The Adventures of a Donkey is a British children's circulation novel written in 1815 by Arabella Argus, author of other children's novel such as Ostentation and Liberality, The Juvenile Spectator and The Further Adventures of Jemmy Donkey. The story follows young Jemmy donkey in his life as a service animal. It is narrated by Jemmy himself, thus, is full of self-evaluation and growth; it also shows an interesting insight into the life of a nineteenth century working animal.
Plot summary
A young donkey named Jemmy is brought up on a farm with his mother, father and his mentor named Balaam. When Jemmy reaches eighteen months, Farmer Howel sells him to the Fenton family under the care of Master Frederick. One day Master Frederic startles Jemmy causing him to buck and accidentally kick a chicken. Master Frederick threatens to beat him. Master Frederick's cousins, Charles and Marianne Fairfax see this and inform Master Fenton who orders Jemmy be sold to stop Master Frederick's cruelty. Jemmy is sold to Dr Manton.
Dr Manton, his son, George Manton, and his son's love, Caroline Morden, are a kind family who treat Jemmy well. Whilst staying with the Manton family, Jemmy meets Jenkins; the stable hand for the Manton family. Jenkins very rarely tends to Jemmy, but, when he does he is cruel. Caroline is ill, and as the weeks go by her condition worsens leaving Jemmy unemployed. There is to be a trip to Bristol, Jemmy learns, and Caroline, George and Dr Manton leave quickly. Two weeks later they return and Jemmy learns that Caroline is dead.
Irritable one day, Jemmy takes a walk down a lane adjacent to the house but strays too far and is taken by a vagrant named Dan. One night whilst eating dinner, Jemmy overhears a woman telling Dan that someone is looking for a lost donkey in Tunbridge. Dan decides to take Jemmy to Tunbridge the next day to see if anyone recognises him. The pair walked round Tunbridge before coming to an inn. A voice from the inn window bellowed to them; it as Jenkins. He informed Dan that this was his master's donkey which had gone missing some weeks ago. Dan passes Jemmy to Jenkins and leaves. Jenkins ties Jemmy up outside of the inn and re-enters to finish his drink and card game. During the game Jenkins bets Jemmy; he loses. Jemmy is transferred to the care of Mr Staples.
Jemmy's new home is an old shed he shares with Balaam and another donkey named Juba. Jemmy and Balaam reminisce and Jemmy tells Balaam of his travels since he left Mr Howel's farm. Later, Jemmy is sent out to work where he and other donkeys give rides to children on a hill side. His first passenger is a young lady named Lady Harriet; they ride to Lady Harriet's home where her mother and father see how fond she is of Jemmy and decide to buy him. Jemmy is thrilled by the news of a new loving family but saddened to be leaving Balaam. Jemmy's new owners, the Hampton family, have two children, Lady Harriet and Master Hubert.
After one month, Jemmy is taken back to work for Mr Staples where he resumes his usual duties. After some time Jemmy is sent to accompany Tom, Staples' sick son, to Bromley to stay with his cousin. Staples told his cousin to find a buyer for Jemmy whilst there, he complies and sells Jemmy to a sandman. During his time working for the sandman Jemmy becomes malnourished and weak and is sent to Blackheath to regain his strength where he is bought by the Turner family.
Jemmy enjoys a happy few months living with the Turner family, but, towards Christmas Mr Turner decides to gift an old friend, Mrs Arnot, with Jemmy because her horse has died. Shortly before Christmas, Jemmy is taken to London to meet his new owner. After a few months of working happily for Mrs Arnot, she succumbs to disease and everything she owns is bequeathed to her nephew, Jenkins, the former stable hand for the Manton family. He quickly sells everything, including Jemmy, and flees. Jemmy was sold to a Mr Carter and whilst under his care Jemmy falls and breaks his knees. After the accident Mr Carter has no further use for Jemmy and sells him to a Laundress from Kensington named Mrs Dawes.
During the care of Mrs Dawes Jemmy see Jenkins break into the yard and try to steal some linen, he is apprehended and transported overseas. After this incident Jemmy meets another donkey named Bobby who knows Balaam. He tells Jemmy that Balaam is ill and Jemmy contemplates escaping to be with him. Jemmy is sent to work for Mr Ford at a fair near Hampstead, close to where Balaam resides; he decides to escape the fair after nightfall to be with Balaam.