and a Terrier Doe associated with it. 183 



'6 



allowed to drop for it ; so that in about a fortnight it would 

 approach me when called, and take sugar or bread from my 

 hand. 



At this time I had a small white terrier dog, called Flora, 

 an excellent rat-killer, and of great courage, who was always 

 with me, and lay on the hearth-rug at my feet. When the 

 rat was first brought into the room in the cage, Flora was 

 very anxious to get at him ; but the first time I took the rat 

 in my hand, I called Flora, and introduced her to my new 

 acquaintance. With that sagacity for which the dog is cele- 

 brated, she immediately comprehended my meaning, and 

 never afterwards showed the slightest wish to assail the rat ; 

 on the contrary, they soon became very much attached ; and, 

 when any stranger came in, the rat put himself under her 

 protection, by going into a corner of the room, while Flora 

 stood sentry, growling and showing her teeth most furiously, 

 until satisfied that no injury was meditated against her fa- 

 vourite. 



A high wall surrounded my garden at the back of the 

 house. I frequently turned the rat and dog out to amuse 

 themselves, which they did by playing at hide and seek 

 amongst the flowers ; but, when my whistle was heard, they 

 each endeavoured to outstrip the other in the race to be first 

 to pay their respects to me. 



Scugg, the rat, as soon as I took my place at table, would 

 run up my leg, get on the table, and, if not vigilantly watched, 

 would carry off the sugar, pastry, or cheese, of which it 

 would nibble a little, and leave the rest to Flora; but if, 

 which was sometimes the case, Flora was hungry, and anxi- 

 ous to have the first bite, Scugg kept her in order by striking 

 her on the nose with his fore paw, which Flora never re- 

 sented, but would sit quietly looking on, until permitted to 

 take her share. They Japped milk out of the same saucer, 

 and Scugg slept between Flora's legs before the fire. The 

 rat did not, from the first, that I recollect, show any fear of 

 the dog ; which I account for by supposing that the novelty 

 of his situation made him desperate and insensible to fear. 



The presence of a stranger at the table did not prevent 

 him from foraging ; but he would not eat from any hand 

 except mine. He was very much attached to me, and would 

 lie for hours within my waistcoat, or, if I went out, in my 

 pocket. 



Many persons supposed that its colour protected it, and 

 that its being white was the cause of the dog not destroying 

 it; but, in November, 1824, another white rat was caught and 

 brought to me one evening, whilst Scugg was at liberty and 



