The Book of Cats. 291 



Mr. Dickens', though "Dickens' Dogs," a small 

 collection from his canine heroes, published some 

 years ago, showed him to be a great lover and 

 close observer of that animal. 

 Pope says : — 



*' But thousands die without or this or that — 

 Die and endow a college or a Cat." 



The latter case, however, is rather rare I should 

 think. When Pussy's good master and mistress 

 die, the wide world is often enough left for it to 

 roam in at its will, seeking its living as it can — 

 a wide world full of cruel kicks and cuffs. Justin's 

 Cat was lucky to die of old age in a good home, 

 and have such a fine epitaph written over his 

 remains : — ^ 



Worn out with age and dire disease, a Cat, 



Friendly to all save wicked mouse and rat, 



I'm sent at last to ford the Stygian lake, 



And to the infernal coast a voyage make. 



Me Proserpine received, and smiling said, 



"Be bless'd within these mansions of the dead; 



Enjoy among thy velvet-footed loves, 



Elysium's sunny banks and shady groves," 



" But if I've well deserved (O gracious Queen) — 



If patient under suffering I have been, 



Grant me at least one night to visit home again, 



