qually unavailing, nor could he compose himself
to rest unless the servant remained in the room till he was asleep. This
accomplished, the man left him, and a second time my friend awoke in the
same manner, with the same appeals for assistance. They were obeyed; he
himself joined in the search, and he dragged out a cat from the close
stove (for it was in Germany) which had taken refuge there, and been
wholly unperceived by the man servant. This gentleman's daughter
inherited the same antipathy, and neither the tenderest feelings towards
other "dumb creatures," or the strongest efforts of a mind of unusual
strength, could subdue the uncomfortable and distressing sensation which
thrilled through her when a cat was in her presence.

Where every house has a cat, many two, where every female cat, at least
twice in each year, brings forth a litter of from three to five kittens,
which are not all drowned, some idea may be formed of the untellable
number of cats in London; but it is only the dwellers in what is called
a quiet out-of-the-way street in the metropolis, who can form any notion
of the noise and caterwaulings of this part of the population. All cats,
on first taking possession with their owners, of a house, are obliged to
enter into an alliance, offensive and defensive, with the older
inhabitants of the neighbourhood. In some instances the amicable
arrangements, though less noisy, are the most troublesome, of which I
was convinced in one of my dwellings. The back overlooked a number of
gardens, some of which were large, and to enjoy these sufficiently, a
small, leaded terrace was thrown out from the back drawing-room window.
Here all the cats of all the gardens, the street, and the opposite
square, used to hold their _conversazione_; and I presume, that my cats
were particularly amiable, for often, if the drawing-room window had
been left open during our absence, we found a select few, perhaps five
or six, sitting within its precincts, as if in friendly talk.

Every cat that comes to a new area in London, appears to me to be
obliged to fight till he gains undisturbed possession of it; at least so
it has been the case with my cats. A very fine, bold, powerful tabby,
did this twice with perfect success; but after repeated combats,
although victorious, the struggle made him fierce and occasionally
sullen. Another who was a very beautiful creature, but much weaker, used
to come in with his handsome ears slit, his cheeks