their aspect or temper. 

 When, however, one grain of mental mercury enters into their 

 compound, our spirits cannot choose but rise at the exhila- 

 rating influence of a bright winter's morning. Besides the 

 effects, merely physical, of a clear bracing frost, the sunshine 



