The Book of Cats. 41 



only love you, mistress ; pray accept all I have to 

 offer.' " 



An anonymous writer says : " We may learn some 

 useful lessons from Cats, as indeed, from all animals. 

 Agur, in the book of Proverbs, refers to some ; and 

 all through Scripture we find animals used as types 

 of human character. Cats may teach us patience, 

 and perseverance, and earnest concentration of mind 

 on a desired object, as they w^atch for hours together 

 by a mouse-hole, or in ambush for a bird. In their 

 nicely calculated springs, we are taught neither to 

 come short through want of mercy, or go beyond 

 the mark in its excess. In their delicate walking 

 amidst the fragile articles on a table or mantelpiece, 

 is illustrated the tact and discrimination by which 

 we should thread rather than force our way ; and, 

 in pursuit of our own ends, avoid the injuring of 

 others. In their noiseless tread and stealthy move- 

 ments, we are reminded of the frequent importance 

 of secresy and caution prior to action, while their 

 promptitude at the right moment, warns us, on 

 the other hand, against the evils of irresolution 

 and delay. The curiosity with which they spy into 

 all places, and the thorough smelling which any 

 new object invariably receives from them, commends 

 to us the pursuit of knowledge, even under diffi- 



