108 CATS ATTACHED TO HOUSES. 



old^ had fallen^, and was in danger of drowning. This 

 intelligent cat saved the child's life^ and in this 

 instance showed a degree of attachment superior 

 to that commonly observed in her kind. Yet^ on the 

 removal of the family^ some time afterwards, she 

 could not be retained in their new habitation, but, in 

 spite of every precaution, returned to their former 

 abode." 



" The attachment of cats to houses rather than 

 persons," replied Mrs. Saville, " is supposed to arise 

 from their perfect knowledge of the outlets and pass- 

 ages of the place where they have lived, as well as 

 the holes in which the rats and mice have fixed their 

 retreats. Now it is possible that the aversion they 

 show to a change of situation may originate from a 

 fear of want of food, from not knowing, where to seek 

 for their prey." 



Thus our meetings pass in the most agreeable and 

 profitable manner, instruction being mixed with our 

 conversation; and it seldom happens that we part 

 without hearing some curious anecdotes, either re- 

 lative to history, the characters of great men, the 

 wonders of nature, or some other interesting subject. 

 And when any thing is more extraordinary than 

 usual, I insert it in a common -place book that I keep 

 for the purpose. Looking over this book in the 



