29O TRAVELS IN UPPER 



sheltered from perpetual alarm, they are of an 

 amiable familiarity, you will have a new proof of 

 the influence which the character of man exercises 

 over that of the brute creation. 



I had in my possession, for a long time, a most 

 beautiful Angora cat *. Long and silky hairs co- 

 vered it entirely ; its thick tail formed a magnifi- 

 cent plume, which the animal elevated, at pleasure, 

 above its body. Not one spot, not one shade tar- 

 nished the dazzling white of its coat. Its nose, and 

 the turn of its lips, were of a tender rose colour. 

 Two large eyes sparkled in its rounded head, the 

 one of which was a light yellow, and the other 

 blue. This beautiful cat had still more of ama- 

 bility than of grace in its movements and in its at- 

 titudes. With the physiognomy of goodness, she 

 possessed a gentleness truly interesting. You 

 might treat her in what manner you pi ased, 

 never did her claws advance from their sheaths. 

 Sensible to kindness, she licked the hand that ca- 



* The custom of speaking of cats of Angola for Angora, is 

 not yet abolished. It is even to be found in some of the mo- 

 dern works of science. Open the Encyclopedia Methodica, at 

 the article kakatoes, and vou will see that one of these vellow- 

 crested birds took delight in playing with an Angola cat. An- 

 gola is upon the western coast of Africa, and Angora is in Asia 

 Minor, not far from Smyrna. It is there that are found those 

 animals with long hair, from which are manufactured our beau- 

 tiful camlets. 



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