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Hermann Ploucquet.
Ploucquet's work became famous when he was one of fourteen taxidermists to display examples of their work at the Great Exhibition of 1851. His anthropomorphic displays were immensely popular with the public, and Queen Victoria described them in her diaries as "really marvellous". His scenes included a declaration of love between two weasels, a dormouse duel, hedgehogs ice-skating, and six kitten serenading a piglet underneath her window. His most popular work, however, was a series of six tableaux illustrating the German fable Reinecke the Fox based on Wilhelm von Kaulbach's illustrated work of Goethe's tale.
![hpcomic [640x480].jpg](hpcomic [640x480].jpg)
Front cover of the book by Hermann Ploucquet.
Hermann Ploucquet's work is generally believed to have been an inspiration for Walter Potter (2 July 1835 - 21 May 1918), of Bramber, Sussex, UK. Potter would only have been sixteen years old at the time of the Great Exhibition - and there is no evidence that he attended it - but Ploucquet's book, as well as various imitations of his work, were widely distributed at the time, therefore it would be remise to assume that Potter never had sight of either the actual work produced by Plouquet's or at the very least viewed the prints that would have illustrated his efforts. A page dedicated to the life and work of Walter Potter can also be found within this site.
Taxidermy by Hermann Ploucquet.
THE COMICAL CREATURES
WURTEMBERG.
January 1861.
To HERRMANN PLOUCQUET, Preserver of Objects of Natural
History at the Royal Museum of Stuttgart the capital of
the kingdom of Wurtemberg we were indebted for one of
the cleverest and most popular displays in the GREAT EXHIBITION. Every one, from Her Majesty the Queen down to
the least of the charity-boys, hastened to see the Stuffed
Animals from the Zollverein ; every one lingered over them
and laughed at them as long as the crowd would allow ;
and every one talked of them afterwards with a smile and
a pleasing recollection.
That these clever productions of Ploucquet's talent may
be long perpetuated, we had daguerreotypes of them taken
by Mr Claudet, and engravings made from them on wood
as faithfully like as possible.
We must beg our readers to remember that our sketches
were written to illustrate the drawings, for on this plea
we claim some indulgence ; but as we know full well that
the pictures are the main attraction of the volume, we are
not apprehensive of much criticism.
THE WEASELS OF HOLMWOOD.
IN a pleasant country where green meadows lay stretched by
the side of a broad river, whose banks were lined with the
pollard-willow and tall poplar, there once dwelt a family of
Weasels, known, from their place of residence, as the Weasels
of Holm-wood.
Holm-wood was a little island covered with underwood,
rushes, and wild flowers. A few aged trees stood by its edge,
bathing their long arms in the stream, and in the hollow
trunk of one of these the Weasels lived.
Any fine morning you might have seen the mother of this
family carrying her infant in her arms, and followed by her
![hpcomic3 [640x480].jpg](hpcomic3 [640x480].jpg)
Illustrations from Comical creatures by Hermann Ploucquet.
other children, a girl and two boys, who would amuse them-
selves by dragging little wooden horses, playing at soldiers
with mock muskets, running against the wind with little
whirligig mills, or frolicking about with a thousand of the
antics of children. Their father, known every where as Old
"Weasel, was of a most resolute and unbending disposition ;
he made many enemies, and was ever at war with one or
other of his neighbours. The Partridges of Clover-field
asserted that he sucked their eggs and stole their young
ones ; the Rabbits of the Warren held Old Weasel and all his
family in the deepest abhorrence, and accused them of the
greatest cruelties ; but no one complained of them more
bitterly than Dame Partlett of the Farm, who accused the
whole tribe of being born enemies of her race, and said, that
were it not that Old Weasel himself was dreadfully afraid of
her neighbour and friend, young Mastiff of Kennel- wood, she
verily believed that she should never know any peace on
earth.
