but doubtful entertainment; yet the cat organ was so widely appreciated that German humourists undertook to alter and improve it; and after a time a choice variety of instruments were constructed, in all of which cats were induced by some well applied torture to furnish forth the necessary music. The same ingenuity was revealed in forcing Pussy to play other prominent but reluctant parts in public celebrations or rejoicings, especially when these were of a religious character; for then the people naturally felt that the cruelty which so pleased their hearts was sanctified and devout,—at once a protest against the shortcomings of their neighbours, and an illustration of their own superior piety. In an entertaining old book called "Twenty Lookes over all the Round-heads in the World," which was published in England in 1643, we find related with honest pride an incident designed to show the zeal of the London populace for the principles of the Reformation.
"In the Reigne of Queene Mary (at which time Popery was much exalted), then were the Roundheads"—i. e., the monks and friars—"so odious to the people, that in derision of them was a Cat taken on a Sabbath day, with her head shorne as a Fryer's, and the likenesse of a vestment cast over her, with her feet tied together, and a round piece of paper like a singing Cake between them; and
