•THE BEE-STING. 55 



bclieved, and perhaps with some truth, that the bees being 

 so intent upon removing with the queen to a new abode 

 forget to sting — it is not that they forget to use their 

 stings, but just before swarming they fill themselves with 

 food (honey), therefore they are peaceable. Just so in 

 respect to every operation performed by the skilful and 

 experienced bee-farmer upon his stocks : he first terrifies 

 them, then the after-work is easy. If, instead of first 

 smoking or terrifying them, the hive is suddenly turned up 

 to the light, the bees are so enraged and furious, that, if 

 they are afterwards conquered, it is at the sacrifice of 

 hundreds of the bees. 



Some few years ago, an old man — evidently very poor, 

 but one of that large class of persons who live on their 

 wits — visited the village on purpose apparently to benefit 

 the bee-keepers. He first made extensive inquiries from 

 everybody he could get into conversation with as to the 

 names of the bee-keepers, the number of hives to be found 

 in their gardens, their position in society — in fact, nothing 

 came amiss in the shape of information, then he laid his 

 plan so as to visit the whole on one day. 



He introduced himself as a well-known apiarian, but 

 now, through misfortune, considerably reduced in his cir- 

 cumstances ; then he told us of his wondrous success as a 

 British bee-farmer, having kept as many as fifty hives 

 at one time. Then he stated he had a secret how to 

 manage them, worth untold wealth ; and by its means the 

 most timid person could work them without fear of being 

 stung. This, of course, raised the curiosity of many, and 

 they were determined to acquire this secret of successful 

 management. 



To cut short our tale, he asked those who were reputed 

 -well-to-do half a guinea for his secret, but cottagers, or 

 farm-labourers, he only charged five shillings ; when he 

 had secured the money, then he, without a smile, told 



