OUR BOGS. 135 



recapture the slipper with bristling hair and blazing eyes, 

 as if the whole of his dog-life consisted in keeping his 

 prize ; till at length he caught a glimpse of pussy's tail, 

 at which, dropping the slipper, he precipitated himself after 

 the flying meteor, tumbling, rolling, and scratching down 

 the kitchen stair*, and standing on his hind-legs barking 

 distractedly at poor Tom, who had taken refuge in the sink, 

 and sat with his tail magnified to the size of a small 

 bolster. 



This cat, the most reputable and steady individual of his 

 species, the darling of the most respectable of cooks, had 

 received the name of Thomas Henry, by which somewhat 

 lengthy appellation he was generally designated in the fam- 

 ily circle, as a mark of the respect which his serious and 

 contemplative manner commonly excited. Thomas had but 

 one trick of popularity. With much painstaking and care 

 the cook had taught him the act of performing a somerset 

 over our hands when held at a decent height from the 

 floor ; and for this one elegant accomplishment, added to 

 great success in his calling of rat-catching, he was held in 

 great consideration in the family, and had meandered his 

 decorous way about house, slept in the sun, and otherwise 

 conducted himself with the innocent and tranquil freedom 

 which became a family cat of correct habits and a good 

 conscience. 



The irruption of Wix into our establishment was like 



