=THE CAT 



The Cat's Progress 



Outlawed for centuries, driven ruthlessly from 

 hearth and home, then tolerated merely as a useful 

 chattel, the cat has gradually insinuated herself 

 into polite society. She has made herself at home 

 in library and drawing-room, she has reserved for 

 occasional use kitchen, dining-room and office. 

 She may be seen drowsing for hours on the bed, she 

 takes exclusive possession of the most comfortable 

 armchair, she curls herself at will on her master's 

 knee, and, when the frost deepens, she always 

 monopolizes the warmest corner by the fire. 



This is the progress, and these are the admitted 

 triumphs of the cat. She has conquered and do- 

 mesticated man, reduced him to the role of an 

 obedient servant, and required of him that he shall 

 provide her with the luxuries she loves. In doing 

 this, he but performs his duty, and need expect no 

 gratitude. The loud declarations of naturalists 

 count for little by the side of such a candid con- 

 fession as that of M. de Cherville, who tells us in 

 one of his charming essays that for two years he 

 has obsequiously served a little cat, born under his 

 roof, and raised by his careful hands. For two 

 years he has studied her tastes, and shown her every 

 attention in his power; and never in all this time 



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