KIDD'S LONDON JOURNAL. 



31 



for reform, lias usurped the editorial " We." 

 However, we have cheerfully given up the 

 reins to him for this once, as we should 

 have spoilt both the tone and the force of 

 his remarks by mutilation. He is of 

 opinion, it would seem, that the truth IS at 

 all times to be spoken !] 



HISTORY OF THE DOMESTIC CAT. 



Anecdotal Reminiscences,— Ko. 1. 

 By a Lady. 



[A correspondent, attracted by the an- 

 nouncement of our London Journal, 

 (which seems indeed to have " attracted" 

 many, and we hope will attract many more) 

 has kindly sent us some MSS. Notes, expressly 

 prepared for our Paper. We purpose giving 

 the public a few of the anecdotes therein 

 contained, week by week. They exhibit 

 some very curious traits in the feline tribe, 

 not so well known as they ought to be. We 

 imagine from the exordium, that the fair 

 writer has been perusing our " Essays on 

 Instinct and Reason ;" but we are of a truly 

 liberal disposition, and like to hear both sides 

 of every question.] 



It is generally believed that Man alone is 

 endowed with reason, while the lower animals 

 possess instinct only. There are, however, 

 so many instances where animals have, under 

 peculiar circumstances, acted in a manner so 

 contrary to their usual habits, that we are 

 almost compelled to believe that they do 

 reason, though in a limited degree. 



The common Cat is a creature whose in- 

 stinct is to destroy ; yet these animals dif- 

 fer from each other in their temper, pursuits, 

 and amusements, as much as do human 

 beings. Some are docile and anxious to be 

 caressed ; others will not be touched with 

 impunity. I know one, of the most savage 

 disposition : she was well fed and kindly 

 treated, and every endeavor was made to 

 change her nature ; but we only succeeded 

 in making her a hypocrite ! She would ap- 

 pear well pleased with my caresses until she 

 had put me off my guard ; then she would 

 suddenly dart her teeth and claws into my 

 hands, suddenly springing thereafter through 

 the window or door. She lived twelve years, 

 but never underwent any alteration. 



I once had two cats, who were always fed 

 together ; but, unless they were watched, one 

 of them would get nearly the whole of the 

 food. She did this by hiding her own meat ; 

 and having taken this precaution, she would 

 return and eat that of her companion, who, 

 although of larger size and stronger of the 

 twain, was never known to dispute the point 

 with her. She was always well fed; yet, to the 

 day of her death, she provided against con- 



tingency. In opposition to this character, a 

 friend of mine had a lank, apparently under- 

 fed cat, who was a terrible thief; but never 

 ate what he stole. He always called his 

 companion, and would watch him eat with 

 great satisfaction. He was frequently chas- 

 tised for acts of theft; but whenever an op- 

 portunely occurred, he never failed to cater 

 for his weaker friend. 



Persons, " who like cats in their place ; " 

 that is, hiding in a cellar to watch their prey — 

 say they are stupid ; but if treated as com- 

 panions, they will be found intelligent and 

 affectionate, though they have sometimes "a 

 strange way of showing it." An old lady 

 had a grave-looking grimalkin, who always 

 sat on a chair beside her at the breakfast 

 table, and looked as though engaged in con- 

 versation with her. She was absent a 

 fortnight ; and during that time he never 

 presented himself, although I offered him 

 milk, &c, with a view to induce him to do 

 so. When the lady returned, he took not 

 the slightest notice of her ; but the next 

 morning he was found in his old place at 

 breakfast. 



This reminds me of a generally-received 

 opinion, that " cats have no memory, and 

 soon forget their friends." Unlike the dog, 

 they show no outward signs of recognition ; 

 but, from observation, I feel convinced they 

 do remember old friends. It is difficult, 

 however, to explain the apparent indifference 

 with which they meet them after a long 

 absence. — M. T. 



"-Pickings up and Bettings Down." 



Character. — How different is the human 

 mind according to the difference of place ! In 

 our passions, as in our creeds, we are the mere 

 dependents of geographical situation. Nay, the 

 trifling variation of a single mile will revolution- 

 ise the whole tides and torrents of our hearts. 

 The man who is meek, generous, benevolent, 

 and kind, in the country, enters the scene of 

 contest, and becomes forthwith fiery or mean, 

 selfish or stern; just as if the virtues were only 

 for solitude, and the vices for a city! — JBulwer, 



The Deceit op Zeal. — There is nothing in 

 which men more deceive themselves than in what 

 the woidd calls zeal. There are so many passions 

 which hide themselves under it, and so many 

 mischiefs arising from it, that some have gone so 

 far as to say it would have been for the benefit of 

 mankind, if it had never been reckoned in the 

 catalogue of virtues. 



Vitality op Good Men's Deeds. — Does 

 not the echo of the sea-shell tell of the worm 

 that once inhabited it? And shall not man's 

 good deeds live after him and sing his praise? 



Moisture has been considered as a great 

 enemy to health; and all our late investigations 

 on the subject have pronounced on the evils of 



