The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-06-07
OATS OF HIGH DEGREE.
Wonderful Instances of Intelligence
Among Famous Feliaes
From the NetU York Star.

AnOA& e@IlOOS I S41t105.
From the Nev York Star.
Nearly twenty years ago my first interest
in the cat was excited one day in early
youth when out hunting. A lady at the
farm where stopped for dinner requested
me to shoot her cat, which was getting old
and useless to the family. With the thought
lessness of youth l consented and asked
boy in the yard to scare the animal that
it might run and have
show for life. The scared an
imal dashed off madly for the field, and
when running at right angles to my gun [
fired 1t stopped instantly, turned and
faced me with a look of anguish and re-
proach. and fell dead. That single glance
has never been blotted from my memory,
aud never will be. From that day | have
been in irresistible sympathy with the cat
have never lost an opportunity to make one
my friend, and have held in contempt those
who maltreat the mute occupants of the
household. There are those who declare
that the cat is a treacherous animal, and
has not the absolute confidence in human
nature possessed by the dog. | agree
with such people to the extent that in every
instance pointed out that | have examined,
the cat imbbed its treacherous habits from
motives of self preservation from some
treacherously disposed member of the
household The cat is diplomat, pure and
simple. Its habits are formed from those
of the human species in its environment
with whom it has to deal and from whom it
has TO defend itself. | have never known
an instance where kindness failed to go
straight home to the mentality of the cat
and was not reciprocatad.
One who has seen "Muff, i" belonging to
the late Miss Mary L. Booth, editress of
Hdrpe1's Bazaar, could not fail to be i'm
pressed with his extraordinary intelligence
and politeness. Muff seemed never to for
get friend At one of Miss Booths Satur-
day nights Muff sat in my lap while l
argued for his great intelligence with
Monseigneur Capel, who spoke bitterly
against cats in general and Mutf in partic-
ular, because he was allowed to enter the
drawing room and he petted by
the guests. Muff listened in
tently to the conversation and
seemed to understand that he was being
defended, and certainly he showed great
offense at the monseigneur. 1t was more
than month before L saw him again.
Muff came into the assembly and out of
politeness seemed to accept the caresseS of
the ladies' first, although | tried to attract
his attention At last impatient, | spoke
little sharply and said: "Muff, did
l not defend you against tho mon
seigneur, and is this your reward| In
stantly he jumped on my lap and remained
there receiving my caresses while | talked
to him, and, evidently to soften my re-
proaches. put his paws on my shoulders and
looked knowingly in my face. MuH lnvarl-
ably came into the receptions at certain
hour and if the door was shut on him
scratched at it and mewed until admitted
He only remained certain period each night
and retired at his regular hour.
Doubtless the most interesting cats, those
Nrrfr1
study, are the properly of photographers.
Ray D. Chapman of this city had two cats
which he taught to lie in bed and be COW
cred like the human being. lockwood of
Union square, in this city, posed kitten in
a shoe, a picture which has attracted the
attention of the whole civilized world, and
he has posed others successfully.
Altman, at No. 172 Fifth avenue, has
posed many cats. Ono posed for him while
he painted its portrait, and a noble pose it
gave, with serious, pathetic eyes, in which
is the look of genius.
The many pictures of the cat belonging to
Mrs. J. b. Lewis. No. 1916 Broadway, and
which adOrn panel at the entrance Of her
studio, have attracted universal attention.
OF these | think 'Puss in Clover" is the
most artistic, She lies in a bed Of clover in
a basket adorned with, ribbons and roses
and the expression Of her face is beautiful.
have also a possibly a Catholic priest en-
titled ''Indisposed." which is marvel of
ennui, laziness and luxury.
George G. Phelps photograph OF his cat
'Sneezern has attracted as much attention
in the uicture widows of Broadway aud in
his studio at New Haven as the ladies of the
English nobility or the famous actresses.
Sneezer stands with his fore paws on the back
of the chair, facing the camera, and yet show
ing parto his profile. He wears noble air