CATS. 109 



Every cat that comes to a new area in London, 

 appears to me to be obliged to fight till he gains 

 undisturbed possession of it; at least so it has been 

 the case with my cats. A very fine, bold, powerful 

 tabby did this twice with perfect success ; but after 

 repeated combats, although victorious, the struggle 

 made him fierce and occasionally sullen. Another, who 

 was a very beautiful creature, but much weaker, used 

 to come in with his handsome ears slit, his cheeks swollen, 

 his fur torn off, his frolic and vivacity gone ; and he 

 sat crouching by the fire all day. At night he was 

 roused by the fierce defiance of his enemies ; and the 

 contest continued till he died from his exertions. 



One cat belonging to me had a curious manner of 

 showing her disappointment or anger, whichever it might 

 be ; for the instant she was affronted she walked away, 

 and seated herself with her back to the offending parties. 

 A child of hers was an instance of the effect of judicious 

 education, for fair and gentle treatment transformed her 

 from a violent, outrageous kitten, to a well-behaved cat; 

 and it was curious to see the instantaneous effect which 

 the voice of his preceptress produced. Cats will learu 

 all sorts of antics, and form all sorts of contradictory 

 attachments ; young birds, puppies, rats, and mice, fre- 

 quently being the objects. My mother-in-law had both 

 a favourite canary and an equally beloved cat. The 

 former lived in her bed-room ; and when alone, she 

 suffered him to fly about the room, for she could there 

 exclude the latter. Chance, however, discovered that 

 puss was as fond of the canary as she was ; and to her 

 surprise, on raising her head from her work one morning, 

 she saw the bird perched upon the cat's body without 

 fear, and the cat evidently delighted. After that there 



