INSTRUCTION OF CATS. 149 



causes that signal. Should you wish her to ring the bell only when 

 ordered to do so, you should call her away, after she fully un- 

 derstands pulling the string, and then order her to ^' ring the 

 bell." If necessary, take hold of the string to show your mean- 

 ing. When she has pulled it, reward her, call her away again, 

 repeat the order, and so on until she understands your command. 

 Should she ring then without orders, call her away and wait a 

 few minutes before you again order her to ring. 



Firing off a pistol may follow this, taught in the same way, a 

 piece of cloth being attached to the trigger, and the pistol being 

 secured in a stationary position. Merely snapping the trigger 

 will do at first, then caps may be used, and finally powder. 



A story is recorded of Cecco d'Ascoli and Dante on the sub- 

 ject of natural and acquired genius. Cecco maintained that 

 nature was more potent than art, while Dante asserted the con- 

 trary. To prove his principle, the great Italian bard referred 

 to his cat, whom, by repeated practice, he had taught to hold a 

 candle in. her paw while he supped or read. Cecco desired to 

 witness the experiment and came not unprepai^ed for his par- 

 pose. When Dante's cat was performing her part, Cecco lifted 

 up the lid of a pot which he had filled with mice. The creature 

 of art instantly showed the weakness of a talent merely acquired, 

 and dropping the candle, immediately flew on the mice with all 

 her instinctive propensity. Dante was himself disconcerted, and 

 it was adjudged that the advocate for the occult principle of 

 native faculties had gained the cause. 



To make a cat a good ratter she must not be handled by 

 children, or any other person ; must be fed rather sparingly at 

 regular times, and as much as possible on fresh meat, and usu- 

 ally by the same person. She will soon become accustomed to 

 such circumstances, will answer the call of this person who can 

 change her about to different parts of the house, as a night in 

 the cellar, and so on. When treated in this way she will become 

 shy and wild, but will soon be a terror to rats. 



Valmout cle Bomare saw at the fair of St. Germain cats 

 turned musicians ; their performance being announced as the 

 "mewing concert." In the center was an ape beating time, 

 and some cats were arranged on each side of him, with music 

 before them on the stalls. At a signal from the ape, they 

 regulated their mewing to sad or lively strains. Mens. Bisset 

 having procured three kittens, commenced their education, with 

 his usual patience. He at length taught these miniature tigers 

 to strike their paws in such directions on the dulcimer as to pro- 

 duce several regular tunes, having music-books before them, and 

 squalling at the same time in different keys or tones, first, sec- 