All the world will understand how, with such a character,
the Weasels had but few friends, and that when Miss Weasel
grew to be of age, she should have but few admirers ; nevertheless two or three families who were related to them by
blood kept up an occasional acquaintance, and among them
the Ferrets of Hollow-oak were the most intimate. Now it
so happened that one evening, when out for a ramble in
the woods, a branch of a tree on which Miss Weasel
had mounted in order to get nearer to young Linnet,
with whom she wished to be on intimate terms, broke
suddenly off, and the poor young lady was precipitated
to the ground and sadly hurt. Her cries brought to her
assistance her younger brother Tom, who, as soon as he
had helped her home, ran for young Ferret, who had
lately begun practice as a physician. When the good
young doctor came, he found Miss Weasel lying on the sofa,
looking very pale and very interesting. He felt her pulse,
looked at her tongue, and soon discovered that the lady was
more frightened than hurt. However, as he had not many
patients, he did not choose to tell all the truth, but prescribing a simple remedy, he ordered her to keep very quiet, and
promised to call again on the next day. Whether it was
that Miss Weasel had been hurt more than her physician
had thought, or whether there were any other inducements,
we . cannot say ; but young Ferret thought it his duty to
call at Holm-wood every morning, and sometimes twice a
day, for at least a month : and if any one could have seen
how frequently he felt Miss Weasel's pulse, and how anxiously
he studied every expression of her face, he would have set
down Dr Ferret as a very attentive at least, if not excellent
When Miss Weasel became somewhat stronger, this good
young man would lend his arm for her support during an
evening walk, would bring her birds' eggs and other delicacies, and in many ways endeavour to contribute to her
restoration to health.
![hpcomic2 [640x480].jpg](hpcomic2 [640x480].jpg)
Illustrations from Comical creatures by Hermann Ploucquet.
This went on for some time, till the gossips of the neighbouring village would smile whenever they saw the doctor
wending his way towards Holm-wood ; and Miss Weasel's
two brothers would immediately leave their lessons, which
their sister used to teach them, as soon as ever the physician
appeared in sight.
The other relations of the Weasels who were on visiting
terms with them were, the Polecats of the Grange, who
came but seldom, and the Martens of Forest-farm, with
whom they were more intimate. Now old Mr Marten had
always intended that his own son Longtail, who kept a
boarding-school for boys near the Warren, should marry
Miss Weasel ; and when he heard of the physician's great
attentions to that young lady, he was very wroth. At first
he thought of waylaying young Ferret in the wood and
killing him ; but then he recollected that the Ferrets were
a powerful family, who would never rest till they had been
revenged. His next thought was to go to his attorney,
Sharp Weasel, Esq., of Nettle Cottage, and consult with him
as to the best means of thwarting young Ferret's projects.
So the old man took down his pipe and his account-book,
and set off to the attorney.
![hpcomic4 [640x480].jpg](hpcomic4 [640x480].jpg)
Illustrations from Comical creatures by Hermann Ploucquet.
Mr Sharp Weasel was well pleased to see so excellent a
client as old Mr Marten, and received him with many smiles.
The two quickly laid down a plan of proceedings, and Mr
Marten produced his account-booft, and proved that young
Ferret owed him for the following goods sold and delivered,
viz., one young rabbit ; item, one wood-pigeon ; item, one
brace of partridges ; item, one cock-pheasant ; item, one
duckling ; item, one fat gosling.
For this account young Ferret was next day sum-
moned before Judge Fox, who, after hearing the case,
immediately gave judgment in favour of plaintiff; and
as young Ferret had not sufficient funds to meet this
unexpected demand, he was forthwith^ arrested and sent
to prison.
Old Mr Marten chuckled and was well pleased at the
success of his stratagem, and was on his way to his son
Longtail, to tell him of what he considered the good news,
when he met Mr Bantam of Holm-farm, searching for
his wife and daughters, who had wandered for a walk.
Bantam, it was evident, did not particularly wish for this
meeting, for his comb grew very red, and he strutted off
at a quick pace in an opposite direction ; but old Marten
ran through some bushes, and caught him just as he was
getting clear of the wood.
" Good morning, Mr Bantam," said he.
![hpcomic13 [640x480].jpg](hpcomic13 [640x480].jpg)
Illustrations from Comical creatures by Hermann Ploucquet.
OLD MARTEN AND SHARP WEASEL
"Good morning, sir," said Bantam, shaking in every
feather.
" I want you to do me a service, Bantam," continued old
Marten ; " but you must not say one word of what I am
going to tell you."
Bantam promised this, as indeed he would have any-
thing else.
