THE MOUSE. 



How strange that any one should feel repugnance to 

 this delicate little creature ! Its natural timidity might 

 indeed plead for it ; not merely a glance at an object, 

 but even a slight sound will frequently cause its imme- 

 diate retreat. It is associated, however, in the mind 

 with domestic troublers ; and, in many cases, it would 

 be very difficult, or absolutely impossible, to awaken 

 another and a different state of feeling ; while the mouse 

 cannot be allowed to increase unmolested. 



In some cases it becomes formidable from its num- 

 bers. Mr. Jesse states, that a few years ago, some new 

 plantations were made, by order of the Crown, in Dean 

 Forest, Gloucestershire, and in the New Forest, Hamp- 

 shire. Soon afterwards there was so sudden and rapid 

 an increase of mice, as to threaten destruction to the 

 whole of the young plants. As the mice eat through 

 the roots of five-year old oaks and chestnuts, generally 

 below the surface of the ground, vast numbers of them 



