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Agrippina. [June, /tyj^ most contemptuous of creatures, and that can understand, the delicate and subtle Agrippina is the most contemptuous of organization of a cat, frankly admits cats. The spirit of Bouhaki, the proud that the keynote of its character is in- Theban beast that sat erect, with gold earrings in his ears, at the feet of his master, King Hana; the spirit of Mu- ezza, whose slumbers Mahomet himself was not bold enough to disturb ; the spirit of Micetto, Chateaubriand's ecclesiasti- cal pet, dignified as a cardinal* and con- scious ever that he was the gift of a sovereign pontiff, the spirits of all ar- rogant cats that have played scornful parts in the world's great comedy look out from Agrippina's yellow eyes and hold me in subjection. I should like to dependence. It dwells under our roof, sleeps by our fire, endures our blandish- ments, and apparently enjoys our soci- ety, without for one moment forfeiting its sense of absolute freedom, without ac- knowledging any servile relation to the human creature who shelters it. " The cat," says M. Fee, " will never part with its liberty ; it will neither be our servant, like the horse, nor our friend, like the dog. It consents to live as our guest ; it accepts the home we offer and the food we give ; it even goes so far as explain to her, if I dared, that my desk to solicit our caresses, but capriciously, is small, littered with many papers, and sadly overcrowded with the useful in- utilities which affectionate friends de- light in giving me at Christmas time. Sainte-Beuve's. cat, I am aware, sat on his desk, and roamed at will among those precious manuscripts which no in- and when it suits its humor to receive them." Rude and masterful souls resent this fine self-sufficiency in a domestic ani- mal, and require that it should have no will but theirs, no pleasure that does not emanate from them. They are forever trusive hand was ever permitted to prating of the love and fidelity a>the touch ; but Sainte-Beuve probably had dog, of the beast that obeys their slight- sufficient space reserved for his own est word, crouches contentedly for hours comfort and convenience. I have not ; at their feet, is exuberantly grateful for and Agrippina's beautifully ringed tad the smallest attention, and so affection- flapping across my copy distracts my at- ate that its demonstrations require to be tention and imperils the neatness of my curbed rather than encouraged. All this penmanship. Even when she is disposed homage is pleasing to their vanity ; yet to be affable, turns the light of her coun- there are people, l,ess magisterial perhaps, tenance upon me, watches with attentive or less exacting, who believe that true curiosity every stroke I make, and soft- friendship, even with an animal, may ly, with curved paw, pats my pen as it be built up on mutual esteem and inde- travels over the paper, even in these pendence ; that to demand gratitude is to halcyon moments, though my self-love be unworthy of it; and that obedience is flattered by her condescension, I am is not essential to agreeable and healthy aware that I should work better and more intercourse. A man who owns a dog rapidly if I denied myself this charming is, in every sense of the word, its master ; companionship. the term expresses accurately their mu- But in truth it is impossible for a tual relations. But it is ridiculous when lover of cats to banish these alert, gen- applied to the limited possession of a tie, and discriminating little friends, who cat. I am certainly not Agrippina's mis- give us just enough of their regard and tress^ and the assumption of authority complaisance to make us hunger for on my part would be a mere empty dig- more. M. Fe"e, the naturalist, who has nity, like those swelling titles which af- written so admirably about animals, and ford such innocent delight to the Free- who understands, as only a Frenchman masons of our severe republic. If I oC/dU (ZWxaJ^ )7UMfcfojj