48 BIOGRAPHY. 



the table, but the fish were generally used for the purpose 

 of feeding the cats, of which there were many about the 

 stables and cattle-yards, for the purpose of keeping down 

 the rats. It is now well known that a well-fed cat is the 

 best mouser, seldom eating its prey, but killing it for the 

 mere sport. 



When the cats were fed, the fish were chopped up on a 

 wooden block near the stables. It was very amusing to 

 watch the operation. Although at first not a cat might be 

 visible, half a dozen blows had not been struck with the 

 chopper before impatient cries were heard, and cats came 

 swarming round the block, just as they do round a cat's- 

 meat man's barrow in London. 



On the right, just above the tall tree near the edge of 

 the lake, a heron is seen flying in the distance. It was 

 near the bank at the further end of the lake that Waterton 

 met with his fatal accident at a spot nearly below the 

 flying heron. 



