CHAPTER XXVII 



A FEW WORDS ON CATS IN GENERAL 



"I would give nothing for that man's religion whose cat and dog 

 are not the better for it." DR NORMAN M*LEOD. 



I THINK I cannot commence better than by quoting the 

 words of Mark Twain, in his amusing book called 

 Puddin -headed Wilson^ where he says : 



" A home without a cat, and a well-fed, well-petted, 

 and properly revered cat, may be a perfect home, perhaps ; 

 but how can it prove its title ? " 



The cat of the household is not so much respected by 

 some as she deserves to be. 



It is true everyone admits she is useful for killing 

 mice, etc., and so most people keep a cat, but do not always 

 let her have her due regard in return. 



Yet a cat, well cared for, is a very affectionate, 

 pleasant member of the household brigade, and possessed 

 of far more intelligence and sagacity than usually falls 

 to her credit, besides often being an ornament and pleasing 

 addition to the fireside, as we are so fond of saying, " quite 

 English, you know." 



Many persons make the cruel mistake of supposing 

 that a cat will be a keener and better mouser if not 



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