The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-12-12
Concerning Cats.

The Paris correspondent of the London Star
writes
The 700, ,s24 cats which, according TO the last
census, represent the feline portion of the Paris
population, ought TO be grateful to the we'll
snown humorist Chamfeury, for the psnegyric
which he has Just published under the title
lies Chats" and which is edited and beautifully
got up by J. Roihscbild, OF the Rae Saint Andre
des Arts. This most interesting book will amuse
and delight all amateurs OF our four.foOted house.
hold friend, and embslm Grimalkin in more
than Egyptian perpetuity. Cbampfeury was just
the very man 10 conceive and bring cut such q
work, for he has ever had a mania for cats ; aud,
indeed, IL We are TO judge by the clever charge he
bs, published of himself at the end of the volame,
there IL family likeness between him and his
favorites. Cbampdeury, moreover, asserts that
he never writes with so much facility as when
Grimakin demurey grsces. as did the cat OF the
famous DR.. syntax, the top of his great arm
chair. Champfeury, speaking Of his own particu-
lar puss, might indeed exclaim, as did Joseph
Green, the whimsical American writer, 10 his
eulogy on the decesse Of DR.. Byles's cat:
" She in the study was my constant mate,
There we together many evenings safe
WhtDe'er felt my tow'ring fancy fail.
stroked her head, her ears, her back and tail (;
And as strokeG improved my dying song
From the sweet notes Of her melodous tongue
Her purIs and news SO evenly kept time,
She purr'd in metres, and she mew'd in rhyme.n
About twenty or twenty-five years ago Champ
feury was almost unknown to fame. Victor Hugo's
attention was drawn towards him by novelette,
entitled Chen CaiIlou," and he instantly sent TO
the then Bohemisn writer most fattering letter
expressing q wish to make his Acquaintance.
Chsmpfenry started at once for the poets resi-
dence, Place Royale. On bis arrival he was in
formed that there was company at dinner, but,
nevertheless. was ushered into the splendid draw
ing room. Without paying the slightest attention
10 the mseni6cence of the apartment, decorated
with panoplies OF arms, velvet draperies, sculp-
tured busts and relics OF the Middle Ages. the su-
thor of " Chien-C Caillou," perceiyng an immense
Angora cat warning its paws hear the Preside aud
lazily stretched on Indian carpet, Initiated the
example of his feline host.
When the author Of Hotre Dame de Paris I"
entered the salon, accompanied by his guests he
was somewhat surprised to see his visitor full
length on the floor deeply absorbed In game Of
the original nature Of the new conner, instead Of
about cate, aed the Whole .~--s-s ~ssr -pee. ia
RELAXING anecdotes OF the genus 1etts. This inter
view between the great poet and Champteury
may, probably, have suggested TO the latter the
fret idea Of the present volume. Lies Chats " is
q book well worth reading II thoroughly initiates
Us into the ancient and modern history OF cats
giving us a clever 0perca of the neurological
role they played in Egypt. Greece, Rome, ETC.,
and containing numerous anecdotes Illustrative Of
the habits, customs and manners Of King Grimsl.
kin and his descendants. Ths work il beautifully
got up. with most characteristic woodcuts, copied
from Egyptian and Japanese designs. as well as
from modern artists Of every country.