captivity which I miss so much as the power to
labour and build."

"May I ask," said I, "whether you be of the same family with the Musk
Cavy, which I have heard of as inhabiting Ceylon and other places in the
East?"

"I believe not," answered my courteous companion, "but we doubtless
belong to the same race, however our habits and appearance may differ."

Our pleasant conversation was here unfortunately interrupted by the
keeper's opening the door. I had barely time to hide myself under some
straw, resolving not to show myself again till darkness should render it
safe for me to creep out.

Soon various visitors arrived, and I was vastly amused by watching the
different varieties of the human species, of which there must be nearly
as many as of the race of Mus. For the first time in my life I saw
ladies all bedizened in velvets and silks, and the furry spoils of many
an unfortunate ermine or sable. I saw gentlemen too, and I confess that
a creeping uncomfortable feeling came over me when I looked at the hats
which they had on their heads, the fine black gloss was so exceedingly
like that of the coat which I wore. I have since learnt that my
conjecture was but too close to the fact-- that numberless hapless rats
are slaughtered in France on account of their fatal beauty; and that man
not only manufactures their fur into hats, but uses their soft and
delicate skins to make the thumbs of his best gloves. Alas, for the race
of Mus!

CHAPTER VIII.

HOW I HEARD OF OLD NEIGHBOURS.

In the afternoon a gentleman entered the building, whose noble and
commanding appearance struck me. After a short examination of the
captives in their cages, he sat down to rest himself nearly opposite the
place where I was hidden.

He was almost directly joined by a bright-haired boy, in whose cheeks
health was glowing, and whose blue eyes sparkled with intelligence and
enjoyment.

"Papa-- please-- I want more money to buy buns for the animals!"

"My dear boy," replied the gentleman, in an expostulating tone, "you
have had a whole dozen already; I do not think it right to spend more on
pampering well-fed animals, when so many of our fellow-creatures are
suffering from hunger."

"Oh, papa! do you think there are many?"

"I believe that in this city of London alone there are thousands,-- yes,
tens of thousands, who know not, when they rise in the morning, where
they shall find a morsel of food during the day. I did not tell y