HISTORY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 IFE AND ^LDYENTUI\ES 
 
 OF 
 
 A MOUSE. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 Printed by E. Mottram and Son, 3, Adelaide Place 
 London Bridge. 
 
 PRICE ONE PENNY. 
 
INSTEAD OF 
 
 A PREFACE. 
 
 The following little narrative arises from the circumstance 
 of a Mouse having taken up his abode at "The Monu- 
 ment/' and where he has been solitarily located for nearly 
 Two Years — and became latterly so tame as to suffer itself 
 to be handled, and to take food from a person's hand, 
 without showing fear or attempting to escape — and might 
 be seen sitting by the fire, or running about during the 
 greater part of the day. 
 
HISTORY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF A MOUSE. 
 
 Although I am not enabled to trace a long line of An- 
 cestry, or give even an account of my immediate Parents, 
 yet I have little doubt but they have figured on the stage 
 of life, and filled various offices of importance in their own 
 community, with considerable credit and ability. Nor have 
 I ever heard of any act of my progenitors which has raised 
 the blush of shame, or caused one to fear, in that respect, a 
 moment's uneasiness. My present purpose, however, is to 
 endeavour to give an able and faithful account of my own 
 history, and which I will relate with as much conciseness 
 as my chequered course of life will allow me to do ; and if 
 I should fail to raise the tear of pity, or draw forth commis- 
 seration for my hapless fate, I can only console myself, with 
 the knowledge that, from what I have heard and listened 
 to, even from the tongue of man, that greater privations 
 and misery than I have endured have failed to do so, even 
 
4 
 
 HISTORY OF THE LIFE AND 
 
 in the superior state in which he is placed above the rest of 
 creation. But I fear that moralising on a subject which 
 must naturally be above my comprehension will not become 
 me. I shall, therefore, hasten to the commencement of 
 my history, and trace the earliest period which recollection 
 enables me to do, as I had not the foresight, nor did I 
 think it necessary, to journalize the proceedings of my 
 youthful days; suffice it to be observed, that I found myself 
 ensconced within a very comfortable place, and which my 
 ancestors had previously occupied, and which no doubt 
 they expected their progeny would enjoy unmolested and 
 uncontrolled, as long as their generation existed. 
 
 It was in this domicile that I was first ushered into being, 
 and during a lengthened period, in which I brought up a 
 numerous family, I enjoyed every comfort which my state 
 of life required, without troubling myself by whose or by 
 what means I or my family, which rapidly increased, were 
 sustained ; we found plenty to satisfy every want, and, in- 
 dependent of those bickerings which unhappily take place 
 in almost every family, we could not have desired a more 
 comfortable abode, and although our fears were frequently 
 raised by the narrow escapes which many of our diminutive 
 race, and especially the juvenile branches of it, were sub- 
 ject to, from the occupiers which surrounded our domiciles, 
 and sundry other inmates which they allowed to dwell with 
 them, our delight was principally in recounting the hair- 
 
ADVENTURES OF A MOUSE. 
 
 5 
 
 breadth clangers we had escaped from, and the recital of 
 which caused our little bosoms to palpitate most violently, 
 as we often and often related in breathless anxiety, the perils 
 we had avoided, and the congratulations we received, as 
 well as paid to each other, on their happy result. There is, 
 however, a restless anxiety which is often experienced by 
 societies as well as individuals, and from which our own 
 was unhappily not exempt, and we frequently had it under 
 our serious consideration, whether it would not be advisable 
 to search for an abode which might be more free from dis- 
 quietudes than those we have already alluded to, and en- 
 able our little progeny to dwell with more safety, even 
 should it be with less comforts. These ideas had occupied 
 our thoughts and intentions for a considerable period, when 
 our prospects of emigration were suddenly stopped, by our 
 forcible ejectment, of our once happy home, and from infor- 
 mation we have since derived, we learn that similar ideas 
 had been entertained by those residents with whom we 
 were so long associated, and a sudden removal was about 
 to take place by those, who as the immortal bard states, 
 will not bear, 
 
 " The ills they know- 
 But fly to others they know not of." 
 
