Crickets are fond of kitchens and bakers' ovens on account of their 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, ranging 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 frequently drowned in pans of water, milk, broth, and the like Whatever is moist they affect; and therefore often gnaw holes in wet woolen stockings and aprons that are hung to the fire.

中文翻译和词汇注释

屋内蟋蟀

蟋蟀喜欢厨房和面包房的烘箱间，因为那些地方暖和。生活于野外的脆弱的昆虫，或者仅能愉快地度过一个短暂的夏季， 或者在沉睡中度过寒冷难受的那几个月，然而这些生活在可以说是"热带"地方的虫儿，却始终是活跃而欢快的。对于它们，熊熊的圣诞节炉火好比是三伏天的暑热。虽然在白天可以经常听到它们的唧唧鸣声，但只有夜晚才是它们天然活动的时间。一到黄昏，不仅那鸣声更为嘹亮，而且它们都跳了出来，小的只有跳蚤那样大，大的可已长够了个头。它们生活于炎热的环境，人们可以猜想出它们是一种嗜水的昆虫，酷爱各种流质，因而常常溺死在有水的、有牛奶的、有汤汁之类的锅盘里。它们爱好潮湿的东西，因此常常把挂在炉边的湿羊毛袜或围裙咬出一个个窟窿。

吉尔伯特·怀特

(1)on account of：因为。

(2)abroad：户外。

(3)doze away： 用瞌睡来度过。doze在句中作及物动词，其宾语为months。

(4)as it were： 可以说是。作插入语。

(5)ranging from the size of a flea to that of their full stature： 大小都有，最小的只如跳蚤那般大，最大的则已完全长足。range：(在一定范围内)变化。

(6) show a great propensity for： 对……有很大的癖好。

(7)and the like： 等等，诸如此类。

(8)whatever is moist： 凡是潮湿的东西。 作affect的宾语。