his eagerness to get near and his admiration of Kittie. The cunning
Dulcinea eyed the canines out of a corner of one eye, while she
had the other upon the approaching Tom, and before he had lisped a
confession of his love she, with maidenly instinct and appropriate
modesty, gave the customary wild scream, resembling that of the
maiden in story, when "the villain still pursues her," and started
to her feet. The dogs sprang up in an instant at the call for help
uttered by Kittie, and in an instant they landed upon the astonished
Lochinvar, who, it may be remarked, "never knew what struck him," for
we put his cold Catship in the ash-barrel, a few moments later, and
washed the noses of the dogs with a rough towel, and the remark that
it was a cruel act, while laughing in our sleeves at the suddenness
of the "taking off" and the affection of the little protectors, Gyp
and Jessie.
One of the most astonishing incidents upon record, proving the
sagacity, as well as the courage of the Cat, is of recent occurrence
and worthy of recital. The fearlessness of the feline, and the
wonderful intelligence manifested in her attack upon the animal, in
its only tender part, is something astonishing and unaccountable. In
a combat with a dog, the Cat is frequently victor, but seldom has
she demonstrated her power of conquering a saurian. The incident is
narrated by a correspondent of the "New York Sun," under date of
April 3, 1892, as follows:
"One of the most remarkable combats ever witnessed in this country
occurred on Holmes River, near this place, last week. In the battle a
Cat and an alligator fought for three hours, with the final result in
favor of the tabby.
"The alligators have infested the river, and it is considered
dangerous for any person or animal to go near the banks. The saurians
are not large, but they appear to make up in activity what they lack
in size. A house Cat belonging to Mr. Walton was in the habit of
going to the river and feeding on mussels and such fish as it could
get, and it was noticed several times that when the Cat moved along
the bank a ripple in the water showed that an alligator kept pace
with it in the stream. The Cat, however, was aware of the alligator's
presence, but showed no fear.
"On the day mentioned the Cat approached too near the water in its
eagerness to get a fish, and was grasped by the hind legs by an
alligator about three feet long. The Cat made a spring and got away,
but its leg was badly bitten, and bled freely. The taste of blood
seemed to put the alligator into a frenzy, for it came out on the
bank and continued the pursuit. The Cat turned on its enemy, and then
began one of the strangest sights seen in a long time. The Cat was
so quick that it was impossible for the alligator to get a bite at
it, and the result was that the saurian soon endeavored to beat a
retreat to the water. But the Cat now began an offensive attack, and
cut off the way, biting the alligator in the throat and tender spots
under the arms, until the reptile was bleeding and almost exhausted.
The fight continued, and when, at last, the alligator gave up, it
was bleeding from a hundred wounds. The Cat was, seemingly, unhurt,
except in the wounded leg, which was injured before the fight began."
VIII.
HOSPICE DU CHATS.
In many civilized countries Cat Hospitals have been established, and
for many years sustained by subscriptions from charitably disposed
people. Attached to one of the Turkish mosques at Aleppo is a Cat
Asylum, founded by a misanthropic old Turk, who placed a great
value upon the Cat, because of the service it had been in ridding
his granary of rats. In Philadelphia, Pa., there is a Cat Refuge,
which was established some fifteen years ago, and during that time
has cared for more than thirty thousand Cats. In the city of Paris,
France, is a very extensive establishment called Hospice du Chats,
whose name is an indication of its object. It has been in existence
for many years, and is maintained by gifts from charitable people as
well as by contributions from the Government and bequests from dead
lovers of the household pet. This building, covering a very large
space of land, is two stories in height and expensively built for the
exclusive purpose of sheltering the Cats of France, and there they
have been domiciled, nursed through sickness and cared for to extreme
old age, as tenderly as ever human beings were nurtured. Rooms are
assigned to the sexes and different nationalities, halls and chambers
are warmed by steam, meals are served with religious regularity,
and the institution is run with the same regard to decorum and
preciseness in every detail as is manifested in a well-regulated
hotel. Many thousands of the feline race have been born, nursed,
grown to old age and died there, within the hospitable walls of
this admirable hospice, while a hundred thousand more have found
good homes and tender care throughout sunny France, by means of the
solicitous administration of the officers of the institution. London,
also, boasts of a similar charity, although the hospice in Paris is
the model one of its kind, by which all the others take pattern.
