the life and perambulations of a mouse(小耗子游记)-第1章
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THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE （1783…1784）
THE LIFE AND
PERAMBULATIONS OF
A MOUSE
（1783…1784）
by Dorothy Kilner
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THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE （1783…1784）
INTRODUCTION
During a remarkably severe winter； when a prodigious fall of snow
confined everybody to their habitations； who were happy enough to have
one to shelter them from the inclemency of the season； and were hot
obliged by business to expose themselves to its rigour； I was on a visit to
Meadow Hall； where had assembled likewise a large party of young folk；
who all seemed； by their harmony and good humour； to strive who should
the most contribute to render pleasant that confinement which we were all
equally obliged to share。 Nor were those further advanced in life less
anxious to contribute to the general satisfaction and entertainment。
After the more serious employment of reading each morning was
concluded； we danced； we sung； we played at blind…man's…buff； battledore
and shuttlecock； and many other games equally diverting and innocent；
and when tired of them； drew our seats round the fire； while each one in
turn told some merry story to divert the company。
At last； after having related all that we could recollect worth reciting；
and being rather at a loss what to say next； a sprightly girl in company
proposed that every one should relate the history of their own lives； 'and it
must be strange indeed；' added she； 'if that will not help us out of this
difficulty； and furnish conversation for some days longer； and by that time；
perhaps； the frost will break； the snow will melt； and set us all at liberty。
But let it break when it will； I make a law； that no one shall go from
Meadow Hall till they have told their own history： so take notice； ladies
and gentlemen； take notice； everybody； what you have to trust to。 And
because；' continued she； 'I will not be unreasonable； and require more from
you than you can perform； I will give all you who may perhaps have
forgotten what passed so many years ago； at the beginning of your lives；
two days to recollect and digest your story； by which time if you do not
produce something pretty and entertaining； we will never again admit you
to dance or play among us。' All this she spoke with so good…humoured a
smile； that every one was delighted with her； and promised to do their best
to acquit themselves to her satisfaction； whilst some （the length of whose
lives had not rendered them forgetful of the transactions which had passed）
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THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE （1783…1784）
instantly began their memoirs； as they called them： and really some
related their narratives with such spirit and ingenuity； that it quite
distressed us older ones； lest we should disgrace ourselves when it should
fall to our turns to hold forth。 However； we were all determined to
produce something； as our fair directress ordered。 Accordingly； the next
morning I took up my pen； to endeavour to draw up some kind of a history；
which might satisfy my companions in confinement。 I took up my pen； it
is true； and laid the paper before me； but not one word toward my
appointed task could I proceed。 The various occurrences of my life were
such as； far from affording entertainment； would； I was certain； rather
afflict； or； perhaps； not interesting enough for that； only stupefy； and
render them more weary of the continuation of the frost than they were
before I began my narration。 Thus circumstanced； therefore； although by
myself； I broke silence by exclaiming； 'What a task his this sweet girl
imposed upon me！ One which I shall never be able to execute to my own
satisfaction or her amusement。 The adventures of my life （though deeply
interesting to myself） will be insipid and unentertaining to others；
especially to my young hearers： I cannot； therefore； attempt it。''Then
write mine； which may be more diverting；' said a little squeaking voice；
which sounded as if close to me。 I started with surprise； not knowing any
one to be near me； and looking round； could discover no object from
whom it could possibly proceed； when casting my eyes upon the ground；
in a little hole under the skirting…board； close by the fire； I discovered
thehead of a mouse peeping out。 I arose with a design to stop the hole
with a cork； which happened to lie on the table by me； and I was surprised
to find that it did not run away； but suffered me to advance quite close； and
then only retreated a little into the hole； saying in the same voice as before；
'Will you write my history？' You may be sure that I was much surprised
to be so addressed by such an animal； but； ashamed of discovering any
appearance of astonishment； lest the mouse should suppose it had
frightened me； I answered with the utmost composure； that I would write it
willingly if it would dictate to me。 'Oh； that I will do；' replied the mouse；
'if you will not hurt me。''Not for the world；' returned I； 'come； therefore；
and sit upon my table； that I may hear more distinctly what you have to
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THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE （1783…1784）
relate。' It instantly accepted my invitation； and with all the nimbleness of
its species； ran up the side of my chair； and jumped upon my table； when；
getting into a box of wafers； it began as follows。
But； before I proceed to relate my new little companion's history； I
must beg leave to assure my readers that； in earnest； I never heard a mouse
speak in all my life； and only wrote the following narrative as being far
more entertaining； and not less instructive； than my own life would have
been： and as it met with the high approbation of those for whom it was
written； I have sent it to Mr。 Marshall； for him to publish it； if he pleases；
for the equal amusement of his little customers。
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THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE （1783…1784）
PART I。
Like all other newborn animals； whether of the human； or any other
species； I can not pretend to remember what passed during my infant days。
The first circumstance I can recollect was my mother's addressing me and
my three brothers； who all lay in the same nest； in the following words：…'I
have； my children； with the greatest difficulty； and at the utmost hazard of
my life； provided for you all to the present moment； but the period is
arrived； when I can no longer pursue that method： snares and traps are
everywhere set for me； nor shall I； without infinite danger； be able to
procure sustenance to support my own existence； much less can I find
