134 WASPS PAPER-MAKERS. 



" the g-ood old rule 



Sufficeth them ; the simple plan, 



That they should take who have the power, 



And they should keep who cati." — Wordsworth. 



To such lengths do they carry their contempt of 

 the law of the realm, that even the fear of incurring- 

 the pains and penalties of a violation of the Excise 

 laws does not prevent them from practising openly 

 as unlicensed paper-makers. Nay, my dear friend, 

 look not incredulous ; 



" Remember, I have done thee worthy service ; 

 Told thee no lies; made no mistakings ;" 



{Tempest, Act I. So. II.) 



and I repeat, that wasps are not only the most free, 

 but also the most ancient, workers of this commodit)' 

 in her Majesty's dominions. In fact, their nest is 

 composed of paper, and of paper most ingeniously 

 fabricated for the express purpose. With their strong 

 mandibles they tear small spUnters of wood from 

 posts, railings, &c., in this neighbourhood, and 

 they may at times be heard busy among the tall 

 reeds on the banks of the Lagan, cutting off por- 

 tions of the stems. The ligneous fibre thus ob- 

 tained, forms the raw material. It is reduced by 

 them to a pulp, and spread out, not so expedi- 

 tiously, but quite as effectually, as if our most im- 

 proved machinery had been employed in the operation. 

 The paper thus made is in this country of a greyish 



