14 



and saved himself. A screech-owl flew on board 

 this morning : I am sure we have no need of birds 

 of ill omen ; I could supply the place of a whole 

 aviary of them myself. 



November 28. 



Reading Don Quixote this morning, I was 

 greatly pleased with an instance of the hero's po- 

 liteness, which had never struck me before. The 

 Princess Micomicona having fallen into a most 

 egregious blunder, he never so much as hints a 

 suspicion of her not having acted precisely as she 

 has stated, but only begs to know her reasons for 

 taking a step so extraordinary. " But pray, ma- 

 dam, 5 ' says he, " why did your ladyship land at 

 Ossuna, seeing that it is not a seaport town ?" 



I was also much charmed with an instance of 

 conjugal affection, in the same work. Sancho being 

 just returned home, after a long absence, the first 

 thing which his wife, Teresa, asks about, is the 

 welfare of the ass. " I have brought him back," 

 answers Sancho, " and in much better health and 

 condition than I am in myself." " The Lord be 

 praised," said Teresa, " for this his great mercy to 

 me ! " 



November 29. 

 The wind continues contrary, and the weather 

 is as disagreeable and perverse as it can well be ; 

 indeed, I understand that in these latitudes 

 nothing can be expected but heavy gales or dead 



