ladies’ department. 
321 
Caries SDcpartmmt. 
DOMESTIC EDUCATION OF CATS. 
It has not been ascertained at what period cats 
were first classed among domestic animals ; but as 
this is of little consequence, I will endeavor to give 
some account of them from the time that their use¬ 
ful and amusing qualities brought them into gene¬ 
ral notice, as forming a part of our household com¬ 
forts The finest species of domestic cats are those 
called Angora, which are remarkable for size and 
strength of body, elegance of the head, softness of 
hair, and docile qualities, which rank them prece¬ 
dent as domestic cats. Every country has its pecu¬ 
liar species ;—that of Tobolski is red ; that of the 
Cape of Good Hope blue; and those of China and 
Japan have pendent ears; Pallas informs us, that 
in Russia the muzzle is small and pointed, and the 
tail six times as long as the body. 
At all times, cats have acquired some influence, 
indeed, may be considered favorites with women. 
There were very severe laws enacted in Egypt 
against those who killed or even ill-treated this 
animal. They carried their notions so far as to be 
quite ridiculous; for they actually worshipped 
them as their gods, made great lamentations at their 
death, and buried them (according to Herodotus) 
with much pomp. In China, this animal is indulg¬ 
ed with a bed of down and silk, where it remains 
in a state of indolence, or lies at the feet of its mis¬ 
tress on a sofa, covered over like a child, decorated 
with a silver collar on its throat, and its ears 
adorned with ear-rings of jasper or sapphire. The 
v Turks have places made or rented for them, that 
they may be fed and attended to by servants en¬ 
gaged for the purpose. They enjoy a still happier 
life in France ; as faithful companions to their mis¬ 
tresses, they not only amuse them, but, by their 
gentleness and playful tricks, dispel ennui. They 
seldom look you in the face, but obliquely. 
I have remarked that naturalists have not spoken 
much in favor of this animal, particularly Buffon, 
who says, “ that the cat may be considered as a 
faithless friend, brought under human protection to 
oppose a still more insidious enemy. It is, in fact, 
the only animal of this tribe whose service can 
more than recompense the trouble of education, and 
whose strength is not sufficient to make its anger 
formidable. Of all animals, when young, there is 
none more prettily playful than the kitten; but it 
appears to change this disposition as it grows old, 
and the innate treachery of its kind begins to show 
itself. From being naturally ravenous, education 
teaches it to disguise its appetite, and to seize the 
favorable moment for plunder. Supple, insinuat¬ 
ing, and artful, it has learned the art of concealing 
its intentions till it can put them in force; when¬ 
ever the opportunity occurs, it directly seizes upon 
whatever it finds, flies off with it, and remains at a 
distance till it thinks its offence is forgotten.” 
The aversion cats have to anything like slavery 
or imprisonment is so great, that by means of it 
they may be forced to prompt obedience; but, 
under restraint, they are very different; though 
surrounded by food, when deprived of liberty, they 
abandon the desire of theft or prey, and literally die 
of languor and hunger. Lemery, after having put 
a cat into a cage, suffered two or hree mice to run 
through it. Puss, instead of destroying them, only 
looked at them with apparent indifference. The 
mice became more bold, and even attempted to pro¬ 
voke her; however, it had no effect, as she still re¬ 
mained quiet. Liberty being given her, her 
strength and voracity returned ; so that, had the 
cage been open, the mice would soon have become 
her prey They also fear severe chastisement, and 
therefore this may be considered the best means of 
enforcing obedience. It is related that the monks 
of the Isle of Cyprus instructed cats to drive away 
serpents which infested the island; and they suc¬ 
ceeded so well, that in a short time they were re¬ 
lieved of the venomous reptiles. 
The effect that both sound and music have upon 
this animal is well known. They, like dogs, may 
be made to answer the call of a whistle. An inva¬ 
lid, who was confined to his room for some time, 
was much amused by this means, and with other 
proofs of the docility and sagacity of a favorite cat. 
Yalmont de Bomare saw, at the fair of St. Germain, 
cats turned musicians, the performance being an¬ 
nounced by the title of the “ Mewing Concert.” 
In the centre was an ape, beating time; and on 
either side were the cats placed, with music before 
them on the stalls. At the signal of the ape, they 
regulated their mewing to sad or lively strains. 
One of our celebrated naturalists assures us that 
they are capable of gratitude, and may be consi¬ 
dered faithful. 
After so many instances well known, why 
should so severe a sentence be passed upon these 
animals ? It is said (without proof) that education 
has no effect upon their natural savageness; but 1 
cannot imagine why this should be asserted, when 
we notice how quietly a cat will obey its mistress, 
and remain by her side most of the day, if required; 
will run when it is called, and appear unsettled and 
unhappy during the absence of its protectress; and 
how delighted when she returns, as it proves by its 
caresses, not acting from dissimulation or cunning. 
When cats have attained these social habits, they 
will retain them till their death ; and thus brought 
up, they lose their inclination for mice and rats, and 
are devoted to those who are attached to them. 
From all that can be said, this conclusion may be 
drawn, that the more pains are bestowed upon edu¬ 
cating them, the less they show of their natural wild 
state .—Magazine of Natural History. 
To make Kitchen Vegetables tender.— 
When peas, French beans, and similar productions, 
do not boil easily, it has usually been imputed to 
the coolness of the season, or to the rains. This 
popular notion is erroneous; the difficulty of boil¬ 
ing them soft arises from a superabundant quantity 
of gypsum imbibed during their growth. To 
correct this, throw a small quantity of sub-carbon¬ 
ate of soda into the pot along with the vegetables, 
the carbonic acid of which will seize upon the 
lime in the gypsum, and free the legumes, &c., from 
its influence .—From the French. 
Crust on Boilers, &c. —Potatoes and flour will 
prevent the incrustation of boilers and kettles. 
