68 BRITISH QUADRUPEDS. 



took place in the early part of 1792. Her executors 

 found in her house twenty-eight dead and eighty-six 

 living cats. She left her black servant 150Z. per annum 

 to maintain the survivors and himself. Such conduct 

 is, however, very reprehensible. Inferior creatures are 

 not intended to be pampered ; and those who pay them 

 excessive attention, diminish, instead of promoting, their 

 enjoyment. At the same time they degrade and injure 

 themselves, and incur fearful guilt by the neglect of 

 duties of the most solemn obligation, for the perform- 

 ance of which they are accountable to God. 



Of the sagacity of the cat many instances might 

 be given. Thus, it is stated by Mr. Sharon Tur- 

 ner, that his cat, when she wished to be let into the 

 room, always rose up, and shook the handle of the door 

 outside, till she was admitted ; an act which she had 

 taught herself from seeing the family open it to let 

 themselves out and in. 



Another case is more remarkable. In the early 

 part of May, 1832, when insects, in consequence of the 

 cold, flew low, and of course swallows were forced to 

 hawk for their prey by skimming the surface of the 

 ground, a wily cat gave a singular proof of her skill. 

 She stretched herself on the sunny grass-plot, with her 

 legs extended as if she were dead ; the flies collected 



