THE CAT TRIUMPHANT 149 



was the pussy whom Johnson "liked better" than 

 Hodge. On this point no light has ever been 

 thrown ; but Lilly was fair to see, and Hodge, 

 though Boswell politely called him a fine cat, ap- 

 pears to have been but modestly endowed in re- 

 spect to personal beauty. He had parts, and he 

 had that rare gift of sympathy which is so seldom 

 manifested by his race, perhaps because there is so 

 little in most of us to quicken it. His was a happy 

 fate. To sit purring on Johnson's knee, secure of 

 kindness, safe from that forcible contempt which 

 no one but Boswell could bear smilingly ; to be fed 

 with oysters by that generous hand, and to be im- 

 mortalized by the companionship which crowned his 

 little life with content ; — this seems to me the best 

 of feline fortunes, equalled only, and not surpassed, 

 by the joy of being Sir Walter's cat at Abbotsford. 

 Of Hinse of Hinsefeld it becomes us to speak 

 with respect. Staid in demeanour, irreproachable 

 in conduct, happily mingling affability with reserve, 

 a courteous cat along old-fashioned, gentlemanly 

 lines, he maintained the dignity of his position 

 through many tranquil years. For his master he 

 entertained a steadfast affection, the affection 

 which, as we well know, Scott inspired in every 

 animal he met. Cat or dog, pig or hen, it mattered 

 not. There lived no beast nor bird so stupid or so 

 ill-conditioned as to withhold allegiance. 



