Domestic Cat

The Domestic Cat.

Domestic Cat

The domestic cat is to be found in every country on the globe. In Oriental lands he is cherished, and in the West he is rapidly growing in popular favor, though he has always had warm friends, especially among brain-workers, to whom the noisy dog is a disturber. That the cat is certainly " looking up " is plainly indicated by the records of a recent cat show in London, where about one thousand (including kittens) were exhibited, and where as nice distinctions were made between varieties as are made in similar shows of dogs.

In the opinion of those who thoroughly know the cat, and appreciate his many valuable qualities, no pet is so charming, none so desirable in a quiet home. Graceful and beautiful to look upon, quiet and unobtrusive in manner, dainty in taste, he is as welcome in the study as in the drawing-room. No accident to the most delicate treasures of bric-abrac marks his presence, no ear-splitting barks disturb the absorbed worker, no violent demonstrations put to flight the thoughts of the student. When a terrier captures a rat, it is with noise and bluster enough to rouse the whole household ; but who knows by any demonstration the moment that pussy pounces upon his prey ? So long and so perfectly has the unappreciated creature performed his duty of guarding our property from rats and mice, that we can hardly imagine what would be our suffering without his services.

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