FROM THE " SPECTATOR? 149 



of hearty friendship with my grey cat Kitty, 

 but of polite indifference with my black 

 cat Toppy. 



Toppy, for some years back, has been 

 subject to fits, owing, it is considered, to the 

 lodgment of some small shot near her spine, 

 whilst out trespassing (or poaching). 



Yesterday Snow rushed into the kitchen 

 with face so anxious and piteous that my 

 servants both exclaimed that something must 

 have happened ; gave signs, as he can do, 

 that somebody was to go with him, and 

 was followed into the drawing-room, where 

 Toppy, left alone, had fallen under the 

 grate in a fit, and was writhing amid the 

 ashes and embers. She was rescued, and 

 beyond a little singeing, does not seem much 

 the worse. 



To reach the kitchen, Snow must have 

 pushed open a red-baize door, which he 

 has never been known to open before, and 

 before which he will stay barking for ten 

 minutes at a time to be let through. 



If any biped, supposing himself to be 

 endowed with reason, humanity, and articu- 



