OF SELBORNE 245 



LETTER XLVII 



" Far from all resort of mirth 

 Save the cricket on the hearth." 



Milton's // Penseroso. 



Selborne. 

 Dear Sir, 



While many other insects must be sought after in fields 

 and woods, and waters, the gryllus domesticus, or house- 

 cricket, resides altogether within our dwellings, intruding 

 itself upon our notice whether we will or no. This 

 species delights in new-built houses, being, like the 

 spider, pleased with the moisture of the walls ; and 

 besides, the softness of the mortar enables them to 

 burrow and mine between the joints of the bricks or 

 stones, and to open communications from one room 

 to another. They are particularly fond of kitchens and 

 bakers' ovens, on account of their perpetual warmth. 



Tender insects that live abroad either enjoy only the 

 short period of one summer, or else doze away the cold 

 uncomfortable months in profound slumbers ; but these, 

 residing as it were in a torrid zone, are always alert and 

 merry : a good Christmas fire is to them like the heats 

 of the dog-days. Though they qre frequently heard by 

 day, yet is their natural time of motion only in the 

 night. As soon as it grows dusk, the chirping increases, 

 and they come running forth, and are from the size of a 

 flea to that of their full stature. As one should suppose, 

 from the burning atmosphere which they inhabit, they 

 are a thirsty race, and show a great propensity for liquids, 

 being found frequently drowned in pans of water, milk, 

 broth, or the like. Whatever is moist they affect ; and 

 therefore often gnaw holes in wet woollen stockings and 

 aprons that are hung to the fire : they are the housewife's 