 I must therefore briefly state that on a very cold day in 
 the month of December, which I conjectured to be about the 
 period, from sundry additional preparations which had been 
 
6 
 
 HISTORY OF THE LIFE AND 
 
 making, and which in our turn we had the good fortune to 
 make free with, and from the frequent shoutings we heard 
 around us, from other inmates which had just arrived from 
 a place of confinement, and the word " School" being con- 
 stantly repeated, we supposed must be the place meant, and 
 that " Christmas came but once a year," and the enjoyment 
 and pleasure they should have on that day, made me 
 suppose that must be the period, when I was ejected in my 
 own domicile (a large Chest of Drawers), and placed for 
 further removal against a huge building of which I shall 
 have to give further particulars in a future chapter ; how it 
 was, or where it was, that I became separated from all the 
 rest of my Family I know not. whether I had partaken too 
 freely of the good things above spoken of, whether in the 
 quiet enjoyment of slumber, or from what other cause I am 
 not aware, here I was placed— a solitary being ! a Robinson 
 Crusoe! or an Alexander Selkirk ! without one counsellor to 
 advise, or a companion of whom I might take sweet council- 
 Feeling however the perilous situation in which I stood, I 
 determined to leave my once happy dormitory and brave 
 the only chances which were now left to me; scarcely how- 
 ever had I adopted this resolution and left my hiding place, 
 when I was alarmed by an innumerable host of voices, ex- 
 claiming u a Mouse! a Mouse! just run from those here 
 drawers, and is somewhere about," — think therefore of my 
 agitation, and place yourself if possible in a similar case r 
 
ADVENTURES OF A MOUSE. 
 
 7 
 
 and you will be better able to judge of the throes, the fears, 
 the dread I experienced, lest I should be discovered before 
 I could find a place of safety ; fortunately, however, I 
 escaped their anxious search, and in the shades of evening 
 I crept under the door of an immense Building which I 
 found to be after making it my abiding place for a con- 
 siderable time, 
 
 « THE CELEBRATED MONUMENT OF LONDON." 
 I had no sooner learnt the name of my new domicile, than 
 the word " London? was so associated with that of "Whit- 
 tington " (its thrice famed Mayor) and his renowned Cat, 
 that I had strong misgivings whether it might not be one of 
 his residences, and that I might fall a sacrifice to the well- 
 known antipathy of the latter to all my species — often 
 did the instructions which were instilled into me in my 
 juvenile, but thoughtless hours, that the utmost care and 
 vigilance was necessary to be exercised against such bitter 
 foes, and when I recalled these warnings to my memory, I 
 felt a dread of fear and trembling words cannot express, and 
 which embittered many a moment which would otherwise 
 have passed in tranquility. It is from this wonderful and 
 extraordinary place, that I intend to continue my history, 
 which my want of materials only will prevent my making 
 as perfect as I could wish, yet I trust, I shall so far render 
 it worthy of notice that a lesson may be gleaned, even from 
 a humble being like myself, that hospitality and kindness 
 
8 
 
 HISTORY OF THE LIFE AND 
 
 will engender feelings which if more extensively exercised 
 would be a mutual benefit to creation in general. 
 
 My first ideas on finding shelter within this abode, were 
 like those of my Prototypes whom I have already noticed, 
 and consider how I should find sustenance and means of 
 support within a building that was not devoted to gastro- 
 noma. This, however, I happily found, for although I 
 was a solitary creature as far as my own species existed, I 
 found companions in two or three beings who had long 
 been domiciled at this place, and who, although confined 
 within their wiry homes, cheered me with their tuneful 
 notes expressive of joy and pleasure ; would that I could 
 truthfully relate the sensations which filled my throbbing 
 breast, when I surveyed my solitary abode, my separation 
 from those who had been my joy and comfort, my despair 
 at never seeing, or hearing of them' again, my dear mate 
 and my little ones, whom I had carefully instructed to get 
 their living in the best, as well as the easiest way they 
 could, and the recollection of all those delightful feelings 
 which make home so happy, so revered, these came over 
 my thoughts so frequently, so sad, that I felt as if nature 
 itself would give way to emotions which it was not in my 
 power to suppress, and I even thought what must likewise 
 be the feelings of those who were so suddenly and so forcibly 
 parted from me. Similar feelings of distress doubtless 
 actuated them, when they reflected the separation was 
 
ADVENTURES OF A MOUSE. 
 
