PRICES OF CATS. 
35 
enacted a law regulating the price of cats 
and enumerating the good qualities of 
which they ought to be possessed. Thus, 
the price of a kitten before it could see 
was one penhy sterling,—which was a much 
larger sum in those days than it is now. 
Till satisfactory proof could be obtained of 
its having killed a mouse, the price was two¬ 
pence, and, after that, according to its good 
qualities. A cat should have her claws 
whole, should be perfect in the senses of 
hearing and seeing, be a good mouser and 
a good nurse; and if she failed in any of 
these qualities the seller was to forfeit to 
the buyer one-third of her value. If any 
one stole or killed the cat that guarded the 
king’s granary, he was to forfeit a milch-cow, 
or as much grain as, when poured over the 
cat suspended by the tail, its head touching 
the floor, would cover it entirely.” 
“ That does not look as if they were only 
wild-cats tamed, does it ?” said Richard ; 
“ because they would not be very likely to 
ask so much for what any one could have 
by merely taking trouble enough.” 
“True,” replied Miss Louisa; “and the 
fact that the name applied to them is nearly 
