COMMON WEESEL. 423 



deal of finesse and cunning in order to compass 

 its ends, and seems to disobey certain prohibi- 

 tions merely through frolic. During all its ac- 

 tions it seems solicitous to divert and to be no- 

 ticed; looking, at every jump, and at every turn, in 

 order to see whether you observe it or no: and if 

 no notice be taken of its gambols, it ceases them 

 immediately, and betakes itself to sleep; and 

 even when most asleep, if you wake it, it instantly 

 resumes its gaiety, and frolics about in as sprightly 

 a manner as before. It never shews any ill-hu- 

 mour, unless when confined, or teized too much, 

 in which case it expresses its displeasure by a sort 

 of murmur, very different from that which it ut- 

 ters when pleased. In the midst of twenty people 

 this little animal distinguishes my voice, seeks 

 me out, and springs over every body to come at 

 me. His play with me is the most lively and ca- 

 ressing; with his two little paws he pats me on the 

 chin with an air and a manner expressive of de- 

 light: this, and a thousand other preferences, 

 shew that his attachment to me is real. When 

 he sees me dressed for going out, he will not leave 

 me, and it is not without some trouble that I can 

 disengage myself from him; he then hides him- 

 self behind a cabinet near the door, and jumps 

 upon me, as I pass, with so much celerity that I 

 frequently can scarce see him. 



" He seems to resemble a squirrel in vivacity, 

 agility, voice, and manner of murmuring. Dur- 

 ing the summer, he squeaks and runs about all 

 night long; but, since the commencement of the 



