Final answer:
The Time Traveller is happy to find matches because they are a fundamental survival tool, offering security and the ability to make fire in an unfamiliar environment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Time Traveller in H.G. Wells' novel The Time Machine is happy to find matches because they represent a means of making fire, which is a basic human tool for survival, warmth, protection, and comfort. The possession of matches in an unknown time and place provides a sense of security and the ability to manipulate one's environment, which is critically important for the Time Traveller's survival and ability to explore. In science fiction, the concept of time machines often explores themes of preparedness and self-reliance in unfamiliar and challenging scenarios.