An institution of this kind was projected some three years ago by
some charitably-disposed ladies of New York, but failed to meet the
required indorsement of the authorities, and being opposed by the
"Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals," which claims to
have control of the stray Cats, by virtue of its charter, the embryo
hospice, or Cat Hospital, as it was called, died in its inception,
very much to the disgust of many wealthy ladies, whose admiration
of the feline pet had induced them to subscribe large amounts for
the establishment of an institution similar to that of the Paris
"Hospice du Chats." Perhaps, at some future time, Mr. Bergh's
successor may become so far yielding as to permit the erection of a
suitable institution, upon the plan of the French hospice, where sick
Cats may be nursed, tramp Cats may be cut off in their wickedness,
incurably afflicted Cats may be chloroformed and healthy and restored
Cats may procure good homes throughout the country, while the breed
of the animal may be materially and effectually improved. Should
these objects be accomplished through the instrumentality of such a
worthy asylum for the sick and outcast of our household pets, the
delighted ladies at the head of such an institution may be induced to
add to the benefits of the hospice a thorough course of instruction
in Chesterfieldian politeness and regard for the feelings of their
immediate neighbors, to be observed, most particularly, during those
hours which, by the usage of a well-regulated community, have been
devoted exclusively to sleep. This course of "belles-lettres" would
obviate the dernier resort of "belling the Cat," and bring joy to
the hearthstone of many a would-be slumberer at the witching hour of
midnight, when the ghosts do walk and firearms are frequently heard
in the land, the song of the nightingale being supplanted by the
peculiar organ of the unruly and homeless Cat.
A scientist by the name of Prof. R.L. Garnier, a native of this
country, if I am rightly informed, who has devoted a lifetime to
the development of his theory that monkeys have a language of
their own, has recently been given great encouragement in the
pursuit of his inquiries by the Government of this country. A large
appropriation was awarded to him for the necessary apparatus, of a
scientific nature, and for the purpose of defraying his expenses of
travel through Africa, for the prosecution of his experiments, and
his demonstration, as he fondly hoped, that these animals have a
language of communication of ideas between themselves. Already he has
discovered one word of their peculiar language, which gives promise
of better results after he has been enabled to properly carry out his
experiments. He departed upon his journey fully equipped with all the
scientific instruments and aids which money, lavishly expended by the
Government, could procure. It is expected that his experiences will
be announced to the astonishment of the world and revolutionize the
old and fallacious beliefs that animals cannot talk and express their
feelings one to the other.
Without disparagement of the worthy object of this scientist, I
desire to call attention to the fact that, like the poor, we have
the Cat always with us, and I would press the consideration of
their necessities as being pertinent to the question of the comfort
and enjoyment of the human race. That the Government should have
considered the subject of the monkey language of such importance as
to warrant the expenditure of a great sum of money to Prof. Garnier
for the development of this theory is evidence that the same benign
Republic should award a much larger sum for the care, protection and
improvement of the breed of our domestic pets and more particularly
for the development of my theory of the language of the Cat, which
has occupied the lonely hours of many a scientist in this country,
and been my study for years past. When the proper time arrives, I
shall hope for encouragement from our Government, which has been my
Government for the past half century, for the further development of
the theories, proofs of which I shall submit to the public. While
I favor missionary work, I may be like many others who claim that
"Charity begins at home," and recommend the Government to make an
instant application of the doctrine, to the end that it may have a
wholesome effect, intimating that the protecting Protection is that
which protects our own, and particularly our household pets.
IX.
ASTOUNDING REVELATIONS BY THE CAT.
Under the classification of remarkable instances of the intelligence
of animals, I omitted one instance, pertinent to this story and
astonishing to me, unless it may be regarded as an accident. I will
give it without the least coloring of the truth. The manuscript of
the preceding part of this treatise was prepared some time ago, and
placed in a drawer of my desk with many other rolls of writing, the
drawer being filled with them. For several successive nights I heard
a peculiar noise in this drawer, but, although the sounds emitted
seemed to indicate the gnawing of a mouse, I could not bring myself
to the belief that such a busy little animal could gain access to
the drawer, or would be able to find anything attractive to him
there. However, my amanuensis, having occasion to open the drawer one
day, exclaimed with surprise that the mice had been making a nest
in the drawer. Upon examination we found that the paper gnawed was
this article treating upon the enemy of the mouse--the Cat--while
the other rolls of manuscript remained untouched. Now, whether this
act was committed in a spirit of vandalism and to demonstrate the
hatred of the destroyers for the subject of the story, or with a mere
wanton desire to destroy my property, I cannot surmise. Certain it
is, however, that they singled out this matter about the Cat, and
left uninjured the other manuscript, thus demonstrating the fact,
it seems to me, that the Cat story and none other was the object of
their search.
It was at the time when my attention was called to the subject of
the simian language that my memory recurred to an important document
in my possession relating to the Cat. After a prolonged search, with
a determination to rescue it from the oblivion into which I had
unintentionally cast it, I, with more success than generally rewards
such searches, discovered the document, and will have the pleasure
of presenting it to the public, giving it a free translation from
the French, in which language it is written. The history of this
wonderful document is short. Some years ago I was the editor of a New
York morning newspaper, and one day there chanced to call upon me
at my office a French gentleman of about fifty years of age, rather
short in stature, fairly well dressed, with a benevolent countenance,
bright, black eyes, regular features with the exception of a
prominent nose and the unmistakable stamp of a litterateur. His hands
and feet were small, and he had a nervous air about him while he
gesticulated in the expression of his ideas, and spoke in a mixture
of French and English, just as all pure Frenchmen are accustomed to
do.
