CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY. 185 



are some of my grievances ; but they sit very light on me in 

 comparison of what remains behind. Know then, tender- 

 hearted lady, that my greatest misfortune, and what I have 

 never divulged to any one before, is — the want of society of 

 my own kind. This reflection is always uppermost in my own 

 mind, but comes upon me with irresistible force every spring. 

 It was in the month of May last that I resolved to elope from 

 my place of confinement; for my fancy had represented to me 

 that probably many agreeable tortoises of both sexes might 

 inhabit the heights of Baker's Hill or the extensive plains of 

 the neighbouring meadow, both of which I could discern from 

 the terrass. One sunny morning, therefore, I watched my 

 opportunity, found the wicket open, eluded the vigilance of 

 Thomas Hoar, and escaped into the saint-foin, which began to 

 be in bloom, and thence into the beans. I was missing eight 

 days, wandering in this wilderness of sweets, and exploring 

 the meadow at times. But my pains were all to no purpose ; 

 I could find no society such as I wished and sought for. I 

 began to grow hungry, and to wish myself at home. I there- 

 fore came forth in sight, and surrendered myself up to Thomas, 

 who had been inconsolable in my absence. Thus, Madam, 

 have I given you a faithful account of my satisfactions and 

 sorrows, the latter of which are mostly uppermost. You are 

 a lady, I understand, of much sensibility. Let me, therefore, 

 make my case your own in the following manner ; and then 

 you will judge of my feelings. Suppose you were to be kid- 

 napped away to-morrow, in the bloom of your life, to a land 

 of Tortoises, and were never to see again for fifty years a 

 human face ! ! ! Think on this, dear lady, and pity 



Your sorrowful Reptile, 



TIMOTHY. 



