The Adventures of a Donkey (1815)(gutenberg.org)

THE
ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY.

Poor little foal of an oppreſsed race!
I love the languid patience of thy face:
And oft with gentle hand I give thee bread,
And clap thy ragged coat and pat thy head.

THE
ADVENTURES
OF
A DONKEY.

BY
ARABELLA ARGUS,
Author of “THE JUVENILE SPECTATOR.”

LONDON:
PRINTED BY AND FOR WILLIAM DARTON, JUN.
58, HOLBORN HILL.

1815.

[Pg 1]

THE
ADVENTURES OF A DONKEY.

“Poor little foal of an oppressed race!
“I love the languid patience of thy face:
“And oft with gentle hand I give thee bread,
“And clap thy ragged coat, and pat thy head.”

Coleridge.

Prefatory Address.

Though the services of my species are no
longer of that character which distinguished
them in former ages, I presume to think the
biography of an Ass, may yet, be worthy of
publication. Pride of ancestry, a usual weakness
amongst Bipeds, will I trust, be forgiven in
creatures doomed (even in their most fortunate
estate) to bear the taunts and insults of the rational
part of the creation. If we refer to antiquity,
it must be allowed the record is every
way consoling to our feelings as a class; and
though the comparative happiness of any animal
[Pg 2]at distinct periods is of little moment to his
present content, it cannot be denied, that
there is something satisfactory in reflecting on
the respectability of our progenitors. Thus
I, an Ass of the Eighteenth century obtrude my
history on the public, and while I avoid the arrogance
of claiming particular merit on the
score of pedigree, I honestly confess, there have
been moments in my life, when the memory of
my descent, has proved highly congenial to my
feelings. Naturalists, (as I believe those learned
persons are called who describe the genus
and character of animals,) have done us justice
as a species. Mine, as a domestic sketch will
bear none of those features of authorship which
embrace deep research, and elaborate disquisitions.
I present for your patronage, the life and
adventures of a home-bred Donkey, and trusting
to the liberality of an enlightened juvenile public,
remain their respectful and obedient Servant

Jemmy Donkey.

[Pg 3]

CHAP. I.

“Sincerity,” is my motto, I am therefore
compelled to begin, by declaring that the early
seeds of vanity were sown in my breast by the
praises of a doating mother. I was scarcely ten
months old, when I overheard my mama repeating
to my papa, all the handsome things farmer
Howel had said of me. I now recollect her
voice faultered as she closed her recital, and
conclude she anticipated our certain separation.
For myself, I was so elated with the words,
“He is a remarkably handsome Donkey,” &c.
&c. that I took no account of the price set upon
my head, but gamboled from morn till night,
and while my parents pursued their accustomed
labours, remained a stranger to the cares inseparable
from servitude.

Description would fail me, were I to attempt
to pourtray the attachment our mothers feel for
their offspring. I well remember exciting the
alarm of my mama one evening.

I had pursued some Ducks into a barn and
was enjoying the fright I occasioned, when her
well-known voice echoed through the meadow.
I fled at the summons, and to this day have not
forgotten the tender chidings and affectionate caresses
she bestowed upon me as her fears subsided.
[Pg 4]Farmer Howel, though a humane man,
was sedulously attentive to his own interest;
thus, in the absence of my parents I found myself
an object of some moment to his visitors.
Modesty induces me to omit the flattering comments
which occasionally reached my ears.
Whether this organ in our species, from its
size, is more exposed to the admission of vanity,
I presume not to decide, it is sufficient to say,
I listened with delight, and retained all I heard.

Various opinions were passed upon my capacity.
One thought it would be a pity, to harness
me—another recommended taking me to
Tunbridge, where there could be no doubt of
my selling well—a third declared a private family
where there were children, would be the most
profitable plan.