" You must go to Old Weasel of Holm- wood," whispered
Marten, laying his forepaws on Bantam's breast to hold him
near him, "and find his daughter. Tell her that young
Ferret is a scapegrace and a good-for-nothing fellow, and
that Judge Fox has sent him to prison. Then tell her that
I am very rich, and that my son Longtail is making a hand-
some fortune by his school. This is a delicate matter, Bantam ; if you manage cleverly, I will be your friend through
life ; if you betray me, mark this." And the old man
clapped his paw on the cutlass he usually wore by his side.
Bantam, glad to get out of his clutches on any terms,
promised the strictest compliance, and flew rather than ran
back to his farmyard as soon as he was released. There the
first person he saw was his wife, who had returned, and was
wondering what had become of him. To her, of course, he
told all his strange adventure, and she, silly thing, went
immediately and cackled the whole story to Dame Goose ;
who told it to one of the young Goslings, who told it to old
Mr Drake ; he quacked it about so loudly that his wife and
children soon learned it ; and in ten minutes there was not
one in all Hohn-farm who did not know of this wonderful
adventure. As for performing his promise, we must do Mr
Bantam the credit of saying he never for a moment thought
of being such a fool, for he well knew that, the day which
saw him enter Old Weasel's house would be his last.
![hpcomic12 [640x480].jpg](hpcomic12 [640x480].jpg)
Illustrations from Comical creatures by Hermann Ploucquet.
MR. BANTAM'S INTERVIEW WITH OLD MARTE
AFTER old Marten had let Bantam* go, lie himself went
straight to his son, whom he found engaged in his professional pursuits. At the moment of his father's entry, young
Longtail was hearing a class of the young Rabbits, on one of
whom he was inflicting summary chastisement for great
neglect and carelessness in his arithmetic. The poor young
fellow was squeaking terribly, and his three brothers, with
tears in their eyes, were trying with all their might to cast
up their sums on their slates, which shook so in their hands
that they could scarce see the figures. Their master left
off the beating when he saw his father, and consequently
young Rabbit, for the first and perhaps only time in his
life, was very glad to see the old man. The class was
dismissed ; and if you had seen these four youngsters
scamper off, shaking their white tails and jumping half
a yard high as they ran to the Warren, you would have
thought it was a good thing to have the light-heartedness of
children.
The Martens, father and son, retired up an oak-tree, at
the old man's request, to talk over their private affairs.
When the son heard of his father's plans, and how young
Ferret had been arrested, he was struck dumb with amazement. He had never dreamed that his father would interfere
in such a matter ; and if the truth must be told, he was
already engaged to Miss Pussy, the eldest daughter of old
Mrs Hare of the Ferns.
However, he knew better than to contradict his father's
intentions too suddenly, for he felt assured that the old man
would cut him off with a shilling if he were to offend him ;
so he pretended to acquiesce in all that was said, and promised compliance in every particular.
But as soon as his father had bidden him farewell, and
had got out of sight, young Longtail ran as fast as his legs
would carry him to the cavern where the doctor was imprisoned, paid the amount of the debt for which he had been
arrested, and took young Ferret home with him to consult
about their future conduct.
![hpcomic5 [640x480].jpg](hpcomic5 [640x480].jpg)
Illustrations from Comical creatures by Hermann Ploucquet.
It would have amused you, could you have heard all the
plans discussed by these young lovers for their joint benefit ;
how the one talked of his darling Miss Weasel, and the other
of his dear Miss Pussy ; how they agreed that in matters of
LONGTAIL TEACHING THE YOUNG RABBITS ARITHMETIC
love every thing was allowable ; and how they swore eternal
friendship to each other throughout their lives.
Two days afterwards it was known all over Holm-wood
that the fair Miss Weasel had eloped with Longtail Marten.
Mrs Goose and the four Miss Goslings were full of the information for every one they met. It was the finest piece of
scandal they had known for years. "Only think," said
they, " after all her engagement to young Doctor Ferret, to
go and take up with the schoolmaster ; and all, forsooth,
because Old Marten is rich !"
