tons of a kind of little fly； called an ephemera； whose successive generations； we were told； were bred and expired within the day。 I happened to see a living pany of them on a leaf； who appeared to be engaged in conversation。 You know I understand all the inferior animal tongues。 My too great application to the study of them is the best excuse I can give for the little progress I have made in your charming language。 I listened through curiosity to the discourse of these little creatures； but as they； in their national vivacity； spoke three or four together； I could make but little of their conversation。 I found； however； by some broken expressions that I heard now and then； they were disputing warmly on the merit of two foreign musicians； one a cousin； the other a moscheto； in which dispute they spent their time； seemingly as regardless of the shortness of life as if they had been sure of living a month。 Happy people！ Thought I： you are certainly under a wise； just； and mild government； since you have no public grievances to plain of； nor any subject of contention but the perfections and imperfections of foreign music。 I turned my head from them to an old gray…headed one； who was single on another leaf； and talking to himself。 Being amused with his soliloquy； I put it down in writing； in hopes it will likewise amuse her to whom I am so much indebted for the most pleasing of all amusements； her delicious pany and heavenly harmony。
“It was；” said he； “the opinion of learned philosophers of our race； who lived and flourished long before my time； that this vast world； the Moulin Joly； could not itself subsist more than eighteen hours； and I think there was some foundation for that opinion； since； by the apparent motion of the great luminary that gives life to al