come her with happy purrings and caresses.

Endeavour to be as regular in all your ways as my friend's cat. Never
keep your friends waiting for you, but rather wait for them. Show your
affection and wish to please in this as in other ways. Thank Pussy for
the excellent example she has set you.

THE CAT AND THE PRISONER.

While speaking of the affection of cats, I must not forget to mention a
notable example of it shown by the favourite cat of a young nobleman in
the days of Queen Elizabeth.

For some political offence he had been shut up in prison, and had long
pined in solitude, when he was startled by hearing a slight noise in the
chimney. On looking up, great was his surprise and delight to see his
favourite cat bound over the hearth towards him, purring joyfully at the
meeting. She had probably been shut up for some time before she had
made her escape, and then she must have sought her master, traversing
miles of steep and slippery roofs, along dangerous parapets, and through
forests of chimney-stacks, urged on by the strength of her attachment,
and guided by a mysterious instinct, till she discovered the funnel
which led into his prison chamber.

Certainly it was not by chance she made the discovery, nor was it
exactly reason that conducted her to the spot. By whatever means she
found it, we must regard the affectionate little creature as the very
"Blondel of cats."

Never spare trouble or exertion to serve a friend, or to please those
you are bound to please. Remember the prisoner's cat.

THE CAT AND THE HAWK.

Cats often show great courage, especially in defence of their young.

A cat had led her kittens out into the sunshine, and while they were
frisking around her they were espied by a hawk soaring overhead. Down
pounced the bird of prey and seized one in his talons. Encumbered by
the weight of the fat little creature, he was unable to rise again
before the mother cat had discovered what had occurred. With a bound
she fiercely attacked the marauder, and compelled him to drop her kitten
in order to defend himself. A regular combat now commenced, the hawk
fighting with beak and talons, and rising occasionally on his wings. It
seemed likely that he would thus gain the victory; still more when he
struck his sharp beak into one of Pussy's eyes, while he tore her ears
into shreds with his talons. At length, however, she managed what had
been from the first her aim--to break one of her adversary