LOVERS OF CATS. 



" The Turks greatly admire Cats ; to them, their alluring 

 Figure appears preferable to the Docility, Instinct, and 

 Fidelity of the Dog. Mahomet was very partial to Cats. 

 It is related, that being called up on some urgent Business, 

 he preferred cutting ^/"the Sleeve of his Robe, to waking the 

 Cat, that lay upon it asleep. Nothing more was necessary, 

 to bring these Animals into high Request. A Cat may even 

 enter a Mosque; it is caressed there, as the Favourite 

 Animal of the Prophet ; while the Dog, that should dare 

 appear in the Temples, would pollute them with ^his 

 Presence, and would be punished with instant Deaths* 



I am indebted to the Rev. T. G. Gardner, of St. Paul's 

 Cray, for the following from the French : 



" A recluse, in the time of Gregory the Great, had it 



* Daniel's "Rural Sports," 1813. 