The farmer seemed pleased with this last
suggestion, and I suppose believed he knew a
likely purchaser, for I was released from further
scrutiny and again scampered at liberty. I
ought to blush while I add, that I buried these
consultations in my own bosom, and if this
concealment ultimately spared my parents some
unnecessary pangs, it must be confessed my
motives were highly reprehensible.

Ambition however had pervaded my every
feeling; I had thrust my head through an aperture
in some old pailings one day, and was
snuffing the air in listless vacancy, when a
Donkey smartly caparisoned (and on which sat
[Pg 5]a beautiful young lady) came trotting down the
road. “O happy Ass,” sighed I, “Shall I ever
be so blessed?” To add to my delight, a footman
on horseback followed; “here” said I exultingly,
“here is a triumph for us, the horse our imperious
enemy, in attendance on an Ass!” Sleep
fled my eyes that night—white leather bridles,
stuffed saddles, and handsome young ladies
haunted my imagination. I dare say I was very
troublesome, for my father complained that I
kicked the straw about and was remarkably
restless.

All that the farmer and his friends had said
recurred to my memory, and though I could
not decide which proposition best pleased me,
the idea of change was in itself enchanting,
and I longed for the moment that was to effect
this wish of my heart. Alas! it arrived too
soon, though I did not immediately discern my
misfortune.

My readers may have felt the inconvenience
of a tight shoe, but they can have no conception
of what we suffer under the hands of our shoemakers:
suffice it to say, I was shoed according
to the usage of our genus, and like other
thoughtless animals, soon forgot my pain, in the
novelty of these new appendages; I have since
learned, that pride is in most instances attended
with pain. I dare not contradict the remark,
having some reason in my person for believing
it true. Yet I know you will all smile at the little
[Pg 6]whims I assumed on this important epoch in my
life.

In the first place, the addition to my height
seemed immense, I actually lowered my head
as I entered or issued from our stable; my poor
mother laughed at me sometimes and at others
would sigh prophetically; but my chief pleasure
consisted in kicking up the dust, and making
all the noise I could with my shoes. The farmer
and his wife were highly amused with my
freaks. I had received two or three handsful
of hay from them upon different occasions, and
attributing these kindnesses to my powers of
entertainment, I ventured to intrude on forbidden
ground, scampered into the paved court,
and finding a pail of warm milk standing
invitingly in my way, had nearly drank the
whole when the dairy maid approached.
Conceive my amazement when this virago fell
upon me, and not content with the stripes she
inflicted with a clothes-prop, threw a large
stone after me; fortunately I escaped from her
cruelty, but not without adding to my crime by
kicking over the pail in my flight. I hope I am
not injudicious in expressing my gratitude for
that texture of skin which makes us less susceptible
to pain.

I persuade myself, rational animals will not
take advantage of a confession of this sort, nor
indeed does my present experience lead me to
question their knowledge of what we can bear.

[Pg 7]

But to proceed, whether the indignity I had
suffered being the first of the kind, or as the
spite of a female was more particularly wounding,
I know not. I looked anxiously for the
return of my parents, and no sooner did they
arrive than I hastened to unburthen my grief.
My mama listened dispassionately.

“You did wrong Jemmy,” said she, “the milk
was the property of our master, and intended
for the use of his family.”

“How was I to guess that?” said I. “Besides
it looked so nice and tasted so sweet. And
pray did not the farmer sell your milk? How
many shillings have I seen paid for it? Nay I
heard Mrs. Howel say her little boy’s life was
saved by drinking Asses’ milk.”

“All this may be true Jemmy,” replied my
mother, “but it does not lessen your fault. In
the first place, nature has kindly bestowed upon
us a palate suited to our stations in life; delicacy
of appetite would be a grievous misfortune to
animals invariably left to provide for themselves.
This freedom however, by no means authorizes
indiscriminate depredations on our part; happiness
consists in being contented with our lot;
and while the Ass can browse in the fertile meadow,
and slake her thirst from the neighbouring
stream, rest assured she enjoys more real comforts
than thousands of her species.”