He had previously sent in to me his card, which read thus:
"Alphonse Leon Grimaldi, F.R.S., F.G.S., M.O.S.,
D.H. du C., M.F.A.S., M.F.A., et al.
"Rue de Honoré, 13, Paris.
"Metropolitan Hotel, N.Y."
Prof. Grimaldi, the French gentleman, presented himself to my
wondering eyes as I rose to meet him, and extended his hand with a
Chesterfieldian bow, exclaiming, as nearly as my memory serves:
"Jais ver happy for ze honaire of ze attention pour le editaire of
one great journal."
I replied, of course, that I was proud to meet him, and asked what he
desired to know, and how I could serve so great a scientist, for the
reputation of this great man and his wonderful scientific researches
and discoveries had reached my ears upon the wings of many foreign
messages even then.
As I replied to the Professor in his native tongue, he expressed
himself as being more at his ease, although he offered to converse
with me in English, a language in which, he said, "he was perfectly
at home, and spoke fluently," as all Frenchmen pride themselves
upon being able to do after a month's practice, without taking into
consideration that Webster claims words in our language to the
extent of six figures. However, I considered my French much more
comprehensible than his English, and the conversation was continued
in that language, very much to his delight.
He informed me that he had made a life study of the animal kingdom,
and that, for many years, unknown to his most intimate friends and
associates in the scientific world, he had made a particular study
of the Cat and its habits, while of late years he had come to the
conclusion that Cats have a language all their own. To my surprise
he informed me that he had demonstrated in a paper, which he drew
from his pocket, the fact that upon his theories, and by a close
observation of the rules set down in his manuscript upon the Cat
language, the whole world might acquire it. He presented me with
the document in recognition of my sympathy with him in a subject
so near his heart, and expressed a hope that I might find time in
the near future to examine and print his theories and the results
of his investigations. The reason for his keeping the facts of his
researches a secret from his most intimate friends and his scientific
brethren, he remarked, was that if he had not carried the subject
to a successful termination, he never could have lived through
the sarcasm and taunts of these men of science, who would have
overwhelmed him with abuse because of his failure.
I glanced at the title of the paper, and, after thanking him for his
valuable gift, and promising to read it at some leisure hour, I bade
him adieu, and resumed my duties, having placed the paper in the
editorial desk.
To those who are aware of the numberless documents and the thousands
of articles upon various subjects which accumulate in and about
the desk of an editor, I need not explain that this paper was soon
buried, so that when my memory recurred to it, a month later, the
document could not be found, and I finally gave up my quest, and
considered the paper last beyond recovery. Imagine my rejoicing,
however, when, but a few months ago, I found it intact, and perused
its contents with great surprise. I was the more rejoiced at its
recovery because it verifies my own theories, and proves beyond a
doubt that the Cat has a language which may be spoken by anybody who
will make a study of it. What wonders this discovery will work in
every community of the civilized world may better be imagined than
described. The accumulated secrets of many years will be told, and
crimes and misdemeanors which until now have baffled inquisitors will
be unearthed, and the perpetrators punished; little peccadillos will
be given to the gossipers, and even the tender passages between John
and his girl in the parlor or the sitting-room, in the arbor, or upon
the way through "lover's land," will become subject for tattle among
gossipers.
X.
PROFESSOR GRIMALDI'S WONDERFUL DISCOVERIES
It is scarcely necessary to recount the wonderful researches of the
great Prof. Grimaldi, the great French naturalist. His name has
become a household word, and his fame world-wide. When I unearthed
his carefully prepared paper it was yellow with age, but his
chirography was a marvel of neatness, and distinct as copper plate.
I have made a literal translation of it, and will give it in his own
words without emendations.
THE CAT
By Alphonse Leon Grimaldi, F.R.S., F.G.S., M.O.S., D.H. du C.,
M.F.A.S., M.F.A., et al.
I was born with an intense passion for animals. I am a Frenchman,
therefore am I a man of strong passions. I have not married. My
love is for the animal kingdom, and it has been returned to me one
hundred fold all my life. In woman there is deceit, and in man
deception rules his nature. If I treat an animal with kindness, I
will, invariably, be overwhelmed with gratitude. The animal never
bites the hand that feeds it--the human being frequently does.
Therefore, I live among animals and center my affections in them.