But scarce had the first news of Miss "Weasel's extra-
ordinary behaviour run through the farm-yard, than old
Bantam was seen hurrying in, very red in the face from over
exertion, and was heard to declare, that he never knew the
like of it, but as sure as he was a living cock, he had met young
Ferret the physician running away with Miss Pussy, the
daughter of old Mrs Hare of the Ferns. Mrs Goose turned
up the whites of her eyes and almost fainted. Dame Partlctt
ran with all speed, that she might be the first to cackle the
intelligence to Mr Drake ; and the whole island was soon in
a ferment at this wonderful piece of gossip.
![hpcomic9 [640x480].jpg](hpcomic9 [640x480].jpg)
Illustrations from Comical creatures by Hermann Ploucquet.
Interpretation of the above drawing Hermann Ploucquet.
Of course, old Mr Marten soon heard of all this ; and so
pleased was he that he immediately altered his will, doubling
the amount he had previously given to his dear boy Longtail, and getting so extremely excited at the "Huntsman
and Hounds" on the same afternoon, that, sad to relate,
he was untimely carried off by an effusion of blood.
And what think you became of the lovers ? Why, the
very day all this commotion happened at Holm-wood the two
pair met at their aunt's, old Mrs Stoat's, of Four-mile Cross,
as they had agreed. There the young fellows, overjoyed at
the success of their scheme, changed their fair partners, and,
to complete their happiness, immediately set out for a tour
on the neighbouring Continent.
There, on fine summer evenings, you might often have
seen the doctor and his beloved, quietly strolling by wood-
sides and along the banks of the green meadows, listening
intently to the warbling of the tender birds they loved so
much ; while young Longtail Marten and his bride, fonder
of more boisterous excitement, devoted themselves to the
pleasures of the chase, scouring rapidly over hill and dale
whenever they heard the huntsman's loud horn, or the
hounds' deeper notes ; and never so happy as when, after the
sports of the day were done, they finished up with a ball,
and danced joyously till the next day's dawn.
Illustrations from Comical creatures by Hermann Ploucquet.
JACK HARE AND GRACE MARTEN LEADING OFF THE BALL.
As for the good folks at Holm-wood, as soon as Mrs Hare
discovered that her daughter had run away, she sent for her
eldest son, Jack Hare, who lived in a farm close by, and
asked him to pursue his sister, and bring her back ; but
Jack said she was quite old enough to know her own mind,
and that he would have nothing to do with it. When, however, the old lady learned that her daughter was married to
the rich young Marten, and not to the poor physician, then
she was greatly rejoiced, though she confessed she could not
make out why her dear child Pussy should run away with
the doctor and then marry the schoolmaster ; but she supposed it was all right.
As for Jack, when he heard that old Mr Marten had
died, leaving great riches behind him, he, to follow the
fashion, fell in love with Grace, the only daughter of the
deceased, and only sister of Longtail. Miss Grace listened
favourably to Jack's suit for she was very lonely now her
father was dead, and her brother away; and as there was no
papa to consult in their case, they got married quietly at
home, and asked all their neighbours to a ball, when Jack
Hare and Grace Marten (that was) led off the polka in grand
style, greatly to the admiration of all the young folks in the
island.
THE WONDERFUL HARE-HUNT.
Illustrations from Comical creatures by Hermann Ploucquet.
MERRILY sounded the cock's shrill horn, and brightly shone
the early morning sun, when a party of young sportsmen
set out to the field, armed with their guns and game-bags.
Four beaters from the neighbouring village attended them,
each with a long stick to rout the hares and rabbits from
their hiding-places. Gaily went they forth, these merry
sportsmen and their helpers ; light was their step across the
green meadows and up the sandy hill-sides ; loud was their
laughter when one of them, trying to jump through a broken
hedge, fell into the neighbouring ditch ; great was their
mirth when another's gun went off and lamed a squirrel in
an adjoining tree ; and joyous was the shout with which
they scared a frightened rabbit from its morning meal.
At last the sportsmen came to the side of a wood, and
one of the beaters reported that just round the corner of the
palings he could see nearly a dozen hares feeding together.
A council of war was summoned ; each sportsman looked to
the priming of his gun, and trod with a more cautious step ;
each beater bent his head nearly to the ground, and crept
along the grass. A plan of attack was formed ; the beaters
stole within the wood to stop the hares that way, while the
sportsmen suddenly appearing on the other side, caused the
poor hares, surrounded as they were, to run into the very
jaws of destruction. They that leaped towards the wood
received blows on their heads from the beaters ; they that
ran down the hill met Ponto the dog, who pounced on them
open-mouthed ; and they that ran upwards were soon sent
downwards again, toppling head over heels, killed by the
fire of the enemy. JSTot a hare escaped. The gun-bearers took
deadly aim, and Ponto and the beaters prevented their flight.
