264 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 



that the playfulness of kittenhood (particularly with 

 healthy good-tempered cats) can be partially kept up by 

 a little encouragement even when they have grown into 

 " potent, grave and reverend seigneurs," and can be 

 induced to skip, roll and tumble in the most absurdly 

 awkward mimicry of the small fry, which in the words of 

 the late Mr Micawber have not "ceased to derive nourish- 

 ment from nature's font." 



The following account of a cat and dog friendship is 

 related by a correspondent at Tottenham, who was an 

 eye witness of the scene described : 



"A few days ago I was present at a pretty and 

 interesting scene at the house of a near relative. 



" He is the owner of a King Charles Toy Spaniel named 

 Hoppy, and a fine tabby cat known as Toodles. 



' ' This frisky pair began their games shortly after my 

 arrival and continued at intervals during the whole after- 

 noon and evening. Never did I see cat and dog so 

 thoroughly enjoy themselves Hoppy sprang on Toodles, 

 who caught him by the neck and floored him. 



"Then the order was reversed, Toodles being down. 

 Now a regular wrestling and both down together. Up 

 again, roll over each other. He making a grab at her 

 tail finds her too quick for him and is caught by his own 

 brush. 



" She takes up her position with her back to the fender, 

 and as he makes his spring she throws him. He now 

 takes up the opposite position to her and the four paws 

 of each of them move with wonderful rapidity. 



" The most perfect good-humour prevails ; she never 



