THE POLICE OF NATURE. 
213 
quench its thirst, or phmder the hen-roost of some lonely 
farm. But to see a marten is a great rarity. Consequently 
their extreme scarcity must of necessity render their services 
very trifling towards thinning rats, even were they so dis- 
posed. The truth is, that so far as martens, polecats, stoats, 
and weasels are concerned in the destruction of rats, we 
might very easily dispense with their services. But when 
we take into consideration their ravages among all kinds of 
poultry, the sooner you kill them, and send their skins to 
the furriers, to be made into muffs and tippets for your 
wives and daughters, the better ; since they will render far 
more service in furnishing winter covering than in plunder- 
ing the farm. 
Nevertheless, from the scarcity of these animals, I am 
satisfied that the great majority of outrages committed in the 
poultry-yard, for which foxes and the weasel tribe are con- 
demned, are the work of rats ; not that weasels, &c., are the 
more to be pitied, or the more to be trusted, since they 
want but the opportunity to substantiate all that can be 
laid to their charge. 
So much for the Police of Nature. And now for 
Miss Puss. I speak of Miss Puss because Master Thomas 
is so drowsy a beast, that he sometimes will not stir 
even for a piece of rumpsteak, though it shall be nicely 
cooked and buttered for him. Talk to him of killing 
rats ! Let those kill rats that like it. For his part he has 
enough to do to look after the fair sex, without being 
bothered with rats. But the habits of the cat are so well 
known, that they require but little comment from me, ex- 
cept that they often receive far more credit for rat-killing 
than they merit. Through the day they are in a state of 
laziness about the fireside, and in the evening they are look- 
ing after some larder, birdcage, or aviary, for something to 
eat; and after that, instead of himting for rats in the cellars, 
they, to the annoyance of the whole neighbourhood, are 
attending the midnight concerts on the house-tops, and 
leaving the premises for the rats to look after in their 
absence. But where there are many rats, cats frequently 
become so used to them, that they will not only not touch 
them, but have frequently been known to feed with them. 
Still, some cats are determined creatures, and will watch for 
