Life and Perambulations of a Mouse | Page 3

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This Etext prepared by Pat Pflieger [email protected]

THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE (1783-1784)
by Dorothy Kilner

INTRODUCTION
During a remarkably severe winter, when a prodigious fall of snow
confined everybody to their habitations, who were happy enough to
have one to shelter them from the inclemency of the season, and were
hot obliged by business to expose themselves to its rigour, I was on a
visit to Meadow Hall; where had assembled likewise a large party of
young folk, who all seemed, by their harmony and good humour, to
strive who should the most contribute to render pleasant that
confinement which we were all equally obliged to share. Nor were
those further advanced in life less anxious to contribute to the general
satisfaction and entertainment.
After the more serious employment of reading each morning was
concluded, we danced, we sung, we played at blind-man's-buff,
battledore and shuttlecock, and many other games equally diverting and
innocent; and when tired of them, drew our seats round the fire, while
each one in turn told some merry story to divert the company.
At last, after having related all that we could recollect worth reciting,
and being rather at a loss what to say next, a sprightly girl in company

proposed that every one should relate the history of their own lives;
'and it must be strange indeed,' added she, 'if that will not help us out of
this difficulty, and furnish conversation for some days longer; and by
that time, perhaps, the frost will break, the snow will melt, and set us
all at liberty. But let it break when it will, I make a law, that no one
shall go from Meadow Hall till they have told their own history: so take
notice, ladies and gentlemen, take notice, everybody, what you have to
trust to. And because,' continued she, 'I will not be unreasonable, and
require more from you than you can perform, I will give all you who
may perhaps have forgotten what passed so many years ago, at the
beginning of your lives, two days to recollect and digest your story; by
which time if you do not produce something pretty and entertaining, we
will never again admit you to dance or play among us.' All this she
spoke with so good-humoured a smile, that every one was delighted
with her, and promised to do their best to acquit themselves to her
satisfaction; whilst some (the length of whose lives had not rendered
them forgetful of the transactions which had passed) instantly began
their memoirs, as they called them: and really some related their
narratives with such spirit and ingenuity, that it quite distressed us older
ones, lest we should disgrace ourselves when it should fall to our turns
to hold forth. However, we were all