390 ANIMALS OF THE 



teaches it to disguise its appetites, and to watch 

 the favourable moment of plunder : supple, in- 

 sinuating, and artful, it has learnt the arts of con- 

 cealing its intentions till it can put them into exe- 

 cution ; when the opportunity offers, it at once 

 seizes upon whatever it finds, flies off with it, and 

 continues at a distance till it supposes its offence 

 forgotten. The cat has only the appearance of 

 attachment ; and it may easily be perceived, by 

 its timid approaches, and side-long looks, that it 

 either dreads its master, or distrusts his kindness : 

 different from the dog, whose caresses are sincere, 

 the cat is assiduous rather for its own pleasure, 

 than to please, and often gains confidence only 

 to abuse it. The form of its body and its tem- 

 perament correspond with its disposition ; active, 

 cleanly, delicate, and voluptuous, it loves its ease, 

 and seeks the softest cushions to lie on. " Many 

 of its habits, however, are rather the consequences 

 of its formation, than the result of any perverse- 

 ness in its disposition : it is timid and mistrustful, 

 because its body is weak, and its skin tender ; a 

 blow hurts it infinitely more than it does a dog, 

 whose hide is thick, and body muscular; the 

 long fur in which the cat is clothed, entirely dis- 

 guises its shape, which, if seen naked, is long, 

 feeble, and slender : it is not to be wondered, 

 therefore, that it appears much more fearful of 

 chastisement than the dog, and often flies, even 

 when no correction is intended. Being also a 

 native of the warmer climates, as will be shown 

 hereafter, it chooses the softest bed to lie on, 

 which is always the warmest." 



