154: 
THE RAT. 
•calling, but are compelled in the summer to resort to night- 
fishing, or anything else, to get an honest living. 
Before we dismiss this man, it may be as well to mention 
one circumstance, which in itself is so disgraceful that it 
deserves publicity ; yet, for charity's sake, I will withhold the 
author's name. 
He once called upon a near neighbour, to see if he 
would give him a job, as his farm was literally swarming 
with rats. To this request he received the following 
answer : *^ They won't give me anything for my corn now, 
so let the rats eat it !" 
1 ask what right has such a man as this to be eternally 
grunting and growling for a reduction of rent, when at the 
same time he makes such a wilful sacrifice of his property? 
On the other hand, show me, if you can, a more heart-rending 
sight than to see a British yeoman pleading poverty at the 
rent-table ? Such, I am sorry to say, is sometimes the case, 
over which there is no control, except by the plan I am 
now pursuing with regard to rats. But this I must say, that 
of all men in the wide world to deal with, give me an English 
gentleman ; he is ever open to reason and justice, and such 
is his unqualified love of both, that upon a fair conviction he 
is every ready to make an honourable concession in behalf of 
either. Consequently, if a farmer is careful and industrious, 
and at the same time most scrupulous as to the cleanliness 
of his farm with regard to vermin, and yet, withal, cannot 
make ends meet, why then it is quite clear there is some- 
thing radically wrong, and I am willing to believe that, upon 
a fair representation of his grievances to his landlord, he 
will, after investigation, cause such an amicable adjustment 
of the rent as will enable his tenant to pay his way, and 
live like a British farmer. But which of us would like to 
pay money out of our pockets to support another in laziness 
and luxury. Or which of us would feel disposed to submit 
to the losses occasioned by wilful and malicious destruction 
of his property ? 
Before I leave the county of Middlesex, I will mention 
the following circumstance : — 
A farmer of Han well was telling me of a rat-match he had 
with a neighbour, in which, to use his own words, he backed 
