KIDD'S LONDON JOUKNAL. 



41 



we should probably have thought it merciful 

 to destroy, had not a young cat, nearly full 

 grown, taken on himself the duties of nurse, 

 and reared it with the greatest care. When 

 the young creature began to eat, the older 

 one took to the roof of the house and killed 

 a sparrow ; he returned, growling in a tiger- 

 like manner, which, as he was naturally 

 docile, attracted my attention. When, how- 

 ever, he had done so for some time, he aban- 

 doned the prey to his protege, who, being an 

 apt pupil, imitated his gestures in every re- 

 spect — the other watching its gambols most 

 complacently. This kitten could afterwards 

 open one particular door, or let herself out 

 of one of the attic windows, which was fas- 

 tened by a catch. We can scarcely suppose 

 the animal " gifted " with a special instinct 

 to open a particular door or window. 



The most remarkable traits of character 

 I have ever observed in the feline tribe, are 

 shown in an Angora, which I have had about 

 two years. He is remarkably fond of stran- 

 gers, particularly if they are good-looking, 

 or well dressed. He will strut before them, 

 waving his tail, till it looks like a feather. 

 He knows Sunday, which he seems to think 

 a " dull day." The bell is rung every morn- 

 ing at seven o'clock ; and on six days it 

 would almost seem as though the man, 

 by simply touching the bell-wire, pulled 

 " Frank " out of bed — so instantaneously 

 does he respond to the summons. But on 

 Sunday, bell after bell peals in vain ; he 

 knows there is no business to transact, or 

 friends to call ; and on that day he seldom 

 rises till near noon. He was the most 

 gentle, tractable, affectionate creature that 

 ever lived, until about three months since. 

 At that time, we had an Angora kitten given 

 us, and suddenly "Frank's" character 

 changed. He became morose; shunned 

 society ; would not look at any of us; refused 

 to eat ; and would bite and scratch if Ave 

 attempted to comfort him. He, however, 

 played in the most friendly manner with 

 the kitten, and appeared to take great care 

 not to hurt it. 



At the end of two months, the kitten was 

 taken away suddenly ; and when " Frank " 

 wished to play with it, he looked first in the 

 basket, and then in a cupboard. Missing 

 it, he seemed instantly to know that his 

 rival was gone, and resumed his former affec- 

 tionate manner. 



All went on happily until a fortnight 

 since, when a friend presented two Angoras, 

 about a month old. When " Frank " saw 

 them, he threw himself on the ground with 

 an expression of despair, which seemed to 

 say — "I will die! there is nothing worth 

 living for." I went to console him, when 

 this naturally-gentle creature darted his 

 talons into my hand. He is very friendly, 



I should remark, with strangers who have 

 not seen the kittens ; but he will not come 

 near any of the family, and if I take him 

 up, he utters a piteous moan, which ends in 

 a tiger-like growl. He never condescends 

 to look at the kittens ; nor does he offer to 

 injure them. He has always slept near a 

 bedroom fire in winter ; but now he is deter- 

 mined to lie on the damp stones under the 

 cistern, from which we have much difficulty 

 in dislodging him. He struggles to escape, 

 and we are obliged to carry him off by force ; 

 yet, when we do succeed in getting him 

 near the fire, he appears perfectly happy . 

 In the morning, however, he is as intractable 

 as ever, and we do not know how to prevent 

 him from killing himself with cold and hun- 

 ger, or dying of a broken heart. Does this 

 extreme jealousy, Mr. Editor, proceed from 

 reason, or instinct? From wounded self- 

 love, or blighted affection ? — M. T. 



[Let us leave this as an " open question."] 



PUBLIC EXHIBITIONS. 



Burford's Panorama, 



Mr. Burford has just added a new pano- 

 rama to his collection in Leicester Square. 

 The view is Nimroud, the scene of Mr. Lay- 

 ard's discoveries, and an extensive range 

 of the surrounding country. The picture is 

 taken from the highest point of the Mound 

 of Nimrod, from which the whole of the 

 excavations made by Mr. Layard can be 

 distinctly traced. Immediately beneath the 

 spectator is seen the great northwest palace, 

 the most ancient and interesting portion of 

 the discoveries yet made ; what is supposed 

 to have been the principal facade is fully 

 exposed, the two great entrances guarded 

 by colossal winged lions, and on either side 

 some of the sculptured slabs of alabaster, 

 with the figures as fresh as when first cut 

 from the block. In other parts of the 

 mound are seen numerous trenches, opened 

 into others of the palaces which have been 

 found there. Further on, are perceptible 

 the remains of the city walls, marked by a 

 series of elevations, showing where ramparts, 

 towers, and gates formerly stood. Beyond, 

 in all directions, is seen the plain of Nineveh, 

 which in summer and winter is bare, sterile, 

 and desolate ; but the view being taken in 

 the spring, is here shown fertile and luxu- 

 riant. In the remoter distance we trace the 

 winding course of the Tigris, with its varied 

 scenery. 



There is no place in London, where an 

 hour or two could be more profitably spent 

 than here. Whilst gazing upon the graphic 

 embodiments of Mr. Burford's admirable 

 conceptions, you might almost imagine your- 

 self at the places represented. This is the 

 triumph of Art. 



