THE CAT OF ALBION 99 



There are a few isolated cases of cats who were 

 lauded and distinguished in England before the 

 eighteenth century, from which late period may be 

 traced their general popularity. The most striking 

 instance is, of course, the cat of Cardinal Wolsey, 

 who shared his master's wool-sack, or at least his 

 master's seat in Council, the wool-sack — emblem 

 of protected industries — being all unknown before 

 Elizabeth's day. He is said to have been a large 

 and beautiful beast with brindled fur, as arrogant 

 as the Lord Chancellor, but better bred ; delight- 

 ing in display and ostentation, yet ever mingling 

 suavity with pride. More pleasing to contemplate 

 is the faithful cat of that unfortunate Duke of 

 Norfolk who was imprisoned by Elizabeth for his 

 intrigues with her fair cousin of Scotland. This 

 loyal and valiant little friend followed her master 

 to the Tower, and, being denied admission, actually 

 made her- way down a chimney into the Duke's 

 apartment, and was permitted thenceforth to share 

 that nobleman's captivity. 



As a fact, imprisonment has scant terrors for the 

 cat. It accords too well with her serene and con- 

 templative disposition. Restless wanderer though 

 she appears, and true lover of liberty though she 

 is, and has ever been, she can yet live her life with 

 tranquil enjoyment in a ship, on the seventh floor 

 of an apartment house, in a granary which she is 



