252 The Book of Cats. 



breaking-, sometimes to strange discoveries. Our 

 neighbour at the back was a large coach-builder, 

 and the nearest buildings were his forges. On week 

 days, I beheld, during my airy rambles, nothing 

 but the blacksmiths hammering away at bolt, and 

 spring, and tire, and nail ; but on Sundays, except 

 in case of inclement weather, the warm tiles that 

 covered the forges were tenanted by numerous 

 parties of Cats. There they sat, all day long, ad- 

 miring one another, holding silent deliberations, 

 determining in their minds which partner they 

 should select for the evening's concert and ball. 

 While daylight lasted, it was a Quaker's meeting, 

 silent and sober ; but after dark — the darker the 

 better — leaps and friskings were audible, with vocal 

 effects of long-swelling notes, such as called forth 

 Peter Pindar's Ode to* the Jewish Cats of Israel 

 Mendez, whose opening line is — 



" Singers of Israel ! O, ye singers sweet !" 



From Monday morning till Saturday night not a 

 Cat was to be seen : they knew when Sunday came 

 round, as well as I did, from the low temperature 

 of the tiles. 



It is very common for Cats to select one member 

 of a family on whom they lavish all their fondness, 



