1909-1910-] The Common Cat. 223 



especially dogs. On one occasion, when he was writing, his 

 candle burned dimly, so he got up to trim it. In doing so 

 he stumbled against a kitten. To requite it he petted and 

 stroked it. On resuming his work, the little kitten got on 

 the table and put his paw on the wick and extinguished it, 

 in the hope of being again fondled. Wordsworth writes 

 about " The Kitten and Falling Leaves " — 



" "What intentness of desire 

 In her upward eye of fire ! 

 With a tiger-leap lialf way 

 Now she meets the coming prey, 

 Lets it go as fast, and then 

 Has it in her power again : 

 Now she works with three or four, 

 Like an Indian conjurer ; 

 Quick as he in feats of art. 



Over happy to be proud, 

 Over wealthy in the treasure 

 Of her own exceeding pleasure ! " 



No one has, however, I think, written so feelingly on the cat 

 as Swinburne, who says — 



" Stately, kindly, lordly friend 

 Condescend 

 Here to sit by me, and turn 

 Glorious eyes that smile and burn, 

 Golden eyes, love's lustrous mead. 

 On the golden page, I read. 



All your wondrous length of hair 



Pays my reverent hand's caress 

 Back with friendHer gentleness. 



Dogs may fawn on all and some 



As they come. 

 You, a friend of loftier mind, 

 Answer friends alone in kind : 

 Just your foot upon my hand 

 Softly bids it understand." 



In the literature of the nursery has not the cat an exalted 

 position ? How amazed we were when we saw the " Cat and 



