Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-11
A purring Cat.
(The Observations Of a Philosophical
Friend of Ours)
silence, silence. Gently STEP

! (The Observations of a Philosophical
Friend of Ours)
silence, silence Gently STEP
SOphocles.
There is hardly any music in nature
comparable to the purring of a cat. The
nightingale and mocking-bird have their
notes that cannot be surpassed in sweet
ness and melody. They soothe and de-
flight US. The cricket on the hearth has
his way Of being sociable, pleasing, and
companionable; though not much Tor
music. The house dogs bark and the yelp
Of the hound In the chase are agreeably
suggestive, and not a little cheering and
animating They mean watchful interest
and active pursuit They have a music
Of their own. The mooing Of the COW, and
the cocks shrill clarion proclaim the
friend and foster mother of the family
and the dawn Of the day. They are in
spring and are associated with home life
and peace But, somehow, the cat is the
very embodiment and perfection Of peace
and comfort Gathered up and tucked to-
gether on the rug, all into soft, warm
bundle, or in the mistress's lap, or on
the bed, Is there anything more soothing,
comforting, and quoting than sheer
he-old Tom-misnamed pussy? Our good
friend Rev. /. =. used TO say that the
house cat, In her amiable and confding
familiarity. ought to tell Of the piety and
goodness OF the household. And who, that
ever quietly enjoyed the purring Of cat
that was not the happier and easier for
IL? and the better tool 1t is like the music
OF a quiet conscience suggestive or Sir
William Hamilton's Unconscious Cere-
bration." 1t IS the measure OF wisdom.
The Son OF Sirach says: The wisdom OF
a learned man cometh by opportunity OF
leisure. And the great prophet says
The work OF righteousness is peace, ana
the effect Of It quietness and assurance
forever Some think a well-behavcd and |
amiable cat is more valuable TO q, house
hold than a Phi D., private tutor, or
French gOverness. The cat has no place
in an ambitious and quarrelsome estab-
lishment. Pussy or Tom wouldn't stay IN
any such place. They know the value OF
peace and quiet. They could not digest
the teuderest mouse under such circum-
stances. And all their pretty purrinS
and kidnapping would be thrown away.
The keynote and examplar determines the
tone of the piece and the character or
the business: and pussy has high and
honorable office. She calls the people her
way. Just as Julius Caesar encouraged
his Tenth Legion his way
In general social life, this pussycat
philosophy is a thing worth studying
and laying to heart. When his friends
called on poor old Job In his sorrow.
they put this pretty, homely grace In
exercise. They took their seats Ike
amiable. considerable gentlemen, and did
not say word. They just looked on
quietly. II they had confined them
Selves like good pussycats, TO purring,
they would have been altogether agree
able. There are people or that sort.
They make their presence TO be felt rather
than observed Their gentle motions,
their kind and Thoughtful minstrations.
their gentle and low monosyllables. are as
sweet and acceptable as the homeliest
purring. They see no more than cat
with her half-closed eyes, nor hear more
than she with her delicate ears apd
sensitive whiskers. And they are as
noiseless as she with her musical new.
And who has not seen visitors OF the
sick Just the opposite Of all this; more
like a pig in parlor? Such were those
noted comforters I'm scene second. when
they became very pious and Jealous, and
were eager 10 give olu Jop the peIehl VI
a few "incisive remarks" and instruc-
tions. And the good old Sheik. wished
he had never seen them. History re-
peats itself. Purring is an accomplish
ment to be learned by those who visit the
sick and troubled.
The grace OF talking Is one too highly
estimated and much overdone He that
assumeth authority therein shall be
hated" And the same may be said OF
1t as of honey: "a little more than a
little Is by much too much" The secret
of It is to make a little go great way.
and be sure that we regard quality rather
than quantity. Indeed, one OF the most
agreeable and instructive companions that
we, have ever met Is one who. says-very
little. Eyes. mouth. brow. countenance.
all full OF sensibility and intelligence,
seem to take to heart and honorably un-
derstand and entertain every word that
Is addressed to them, or uttered In their
presence; nay, more, to be In full SYM
patty and accord with every thought and
feeling Of the heart and receive them