120 
THE RAT. 
stinking polecats are sewn together and made into long 
rollypolies for twisting round the fair necks of our ladies, to 
shield them from the rude attacks of wind and weather, and 
which rollypolies are commonly known as boas. But to 
make the armory still more complete, a large round thing is 
made, somewhat resembling a di-um, open at each end, to 
hide their hands and arms in, — which drum the furriers call 
a muff; and being covered with the skins of polecats, is 
pronounced to be fitch of the finest quality. But it is clear 
that fitch is neither more nor less than polecats' skins, into 
which the ladies thrust their delicate hands and arms up 
to their elbows ! and with boas and tippets of the same 
material mufile up their ears and eyes, to make them 
warm and comfortable ; yet they never dream of stinking 
polecats. 
Then, again, the crowns of kings are rendered soft and 
easy to their royal brows by being lined and turned up with 
stoats' skins ; but which stoat-skins are better known to 
ladies and furriers as ermine. In warmer and more temperate 
regions, the stoat is of a reddish-brown on the back and 
sides ; and the throat, belly, &c. are white, except the tail, 
the tip of which is invariably black. But in colder climates, 
all but the tip of the tail is yellowish-white, and is held in 
great estimation for its fur. The consequence is, that in the 
icy regions, vast numbers of the native tribes, as well . as 
foreigners, are in the habit of traversing immense tracts of 
country, amid ice and snow, for weeks and months together, 
in quest of these little animals. They are captured by 
hunting and trapping. Their skins and tails are torn off, 
and dressed, in order to keep the fur sound ; and, when pro- 
perly prepared, they are sewn together with the black tips 
of the tails sticking out here and there. This is the invaluable 
ermine which works so many charms and wonders among 
those teasing little creatures, the fair sex ! Still, at the same 
time, what more delightful or dignified present can any lord 
make his lady than presenting her with a complete suit of 
ermine, comprising muff, cuffs, cape, tippet, boa, and cloak. 
I know of no present that will give such general and infinite 
satisfaction ; and if any one doubts what I say, let him try 
the experiment with his wife or betrothed, and see if they 
do not in return declare him the dearest creature living, and 
