Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1831-01-06
MEMOIRS OF A BUTTERFLY.
BY MISS JEwsBuRY.


ATS greatly WISE 70 talk with cur past hours'
The approach of autumn, and the conyic-
ton that shall not survive the first sharp
frost, would Till me with dismay did not
belong to the educated class OF butterflies
can submit TO the laws of nature, anu die;
cannot submit to die and leave no record of
my existence. put am not called to this tr-
&l; my friend, the gadfy, promises to take
Fcharge oil these memoirs who ompleted and
TO trumpet their praises throughout the in-
sect world. That world is Fastening to its
end; but, DOUBTLESS, the next generation, and
especially that of butterflies, will hold my
name IN estimation, shall certainly be re-
garded as their standard author -Unquestion-
ably ! should like to live to hear my own
praises, but one cannot have every thing, SO
l must be satisfied with deserving them, and
commence my history,
vi my infancy remember nothing, except,
indeed, that it was said, was remarkably
hne caterpiler; but my own recolections
begin at the moment when | burst from nay
cone, aud found myself butterfly! | belong
TO that spieuaId tribe called the Atalanta and :,
when IN my prime, was one of its chief or.
naments, my wings being glossy black, cdg-
ed with the richest carm,ne How well do
remember the morning of my first fight.
+ rom being shut up in dasky prison, sud
dehiy found myself at large, nutterng among
mowers that continually mistook for brother
blttefhies-the glorious sun shining in the
heavens without cloud--and thousands of
.nsects sporting, like myself, in his golden
beams! How many friendships did form
on that happy day How sweet were my
slambers, when at night folded my wings
IN rose that was sheltered from the dew by
81 hpa,. has IA
day il was evident that nature designed me
tor the poet OF my tribe: doubtless, .circum-
stances were h.shly favorable, but think
that must, eveR IN my caterper state, have
possessed The orgaHs OF fancy and magma
ton -
will now describe my way of lie. In
lew day, my rosc-tree became the resort of
selection from the most approved species
oi butterfly The swallow tailed, the pea
cock, the buck thorn, and the atalanta kind,
.ook The lead, on account of the splendor Of
their attire; the inferior orders were bowed
10 al distance, and Of course every insect
.ha' was not butterfly was regarded with
the utmost horror. The gadfiy. the wasp,
anu the pee. were exceptions, the first was
necessary as newSmonger, and as all three
carried stlngs, 1T was not safe to despise
tnem Every day the coterie on the rose
tree formed rarty of pleasure to visit diff
iefent spot oil the garden, which, as it be-
iohsed TO nobleman, aud being ext. eniely
retired, was most fitting residence for but
terhies OF fashion. Sometimes we danced
Soaafiles IN the air, then rested en- wood
oibe, and returned home in the cool of the
evening Sometimes we formed party for
conversation beneath the shade oil myr-
lie tree, at which times | was expected
10 iurnish sang or tale, invariably in
hoh'r OF some one belonging to our own be- !
u,y Occasionally, for the sake of the honey |
ne contributed. we invited an old bee to
Joia our pic Mas; but SO much did we fear
iiat he might presume upon the honor, and
Joln US when IT might be unpleasant to reeog-
hiZe him, that do not think We invited him
more than twice. This delightful kind OF life
lasted Tor about month; towards tie close
oil that PERIOD something like WEAKNESS stole
over US, pleasure was the sole object Of our
search, amt, having exhausted all we knew, |
the inquiry was, what should be done next? |
Labor was out OF the question; our high birth |
aud Iehaed habits equally forbade US to en-
loy vulgar excitement; we had therefore. no |
Resource butto quarrel amongst ourselves -
We did 30. Jeaiousies, rlyalries, and bick-
sflngs, now disturb tic tranquil rose tree. A