“Grass and water!” said I, tossing my head
disdainfully. “Why every Donkey gets these;
[Pg 8]why my dear mamma, I saw a beautiful Ass
with a smart saddle and white leather bridle,
the other day, do you think he lives upon such
mean fare?”

“Ah! Jemmy, Jemmy,” sighed my mother,
“you are a stranger to the Donkey world,—that
well-dressed beau who has excited your childish
envy, would most probably claim our compassion
did we know his private history. ‘All is not
gold that glitters’ child, fine trappings dazzle
the ignorant and inexperienced; I am afraid you
will too soon be placed in a situation to judge
for yourself; may honesty actuate you on all
occasions; endeavour to please your employers,
and recollect that docility is not only valuable
in itself, but highly conducive to your
happiness as an Ass.”

There must be something intoxicating in the
feelings of youth; though I listened to my
mama with all possible deference, and thought
her sentiments wise and just, it is certain they
made no lasting impression on my mind. The
very next day saw me guilty of a trespass. A
can of ale was placed within a hedge for the
farmer’s men, then getting in the hay; my
quick scent drew me thither, I cannot say the
smell was fragrant, but I thought there could be
no hazard in tasting it,—I did so and shuddered,
took a second taste and liked it better,—again
I turned to the can and drank heartily, when a
voice vociferated from a distance, and in the
[Pg 9]next moment a stick was hurled at me. Less
fortunate than formerly, I sustained an injury in
my leg, and under the influence of pain began
capering about. This agitation produced a
confusion in my head, resembling as I should
imagine the feelings of an intoxicated rational
animal: if my conjecture is right, surely this
vice is every way degrading, for I remember, I
became an object of ridicule to the farmer’s men,
who stood laughing at my antics, while two or
three Donkeys of my acquaintance actually shunned
me for some days. Nor dared I complain
of my broken shin least my parents should interrogate
me respecting the accident which
had caused it. I am afraid I shall appear a very
faulty Donkey in the eyes of my readers, an
anticipation that would deeply wound my sensibility,
did I not firmly believe, that many frolics
of the enlightened and educated biped, which
excite a smile during their “acting time,” if
delineated fairly would appear equally unjustifiable.
In truth I shall have occasion to contrast
our errors ere I close my history.

Months rolled on, during which I was doomed
to hear myself reviled as a most mischievous
animal, an arrant thief, &c. &c. I hung my
head and looked silly at first; chance however
initiated me into the art of expressing my indignation.
Balaam a very sagacious old friend
of my father’s, being compelled to resist the
brutality of some boys one evening, I observed
[Pg 10]that his countenance acquired considerable
fierceness as he exhibited his teeth and brayed
loudly. Thinks I to myself, “This shall be
my plan, I will no longer bear insult tamely.”
Alas! the presumption of ignorance! An opportunity
soon presented itself—“Here comes
thieving Jemmy,” said the dairy maid of farmer
Howel, calling the carter to drive me into the
meadow. I felt indignant, and facing them
boldly, grinned (as I thought) most formidably,
braying at the same time with all my might.
Instead of alarming my enemies, my efforts excited
their derision, calling forth peals of laughter
at my expense. If all imitators were thus
humbled in their first attempts, I am persuaded
mimicry would cease to be a prevalent foible
amongst Asses. Observe, I do not deny the
propriety, the almost necessity that a Donkey
like a man, should entertain a just sense of his
prerogatives; it is the folly of assuming these
privileges prematurely that I condemn. Politeness
may induce some animals to overlook this
precocity in their species; with us it is quite
otherwise, the natural simplicity of our characters
is such, that though man should omit to
wound us, our own class are vigilant in reproving
the most trivial affectation in the young.

“Poor giddy thing,” said old Balaam as I
retreated from the scene of my disgrace. “Come
here child! So you were really so weak as to
imagine you could frighten those people by your
puerile braying!”

