Mrs F--vouches for the following account, showing the hospitable
disposition of cats. It was given to her by a clergyman, who had it
direct from a friend.
A gentleman in Australia had a pet cat to which he daily gave a plate of
viands with his own hands. The allowance was liberal, and there was
always a remainder; but after some time the gentleman perceived that
another cat came to share the repast. Finding that this occurred for
several consecutive days, he increased the allowance. It was then found
to be too much for two; there was again a residue for several days, when
a third cat was brought in to share the feast. Amused at this
proceeding, the gentleman now began to experiment, and again increased
the daily dole of food. A fourth guest now appeared; and he continued
adding gradually to the allowance of viands, and found that the number
of feline guests also progressively increased, until about thirty were
assembled; after which no further additions took place, so that he
concluded that all those who lived within _visiting distance_ were
included: indeed, the wonder was that so many could assemble, as the
district he lived in was far from populous.
The stranger cats always decorously departed after dinner was over,
leaving their hospitable entertainer, no doubt, with such grateful
demonstrations as might be dictated by the feline code of etiquette.
Ask yourselves if you are always as anxious as was the Australian cat to
invite your companions to enjoy with you the good things you have given
you by kind friends. Ah! what an important lesson we may learn from
this anecdote: always to think of others before ourselves. When young
friends visit you, do you try your utmost to entertain them, thinking of
their comfort before your own? Such is the lesson taught us by this
cat, which gathered others of her kind to share the bounties provided by
her kind master.