43 » THE BUG. 



burning, It will feldom venture from its hiding place. 

 As foon, however, as darknefs promifes fecurity, it iffues 

 from every crevice, drops from the roof, or crawls from 

 behind the arras ; and unhappy ib the patient to whom 

 thefe creatures diredl their courfe. There are fome per- 

 fons whom they do not bite ; but fuch as are felecl;d for 

 their repaft are foon covered with wounds, which fwell 

 to a confiderable bulk, and are often painful. In vain the 

 fufFerer endeavours to relieve himfclf, or avenge his 

 wrongs, by killing fome or driving others away : famifh- 

 ed multitudes renew the attack, and occupy their place ; 

 while, in the meantime, the bed becomes infupportaole 

 by their naufeous fmell ; nothing remains for him, but 

 to make a timely retreat, otherwife he will be disfigured 

 and fwolen with their wounds, and fpend in relllefs agi- 

 tation thofe hours in which the weary are deilined to 

 rell, and even the wretched to forget cheir forrowb. 



The retreats of the houfe bug, in its wild Hate in the 

 fields, are unknown : About a century ago, it was fcarce- 

 ]y feen in Britain ; and happily for the inhabitants, it 

 jiiultiplies lefs in this country than ahnoft any part of 

 the continent. Throughout France, Italy, and Spain^ 

 the beds in mod of the inns fwarm with bugs ; and eveiy 

 piece of furniture feems to afford them a retreat. I'hey 

 acquire a greatti fize in proportion as the climate is 

 warmer j they are more adlive, and bite with a more 

 cruel appetite. There the weary traveller, who is fub- 

 je£l to be bitten, remains the whole night like a centiiicl 

 upon duty ; and, inftead of invitmg the approaches of 

 fleep, watches the atta«.ks of innumerable invaders, who 

 are ready to gorge themielves with his blood *. 



3 The 



» Goldfmith'* Nat. Hift. Vol. VII. p. 282, 



