THE* CAT K1SD. 117 



caresses, and the most agreeable purring. It is also 

 reproached with treachery and cruelty, but are not 

 the artifices which it uses the particular instinct* 

 which the all-wise Creator has given it in conformity 

 with the purposes for which it is designed ? Being 

 destined to prey upon so lively and active an animal 

 as the mouse, which possesses so many means of 

 escape, it is requisite that it should be artful ; and, in- 

 deed, the cat, when well observed, exhibits the most 

 evident proofs of a particular adaptation to a parti- 

 cular purpose, and the most striking example of a 

 peculiar instinct suited to its destination. 



A celebrated writer says, that "the cat is one of 

 those animals which has made the least return to man 

 for his trouble by its services;" but it is certain that 

 it renders very essential services to man, and merits 

 well his kindness and protection. Authors seem to 

 delight in exaggerating the good qualities of the dog, 

 while they depreciate those of the cat : the latter, 

 however, is not less useful, and certainly less mis- 

 chievous than the former. The delight, however, 

 which this animal takes in sporting with the unfortu- 

 nate victim that falls under its power, in prolonging 

 its tortures, and putting it to a lingering death, it 

 must be confessed is not a very favorable trait of it* 

 character. 



The cat is very much attached to the place where 

 it has been brought up, or long made its abode ; and 

 instances frequently occur of cats having returned to 

 the place from whence they had been carried, aU 

 though at several miles distance, and even acres-; 

 rivers, when it was impossible that they should have 

 uny knowledge of the road. 



In former times this animal was held in so high es- 

 timation, that its preservation constituted, in some 

 countries, an object of public attention. In the reign 

 of Ilowel, the good king of Wales, who died A. D. 

 948, laws were made to fix the price of valuable ani- 

 mals, among which the cat was included, on account 

 of its utility and scarcity. The price of a kitten, be- 

 fore it could see, was fixed at. one pennv : after it<. 