While the young sportsmen and their helpers were yet
picking up the hares and rejoicing at their good fortune, the
sky became quickly overcast, black clouds gathered, and a
hurricane of wind swept through the wood, tearing off large
branches of the trees. The sportsmen stood amazed at the
suddenness of the storm, but presently their amazement was
changed to fear ; for, riding in a bright chariot drawn by
six snow-white swans, blown swiftly by the wind, there
appeared a lady of fairy-like beauty. At her command the
beautiful birds stayed their flight, and the chariot rested on
the green turf close by the sportsmen.
" Young men," said the lady in a melodious but mournful voice, as she pointed to the dead hares, " you have murdered these poor innocents for your sport : know, I am the
fairy called KINDNESS, and these hares were all of them my
friends. In punishment for your cruelty, you sportsmen
shall be changed into Martens, and you attendants into
Weasels. In such shapes you may pursue your cruel sports ;
you are not worthy of the forms of men." And, waving her
wand, the swans bore her instantly out of sight.
They who live in this country say that every old Michael mas-day, five martens and four weasels, with long sticks, may
still be seen hunting hares near this wood ; sometimes a
dog's bark is heard and a shrill whistle, but if any of mankind appear in their sight, the creatures run quickly away,
and hide themselves in the wood.
THE DUEL OF THE DORMICE.
The dual, not by Plouquet, but certainly an influence.
OUT in the fields, in the hollow of an old willow-tree, two
Dormice slept the whole winter long. They neither ate nor
drank, nor did they so much as raise their heads from their
pillows during all this dreary time. A ray of sunshine, as
the sun passed right over their tree, would perhaps make one
of them stretch out his paws ; but as soon as the gleam had
passed and left them, he would curl himself up all the closer
in his nest, and go faster asleep than ever.
Illustrations from Comical creatures by Hermann Ploucquet.
But the sun came one bright spring morning, and shone
on the Dormice so warmly, that they turned round in their
bed, stretched their paws, rubbed their eyes, yawned, and at
last woke quite up.
" It is summer-time at last," said the elder Dormouse, as
he took a nut from his store of provisions and cracked it,
" and we may now leave our winter's bed." " I don't believe
it," replied the younger. " The wind blows cold ; I shall go
to sleep again."
"Ah! that's like your laziness/' rejoined the elder; "sleep
on ; I'm off to the wood." And so saying, he scrambled up
the tree, then down the outside of the trunk, and so into the
wide meadows.
The dual, not by Plouquet, but certainly an influence.
The younger Dormouse went to sleep. He slept for an
hour, then he woke again, and finding his companion gone,
he turned to the food and ate a hearty meal ; then he slept
again, but the sun had made his bed too hot : so he presently
woke and made another attack on the provisions ; and this
he did the whole day long, until, at evening time, all the
corn and nuts which the two Dormice had so diligently col-
lected in the autumn, were gone. Soon the moon rose, and
the young one curled himself for sleep.
In the mean time the elder had wandered about the fields;
but the earth was wet, and no corn or fruit was ripe, so at
night he returned to his nest wet and hungry. He ran
straight to the store-room for food ; but what was his surprise when he found nothing left but a few barley-corns !
His cries woke his companion, from whom he demanded
the provisions ; the younger one muttered that he knew
nothing about them, and pretended to sleep ; but the unfortunate adventurer, driven to desperation by hunger,
flew into a rage and struck the other with his claws : a
fight ensued, and the whole neighbourhood was alarmed at
the outcry.
Two Moles who were passing by the foot of the tree,
hearing this dreadful noise, called out to the combatants to
stop. The Dormice fearing it might be some of the Weasels
who spoke, were silent instantly, and then the Moles bade
them come out.
So the Dormice came down to the Moles ; and when the
Moles found that the silly creatures were bent on their
quarrel, they insisted that the combat should be with swords.
Moreover, they offered to play the part of seconds, and to
dig a grave for the vanquished.
