Concerning Cats 



and is so completely absorbed in it, that he makes no 

 answer to what is said to him." 



Professor Huxley's notorious fondness for cats 

 was a fad which he shared with Paul de Koch, the 

 novelist, who, at one time, kept as many as thirty 

 cats in his house. Many descriptions of them 

 are to be found scattered through his novels. His 

 chief favorite, Fromentin, lived eleven years with 

 him. 



Pierre Loti has written a charming and most 

 touching history of two of his cats — Moumette 

 Blanche and Moumette Chinoise — which all true 

 cat-lovers should make a point of reading. 



Algernon Swinburne, the poet, is devoted to cats. 

 His favorite is named Atossa. Robert Southey was 

 an ardent lover of cats. Most people have read his 

 letter to his friend Bedford, announcing the death of 

 one. " Alas, Grosvenor," he wrote, " this day poor 

 Rumpel was found dead, after as long and happy a 

 life as cat could wish for, if cats form wishes on that 

 subject. His full titles were : The Most Noble, the 

 Archduke Rumpelstiltzchen, Marcus Macbum, Earl 

 Tomlefnagne, Baron Raticide, Waowhler and Scratch. 

 There should be a court-mourning in Catland, and if 

 the Dragon (your pet cat) wear a black ribbon round 

 his neck, or a band of crape a la militaire round one 

 of his fore paws it will be but a becoming mark of 

 respect." Then the poet-laureate adds, "I believe 

 we are each and all, servants included, more sorry 



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