THE BABBIT. 



ehoiild always be open at other times, and the covering-screen 

 kept on constantly, unless some operation be going on." 



That the wild rabbit — at least, if taken in hand when veiy 

 young — is capable of speedy domestication, is proved in a pa- 

 thetic story sent by a lady to Mr. Jesse. " One evening last 

 spring my dog barked at something behind a flower-pot that 

 stood in the door-porch. I thought a toad was there, but it 

 proved to be a very young rabbit— a wUd one. The poor thing 

 was in a state of great exhaustion, as if it had been chased 

 and had been a long while without food. It was quiet in the 

 hand, and allowed a little warm milk to be put into its mouth. 

 Upon being wrapped in flannel and placed in a basket by the 

 fire it soon went to sleep. When it awoke more milk was 

 offered in a small spoon, which this time was sucked with right 

 good-will ; and the Uttle creature continued to take the milk 

 in this way for several days until strong enough to help itself 

 out of a cup. It appeared to become tame immediately, soon 

 learnt its name, and I never saw a happier or a merrier pet. 

 Its gambols on the carpet were full of fun. When tired with 

 play, it would feed on the green food and nice bits placed 

 there for it, and when satisfied it used to climb up the skirt of 

 the di-ess, nestle in the lap or under the arm, and go to sleep. 

 If this indulgence could not be permitted, then Bunny (as we 

 called it) would spring into my work-basket, and take a nap 

 there. At midday it liked to sit in the sun on the window- 

 seat, then it would clean its far and long ears, each being 

 separately drawn down and held by one foot while brushed by 

 the other. This duty performed, it would stretch at f dl length, 

 and, basking in the sun, fall asleep. Strange to tell, all this 

 was going on with the dog in the room, who had been made 

 to understand that the rabbit was not to be touched. Stranger 

 still, the rabbit ceased to show any fear of the dog, but, on the 

 contrary, delighted in jumping on the dog's back, and running 

 after its tail. These Uberties, however, were not pleasing to 

 Jewel ; they were evidently only endured in obedience to the 

 commands of his mistress. Not approving of one favourite 

 being made happy at another's expense I was obhged on these 

 occasions to interfere and call Bunny to order. 



" Being frequently told that a wild rabbit could not be so 

 thoroughly domesticated, but that it would return to the woods 

 if it regained its liberty, I feared that if mine got loose it would 

 certainly run away ; yet I wished it should be sometimes in the 

 garden, to feed upon such green food as it liked best ; for this 



