296 
THE WEASEL. 
woman so totally undone, by the unexpected dis- 
charge of a spring-gun close to the spot where she 
was standing, that the circumambient air suddenly 
lost its wonted sweetness. Still, I did not conclude 
that the occurrence, in either of these mishaps, took 
place as a means of self-defence ; although circum- 
stances" were such, in the latter case, as might pos- 
sibly have had the effect of keeping pursuers at a 
respectful distance. 
I am a friend to the weasel, and to its congener 
the polecat — although I know that they will commit 
depredations on game, whenever an opportunity 
shall occur. Still, I consider that the havoc which 
they make amongst mice and rats far overbalances 
their transgressions against the game laws. 
About two years ago, the coachman brought me 
a fine polecat alive in a box-trap, which we occa- 
sionally set to arrest stranger cats when in pursuit 
of forbidden food. Feeling no inclination to take 
its life, I ordered the door of the trap to be opened ; 
and as the prisoner went its way into the wide 
world again, I saw, by the marks of astonishment 
which appeared upon the man's countenance, that I 
had evidently done an evil deed. 
The country gentleman, the farmer, and the gar- 
dener are particularly interested in having a true 
account of the weasel ; in order that they may 
ascertain how far it is their interest to protect it;, 
or to adopt measures for its destruction. 
The weasel is certainly capable of destroying our 
common game, such as hares, pheasants, and par- 
tridges; for the herculean formation of his fore 
