But before going farther on with this chapter, I wish to make a plea in pussy's favour. I myself have studied cat life, off and on, for twenty years, so I suppose it will be admitted I am no mean authority on the subject. During that time I have come to certain conclusions, which in some cases run contrary to the opinions generally conceived of those animals--contrary, at any rate, to the belief current some years ago, before pussy was thought worthy to hold a show of her own. Towards this ocean of contrary opinions I have been wafted, not by the wind of my own sails alone, but aided and supported by many hundreds of anecdotes of domestic pussy's daily life, habits, likes and dislikes. These anecdotes have been supplied to me from trustworthy people, in every position of life--from the poverty-stricken old maid with her one feline favourite; from the honest working-man with his fireside pet and children's playmate; from farmers, solicitors, doctors, and parsons; from baronets' ladies; and, in more than one instance, from the daughters of peers of the realm, allied to royalty itself. These anecdotes have, in almost every case, been substantially authenticated, and _always_ discarded wherever, in any case, they were open to doubt. From these anecdotes and essays, and from my own experience as well, I have arrived at the following conclusions--and be it remembered I speak of cats that are properly fed and housed, and have been taught habits of cleanliness when kittens:-- 1. That cats are extremely sagacious. 2 That cats are cleanly and regular in their habits. 3. That cats are fond of children. 4. That cats are excellent mothers, and will nurse the young of any small animal on the loss of their own. 5. That cats are fond of roaming abroad. 6. That cats are brave to a fault. 7. That cats are fond of other animals as playmates. 8. That cats are easily taught tricks. 9. That cats are excellent hunters. 10. That cats are good fishers, and can swim on occasion. 11. That cats are very tenacious of life. 12. That cats are fond of home. 13. That cats are _fonder far of master or mistress_. 14. That cats are _not_, as a rule, _thieves, but the reverse_. 15. That long-headed, sharp-nosed cats are the best mousers. These are not texts, but deductions.