288 TRAVELS IN UPPER 



toward the improvement of agriculture, and the 

 furtherance of the general good ! 



With a nation, for which physical objects are 

 all in all, and morals next to nothing, the seductive 

 exterior of the cat appeared preferable to the 

 docility, to the exquisite instinct, to the sagacious 

 fidelity of the dog. A single trait of this kind 

 frequently characterizes a nation much better than 

 an aggregation of observations respecting customs 

 and practices, which soon become things of course, 

 which, in process of time, are considered as totally 

 indifferent, and which at length we like as well to 

 observe, as to take the trouble to change. Is not, 

 in reality, a judgment soon formed of a people, 

 when we know that they have the dog in abhor- 

 rence, and entertain an affection for the cat, 

 because this last carefully conceals her excrement, 

 and does not devour the offal of the laystalls, on 

 which the dog's natural appetite sometimes leads 

 him to find a meal ? 



There are cats in all the houses of Egypt. You 

 see some of them, in the mansions of the rich, par- 

 taking of the cushions, the indulgence and the in- 

 dolence of their masters, who take pleasure in strok- 

 ing them with the hand, and in lavishing caresses 

 on them, which those cold and haughty beings 

 would not deign to bestow on creatures possessed 



of 



