The Rambles of a Rat

eathe in! I've been half stifled all the autumn with the heat, but

said a very dolorous voice in reply. I lifte

heads, very short tails, and whiskers uncommonly long. Their coats were black and tawny, but yellowish-white beneath. I heard subsequently that their race inhabit Siberia, Norway, and other co

and the reindeer moving lightly over them; while the rosy

ich made the door, we saw the tiny people, in their sheepskin doublets, sitting on their heels round the fire! I don't wonder that the Lapps lo

ourn your absence from your dear native land. But is it not better to meet misfortune with courage, and bear it with patience? You are yet left the socie

and garnished with plenty of whiskers; he had big eyes, and large, open, rounded ears. His back and head were of a reddish-brown colour, his cheeks red, his feet white, and he had three odd white spots on each side

freedom and everything else that he cares for! But here-why I have n

prise, thinking to myself that so peevish a

the earth, and enjoy a long nap all during the winter, shut up in my snug little home, I know what comfort is! There is nothing like lying some feet under the

here you are well

To my amazement and horror he blew out his cheeks till the size of his head and neck exceeded that of his body. He

ad an opportunity of filling my cheeks with grain. Man, stingy man, thinks it enough to give me a wretched pittance from day to day,-to me who have had a hundred poun

ppease him by a civil word, though I thought that thus puffed out

nts had quite silenced the gentler murmurs of the pretty little Lemmings, and had done

the cause of your bei

ted it,) "but I cannot bite when my cheeks are stuffed full of grain, which was the case when a German peasant sei

of rats, that I was glad to turn away from his cage; reflecting to mysel

Rat, a native of Canada. I saw within it a creature of the size of a small rabbit, quiet and staid in hi

the race of Mus?" I inquired, looking doubtingly

or Beaver race, and dignify me with a very long and learned-sounding name, Zibethicus. But I am quite content, for my part, to

my whiskers, "at this opportunity of payi

yself and my companions-the neat dome-shaped roof which covered it, formed of herbs and reeds cemented with clay. So prettily it was stuccoed within! A great deal of troub

family with the Musk Cavy, which I have heard of

on, "but we doubtless belong to the same race,

ening the door. I had barely time to hide myself under some straw, resolving no

n unfortunate ermine or sable. I saw gentlemen too, and I confess that a creeping uncomfortable feeling came over me when I looked at the hats which they had on their heads, the fine black gloss was so exceedingly like that of the coat which I wore. I have since learnt that my conje