I have made my unalterable choice. I teach the gentler manners
and the magnanimity, perhaps the greater intelligence of those of
God's creatures who are far above their self-constituted masters,
and their inexhaustible love of even the hand that smites, if it
be the hand of a beneficiary. You have repeatedly noticed that a
large and powerful dog can never be persuaded to attack or oppress
a smaller or a feebler one. Tell me how frequently you have known
a man of influence, power, riches or strength, to oppress and take
advantage of a feebler or poorer one? Is it not a daily, nay, hourly
occurrence? Have you ever seen a healthy animal oppress a sickly
one? Never! Times without number you have been an eyewitness to the
tender care and solicitude of the well for the sick animal, and
as frequently you have seen the unfortunate provided with every
necessary by his more fortunate comrades.
How often do you find these traits in the human being? For this,
and for many other reasons with which I might tire you, I love all
animals but man.
Men declare that only the biped, man, is endowed with reason. It
is false. It is so declared, in order that man may possess one
characteristic that will elevate him above, and distinguish him from
what he chooses, falsely, to call the lower animals.
Your Noah Webster, who padded your dictionary in order to make a
formidable book, like many another man, says that animals are not
possessed of reasoning powers, but have only instinct. He gives
the definition of instinct as follows: "INSTINCT. A certain power
or disposition of mind by which, independent of all instructions
or experience, without deliberation, and without having any end in
view, animals are unerringly directed to do spontaneously whatever is
necessary for the preservation of the individual or the continuation
of the kind."
This is your American authority, and you must accept it, for you
have adopted the dictionary. By this definition, and with only one
question, I will prove to you that animals have reasoning powers,
just as men have. Have not animals an end in view when they gather
their food and build their homes for the winter months, when they
rear their young, anticipate the coming of the night and of that
longer night constituting the darkness of age and death, when
preparing for the coming of their Master, and when, with a grand
evidence of their superiority over man, they anticipate the changes
of the weather?
The intelligent man admits that animals not only have minds, but
that they reason also. The sooner the whole world admits this fact
the sooner we will arrive at the truth in the premises, and give
the feline her due as well as be just to other animals. The study
of natural history unfolds to the mind a new universe of beauty,
interest and profit. The beautiful book of nature is spread out in
inexhaustible profusion to all creatures, and no one can claim a
monopoly of this grand study. Other animals read it constantly, and
seem to understand it better than man. Man has not been able, with
all his knowledge of science, to make a barometer which will give
as unerring calculations concerning the weather as will the animals
which he considers beneath him in intelligence. I instance more
particularly the wild goose, who will indicate the temperature of the
season, and I will remark that there is no compass or needle which
can indicate the course of a pigeon while it navigates the air equal
to its own instinct. In the hydraulics of nature, the beaver stands
foremost of all living creatures, and the bee is the greatest builder
in the world. Do you not admit that "instinct" will no longer answer
as a name for intelligence in what you call the "brute" animals? Is
it without deliberation and without having an end in view that, when
you take a young pigeon from the cote in which it was hatched, and
carrying it in a coop to a distance of four hundred miles from its
home, you free it, and it takes its flight in a bee line for the cote
in which it was born? What shall that quality of mind be called?
Dogs, Cats and other animals have been carried for hundreds of miles
from their homes, and but a few days elapsed before they return to
the place from whence they were taken. Have they "no end in view,"
and is this done "without deliberation?"
There is a species of fish-hawk, in your Northern lakes, which has
most remarkable eyes, microscopic as well as telescopic. You may
often see this fellow, early in the morning, hovering over the placid
water of some lonely lake, when he will suddenly dart off, leave the
water and take up his position upon the bare limb of a blighted tree,
and watch the track over which he flew. Presently you will see him
leave his high perch and, with the accuracy and velocity of an arrow,
strike the bosom of the lake, grasp a fish and bear it to his perch.
Nature has furnished this wise bird with a bait which enables him to
become a successful fisherman. He has in his throat, or oesophagus, a
small sac, in which he secretes a kind of oil. This oil he drops upon
the surface, the fishes are attracted to it, and at once there is a
great commotion in the water. The hawk, seeing this, takes advantage
of the situation, and pounces upon his prey.
It is silly in man to assume that all he sees is but the effect of
law. It is more sensible to assume that there is an intelligence
behind law and matter. The intelligence shown in plants cannot be
denied. Take, for instance, the aquatic plants. They will travel long
distances over walls and other impediments before they will stop
their growth.
That animals have a moral sense is evidenced in the fact of the
prominence in their natures of the attributes of reason, memory,
invention, motive, ingenuity, will and gratitude. Granting these
premises, and grant them you must from the proofs which I have
submitted to you, and which have come under my own observation, you
must admit that animals reason and think and give the same evidence
of free intelligence observable in human nature.
That dogs, Cats, horses, elephants, birds and even pigs can be taught
to do most wonderful things, millions of people can attest from
personal observation, and you have the proof in your own minds, to
show free intellectual ability on the part of wild and tame animals.