[Pg 11]

“Why,” said I poutingly, “I have seen
you do the same.”

“True, but I am of an age to claim respect,”
replied Balaam, “added to which, my services
entitle me to some consideration. You should
endeavour to conciliate esteem; let me tell you
Jemmy, you will lead a sad life, if you set out
with these false notions of your own consequence;
you must learn to bear and forbear,
and above all things avoid the folly of aping
your elders.”

Though Balaam’s wisdom was proverbial in
our family, there was a sternness in his manner
which frightened rather than convinced his
auditors; nay, I am tempted to add, that to his
mistaken asperity on numberless occasions, I
attribute some of my subsequent indiscretions.

“What! if we are born to labour,” would I
exclaim mentally, “I see men and women return
from their daily toil cheerful and happy, and
may not an Ass perform his appointed task and
retain his natural vivacity? When I get a
place, he shall see I know how to conduct
myself.”

As these soliloquies occurred, I always found
my thoughts reverting to the smart saddle and
bridle of a certain Donkey. “And when I am
so dressed,” would I say, “Old Balaam shall
see me, I will trot down the green lane and shew
him my finery.”

Now nothing could be more like an Ass, than
[Pg 12]this resolution of mine, but I must not anticipate.
I was surprised one morning, by farmer
Howel’s presenting a sieve of corn for my acceptance,
and hastening to avail myself of this
luxurious treat, was for some minutes unconscious
of the snare into which I had fallen. A
rope, a common rope was passed round my
neck, the sieve withdrawn, and in a few
minutes I was led out of the meadow. It was
in vain I brayed and called upon my mother,
she was from home, and the carter my old
enemy was little disposed to attend to my sorrow.
I recollected my mother’s advice, “that
docility was an amiable trait in a Donkey,” and
endeavoured to accommodate my feelings to my
situation. The journey seemed tedious to my
companion, who frequently lashed me with the
rope in order to quicken my pace. At length we
stopped at a noble looking mansion; I was
ushered into an extensive field of well-grown
grass, and, released from my ignoble bondage,
for a moment forgot I was far distant from my
parents.

CHAP. II.

First Impressions.

This memorable event took place in the
[Pg 13]eighteenth month of my existence: the promptness
with which my removal was accomplished,
left me totally ignorant of my future destiny,
yet ere the evening closed I experienced an attention
which bore some promise of kindness.
A fat red faced woman (whom my gratitude
transformed into a goddess) threw an apron full
of cabbage leaves before me, I ate a hearty
supper, and fatigued with my journey looked
around for a shelter for the night; a building
almost equal to farmer Howel’s house, had already
received two or three horses, I tried the
door, it was locked, nor would my prejudices
or courage have led me voluntarily to expose
myself to insult and contempt, could I have
found access. No! it was one of those efforts
suggested by despair in which reason yields to
circumstances, Old Balaam’s sombre warnings
glanced across my mind. “Alas!” thought
I, “to conciliate esteem where no consideration
is awarded appears enigmatical to me;” and my
eyes were suffused with tears as I recollected
the half-tiled home of my parents. “They will
think of their poor Jemmy to night, would I
were again in their stable though I never more
tasted a cabbage leaf.” It was not easy to my
donkey capacity, to reconcile the contradiction
of providing a good supper for an animal,
and leaving it without a shelter for the night.
The neglect of my owners roused me to exertion;
forcing my way through a hedge, I wandered
[Pg 14]near the house, till espying a door open
I ventured in, it was a small building and by
the light of the moon, I discovered it to be a
brewhouse. Our olfactory nerves are very
delicate; thus, though one of my senses was
somewhat offended by the smell of the place,
necessity compelled me to submit to the inconvenience.
You may smile at the idea of a
Donkey’s dream, and would perhaps call me a
downright Ass if I related mine on the night in
question; to avoid the imputation of weakness
I desist, though I am convinced a two-legged
author would mould my dream into a most
interesting episode. Well, morning arrived, and
with it a full sense of my situation. On first
opening my eyes, I stood in profound amazement
not exactly recollecting where I was: no
sooner had memory recalled the incidents of the
preceding day, than that sagacity which even
Donkeys partially share, told me, I was not in
my proper abode—to effect a retreat without discovery
was desirable. I was rejoicing in my
adroitness, when a gentleman in a scarlet jacket
ran after me and before I could gain the field
half a dozen pebbles were levelled at me.

