attendant, interposed, and the faithful goat permitted him to pass. So
resolute was the animal on this occasion, that the gentleman was
convinced she would have died in his defence."




CHAPTER V.

Uncle Thomas relates some Very Remarkable Stories about the Cat;
points out to the Boys the Connexion subsisting between the
Domestic Cat and the Lion, Tiger, &c., and tells them some Stories
about the Gentleness, as well as the Ferocity of these Animals.


"Though far from being so general a favourite as the dog, the domestic
cat has many qualities to recommend it to attention and regard, and some
of the stories which I am going to tell you exhibit instances of
instinctive attachment and gentleness which cannot be surpassed.

"Here is one of attachment, which will match with the best of those of
the dog.

"A cat which had been brought up in a family became extremely attached
to the eldest child, a little boy, who was very fond of playing with
her. She bore with the most exemplary patience any maltreatment which
she received from him--which even good-natured children seldom fail,
occasionally, to give to animals in their sports with them--without ever
making any attempt at resistance. As the cat grew up, however, she daily
quitted her playfellow for a time, from whom she had formerly been