 9 
 
 possibly for ever. It was necessary, however, those 
 feelings should be restrained within proper bounds, and 
 as my future life depended on my own exertions, it became 
 necessary I should consider the best mode of acting under 
 the circumstances where chance had placed me. And I 
 found even within these bare walls a sufficiency of food for 
 my daily support. It was some months before I ventured 
 to expose myself, and it was only in the night season I could 
 take my solitary ramble. My chief amusement to this period 
 was in hearing and paying attention to remarks made by 
 those who visited this noble Column ; often have they been 
 made in language or jargon that I could not comprehend, 
 but I remember that on one occasion, an Hibernian I 
 think they called him, as he came from that land 
 
 ™ great, glorious, and free, 
 
 First flower of the earth, and first gem of the sea." 
 
 on leaving the place remarked that he had hitherto thought 
 sweet Dublin was the finest City in the world ! but faith, 
 now he saw that Dublin might be cut out of London with- 
 out being missed at all at all ! On another occasion, two 
 young persons of the softer sex (from the Country) inquired 
 whether the Building they were in was not " Saint PaitVs 
 on another occasion, I heard the keeper asked whether it 
 was not St* Saviour s C/i?/rc/i, as they had to meet a party 
 there, and they understood it was near "London Bridge" 
 These and other instances of elementary knowledge (or 
 
10 
 
 HISTORY OF THE LIFE AND 
 
 rather the want of it) have come within my own knowledge, 
 and which I could multiply "ad infinitum"— I merely 
 mention these circumstances that it may be understood I 
 have been an attentive observer of various things, and wish 
 to make my history as complete as possible, though I am 
 well aware it must be sadly deficient in these days when 
 Education is travelling by such rapid strides, that words, 
 sentences, and almost histories, can be heard from one end 
 of the land to the other quicker almost than thought, and 
 which in course of time it will doubtless supersede. These 
 few digressions will, I hope, be pardoned, whilst I recruit 
 my memory in continuation of my memoirs. The lessons 
 of adversity I had already experienced made mc more soli- 
 citous respecting the future ; time, however, as it flowed 
 onwards lessened the poignancy of my past feelings, and I 
 began to feel myself quite renovated in my new abode ; 
 here I found myself free from molestation, and in a short 
 time free from fear. I began to mix in society, and to show 
 myself amongst those who began to notice and caress me, 
 and who took care to supply my little wants with every 
 necessary I required ; this of course called forth my grati- 
 tude, and I experienced a pleasure my pen cannot faithfully 
 describe in associating, without fear, with beings whom I 
 had previously been taught to dread as my bitterest foes, and 
 made me consider, how much evil might be avoided, and 
 how much unhappiness might be spared if those we looked 
 
ADVENTURES OF A MOUSE. 
 
 II 
 
 upon as enemies we would cousider in a different light, 
 and how often the hand of friendship might be extended, 
 and harmony exist, where animosity only prevailed before. 
 
 I must now record a circumstance or two which caused 
 me the most dreadful alarm, and which brings the most 
 painful feelings to my recollection. One morning, during 
 the temporary absence of its owner, a strange animal — a 
 determined enemy to my own species particularly, and 
 sometimes called " Grimalkin " — took advantage of the 
 opportunity, and, shocking to relate, flew with a ferocity 
 incapable of explanation to one of my now loved com- 
 panions, and with a malignity I cannot describe, seized the 
 little innocent victim with its terrible claws, and in almost 
 an instant, drew it from its wiry abode, and, with the 
 rapidity of thought, devoured every atom of it. I shudder 
 now as I think of its unhappy fate, and consider how for- 
 tunate it was for myself, that I had escaped so sudden, so 
 dreadful an end. This melancholy circumstance operated 
 much on my harrowed feelings for a considerable period, 
 and made me of course more cautions than I might other- 
 wise be ; it often recurs to my thoughts, and I mourned as 
 for a long lost beloved friend. Another event likewise 
 occurred, which placed my own life in imminent peril, and 
 this was caused by an entire act of carelessness. A 
 visitor to this place (and which I am now quite accustomed 
 to see without fear) threw down on the spot where I was 
 
