THE DOMESTIC CAT. 185 



Instance of sagacity. 



the chimney of his apartment. In proof of the 

 sagacity of these animals, the Rev. Mr. Bingley 

 relates the following anecdote : " A friend of 

 mine possessed a cat and a dog, which, not heing 

 able to live together in peace, had several con- 

 tentious struggles for the mastery; and in the 

 end, the dog so completely prevailed, that the 

 cat was driven away, and forced to seek for shel- 

 ter elsewhere. Several months elapsed, during 

 which the dog alone possessed the house. At 

 length, however, he was poisoned by a female 

 servant, whose nocturnal visitors he had too often 

 betrayed; and was soon afterwards carried out 

 lifeless into the court before the door. The cat, 

 from a neighbouring roof, was observed to watch 

 the motions of several persons who went up to 

 look at him ; and when all were retired, he de- 

 scended, and crept, with some degree of caution, 

 into the place. He soon ventured to approach ; 

 and, after having frequently patted the dog with 

 his paw, appeared perfectly sensible that his late 

 quarrelsome companion could no more insult 

 him ; and from that time he quietly returned to 

 his former residence and habits." 



" A cat," says Dr. Smellie, " frequented a closer, 

 the door to which was fastened by a common iron 

 latch. A window was situated near the door. 

 When the door was shut, the cat gave herself no 

 uneasiness. But as soon as she was tired of her 

 confinement, she mounted on the sole of the 

 window, and with her paws dexterously lifted the 

 2 A 2 



