--+-----------------------------------------+
YCat-gut Ystreet music, hurdy-gurdy. Y
+-------------+-----------------------------------------+
YCat's-paw Ya calm, with a prize in sight. Y
+=============+=========================================+

As for a cat itself, I cannot say too much against it; and it is
singular, that the other meanings of the single word are equally
disagreeable; as to _cat_ the anchor, is a sign of _going to sea_, and
the _cat_ at the gangway is the worst of all.

Five o'clock in the morning,--the sun has not yet appeared above the
hills, but the mist is rising gradually. The bell of the church in
front of my window is tolling;--it ceases; and the pealing of the organ,
with the chanting of the priests, comes distinct and clear upon my ear,
as the notes of the bugle over the still water, from some dashing
frigate in the Sound, beating off at sunset. How solemn and how
beautiful is this early prayer! The sun is rising, the mists of the
night are rolling off, and the voices and music resound at the same time
to heaven. The church is full, and many remain outside, uncovered, and
kneeling in humility. But who comes here, thought I, as a man in a
shabby coat walked to within a few yards of the church door, and laid
down his burden, consisting of a drum, a fiddle, a roll of canvass, a
chair, and a long pole. This is a curious stock in trade, methinks; how
in the name of all the saints do you gain your livelihood? This was
soon ascertained. A minute before the mass was over, he fixed his pole
upright in the ground, hung his canvass on it, and unrolled it,
displaying a picture divided in six compartments. He then hung his
fiddle to his button, took his drum, and putting his chair close to his
pole, stood upon it, giving a long, but not loud roll of his drum, which
he repeated at intervals, to attract attention. He had taken his
station with judgment; and as the people came out of church, he had soon
a crowd about him, when he commenced with crossing himself, and then
continued to explain the legend which was attached to his pictures on
the canvass. I could not hear all, but still I could understand enough
to fill up the rest. It was the wonderful cure performed by a certain
saint; and as he told the story, he pointed to the different
compartments with his fiddlestick, for he had laid aside his drum as
soon as he had collected an audience. Now and then he cro