352 THE VETERINARY DOCTOR. 
mentioned in history, and we learn that the death penalty was inflicted on 
any one in Egypt who killed a cat. This animal held a high place in the 
public and private worship of that land, as we read in the pages of history, 
and as is further proved by the vast numbers of images and adornments 
representing it which have been discovered in later times. Hosts of them 
were embalmed, and that, too, by the costly process used on the royal fami- 
lies, so that it may be said that Egypt permanently preserved the bodies of 
her kings and cats. 
We find that the Turks had and yet have a profound respect for this 
animal, handsome sums being devoted to hospitals for its care and treat- 
ment. In the tenth century Howell the Good, of Wales, imposed a heavy 
fine upon any subject who killed a cat. In the Middle Ages a different 
sentiment was rife, superstition connecting the animal with witches and 
Satan, especially if it were black—a superstition which is not unknown 
to-day. Great numbers were burned alive on St. John’s Day in a certain 
quarter of Paris, the king starting the fire, Louis XIV being the last ruler 
to perform this proud royal act. To such superstitions and barbarities may 
perhaps be traced the prejudice of modern times against this innocent animal. 
In both ancient and modern Germany there has been a peculiar dread. 
of a black cat and its supposed Satanic influences. In Sicily cats are held 
in almost extravagant esteem. In England and America not a few have 
ridiculous notions upon the curative properties of the blood, skin and other 
parts, to say nothing about fancied relations to Satan and witches. 
Over against the repugnance to the cat which many profess, often be- 
cause it is simply the fashion, one may mention, as a few of the great 
number who have admired and fostered the animal, Richelieu, Cardinal 
Wolsey, Montaigne, Fontanelle, Turner the painter, Tasso, Pierre Jean 
de Beranger, and Dr. Jonson. Adding the weight of the tastes of 
such men to that of the favors shown in ancient times, we catch the force 
of the saying that “a cat may look upon a king.” 
TRAITS. 
He who dispassionately studies the traits of the cat will recognize a 
measure of aptness in the old Arab’s saying, that Allah had placed in the 
cat the spirit of a gentle woman, and in the dog the soul of a brave man. 
At the present time, however, any claim of gentleness for this animal is 
promptly met by the unsupported assertion, that “the friendship of years 
is suddenly and irreparably broken by an accidental tread on the tail,” and 
an invidious comparison is drawn by alluding to the patient and forgiving 
affection of the dog. The cat is by far the more delicately constituted in 
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