ao THE HISTORY OF BEES. 
Of their Courage. 
. THEIR valour and magnanimity is equal to their loy- 
alty. 1 know no creatures that in refolution and cou- 
rage equal thefe. They are fo bold, daring and intrepid, 
that nothing can intimidate them: not an army in mar- 
tial order, with founding drums and trumpets, and roar 
ing cannon, thofe meflengers of death. Once engaged 
they fear no enemies ; they regard no perfon: nor will 
they ever yield, till difabled or aoheoyes they will con- 
quer or die. 
It is perfectly faiatitd to fee fo much refolution and 
courage in fuch little, contemptible infeats. They have 
fmall bodies, but great fpirits, and great wrath. ‘* Ex- 
** afperate them near their hives, in their bufieft time of 
** Jabour, and you may as well take a bear by the tooth, 
** or offer tobind a lion with a fingle thread or hair, as by © 
*© refiftance and oppofition to compofe and quiet them.” 
Should any man queftion the truth of this, he may 
quickly refolve the doubt, and too late repent his foolifh 
rafhne(s and prefumption. 
About twenty years ago a friend of mine, at a neigh- 
bouring village in this parifh, in the month of Fume, 
faw a {warm of Bees entering into an high afh-tree, 
which was hollow, growing in the common field near 
his houfe; no perfon laying any claim, or pretending 
any right to them, he was defirous to gain them for his 
own property, 
When 
