THE CAT= 



An Appreciation 



I value in the cat the independent and almost 

 ungrateful spirit which prevents her from attach- 

 ing herself to any one, the indifference with which 

 she passes from the salon to the housetop. When 

 we caress her, she stretches herself and arches her 

 back responsively ; but this is because she feels an 

 agreeable sensation, not because she takes a silly 

 satisfaction, like the dog, in faithfully loving a 

 thankless master. The cat lives alone, has no need 

 of society, obeys only when she pleases, pretends 

 to sleep that she may see the more clearly, and 

 scratches everything on which she can lay her paw." 



Chateaubriand to M. de Marcellus. 



