SOME CATS OF FRANCE 193 



watching that swift and steady pen travelling- down 

 the page, and sometimes encouraging it with a soft 

 approving pat. He would step gently backward 

 and forward over the loose sheets ; the delight 

 which all cats take in the contact of crisp paper 

 being doubtless enhanced in his case by apprecia- 

 tion of the Causeries with which those sheets were 

 covered. He was a striking contrast in every re- 

 gard to the vigorous animal that loved and scorned 

 Christopher North ; but then, if the cats were dif- 

 ferent, so were their masters. The verdicts of the 

 great French critic were respected by his favourite ; 

 but what cat could be asked to respect the early 

 criticisms of " Maga " 1 



M. Prosper Merimee was one of the most ardent 

 and enthusiastic cat-lovers of his day. He found 

 no fault with these cherished creatures, save that 

 they were exquisitely sensitive, and too easily dis- 

 illusioned. Their intelligence amazed, their polite- 

 ness enchanted him. M. Taine was inspired by his 

 cats to rare poetic flights. Historian, essayist, and 

 critic, he willingly abandoned the paths of studious 

 prose to compliment in verse the suave little guests 

 who sat purring in white tippets by his fire. Twelve 

 sonnets prove the graceful nature of his attachment. 

 They are dedicated, " To three cats, ' Puss,' ' Ebene,' 

 and ' Mitonne,' residing at Menthon-Saint-Bernard, 

 Haute-Savoie ; " and they are signed, with mingled 