To all this the Dormice consented ; the Moles found an
old trap, and from the iron parts they fashioned rude swords.
These they measured, and gave to the combatants ; and then,
with their long spades in their hands, they awaited the issue
of the affray. It was fierce and desperate. The hungry one
fought with fury, but lie who had had a good feast was the
stronger and the calmer : at last the younger one drove his
sword right through the body of the elder ; but the elder at
the same moment clove his opponent's head asunder, and so
they fell dead together. And the Moles dug a deep hole, and
buried both the Dormice in the same grave.
THE SIX KITTENS
ONCE upon a time a cat had six kittens, whom she brought
up in the most genteel manner. No one could say that
their education was in any wise neglected, for besides being
taught the ordinary duties of life by their mother, such as
mouse-hunting, fish-stealing, and bird-catching, they received
instructions in the arts of singing, and playing the harp and
the piano, and were taught to waltz and dance the polka
with every imaginable grace. Now when the kittens grew
to be of age, it was their custom of an afternoon to spend
some hours at tea and intellectual talk. The youngest
always performed the duties of servant, while one of the
elder ones would entertain the rest by playing airs from the
latest opera, or singing a love-song, the music of which she
had herself composed.
It is true some animals who dwelt close by complained
of this music, and called it by all kinds of ill names ; but
that is ever the jealous way of the world ; and the kittens
frequently performed serenades in their garden by moon-
light, when all who passed by would stay to listen to their
melody.
ENSIGN SQUEAKER AND MISS ROSE
Illustrations from Comical creatures by Hermann Ploucquet.
But to our tale. It happened that, one fine summer's
afternoon, when the kittens were all enjoying themselves at
tea ; when Paulina, the eldest, was warbling some of her
most delightful songs, and Violet, the second, was entertaining the rest, in an undertone, with a little bit of scandal
about a neighbouring Tabby, whom she had seen coming
home in a sad condition about five o'clock in the morning,
when she, Miss Violet, was taking her early walk ; just at
this moment there sounded a tap at the door, and presently
in came Diana, the youngest sister, bearing in her hand
more cakes for tea, and in the plate with them a note
addressed to Miss Rose the next to Violet in age, and by
most people considered the beauty of the family. Violet
took the letter eagerly from Diana ; but when she saw the
address, she remarked that it was evidently a gentleman's
handwriting, and tossing her head somewhat disdainfully,
she handed it to Miss Rose, who blushed very much, and
retired with it to the sofa. Rose opened the note with
trembling paws, and a sweet smile played on her features
as she read its contents ; then, carefully folding it up, she
observed to her sisters that it was merely an invitation for
a walk, and springing on to the back of the sofa, she jumped
through the open window, and retired to her own summer-
house up a fine sycamore-tree in the garden.
Illustrations from Comical creatures by Hermann Ploucquet.
This incident, as may be imagined, caused a great sensation among the sisters ; and all wondered very much who
could have been the writer of the note that had so evidently
pleased Miss Rose. One hoped that it was not from that
scapegrace Tom who lived at the Farm-yard; another feared
it might come from young Marten Sable of the Forest ; and
Violet demanded of her youngest sister what sort of person
it was who had brought the note. Diana did not know, but
believed it was a relation of old Mr Weasel, who belonged
to the same farm that Tom did. This set them all guessing
again, for it was well known that Tom and Old Weasel did
not speak to each other ; and in the end they were all just
as wise as in the beginning.
![hpcomic7 [640x480].jpg](hpcomic7 [640x480].jpg)
Illustrations from Comical creatures by Hermann Ploucquet.
About seven o'clock the same evening an attentive
observer might have noticed Miss Rose emerging from her
door very quietly, and making the best of her way to the
green fields that bordered the sea-coast close by. An illnatured person would have said that Miss Rose had taken
especial pains with her toilet, and that she carried her
parasol with a lack-a-daisical air ; but Rose herself, at her
last peep in the glass, had thought that she looked very
nicely indeed ; and so it would appear thought Ensign
Squeaker (of the Household Pigade), who, with his regimental
sword by his side, and his pocket telescope in his hand,
sauntered along the pathway, merely to enjoy the beauty of
the evening, and inhale the fresh breezes from the ocean.
