hin my
reach to frighten evil-doers, the inattentive, and the careless; and
sometimes, with a dunce of a Kitten before me standing upon a form, with
an ugly cap upon her head, on account of some terrible breach of good
manners, or an extra amount of stupidity in conning her tasks.

LOVE AND WAR.

Hum Villa, the house which had been left me by my deceased cousin, stood
a little back from the main street, and although surrounded with smaller
dwellings, was yet quiet and retired.

This was owing to its garden, and to several fine trees which shaded it;
one of them particularly, an ancient oak, that stood by the right-hand
corner of the grounds, cast its broad and knotted arms over a rustic
bench, and made a delightful retreat from the warmth of the summer sun.

It had been the favourite spot of my departed relation: here she would
come, in the long afternoons, and, reclining on the chair, with a book
in her hand, read a page or two, then stop to listen to the birds which
twittered in the topmost branches of the tree, or watch the busy insects
at her feet, as they ran about intent upon their pursuits of business or
enjoyment.

There could not have been a stronger proof of the goodness of her
disposition, than to note the friendship which existed between her and
the timid birds that frequented the garden. Perhaps it was the love of
music in both that created a kind of sympathy between them, for I have
often hidden myself within a short distance of her seat, in order to
watch the proceedings of herself and feathered friends.

When they observed her alone, they would hop down from branch to branch,
until they were almost within her reach, when, after hesitating a few
moments to see that no other Puss was near, they would leap down upon
her seat, upon the ground, upon her very shoulder, and begin their
songs. Then followed such a twittering and chattering, while their wings
trembled with excitement, until, at some noise perhaps which I myself
had made, they would start from their places, and in an instant fly up,
up, until they had put the whole height of the tree between them and the
supposed danger. Often had I wished to obtain from them a similar
confidence; often by various inducements of food and voice endeavoured
to lure them down. My persuasions were all useless: they would put their
little heads on one side, and talk a little among themselves, apparently
debating whether it would be advisable to accept my