The Adventures of a Squirrel, Supposed to be Related by Himself

The spelling, grammar and punctuation in this ebook are variable and unusual. These oddities have been preserved to match the original 1807 document.
London: PRINTED BY AND FOR DARTON AND HARVEY GRACECHURCH-STREET.

To MISS ANNE S .
My dear Anne,
When I was upon a visit at your good mamma's, I promised to make you a present. Now a present for a girl of your age (if I only considered your age) is easy enough to find; but when I think on your good sense, I cannot reconcile myself to buy for you what I otherwise should. Not to keep you in suspense, I have at last found out a present, which I hope will be agreeable to you. Attend to the following adventure: I was walking, about a week ago, in the fields adjoining my house at Croydon. The evening was so delightful, I wandered insensibly much farther than I at first intended to go. The prospect was so charming, and the hay smelt so agreeably, that I never thought of returning, till I found myself
rather tired, so sat down by one of the haycocks to rest myself. After having sufficiently rested, I made the best of my way towards home; when, (guess my surprise!) putting my hand in my pocket, I felt something soft, which seemed as if it moved, and pulling it out, I found it to be as pretty a Squirrel as you would wish to see. He ran round the table several times, and giving a good spring, seated himself on the dumb waiter. I immediately said to one of my servants: I wonder how this squirrel got in my pocket, when my surprise was greatly increased by hearing it say, If you will use me kindly, I will relate my history, and then you will learn what made me get into your pocket. My dear Anne immediately came in my mind, for I thought nothing would be more agreeable to her than, The Adventures of a Squirrel, related by himself. Come and sit nearer to me, said I, that I may hear better all you are going to relate. After having seated himself once more, he began as follows.

I was born in Caen Wood, near Hampstead. Being taken out of the nest, (in which were my mother and my brother,) very young, I shall begin by telling you, I was carried to the house of him that stole me, which was at Hackney. Here I was tied to a long pole, till he could procure a cage, which was not till the end of three weeks; when (what he termed) a very nice one came home, with a chain to fasten round my neck, with a padlock, when I came out of the cage. The chain he fastened on me directly, and it remained on, till my house was properly aired. When he thought I might with safety enter my house, he