How it happened that Young Squeaker and Miss Rose met
at the corner of the cliff, just as the village clock struck the
half-past seven, no one knows ; certain only it is that they
did meet ; and that after the interchange of the usual compliments, Miss Rose accepted Mr Squeaker's proffered arm,
and that the pair wandered about by the sea-shore until the
moon rose ; and Miss Rose, in great trepidation at finding
it so late, desired her companion to escort her home. Nor
is it known what Mr Squeaker said when he bade a fond
adieu to his dear Rose, nor for how long after Rose sat in
her arbour in the garden and watched the bats flitting across
the moon.
It was noticed by the sisters that Rose was very quiet
all the next day, and that at times a tear stood in the corner
of her eye, which she would wipe away, sighing. Many
were the sly allusions to the note of the previous afternoon
Illustrations from Comical creatures by Hermann Ploucquet.
Hermann Ploucquet.
and the long evening walk ; and no one tormented poor
Rose with her insinuations more than Paulina, who was for
some cause in a most unusual flow of spirits. After tea,
Rose took down her treasured volume, " Pussicat's Poems,"
and retiring to the garden, read the tenderest parts. Violet,
overcome with the fatigue of a recent mouse-hunt, went to
sleep on the sofa ; the younger ones busied themselves with
their crotchet and net-work ; and Miss Paulina, saying she
was going to call on a neighbour, with her best lace-bordered
handkerchief in her hand, sallied forth and took her way
towards the forest. And it so happened that young Marten
Sable was leaning against a tree, tapping his heel with his
cane, and meditating very profoundly at the entrance of the
very walk towards which Paulina bent her steps. He started
at her approach, and with a sad but eager countenance ran
to meet her.
" What has happened, Marten," cried Paulina, " that you
look so miserable ? tell me directly, I implore you ;" and
placing her hand on his arm, she looked piteously in his
face. Marten hung his head and seemed overcome with
grief ; at last he said in a low husky voice, " We must part,
Paulina ; but it will be only for a time ; my father has
ordered me to set out for Russia to visit his forests there,
and, my darling Paulina, how can I bear the thought !
Illustrations from Comical creatures by Hermann Ploucquet.
it will be six months before I see you again." Paulina
covered her face with her paws and wept bitterly ; at last,
rousing herself, she said, " Let us not, Marten, spend our last
evening thus ; come, six months will soon pass, and then "
Here Paulina's voice dropped, and Marten threw his arms
round her waist and kissed away the tears.
We know of every word that Marten said to Paulina,
and of Paulina's every reply, for we had it all from a young
hedgehog whose curiosity led her to listen . to their talk ;
but we think that the hedgehog did wrong to listen, and
so, perhaps, did we to listen to the hedgehog, and so we will
not tell their secrets ; but this we may mention, that they
wandered up and down the pathways of the forest, now and
then pouncing on a stray field-mouse or a poor sleeping
bird, until the moon shone brightly through the trees. And
we know that they parted at length by the sign-post at the
edge ol the wood, when Paulina shed many tears, and
Marten, laying his paw upon his heart, vowed ever to be
constant to her, and in all his travels and all his adventures
to remember his sweet Pussy. To have seen how the poor
kitten wept when she went to bed that night, would have
grieved a hard-hearted, terrier ; and to have seen how melancholy she looked as she wandered about for three weeks
afterwards, would have drawn pity from a ferocious bull-dog.
YOUNG MARTEN BIDDING FAREWELL TO MISS PAULINA.-
![hpcomic11 [640x480].jpg](hpcomic11 [640x480].jpg)
Illustrations from Comical creatures by Hermann Ploucquet.
One morning, about seven months after the events we
have narrated, there was a great commotion in the house
where the kittens dwelt ; the bells rang, the flags were
hoisted, and little cannon fired. In the papers of the next
morning we read that Ensign Squeaker of the Household
Pigade carried off the beautiful Miss Rose, and young Marten
Sable of the Forest his fair prize Miss Paulina, both on the
same day.
May they all enjoy much felicity, and may the brides
catch plenty of mice !
THE FROGS WHO WOULD A-WOOING GO.
![hpcomic6 [640x480].jpg](hpcomic6 [640x480].jpg)
Illustrations from Comical creatures by Hermann Ploucquet.
