The Book of Cats. 21/ 



that I was alive and well, back she would go again. 

 She never failed to pay me that one visit in the 

 morning, and never came twice in the day, till she 

 had weaned her kittens, and then every day she 

 came back, and nothing would induce her to go 

 away again : I had not the heart to force her back. 

 From that day to this she has always slept at the 

 door of my room.' Never was there more evident 

 affection exhibited in the feline race." 



With respect to a Cat's food, I think it should 

 not have too much meat ; and I should prefer feed- 

 ing it on scraps that have come from the table, to 

 buying Cats' meat. If their taste be consulted 

 upon the subject, almost all Cats are passionately 

 fond of lights, particularly as they grow old ; and 

 one elderly red-haired gentleman in particular, with 

 whom I had once the honour of being acquainted, 

 was in the habit of watching the pot whilst the 

 lights boiled, with lively interest, sniffing the steam 

 when the saucepan-lid was raised, and licking his 

 lips in anticipation of joys to come, when he could 

 gorge himself to his heart's content. As he was a 

 very old gentleman, and enjoyed the privileges of 

 age, he had unlimited lights supplied to him ; and 

 it was his habit to eat as much as he could possibly 

 swallow, and then lie down within sight of the 



