of Leeds and its Vicinity, 395 



trial or aquatic, including what are generally denominated 

 vermin; so that whatever gains access to this city of refuge is 

 safe from harm ; for not only is security given, but it is the 

 constant care of the kind-hearted and worthy proprietor, 

 Charles Waterton, Esq., to provide for the comfort (so to 

 speak) of such of his cotenants of this earth as seek for shelter, 

 by offering every inducement for them to fix upon the situa- 

 tions most suitable for their wants, — such as promoting the 

 growth of ivy round the stems of large trees, fitting up hol- 

 low stumps with partitions and entrance-holes, and covering 

 up the top to prevent the ingress of rain, in erecting pieces of 

 masonry with holes of different dimensions to suit the various 

 requirements of such as seek its concealment and security. 

 Many interesting observations regarding the history of the in- 

 mates may be registered by such residences not otherwise easy 

 to be noted ; for instance, the number of mice, &c. destroyed 

 by a pair of Owls, either while rearing their young or in a 

 given time at any other period. Of these there are several 

 families in Walton Park. This could be ascertained by dis- 

 solving the rejected masses of indigestible substances which 

 contain the skeletons of their prey, and which may be readily 

 collected in their dwellings, each of which contains, upon an 

 average, the remains of six mice, shrews or campagnols, as I 

 found by examining a supply of such masses given me by 

 Mr. Waterton for that purpose. Walton Park is not merely 

 a retreat for such as seek it, but many a poor unfortunate 

 Hedgehog, &c. has been rescued by purchase from a cruel 

 death by its amiable owner, and turned loose to end its days 

 in peace. Indeed I know of no individual to whom the beau- 

 tiful lines of Goldsmith might be applied with greater pro- 

 priety than to him, who thus mercifully provides for the wants 

 of that portion of the Creator's works which receive little else 

 from mankind in general than persecution and abuse. 



** Here to the houseless child of want 

 My doors are open still. 

 « • * 



" No lambs that range the valley free 

 To slaughter I condemn : 

 Taught by that Power which pities me, 

 I learn to pity them." 



