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 are 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 barometer, foretelling her when it will
rain; and are prognostic sometimes, she thinks, of in or good luck;
of the death of a near relation, or the approach of an absent lover.
Pages:
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383