Life and Perambulations of a Mouse | Page 4

determined to produce something,
as our fair directress ordered. Accordingly, the next morning I took up
my pen, to endeavour to draw up some kind of a history, which might
satisfy my companions in confinement. I took up my pen, it is true, and
laid the paper before me; but not one word toward my appointed task
could I proceed. The various occurrences of my life were such as, far
from affording entertainment, would, I was certain, rather afflict; or,
perhaps, not interesting enough for that, only stupefy, and render them
more weary of the continuation of the frost than they were before I
began my narration. Thus circumstanced, therefore, although by myself,
I broke silence by exclaiming, 'What a task his this sweet girl imposed
upon me! One which I shall never be able to execute to my own
satisfaction or her amusement. The adventures of my life (though
deeply interesting to myself) will be insipid and unentertaining to
others, especially to my young hearers: I cannot, therefore, attempt
it.'--'Then write mine, which may be more diverting,' said a little
squeaking voice, which sounded as if close to me. I started with

surprise, not knowing any one to be near me; and looking round, could
discover no object from whom it could possibly proceed, when casting
my eyes upon the ground, in a little hole under the skirting-board, close
by the fire, I discovered thehead of a mouse peeping out. I arose with a
design to stop the hole with a cork, which happened to lie on the table
by me; and I was surprised to find that it did not run away, but suffered
me to advance quite close, and then only retreated a little into the hole,
saying in the same voice as before, 'Will you write my history?' You
may be sure that I was much surprised to be so addressed by such an
animal; but, ashamed of discovering any appearance of astonishment,
lest the mouse should suppose it had frightened me, I answered with
the utmost composure, that I would write it willingly if it would dictate
to me. 'Oh, that I will do,' replied the mouse, 'if you will not hurt
me.'--'Not for the world,' returned I; 'come, therefore, and sit upon my
table, that I may hear more distinctly what you have to relate.' It
instantly accepted my invitation, and with all the nimbleness of its
species, ran up the side of my chair, and jumped upon my table; when,
getting into a box of wafers, it began as follows.

But, before I proceed to relate my new little companion's history, I
must beg leave to assure my readers that, in earnest, I never heard a
mouse speak in all my life; and only wrote the following narrative as
being far more entertaining, and not less instructive, than my own life
would have been: and as it met with the high approbation of those for
whom it was written, I have sent it to Mr. Marshall, for him to publish
it, if he pleases, for the equal amusement of his little customers.


PART I.
Like all other newborn animals, whether of the human, or any other
species, I can not pretend to remember what passed during my infant
days. The first circumstance I can recollect was my mother's addressing

me and my three brothers, who all lay in the same nest, in the following
words:-'I have, my children, with the greatest difficulty, and at the
utmost hazard of my life, provided for you all to the present moment;
but the period is arrived, when I can no longer pursue that method:
snares and traps are everywhere set for me, nor shall I, without infinite
danger, be able to procure sustenance to support my own existence,
much less can I find sufficient for you all; and, indeed, with pleasure I
behold it as no longer necessary, since you are of age now to provide
and shift for yourselves; and I doubt not but your agility will enable
you to procure a very comfortable livelihood. Only let me give you this
one caution--never (whatever the temptation may be) appear often in
the same place; if you do, however you may flatter yourselves to the
contrary, you will certainly at last be destroyed.' So saying, she stroked
us all with her fore paw as a token of her affection, and then hurried
away, to conceal from us the emotions of her sorrow, at thus sending us
into the wide world.
She was no sooner gone, than the thought of being our own directors so
charmed our little hearts, that we presently forgot our grief at parting
from our kind parent; and, impatient to use our liberty, we all set
forward in search of some food,