‘RRE 199 
a quadrupedal ball without even uttering a sound of displeasure. Or he might be 
employed as a footstool, a “boa,” or a pillow, and in either case would placidly go to sleep. 
This kind of behaviour was the more extraordinary because his natural disposition 
was of a peculiarly dignified character, and no human being could feel a shght more 
keenly than “ Purruts.”. Those whom he favoured with his confidence, and they were 
but few, might toss him about, make him jump over their hands, or leap on their shoulders 
and walk along their extended arms, and he would remain calm and complacent. But 
let any one laugh at him, and he immediately asserted his dignity by walking away very 
slowly, with his tail very upright and his whole person swaggering from side to side in a 
most self-asserting manner. 
Only a short time ago, died one of the most accomplished and singular Cats that ever 
caught a mouse or sat on a hearth-rug. 
Her name was “ Pret,” being an abbreviation of “Prettina,” a title which was given 
to her on, account of the singular grace of her form and the beauty of her fur, which 
was soft as that of a chinchilla, Her colour was a very light grey tabby, and she was 
remarkable for an almost humanly expressive countenance, and an exceedingly long nose 
and tail. Her accomplishments were all self-taught, for she had never learned the usual 
routine of feline acquirements. 
“Pret” was brought when quite a kitten from the Continent, being one of a rather 
peculiar breed of Cats, remarkable for the length of their tails and the softness of their 
fur. She accompanied her mistress in rather a lengthened journey, and finally settled 
down in England, not very far from the metropolis. Her mistress kindly sent me the 
followin® account of “ Pret’s” conduct during a severe illness :— 
“ Three years ago I had a lovely kitten presented to me. Her fur was of a beautiful 
blue-grey colour, marked with glossy black stripes, according to the most approved zebra 
or tiger fashion. She was so very pretty that she was named ‘ Pret, and was, without 
exception, the wisest, most loving, and dainty pussy that ever crossed my path. 
When Pret was very young, I fell ill with a nervous fever. She missed me imme- 
diately in my accustomed place, sought for me, and placed herself at my door until she 
found a chance of getting into the room, which she soon accomplished, and began at 
once to try her little best to amuse me with her little frisky kitten tricks and pussy-cat 
attentions. But soon finding that I was too ill to play with her, she placed herself 
beside me, and at once established herself as head nurse. In this capacity few human 
beings could have exceeded her in watchfulness, or manifested more affectionate regard. 
It was truly wonderful to note how soon she learned to know the different hours at 
which I ought to take medicine or nourishment; and during the night, if my attendant 
were asleep, she would call her, and, if she could not awake her without such extreme 
measures, she would gently nibble the nose of the sleeper, which means never failed to 
produce the desired effect. Having thus achieved her purpose, Miss Pret would watch 
attentively the preparation of whatever was needed, and then come and with a gentle 
pwir-purr announce its advent to me. 
The most marvellous part of the matter was, her never being five minutes wrong 
in her calculations of the true time, even amid the stillness and darkness of night. But 
who shall say by what means this little being was enabled to measure the fleeting 
moments, and by the aid of what power did she connect the lapse of time with the need- 
ful attentions of a nurse and her charge? Surely we have here something more than 
reason.” 
The never-failing accuracy of this wise little Cat was the more surprising, because 
she was equally infallible by night or day. There was no striking clock in the house, so 
that she could not have been assisted by its aid; nor was it habit, for her assiduous 
attentions only began with the illness, and ceased with the recovery of the invalid. 
Instinct, popularly so called, will not account for this wonderful capability so suddenly 
coming into being, and so suddenly ceasing. Surely some spirit-guiding power must 
have animated this sympathetic little creature, and have directed her in her labour 
of love. 
