148 LETTER XXVI. 



eyes were open, which is in the space of eight or 

 nine days from its birth, it was advanced to two- 

 pence; and as soon as proof could be given of its 

 having caught a mouse, its value was, in consequence 

 of that exploit, rated at fourpence; a very consider- 

 able sum in those days when money \vas\so exceed- 

 ingly scarce, being at least equivalent to the price of" 

 a good sheep. 



By the same laws, if any one should steal or de- 

 stroy a cat that guarded the prince's granary, he was 

 to expiate the crime by the. payment of as much 

 wheat as would form a heap high enough to cover the 

 cat's tail when it was suspended by it with the nose 

 touching the floor, or by the forfeiture of a good ewe, 

 with her fleece and lamb. It was likewise provided, 

 that when a cat was sold, its sight and hearing should 

 be perfect, and its claws whole, and if a female, a good 

 nurse to kittens: if any defect were found in regard 

 to these qualities, the seller was to forfeit to the 

 buyer one fourth part of the price. 



From these circumstances it appears, that the cat 

 was not originally a native of these islands, and that 

 great pains were once taken to preserve and improve 

 the breed of an animal which is now grown so com- 

 mon, that it is held in less estimation than it deserves. 



It is, mv dear Sir, a disagreeable but just observa- 

 tion, that in many cases the favors of Providence ex- 

 cite not only less admiration, but also less gratitude 

 from being liberally bestowed and plentifully dif- 

 fused. 



The maternal affection of the cat is very remarka- 

 ble, and she has frequently been known to nurse the 

 young of other animals with the utmost care and ten- 

 derness. 



In the Naturalist's Calendar, a very curious circum- 

 stance of this nature is stated: "A boy had taken 

 three young squirrels in their nest, put them under a 

 cat which had recently lost her kittens, and found 

 that she suckled them with the same aiiecticn as if 

 they had been her own progeny. Hut so many per- 

 sons flocked to see this phenomenon, that the foster- 



