The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1907-02-13
STORIES OF THE CAT.
Legends and Facts About the Still but
Half famed Animal.


There are few tales OF eat fidelity
and many of dog, yet one thinks no
worse of the cat for this" says an OBJ
server. Ills very Independence COM
pels respect. He walks by his wild
lone, waving his wild tail, through the
wild woods az an Inspired modern
writer has set forth. All the genera
lions have not served to tame him.
and the most domestic Of the race Will
revert sooner 10 wild life at the call
OF the blood than any other friend Of
man. 1t Is thus scarcely surprising to
find that tie most famous cat lovers
have been drawn from the ranks Of
politicians and poets, those whom red
sons Of state or sensitive tempera-
ment have rendered averse from trust
Ing their fellow creatures and who con
sequently hcstow all their affections
upon the 'iireside sphinx We are In
vited to believe that the most famous
Of all cats, he who brought fame and
fortune 10 his master, Dick Whiting
ton, was no four legged animal at all,
but merely the French word .aehat'-
TO buy aud sell at proit-and that the
great merchant made II pet only OF his
merchandise from the very beginning
Thus In later years do the Idols of our
youth topple about our heads.
But other legends-nay, facts-are
left us. Cardinal Wolsey for instance
when acting In his official capacity rs
lord chancellor Is said 10 have had his
favorite eat always seated beside him,
and another prince of the church. Rich
ellen. found his only relaxation in
keeping IL number Of kittens In his pri
yate cabinet and watching their gam
bols during his spare moments. We
cannot really reckon KIchelieu as Il
true lover of the race, however, for di-
rectly the kittens grew to three months
he had them sent away and replaced
by others. Lord Chesterfield left In his
Will life pensions to his favorite cats
and their kittens. Victor IIugo's great
cat Chanoine always sat on large red
ottoman In the center OF his salon and
received his guests In state. showing
marked displeasure If any one failed
10 earess or praise her
''Tasso wrote sonnet to his fayorite
eat. and Petrarch had one he loved rs
dearly, we are told az Laura. No
doubt she was the confidant of many,
of his trials ana consoled him for much
of the fair lady's dlsdain and when
pussy died the poet had her cmbalmed
In the Egyptian fashion and carried her
mummy about with him everywhere.
Baudelnife. the French poet. a very
shy mnn. WIS always III at ense in any
new house he entered until the family
eat was brought up and Introduced 10
him. after which. with the cat on his
knee, he was perfectly happy IN his
silent poet fashion
Traditions respecting cats are, of
course. legion. From time lmmemorlal
they have been regarded as somewhat
uncanny. omens Of veal or woe, beings
to be either conclliated Or crushed.
The cat worship Of ancient Egypt and.
later. the Roman creed that the cat
was sacred to Diana speak of the one:
the wild charges OF wltchcraft - or
concern In lt--rlfe during the dark
ages of Europe will attest the latter.
But there IA another popular belief de-
serving also of mention. that which
sets forth the old maid MS the cats
only friend. n legend arising In the
medieval nunnerics overrun with
mice. where one or more cats were
always kept and We're no doubt much
petted by the good nuns" - Chicago
News