266 THE FIRESIDE SPHINX 



treatment. This could only occur in insular condi- 

 tions. Hence the Isle of Man possesses Manx cats." 

 Why not accept the still more ingenious theory 

 of the poet who suggests that these "isle-nurtured " 

 pussies may possibly wear away their tails 



" By sedentary habits, 

 As do the rabbits." 



Manx cats are sometimes held to be of a cold and 

 almost churlish disposition, occasioned perhaps by 

 much sorrowful brooding over their lost tails. Yet 

 I once made the acquaintance of a handsome young 

 scion of the race, who lived in Penrith, and who, 

 though lacking vivacity, possessed singular sweet- 

 ness of character. Mr. Harrison Weir, the author 

 of a very useful book upon cats, says that only the 

 finest Manx varieties are absolutely tailless, the 

 commoner sort possessing little stumpy apologies 

 for the missing member. He gives warm praise 

 to the beautiful Abyssinian cats, silver grey with 

 orange eyes, whose ancestors are believed to have 

 been Pasht's favoured pussies, and the little gods of 

 Egypt. Also to the Siamese cats, once so jealously 

 guarded in the palace of kings, but now exported 

 occasionally to Europe and America. These feline 

 royalties are small, muscular, and daringly athletic, 

 of a chocolate or dun colour, "the shade of wood 

 ashes," say the Siamese poetically, and have thin, 

 pointed, and rather forlorn tails. Their eyes are 