Two frogs, who were cousins, were hopping about together
one warm summer's evening by the side of a rivulet, when
they began talking just as the men will talk about a
young lady-frog who lived in a neighbouring marsh. One
extolled the brightness of her eyes, the other praised the
beauty of her complexion, and somehow the two frogs found
out that they had both fallen in love with the same young
lady-froggy. When they had made this discovery they
parted rather abruptly, and muttered something, the mean-
ing of which was not very clear.
Illustrations from Comical creatures by Hermann Ploucquet.
" Bless me," said Mr Croaker, the elder and richer of the
two, " I must not let that young scapegrace Jumper get the
better of me. A pretty joke indeed that he should think of
the beautiful Miss Leapfrog, he who is not worth a sixpence,
and is as ugly as a toad."
"Who would have thought," said Jumper to himself,
" that that old curmudgeon Croaker was going to make love
to that dear young Miss Leapfrog ? We will soon see whom
she likes best."
The next morning Croaker dressed himself with unusual
neatness ; and that he might appear to better advantage, he
went to a barber-frog who lived in a neighbouring arbour,
and asked to be shaved and to have his wig dressed. The
barber had just spread his white cloth, had lathered his
customer's chin, and was nourishing a razor in his face, when
what should catch Croaker's eye through the open doorway
but the figure of his cousin Jumper, smartly dressed, with
his cane under his arm, and a parasol over his head, to
keep the sun off his delicate complexion, walking hastily
along the path that led to Miss Leapfrog's residence.
To jump from his chair was Croaker's first impulse, and,
sad to say, it was his last ; for he fell with his throat
upon the edge of the barber's razor, and in two minutes
breathed his last.
Deep was Miss Leapfrog's grief, and great was Mr
Jumper's joy, when the news of this sad misfortune reached
their ears. In the first burst of her anguish the young lady
accused the barber of having murdered her dear Croaker ;
but Mr Jumper hopped about for joy, and vowed that the
barber was the best frog alive. And well he might be
joyful, for as Croaker had died without a will, Jumper
inherited all his estates ; and when, after a week's mourning,
the young lady's grief had somewhat subsided, the happy
Mr Jumper carried off the beautiful Miss Leapfrog.
But alas, how uncertain is happiness either to man or
frogs ! Two days afterwards, as Jumper was crossing a
brook, a lily-white duck, who had been concealed by the
rushes, flew at him with open beak and gobbled him up.
And the poor bride was left to mourn in silent solitude.
More examples of this work to compliment the Walter Potter page
![Nondescript[1].JPG](Nondescript[1].JPG)
The Nonedescript, created by Charles Waterton.
![cardsquirrels[1].jpg](cardsquirrels[1].jpg)
The "game", by unknown taxidermist. Very much in the Vitorian style of Walter Potter
![ratsdenpotter[1].jpg](ratsdenpotter[1].jpg)
The "Rats" den by Walter Potter
![TaxidermyHartPrizeFight[1].JPG](TaxidermyHartPrizeFight[1].JPG)
The "Prize fight" by Edward Hart
The Siamese pigs. Not exactly quality taxidermy, but needs to be shown nevertheless. Not the taxidermy we would seek to collect.
Musical Frogs in a glass dome
Red Squirrels by J Lawrence of Birmingham. Very much in the Vitorian style of Walter Potter.
Frogs under to dome.
The dual, not by Plouquet, but certainly an influence.
![golffrog[1].JPG](golffrog[1].JPG)
Not by Plouquet, but certainly an influence.
Not by Plouquet, but certainly an influence.
Not by Plouquet, but certainly an influence.
Not by Plouquet, but certainly an influence.
![kittychurch1 [640x480].jpg](kittychurch1 [640x480].jpg)
Not by Plouquet, but certainly an influence.
![kittychurch [640x480].jpg](kittychurch [640x480].jpg)
Not by Plouquet, but certainly an influence.
![thedeath[2].jpg](thedeath[2].jpg)
"The Death" by Walter Potter.
Not by Plouquet, but certainly an influence..
![mechfrogs [640x480].jpg](mechfrogs [640x480].jpg)
Walter Potter's Mechanical Toads. Each Toad moves as if undertaking excercise. .
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