“Leave the Donkey alone Robert,” said the
fat Lady, my cabbage-leaf friend. And advancing
towards me she added, “poor Jemmy, did
we forget to open the shed for you last night,
poor fellow I’ll take care it shan’t happen again.”

I brayed in my most melodious style hoping
[Pg 15]it would be understood as an expression of gratitude,
I dont know that Mrs. Bond penetrated
my meaning, but her uniform kindness leads me
to believe, there are persons in the world who
appreciate and comprehend the feelings of a
Donkey.

How often have I listened to the praises bestowed
upon horses and dogs! How many records
of their sagacity have reached my long
ears! Alas! my vanity does not help me to one
anecdote, one incident, in which our talents
natural or acquired are favourably exhibited; yet
in attachment to our masters and that faithfulness
of memory so highly prized in the animals
I quote, in these essential qualifications I think
we stand nearly equal. It cannot be, our rough
exterior that places us beneath notice; for as
far as I can judge, beauty is not the exclusive
possession of any particular class of animals.

But to proceed; I had sighed for a change in
my mode of life, yet content was a stranger to
my bosom. The voice of my parents no longer
gladdened my heart, if my food was more
sumptuous, there wanted that social intercourse,
that lively chit-chat to which I had been accustomed.
The days seemed grievously irksome,
and though Mrs. Bond, had politely shewn me
my lodging apartment, it was impossible for a
Donkey of my disposition to avoid some portion
of ennui in a seclusion so unbroken. I
began to wish for some employment, now first
[Pg 16]discovering old Balaam’s maxim to be just,
“that idleness is fatiguing.” An unusual depression
had seized my spirits one afternoon,
when perceiving my good friend Mrs. Bond, I
ran towards her.

“Ah poor fellow,” said she, “I can’t stop to
talk to you now, we are all in a pucker, and you
will have enough to do when the pet comes.”

“What does she mean?” said I to myself.
“I never heard of such an animal.”

While reflecting on the import of this speech,
a travelling chaise with four horses turned into
the court yard: a number of men-servants ran
to and fro, and amongst others the man in the
scarlet jacket, whom I now discovered to be a
groom. Amused by the bustle I stood looking
over a gate, when a shrill squeaking voice exclaimed,
“Robert! Robert! shew me my Donkey,
I say Robert I want my Donkey.”

“He’s in the field Master Frederick,” replied
the groom. “I can’t go with you now Sir, if
you’ll wait till I’ve done in the stable I’ll give
you a ride.”

“But I wont wait, I will see him directly,”
resumed the young gentleman, “leave the horses
and come along with me.”

“What leave my horses Sir after such a fag!
No no Master Fredy, if you can’t wait I can’t
help it, only take care, you don’t worry the
Donkey, he’s a proper vicious one I promise
you.”

[Pg 17]

I concluded from the sketch the groom had
thought proper to give respecting me, that my
young master would avoid my presence; deeply
wounded that the prejudice of this man should
so far mislead him, I assumed a cheerfulness foreign
to my feelings, and displaying my figure to
the greatest advantage, endeavoured to engage
the notice of Master Frederick by a thousand
graceful movements; my exertions were unheeded,
the young gentleman retiring at the summons
of a man-servant. “We are indeed an unfortunate
race,” sighed I, “traduced by tongues
that know us not, yet will be the chroniclers of
our doings. I clearly perceive an Assinine existence
is synonymous with misery.”

