Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-04-23

The following extract from Coboett's Register
is good specimen of the peculiar style in which
In this alegory to the pensioners Of rho E,e,:rr
Aristocraoy, who are likely 10 reG t.y -sls!
of 9 Reform 1t needs no other preface:
NECURES-RATS-.9n Epilogue
How many years have been at these pensions,
sinecpres, and grants! All my readers know
how fond am of country affairs. Country oc.
equations, country amusements all things apper-
tanning to country life, are entcing to me. But.
when even a boy, had my scrupes at some of
its amusements Who followed in hare-hunt;
seen her started from her seat of tranquility and
innocence: and Zee before six-and thirty blood
thirsty and roaring dogs, and perhaps as many
halIooiug boys and men, without thinking to him
SELF what has she done to deserve this? Who
has seen her, in the course of the hunt, soaked
ia mud and wet. stopping and pricking up her
ears to find if her dorbe has defeated her pursu-
ers. her eyes starting from her head with terror.
every muscle quivsriug. and hev heart beating
SO as even TO be heard three or four yards off;
who has seen this, without, AT least, wishing her
safe from her foess But who. on seeing her. af-
ter all her amazing eXertiOns TO save her life by
flight, and by many dexterous arts to deceive;
who has seen her give up all hope, and run half
the length of the last field uttering the most ap-
pallng shr;e&s of death; who has seen and heard
this, and not felt that harehunting has its alloy?
cannot, and were it not for the things that can
be said in favor of field sports. should think
them sanguinary and unjustfable. But never
had this feeling about me at rai-hunt.
A rat-hunt is laudable in every view that one
can take of it. The wretch itself is Odious to the
sight; it is an animal always on the look out for
thefts; it lives in no settled manner. and in no
particular places; nor earth nor water can be cal.
led its proper element. for it lives in both: it feeds
particular species of food; flesh. fish. grain,
all are alike its food, and in every way disguised
nothing comes amIss to it, and its suttonv is be-
yond comparison. 1t too, most unnatural
thing. neglecting according to naturaistsj its
aged parents, and devouring its feeble Young! 1t
has no one good quality, and yet devours II ore or
spoils more than any created animal it has anne
tite for every thing. and never seems satisfied
1t is, in short, hepensioner of nature; and all
useful and industrious creatures arc interested in
its destruction. A rat-hu,l, Therefore, has charms
for me unbounded. At all hours, in all weather.
any day, am ready for the chase aur rats. 20
10 it in perfect lshtness Of heart; for il any thing
can make Unsuitable to amuse onesclfin obser-
wing the arts of the tlmid. unoffendins, and harm
lesss hare. when pursued by enemies, how much
more justiiabe to amuse oneself at seeing those
Of the rat, whose destruction is positive good!
For this reason like rat-hunting; it is really
amusing. How often have stood on the floor
of barn, watching the progress of this sort of
fun How nave laughed when al! the straw
has been moved to within few trusses of the