90 
THE RAT. 
sticks, wliicli the youths held in their hands. 'No dogs 
whatever were used upon the occasion ; and the dead rats 
filled a bushel basket. 
With a full knowledge of the value of quicklime, let the | 
bricklayer secure all the holes, and put the drains in com- 
plete repair, and after that well line them with a thick 
layer of cement. But if they are very much dilapidated it 
will be much cheaper and much safer to have them done 
with pottery drain-pipe, with a trap at the end ; for pottery- 
pipe is entirely proof against the teeth and claws of rats ; 
while, on the other hand, they will gnaw through both lead 
and zinc. But should you have them repaired with brick, 
let him run iron gratings in grooves, at the ends ; then, if at 
any time there should be a stoppage, it will only be necessary 
to draw up the gratings, and the obstruction is removed ; 
but be sure to let them down directly after. By this means 
the rats will be kept most effectually out of your premises, 
and all the annoyances and expenses they otherwise incur be 
entirely obviated. 
Here I may remark that, in London houses, rats are 
very much on the decrease, and principally on account of 
the extensive use of pottery-pipe for all purposes of drainage, 
as also the new contrivance, or trap attached to them, 
whereby the vermin are kept in the sewers. 
Though the bricklayer may have most effectually fastened 
the rats outside your premises, still it is ten to one but he 
has as effectually fastened some inside. How then are these : 
to be disposed of ? I will tell you. In the first place, let a ; 
sharp look-out b,e given to ascertain their runs ; that done, 
do not frighten or disturb them, but leave them alone ; or if 
anything be done, throw them down some crumbs of bread | 
and cheese, or anything else, and it will draw them that way ^ 
again ; for they will always go where they find food, and are 
undisturbed. 
Now I will give you your choice of three modes o:^ de- 1 
struction ; — the first is poison ; the second is ordinary ttap- j 
ping ; and the third, Uncle James's infallible rat-trap, that 
acts without baiting ; all of which you will find under their \ 
respective heads towards the end of the book, and where also \ 
you will find the grand secrets of the profession, with the 
