86 
THE EAT. 
Now let us make one more calculation, by supposing the 
rats to be removed for one twelvemonth ; and then let us 
see what would be the result. It would be thus : — There 
would be an equivalent, in weight, to 77,896 bullocks, or 
38,948 tons of animal and vegetable matter rotting in all the 
various stages down to putrefactive and destructive fermen- 
tation. 
What, then, would be the state of the drains and sewers 
of Paris — nay, of the river Seine itself ? Would not every 
hole and corner in the capital be thorouglily charged with 
the noxious vapours, and a deadly pestilence hang over 
the city, like the angel of death shaking down destruc- 
tion on all beneath ; so that at the end of eighteen months 
there should not be one human being left to tell the fate of 
all the rest ? 
Here I will leave the matter for the consideration of 
those whom it most concerns, and conclude by warning the 
authorities of Paris on the probable consequences of killing 
their sewer-rats by 600,000 at a time ! 
I shall probably be asked by citizens on every side, if I 
hold out no hopes of relief from the ravages and devastations 
of this destructive and all-devouring animal 1 To such in- 
quirers I answer, most emphatically, Yes !" I give them 
every hope — nay, more than hope ; for if they follow strictly 
the rules which I here lay down, they will see the matter 
reduced to a positive certainty, and find themselves as free 
— nay, more free — from rats than thieves of almost any 
other denomination. 
I shall now lay down unerring plans for getting rid of all 
the rats that infest our houses, warehouses, &c. In the first 
place, send for an honest bricklayer ; not a ratcatcher, for 
the latter, in London, are just about as scarce as stray 
diamonds. 
I might as well here put you on your guard against a class 
of individuals who, of all vagabonds that prowl the streets of 
London, are the veriest scoundrels. They carry on their 
private callings under the outward guise of ratcatchers, or 
dog-dealers, or more properly speaking, dog -stealers. They 
are in connection with many of the thieves and house- 
breakers of London, and who, of all individuals, merit the 
vigilant and scrutinizing eye of those most valuable of 
