It is now some months ago since I took leave of my little readers, promising, in case I should ever hear any further tidings of either Nimble or Longtail, I would certainly communicate it to them; and, as I think it extremely wrong not to fulfil any engagement we enter into, I look upon myself bound to give them all the information I have since gained, relating to those two little animals; and I doubt not but they will be glad to hear what happened to them, after Nimble was frightened from my writing table by the entrance of my servant. If I recollect right, I have already told you, that I frequently peeped into the hole in the skirting-board, and laid bits of cake to try to entice my little companion back, but all to no purpose: and I had quite given over all hopes of ever again seeing him, when one day, as I was putting my hand into a large jar, which had some Turkey figs in it, I felt something soft at the bottom, and taking it out, found it to be a poor little mouse, not quite dead, but so starved and weak, that upon my placing it upon the table, it had not strength sufficient to get from me. A little boy happened to be standing by me, who, upon the sight of the mouse, began to beg me to give it to the cat, or kill it, ‘for I don’t like mice,’ said he; ‘pray, ma’am, put it away.’ ‘Not like mice,’ replied I; ‘what can be your objection to such a little soft creature as this?’ and taking advantage of its weakness, I picked it up, and held it in the palm of one hand, whilst I stroked it with the fingers of my right. ‘Poor little mouse,’ said I, ‘who can be afraid of such a little object as this? Do you not feel ashamed of yourself, Joe, to fear such a little creature as this? Only look at it, observe how small it is, and then consider your own size, and surely, my dear, you will blush to think of being no more of a man than to fear a mouse! Look at me, Joe,’ continued I, ‘see, I will kiss it, I am not at all afraid that it will hurt me.’ When, lifting it up toward my face, I heard it say, in the faintest voice possible, ‘Do you not know me?’ I instantly recollected my little friend Nimble, and rejoiced at so unexpectedly finding him. ‘What, is it you, little Nimble,’ exclaimed I, ‘that I again behold? Believe me, I am heartily rejoiced once more to find you; but tell me, where have you been, what have you done, whom have you seen, and what have you learned since you last left me?’ ‘Oh!’ replied he, in a voice so low I could scarcely hear him, ‘I have seen many things; but I am so faint and weak for want of food and fresh air, that I doubt I shall never live to tell you; but, for pity’s sake have compassion on me, either put me out of my present misery by instantly killing me, or else give me something to eat; for, if you knew my sufferings, I am sure it would grieve your heart.’ ‘Kill you!’ returned I, ‘no, that I will not: on the contrary, I will try by every method to restore you to health, and all the happiness