Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1892-12-10
HER SILKEN MAJESTY.
FAMOUS PEOPLE AND THEIR
FELINE PETS.
Or. johnson, walter Scott, and Charles
Lamb Among the Cats DIstln-
guished Admlrers-A Beau
tlful Animal.

cats, Cardinal Wolsey Champheury
Chaseaubriand Montaigne, Baude-
laire; Sir Waiter Scott TO whom the
death OF his pet Master Binse. was a
calamity; and Theophile Gautier
whose Nine. Theophile. Seraphita.
Enjolras Gavroche. Eponine and
Don Peirrot de Navarro were regarded
by him as cherished companions She
omits however from her list OF cat
lovers the name OF DR. johnson.
That great warm heart had corner
for poor puss, and his was more than
mere passive liking, II was his
custom to go out and buy
oysters for his cat Hodge.
lest his servants il asked
TO perform such a duty might take a
dislike to the animal and so ill treat
it. Roswell relates that when he
praised Hodges beauty DIR. johnson
replied. Nv by yes sir; but | have
had cats ! liked better than this. But
he is very tine cat indeed. the lexi-
cographer added hastily. as il fearing
that his pets feelings might DO
wounded. Perhaps it was Hodge that
the Ignorant young gentleman re-
ferred TO when. in the pursuit OF
knowledge he so disguised johnson
by asking II 'puss here" belonged TO
/ the oviparous species 1t was not out
of sight out OF mind with Dr. John.
son, for when several OF his compan-
ions were talking OF the pranks OF
some wild young blades who amused
themselves by shooting cats in the
street johnson was heard to mutter.
But Hodge shan't be shot No no!
Hodge shan't be shot
The killing OF De Quineey's cat BY
a savage dog, appropriately named
Turk. was one OF the tragedies OF his
/ childhood still remembered with pain
IN his maturity Speaking OF kittens
he said. ''Other creatures may be as
happy. but they do not show Il so
much" Though Sidney smith may
not have been among those who place
the proper valuation upon cats heck
pressed his appreciation OF them us a
pleasant detail in the domestic scene.
Charles Lamb must have tolerated
one OF these dainty creatures about
his domiclle. for he describe. him.
self in letter 10 Charles Coyden
Clarke going about like an Arcadian
/ shepherd, with a switch turned M
at the end for crook. and lambs be-
| ing too old. the butcher tells me nv
| cat follows me In a green riband." IL
Is somewhat curious that the cat has
| had so few distinguished feminine adj.
mirers. Perhaps they have instinct.
lively avoided the badge OF splnstsr-
l hnnd Muatfaafa r.fr ~
Martineau represents her with Tabby
perched comfortably upon her shout.
der. but as 1t was rather a caricature
than a pOrtra the artist may have
| thrown in that touch as typifyinr the
| maiden state OF the authoress. n
should not be forgotten however that
one OF the most touching OF Mary
wilkins stories turns upon tho loss
and recovery OF lonely old woman's
cat.
Like all creatures OF strong indiy-
duality Her silIsen ma esty Is either
execrated or adored there Il no mid.
die course. Her traits are all well de.
fined. Her tenac ~ OF purpose has
often been commented upon; TO dis.
lodge her from a faforite haunt or
| lead her whittier she does not care Ia
go. might almost ranl; among human
| impOssibilities. II seems as II she
must have formulated little proverb
OF her own: ''Ce que chatte veut
Dieu le veut Miss Repplier shows
that she understands the cats true
place In the universe. 'Agrlppina !"
she says speaking Of her own beauti-
full pet will never make herself
| serviceable. yet nevertheless Is She OF
inestimab.e service. Looked upon
| by the vulgar az mere rat-catcher
and called cold treacherous migrate.
full. &c. by conventional thinkers
her silken majesty needs neither
utilities nor virtues to recommend her.
She has another mission in life 70 mi.
| Gil namely. 'Just to show what beauty
may She embodies in herself the
| ilexuous line Of beauty. and IS over
delight to the eyes whether stretched
at languorous length or ieapinr and
crouchtng with that savage grace
which recalls her ancestors or the
desert. She is physically incapable
Of an awkward movement. and for
| that reason II for no other. she should
be cherished in a world where tho
clumsy and uncouth are at nome.
The legend runs that Camoens when
too poor to buy candles. used TO write
verses at night by the light OF his
cats eyes. Strange thoughts should
have visited lyrist whose pages
were lllumined by such weird lamps
OF goldenyellow or clear translucent
green. Perhaps some latter day poet
may take the hint and seek like
source Of inspiration.
Tile Cost Of Keeping am Elephant.
sAil the elephants used in the Indian
army as draught animals in the artil-