LIFE OP THE RAT-CATCHER. 57 



it would be an easy matter at a grocer's shop 

 for a Rat to bite or scratch through the 

 package of a gross of matches and ignite them, 

 and the same cause may prove disastrous with 

 any other inflammable goods. 



Respecting the conveyance of live Rats, the 

 Rat-catcher should always be particular to 

 have good strong cages and bags, because if he 

 had a number of Rats in an unserviceable bag 

 which happened to break open at a railway 

 station or in the street, I think he could be 

 summoned for the damage the escaped Rats 

 might do. Still, I have not in my time had or 

 heard of a case of this sort. 



Speaking of bags, a good many people seem 

 to think that if a man puts his hand into a 

 bagful of Rats they will bite him, but I can 

 assure you that a child could do the same 

 thing and not be bitten. Should there be only 

 two or three in the bag, then they will bite, 

 but not in the event of there being a good 

 number. The same rule applies to Rats stored 

 in a cage, where there is open daylight if 

 there be 40 or 50 Rats together, it is then the 

 habit of the Rats for all to cling together, and 

 they will let you handle them anyway if only 

 you will have sufficient courage. 



It is very good sport for gentlemen who 

 want a good day's outing to go to farms when 



