  The following account of extraordinary sagacity on the part of a mouse has been sent to us by a contributor, who vouches for the truth of the statement: ‘At my house, in a trap for catching mice alive, which had been overlooked for some weeks, was found the nest of a mouse with several young, all alive with their mother; and some other mice which had died of starvation. The only explanation, I think, which can be given of so strange an occurrence is that the male mouse, knowing by instinct the condition of his mate, provided for her wants by bringing to her the materials for her nest, which she pulled in through close wires, and supplied her with food, while he allowed all the others–the non-related captives–to starve to death. It seems almost more than instinct that the male mouse should not have entered the trap, where there was such attraction for him, as though he knew that on his liberty depended the lives of the mother and her offspring.’ The writer has also favoured us with the following lines, which he entitles THE AFFECTION OF MICE.Assist me, my Muse, while in verse I would tell A tale, true as strange, and so mournful as well. No words can depict it; all feeble my lays; Such tender devotion strikes one with amaze. In a trap which was set to catch mice in my house, I had the misfortune to capture a mouse; That mouse was a female, and she was with young; Yet not hers, but her consort’s, the praise must be sung. He knowing her state–that she’d soon have a brood, And would need a warm nest, and must die without food– Searched all through the house to find stuff for her bed, And supplied as he could, the food on which she fed. The straw, hair, and feathers to meet her desires He brought to the trap, and she pulled through the wires. Her couch being formed, soon the offspring appeared– A numerous progeny, there to be reared; While around her on every side there did lie The bodies of those that of hunger did die– And had long been dead, any person could tell Who had eyes that would see, or a nose that could smell. He only took care to provide for that one By affection and instinct he knew was his own. What wisdom was his! With attraction so strong, He knew, if the life of his mate he’d prolong, He must keep himself clear, and have full liberty; That to enter the trap was for both them to die. That the trap was neglected for months is quite clear, From what it contained–what an odour was there! ’Tis pity I had not the power to save The creatures, who all found a watery grave. The servant–my house from such pests to deliver– Remorselessly cast them all into the river. MORAL.Unnatural husbands, with minds to discern, A momentous lesson from mice you may learn, Which have only instinct their actions to guide; Be kind to your wives–for your children provide. J. H. Davis. Printed and Published by W. & R. Chambers, 47 Paternoster Row, London, and 339 High Street, Edinburgh. All Rights Reserved. FOOTNOTES: |
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