SOXXIXI AND HIS CAT. 121 



In fact, unless they were deified, as in the times of 

 the ancients, it would be impossible for them, our 

 zoologist thought, to be made more of. Sonnini 

 himself had a passion for cats. He always kept a 

 number of them, and in his works has spoken of 

 them in the highest terms of commendation. The 

 manners of the Egyptian cats confirmed him in his 

 idea that these animals are greatly influenced by 

 the treatment they receive. He compared the 

 barbarous usage of the miserable creatures in his 

 own country, and asked, who could wonder if they 

 had a savage look and wild manners, while these 

 Egyptian pets were so gentle and familiar. If the 

 reader share with me M. Sonnini's partiality for 

 mousers, he will read with great pleasure what 

 follows: " I was for a long time the possessor of 

 a very fine Angora cat. Her long and thick hair 

 covered her completely ; her bushy tail formed a 

 brush, resembling a beautiful plume of feathers, 

 which she could at pleasure turn upon her back. 

 No spot, no shade tarnished the dazzling whiteness 

 of her coat. Her nose and the turn of her lips 

 w-ere of a pale rose colour. In her round head 

 sparkled two large eyes the one of a light yellow, 

 and the other blue. The graceful movements and 

 attitudes of this charming cat were even surpassed 

 by her amiable disposition. Her aspect was mild, 

 and her gentleness truly interesting. Though 



