THE SQUIRREL. 79 



The squirrel, it appears, may be rendered very fami- 

 liar. A gentleman procured a common squirrel from a 

 nest, reared it, and rendered it very tame. It was kept 

 in a box nailed against the wall, about six feet from the 

 floor, wired in front, and having a small round aperture 

 at one end, to allow the animal to enter. Below this, 

 a rope was suspended to the end of the box, which 

 touched the ground, and by it the squirrel ascended 

 and descended to its abode. 



It became extremely playful, familiar with every 

 one of the family, but especially attached to its master, 

 who generally carried it about with him in his coat 

 pocket, that on the right being made purposely on the 

 outside. It used to watch very narrowly all its master's 

 movements ; and whenever he was preparing to leave 

 home, it ran up his legs, and entered his pocket, from 

 whence it would peep at passengers as he walked along 

 the streets ; but it did not venture to get out. Yet no 

 sooner did he reach the outskirts of the city, than the 

 squirrel leaped on the ground, ran along the road, 

 climbed to the tops of trees with great rapidity, and 

 nibbled at the leaves and bark ; and if he walked on, 

 it would descend, scamper after him, and again enter 

 his pocket. In this manner, it would amuse itself 

 during walks of miles, which its master frequently took. 



