watching that swift and steady pen travelling down the page, and sometimes encouraging it with a soft approving pat. He would step gently backward and forward over the loose sheets; the delight which all cats take in the contact of crisp paper being doubtless enhanced in his case by appreciation of the Causeries with which those sheets were covered. He was a striking contrast in every regard to the vigorous animal that loved and scorned Christopher North; but then, if the cats were different, so were their masters. The verdicts of the great French critic were respected by his favourite; but what cat could be asked to respect the early criticisms of "Maga"?
M, Prosper Mérimée was one of the most ardent and enthusiastic cat-lovers of his day. He found no fault with these cherished creatures, save that they were exquisitely sensitive, and too easily disillusioned. Their intelligence amazed, their politeness enchanted him. M. Taine was inspired by his cats to rare poetic flights. Historian, essayist, and critic, he willingly abandoned the paths of studious prose to compliment in verse the suave little guests who sat purring in white tippets by his fire. Twelve sonnets prove the graceful nature of his attachment. They are dedicated, "To three cats, 'Puss,' 'Ebène,' and 'Mitonne,' residing at Menthon-Saint-Bernard, Haute-Savoie; "and they are signed, with mingled