These cogitations of your humble servant
may with justice be traced to my early education.
Balaam had impressed me with those
gloomy anticipations which mar our present
enjoyments. Ah! how different were the sentiments
of my dear mother, but I cannot even at
this distance of time speak of her without the
liveliest emotion. I was regaling on some potatoe
parings, and musing on my fate, when Robert
introduced my young master into the field;
resolved on refuting the representation of my
enemy, I approached Master Frederick with the
utmost deference; as I drew near he retreated,
till with a terrific scream he hid himself behind
Robert. What was my mortification to find I
who had been called a handsome Donkey, was
[Pg 18]an object of alarm to my owner! Now as you
all know, looking-glasses make no part of our
domestic furniture, but we supply this deficiency
by never drinking but from the clearest water
within our reach. It is therefore unnecessary to
add, that like yourselves we regard our reflected
likeness with some little degree of partiality; if
we exceed the bounds of prudence in the indulgence,
remember I am speaking of Asses, and
that it would be unreasonable to expect in an
Ass, more than belongs to him as an Ass. But
I declare no stream in which I ever saw myself
had impressed me with the belief; that my face
or figure was calculated to frighten any person.

Overcome by disappointment I continued to
gaze mournfully upon my master. The groom
who had laughed heartily at Frederick, now
coaxed me, patted my sides, and persuaded the
child to mount my back.

“I wont I tell you,” exclaimed the child
“he will throw me off, I know he will.”

“Let me hold you on,” replied, Robert,
throwing a rope round my neck. After many
assurances the little gentleman was mounted. I
cannot say I felt quite easy; his weight was trifling,
but this was my debut as a beast of burden,
and I somehow feared it would not prove
auspicious.

Two or three quiet walks across the field inspired
my young Nimrod with courage.

“Make him trot Robert,” said he. I instantly
[Pg 19]fell into the most agile motion. O sad mischance;
Robert missed his hold, and my rider
fell to the ground! The screams of Frederick
brought Mrs. Bond to his assistance. Robert
declared the young gentleman was not hurt, and
endeavoured to pacify him.

“I will go and tell mama you laughed at me
when I tumbled off that ugly Donkey,” said
Frederick, pushing the groom with all his
strength.

“O! fie Master Fredy, why I thought you
was more of a man, than to cry at a fall upon
the grass,” said Mrs. Bond.

“Get me a whip Robert, I will beat the Donkey,”
resumed Frederick.

“No, Sir, I shall do no such thing,” retorted
Robert. “The Donkey carried you as well as
possible, it was my fault in letting him slip from
my hold.”

“Then I wish I had the whip, I would give
you a good lashing, that I would.”

“Would you indeed,” laughed Robert, “I
should like to try you.”

Enraged at the mirth of the groom, the young
gentleman made his escape.

“Why he’s worse than ever,” said Mrs. Bond,
“it is quite surprising to me, that such good
people as my master and mistress are, should spoil
their child so foolishly.”

“A puny snivelling little pet,” rejoined Robert,[Pg 20]
“I pity Jemmy; sure enough he’ll have
a fine time of it.”

“So then I am the servant of that animal
called a pet,” thought I, and I reverted to all
the creatures I had seen of the same size and
genus. Farmer Howel had children, but to me
they appeared quite a different description of
animal. Neither pouting nor fretfulness had
ever fallen under my observation. And as Master
Frederick seemed to possess many comforts,
I concluded the word pet to imply a discontented
self-willed animal, and grieved to find myself
the slave of such a tyrant.

It was remarkable, that Robert who had hitherto
taken pleasure in teazing me, from the
moment of my master’s arrival adopted a distinct
line of conduct. It seems to me, that mere
thoughtlessness will at times propel a species of
cruelty, void of malice. A good marksman (to
shew his skill) will shy a stone at us with fatal
accuracy. I can assure these hurlers, we do not
doubt their capability, but protest against the
honour of being used as targets.

