Idle Days. 



135 



researches ; useless, I say, and take great delight in 

 saying it, for if there is anything one feels inclined 

 to abhor in this placid land, it is the doctrine that 

 all our investigations into nature are for some 

 benefit, present or future, to the human race. 



Night also brings supper, welcome to the hungry 

 man, and hours of basking in the genial light and 





Calodromas elegans. 



warmth of a wood fire, I on one side, and my 

 bachelor host on the other. The smoke curls up 

 from our silent lips, whilst idle reveries possess our 

 minds fit termination of a day spent as we have 

 spent it : for my host is also an idler, only a more 

 accomplished one than I can ever hope to be. 



We read little ; my companion has never learnt 



