76 A CENTUKY HENCE. 



How it stares me in the face, 

 Brazen member of its race ! 

 Not a wink. 

 Night or clay it ever sleeps, 

 But a constant vigil keeps — 

 Yet this cat is not as wondrous as you think. 



And this strange cat is not dead, 

 And this strange cat ne'er has fled 



O'er a fence ; 

 Never mew has this cat uttered 

 Never has this cat's heart fluttered 

 And I know not when this cat is going hence. 



Though no mouse has this cat chased, 

 Dogs it fearlessly has faced, 



Never moving ; 

 Canine bold has oft turned tail 

 'Fore those eyes that would not quail, 

 'Fore those steady eyes, all cowardice disproving. 



And Dick, carrolling in his cage, 

 Stops his song and looks as sage 



At this cat, 

 As the alchemist of old, 

 When he gravely said " Tis gold," 

 Then "Eureka!" proudly cried — and was laughed at. 



Still 'tis close against the Avail ; 

 For its mate it ne'er will call. 



Do not rack 

 Your poor brain with idle thought, 

 For this quiet cat I bought, 

 And this quiet cat — is painted on a plaque. 



Travel-stained and somewhat weary, brother, are we. Strange 

 things have we noted in this vast city by the sea and many things 

 are there that we may yet observe and record. But the sun now 

 sinketh apace and 'tis time that we should sup. So to the Pavilion 

 shall we go and having discussed its menu walk forth by night and 

 mark how the people bear themselves when the toilsome da} 7 is 

 done. 