If I suffered individually at this period, I am
willing to allow my situation afforded me views
of life highly edifying to an inexperienced Donkey.
I saw horses curried and dressed with the
nicest care, and I beheld them lashed and beaten
on the most trivial occasions. Though a stranger
to corporeal suffering, my sympathy was
powerfully awakened by these spectacles. “Ah!
[Pg 21]what shall I be in the hands of an angry master!”
thought I; nor could I exactly ascertain the
foibles which subjected them to this treatment.
Time has enlightened me on this subject, and
I now boldly declare beasts of burden are as
liable to suffer from the temper of their masters
as their own fallibility.

The parents of my young master deserved the
elogium Mrs. Bond had bestowed upon them,
they were in themselves amiable, and would
frequently reprove the impatience of Frederick,
but alas! this spoiled boy had been too long
habituated to indulgences to submit to controul.
His natural timidity increased my difficulties,
if kept a walking pace, I was “a stupid brute,”
if I ambled gaily, “a mischievous creature.” I
bore his revilings calmly for some time, yet it
was grievously humiliating that all my efforts
should be so misconstrued; and in truth, my
donkey pride was offended, that a saddle and
bridle had not been provided for me. Under
the impulse of this feeling, I one morning contrived
to shift the green baize substitute for a
saddle, and gently laid my master on his back;
again Robert was my advocate, and by proposing
the immediate purchase of the necessary trappings
appeased the tears of Frederick.

Mrs. Fenton assenting to the expenditure, I
waited the hour of equipment with all the little
anxieties of pride, and perhaps some of my readers
will understand my disappointment, when
[Pg 22]I declare, nothing could be more contrary to my
expectations than the dress Robert purchased.
A common saddle and dark leather bridle for
a Donkey whose imagination had been inflated
by a glimpse of the most elegant Ass in the
kingdom! This disparagement was not to be
borne, I looked contemptuously on the groom,
and in my own mind wondered such a commission
should have been left to his taste. It is
impossible for an Ass to guess how bipeds are
affected by the stupidity or bad taste of their
dress-makers, &c. &c. I only know, I shrugged
my shoulders with scorn, and would scarcely
submit to be dressed. Robert conquered at
last, and I was decorated in my new habiliments:
what my sensations were at that time I
cannot describe. In conforming to the fashions
of the age, my readers enjoy a thousand advantages
which a solitary Donkey must not hope to
experience. I believe fashion would cease to be
of consequence altogether did not emulation
keep it alive. Now I (who had sighed to appear
with all the splendour of a domesticated
Ass) received these honours at a period when
my talents and general character were totally
obscured; thus the mere tinsel of ornament lost
its most attractive charm, the power of exciting
admiration, for that Master Frederick or any of
the family would descern my merits or do justice
to my personal beauties was what I dared not
anticipate.

[Pg 23]

It must be allowed fortune jumbled an odd
variety my juvenile path, but perhaps I err,
and it is rather the singularity of my taste,
which tempts me to lay these memoirs before
the public, than any peculiar hardship in my
fate. At all events I am a truth-telling Donkey,
and writing from the heart rather than the head,
I promise to be as succinct in my subsequent
history as in these my first impressions.

CHAP. III.

A New Master.

Two months of incessant drudgery had completely
taught me to bear the restraint of a saddle,
when Master Frederick on a sudden declined
my services. I thought myself happy in
losing his patronage, and was looking forward
to a little ease, when Mrs. Fenton inquired if
I could not be made serviceable, and proposed
harnessing me to a donkey cart: Robert replying
in the affirmative, I was accordingly appointed
to the honour of drawing my mistress
about the grounds. The change was agreeable,
and though somewhat above my strength, I acquitted
myself to the satisfaction of Mrs. Fenton.
But it was in vain I looked for the delicate white
[Pg 24]bridle, that object of m