Halliwell, in his _Collection of Nursery Rhymes_, does not mention "Three
cats by the fire-side," &c.; but I have in my possession several not named
by him, and "Three cats," &c. amongst the number, which I have much
pleasure in transcribing for the benefit of JULIA R. BOCKETT'S ancient
friend:
"Three cats sat by the fire-side,
In a basket full of coal-dust,
One cat said to the other
In fun, pell mell, 'Queen Anne's dead.'
'Is she,' said Grimalkin, 'then I'll reign queen in her stead,'
Then up, up, up, they flew up the chimney."