-4 



Wliittington and His Gat. 



127 



We do not see why mice and rats should be called "deer ; " but the 

 difificulty vanishes when we remember that Shakespeare undoubtedly 

 used originally the Anglo-Saxon word "tZeor," which means "beasts;" 

 and Tom meant *^mice and rats and such small beasts" had been his 

 food for seven long year, and the word being the same in sound as our 

 English word for a special beast, the meaning of the couplet has been 

 somewhat obscured. But I am not so strenuous In support of this 

 theory of the story as to seek a quarrel with any who do not agree 

 with me. If you prefer that your childhood remembrances should 

 not be disturbed, consider a veritable cat as the hero of the story ; 

 there are many who will agree with you, and these early recollections 

 are the most sacred we have. As Martin Luther said: '^I would not 

 for any quantity of gold part with the wonderful tales which I have 

 retained from my earliest childhood, or have met with in my progress 

 through life and with such testimony as that, you do well to cherish 

 them, and let no words of mine cause you to depreciate the value of 

 your treasure. 