12 
 
 HISTORY OF THE LIFE AND 
 
 enjoying sweet repose by the side of the fire, a burning 
 material he had been using, and it fell immediately on me ; 
 the alarm it caused me was indescribable, for in a moment 
 the little bed which had been so kindly provided for me, 
 and which consisted of a warm, soft substance, instantly took 
 fire, and I was enveloped in flames — luckily, I escaped 
 with a burn only on my back, and the total loss of what in 
 former times were denominated whiskers, but in these 
 days of refinement Moustache. I cannot, of course, attempt 
 to describe the agony of thought which perplexes me when 
 I consider the danger I had escaped; the fumes arising 
 from the burning substance which fell on me were most 
 nauseous, and I cannot but reflect how serious a matter it 
 is, and how many similar accidents may occur, and doubt- 
 less they often do, from acts of carelessness arising from a 
 practice which I learnt with regret from the frequent re- 
 marks made on it, disagreeable and expensive as it is, is 
 still rapidly extending, and that even the youthful progeny 
 of the present day is not exempted from its wide-spreading 
 contagion. These remarks will, I hope, have their good 
 effect — my object in mentioning them is to guard against a 
 recurrence of accident such as has been narrated, the domi- 
 cile I fortunately was in was such as defied the possibility 
 of Fire, though its origin and completion was solely caused 
 by it ! 
 
 I have now taken a short review of my little history, and 
 
ADVENTURES OF A MOUSE. 
 
 13 
 
 if it should afford the smallest portion of gratification or 
 amusement to any one who may favour it by a perusal, I 
 shall feel a pleasure I cannot well describe, and I shall feel 
 equal pleasure in seeing any of my kind friends, who will 
 favour me with a call personally at my present residence, 
 and where they may learn and be convinced that my history 
 is not one of romance, but a true and faithful one, and it 
 is not improbable that if my history, imperfect as it is, 
 may be favourably received, I may be induced to re-examine 
 it, and publish it with additions, if not with corrections — 
 and though I do not expect a throng of visitors equal to 
 those who honour Madame Tussaud with a call, or the 
 number who attended the frequent levees of General Ton 
 Thumbs or the more recent attraction which caused crowds 
 to assemble in thousands to hear the dulcet notes of a 
 Jenny Lind, and which have been eclipsed only in fame by 
 the delightful, wonderful, and melodious warblings of one 
 of my own species, which caused at that period a sensation 
 which, though it is not in my power to give a faithful 
 account of, I have heard, in my parental circle, of the mul- 
 titudes that assembled to convince themselves it was really 
 the Singing Mouse I This, however, I can assure them, 
 that in point of grandeur or sublimity of views, whether 
 from the vastness or variety of their extent, or the un- 
 equalled splendour which surround them, I can promise 
 them they will be amply gratified by surveying the abode 
 
14 HISTORY OF THE LIFE, &C. 
 
 and examining the proud domain in which I consider it 
 now as my good fortune to have adopted as my domicile. 
 Remember, it was the unwearied exertions of a mouse that 
 released the noble Lion from the Net which entangled him; 
 this has been recorded by " DilwortJi" an authority which 
 in my youthful days was looked up to with veneration and 
 respect — do not, therefore, despise the invitation so friendly 
 given, though offered by so insignificant an animal as 
 
 A MOUSE. 
 
 Dated from 
 
 ' ' The Monument^ this 5th day of November, 1847. 
 
 The forgoing memoirs were scarcely recorded, or the pen 
 dry with which they were indited, when the poor little 
 object of them ceased to exist, and it is rather singular that 
 its decease should have occurred on the anniversary of the 
 day in which the Successor oi the Great W lu : ti %ii gi 'on, whom 
 he so pointedly alludes to in his memoirs, should be in- 
 stalled into the high and dignified Office of "Lord Mayor 
 of London " There is little doubt but the death of the 
 poor little anamal arose from one of the circumstances he 
 has so pathetically related, of a piece of burning cigar being 
 thrown upon him, a few days previously, by accident, and 
 from the effects of which its premature loss may be attri- 
 buted. 
 
 Dated again from the "Monument of London" 
 
 this Eighth day of November, in the year 1S47. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
THE MONUMENT OF LONDON. 
 
 t 
 
 %\t Jjaxixs of Qmt&fflm 
 
 ARE 
 
 From EIGHT o'clock in the Morning till SUN-SET 
 DAIL Y ( Sundays excepted ). 
 
 Admittance — Threepence each Person. 
 
 I 578