The Mosquito.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 266, 3 November 1874, Page 7

The Mosquito.

(Banbury News.)

■' I have chosen the mosquito as jblio subject of a few .remarks. The mosquito lias often chosen me as an object-of sundry attentions, which, though small'in themselves, go to makeup the sum total of existence. 'Our relations have been., most .intimate, so that I shall feel at liberty to criticise- them in the most familiar manner. . There is a diversity of opinion in regard to the mosquito,- He is held by many to be the foe of the human race-; others see in his lift and labours -fa oi ission- to. deyel i>p patience among men ; while some regard him as especially designed to assist vitality and assist , digestion in.the warblers of the sky—meaning | birds- which eat him. By reason of such diversity of-opinion, it will be seen that 'there is great difficulty in reaching a just estimate of his character. However, there are some facts which cannot he disputed. Whatever ..the general opinion, the mosquito possesses at least some traits which are worthy of admiration ;. for instances—the remarkable, degree of sclf-pos? session-which the mosquito at all times and under all circumstances displays,- is worthv of note and cannot bo too highly com mended —whatever tumult may bo around him, the mosquito remains calm- -if overcome by the fury of the moment you strike at hjm with a clenched hand, he will, calmly gaxe >t yon without exhibiving any s*guof *■ •'-• • •ju*wV , *-T'".' ~"i ~y. •*'• «

jthe society otanen. His nature Is essentially a frank, dashing way, which. breeds contempt. ' Tfie'rtiflKilTiW never waits for an tion. He will seize you by the hand or even salute your cheek on a very short acquaint* ance. He is persistent in his advances, and 'is not to be puf; offj,by cold,.looks or warm words. i ; , 3 /, i| t \ It may bo said that-tho tddsquitd. atic&eth closer than a brother. His enemies must concede him to be a fair foe. Ho comes to the conflict with a note of de(iaWe, which is more disheartening than a huge army. Like love the mosquito laughs at locksmiths —aud mosquito-bars. It is interesting to sit bj a| evening and' watch him. line is WTtmffXw6Hirael^ v pro3eedß for that window. When he arrives he begins to try the various avenues of approach with a view to affect an entrance. He goes to work in a way that sets the heart pit-a-pat, while under his scrutiny the efficacy of your double-power mosquito-deiier becomes a matter of gigantic interest. He diligently searcheth an aperture. He enters one of thooe "king, [bandy/-legs: of ..his, -and then tries,, to 'ioH&W it. IV ia only k-niattet <>f .time, if or ha has been known as a last resort to gnaw the cotton or file the copper-wire of opposing barriers tin prd,er to effect his nefarious design* LTfasin/jLe commits himself to downy He affects not to notice you. He appears to* be" makingfot~the-tither side-of the room. You k'nowbetter. You have been watching him narrowly.: You gently lift your left foot. You-quietly, remove the slipper therefrom, fhen ypu rustle your robes at him, much as yon would urge the course of a reluctant hen. He is driven to the wall. •Tlie jslipp"?? is raised and then—... *. .. 1 ' Drop thy mantle x 0, darkness! shroud over A field as red[as a field of clover!" "

Thus the tragedy closes." You-'look upon the" ruin youdiave wrought and soliloquist;: " Thou base ingrate.!, Is this the creatui-o £ot whom my blood was sheci ?". .Then..yoi}r attention is called 'to the fact that a dozen or so of the'red avengers are on your trade,;. . " , To give any fair idea of the powers of mosquitosr in the various sections of our land would be a task beyond the limits of this paper. "Stories of "tlfeir daring and lawlessness are so frequent and unanimous that any person claiming a reasonable amount of credence cannot but b« tilled with wonder and alarm. Allowance must be made for sonu exaggeration, truly ; but when we s:e, as I have frequently witnessed, a mosquito bend his bill almost double in the frantic attempt to pierce a double-sole and tap, we are forcoit to admit that, like man, the mosquito U fearfully and. wonderfully nude."