The Book of Cats. 43 



commendable in anything approaching to spite, 

 passion, or revenge, a character that is all softness 

 is certainly defective. The velvety paw is very well, 

 but it will be the better appreciated when it is known 

 that it carries within it something that is not soft, 

 and which can make itself felt, and sharply felt, on 

 occasion. A cat rolled up into a ball, or crouched 

 with its paws folded underneath it, seems an em- 

 blem of repose and contentment. There is some- 

 thing soothing in the mere sight of it. It may re- 

 mind one of the placid countenance and calm repose 

 with which the sphynx seems to look forth from 

 the shadow of the Pyramids, on the changes and 

 troubles of the world. This leads to the remark, 

 that Cats, after all, are very enigmatical creatures. 

 You never get to the bottom of Cats. You will 

 never find any two, well known to you, that do not ' 

 offer marked diversities in ways and dispositions ; 

 and, in general, the combination they exhibit of 

 activity and repose, and the rapidity with which 

 they pass from the one to the other, their gentle 

 aspects and fragile form, united with strength and 

 pliancy, their sudden appearances and disap- 

 pearances, their tenacity of life, and many escapes 

 from dangers ( " as many lives as a Cat " ), their 

 silent and rapid movements, their sometimes un- 



