Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-06-03


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A SWARM OF BEES SETTLE ON MANS
FAcE-A DANGEROUS STUATIoN.-A cores
pondent of the London Field gives the io-
lowing interesting narrative:
In Jnne, 1854 Mr. Simmonds Il farmer, re-
siding at Brooklands Farm, Weybrdge, was
dressing in order to attend the rent audit at
Woburn House Before putting on bis coat
he perceived from his window an unusually
large swarm Of bees, filling the air with their
cloud and noise 1t was. in tact, as he after
wards ascertained, two swarms that had come
out of two distinct hives, and had united in the
out his hat, to see where they would alight.-
The bees, after making some circles in the air,
led him of to the bank of the rlveI Wey.-
Thinking that the bees might cross the river,
and perhaps escape, he adopted a plan not un-
common with bee masters, namely, that OF
throwing dust into the air among the bees
This often makes them settle quickly. They
did settle quickly, and this more so than he
expected, for in short time the whole OF one
of the largest swarms he had ever Seen settled
upon his head, face and breast They hung
down in front like great beard to the bottom
of his wascoat Had he not been well accus-
toned to bees, and perfectly collected, his stu
alton would have been very dangerous one;
for had he at al irritated this mass of armed ln
sects, he would no doubt have received a suhl-
cient number OF stings to have placed his life III
peril.
He was obliged to close his eyes slowly and
to keen his mouth shut. Then, in order to
prevent their entering his nostrils, which they
endeavored to do, be slowly thrust one hand
through the mass and with his two iorehngers
managed to keep drawing and pushing them
away from his nostrils as they tried 10 enter,
he breathing all the whiic as softly as possible.
This was necessary, as bees arc generally irrl-
tated by being breathed upon. He then began
to consider what course he should take. lie
was some distance from his house, aud 10 one
near him or within call His first thought was
to walk slowly into the river Wey, and gently
sink his head under the water, and then throw
off the swarm But a moment consideration
dissuaded him from that attempted remedy
He could not have dlsengaged them all ior
many we're between his ncckcoth aud his skln'
and still more were crawling down his bacK'
He found that if he walked he could not help
disturbing the hanging mass and that every
and hiss from some thousands. He then re-
membered the account given in Ih0rley S work
on bees of swarm settling on the tace and
neck of a servant maid who escaped unhurt
bv the care and advice of her master, he, with
out irritating the swarm, having hlved IL from
off her with hive we'll smcared with honey.
To avoid agtating the swarm, Mr.. Sim
monds slowly knelt down on the grass and re-
manned perfectly still. He then found a num-
Der of bees were gathering IN a mass under the
waistband of his trousers in the hollow OF his
hack. to which spot the others were drawing,
Indicating that the queen was there. Fearing
therefore, that the tightness Of the walstband
rendered tighter whenever ne brcathed-
might crush, or, at any rate, lrrtate this part
of the swarm be slowly unbuttoned the front
of his trousers.
It is not easy to conceive more helpless
condition than that to which MIR. Simmonds
was now reduced. He that was the master Of
forty hives, from which he could usually levy
what spoils he pleased, killing his thousands
at his pleasure with birthstone match, was
now so completely in the power OF one detach-
ment of his own army, and was reduced to the
most suppliant position. Even to call for help
would bave been dangerous, as the bees near
his mouth would have been irrated, and would
have probably entered his mouth. At this
moment he heard railway train on the Chert-
sey Branch Railway, from which he was about
fifty yards. 1t fortunately happened that the
engine driver was known to him, and had
little commission from him to sound his rail
way whistle if be saw anything wrong among
his COWS and sheep.
The engine driver seeing Mr.. Simmonds on
his knees, with one ARA extended as if for
help, and something odd hanging from his face,
sounded his whistle. This was heard by MIR.
Simmonds' wife, who, supposing that some
COW was i'll, sent her son and farming man
out into the fields. They soon found Mr.. Sim
monds in the predcament above described. In
addition to the hanging mass. there was
cloud of bees still flying around him, so that to
approach him was not the most agreeable
Office However, they came near enough to
hear him speak, which he did very gently,
merely saying, Bring bushel hive, we'll
rubbed with honey, and some bricks.
While they were going at the top of their
sneed for this, be remained perfectly still.
The tickling of the bees feet on bis face was
almost unbearable, and the danger Of irritating
those that were down his neck and back was
imminent.
The most difficult part he had to perform,
however, was that before mentioned, OF dis
suading the bees With the end of his two tore
fingers, from getting up his nostrlls, These
DeeS were nOb III SOOu nQluOl, dS they H.ie
breathed upon, and also deferred FROM doing
as they pleased. and one bee showed his dis
pleasure by singing Mr.. Simmonds at the
fork Of his two fore-Gngers; this was not plea
SAINT of itself but it was serious occurrence,
as it might be the prelude to more extensive
attack.
He avoided making any start when he was
stune, and continued to push away as gently as
possible those that were near his nostrils.-
This was the only safe place to breathe from,
as it was necessary to keep his mouth perfectly
closed Of course, the few minutes that
elapsed before the return Of his son and the
servant seemed terribly long period to Mr..
Simmonds, and during the whole Of it he
remained as motionless as possible on his knees.
On their arrival, the hive was placed on
three bricks, with its mouth downward: aud
Mr. lf ct