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the cat - World eBook Library

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THE CA^<br />

A Letter of Condolence<br />

As one ought to be particularly careful to avoid<br />

blunders in a compliment of condolence, it would<br />

be a sensible satisfaction to me (before I testify<br />

my sorrow, and <strong>the</strong> sincere part I take in your<br />

misfortune) to know for certain who it is I lament.<br />

I knew Zara and Selima (Selima was it, or<br />

Fatima?), or ra<strong>the</strong>r I knew <strong>the</strong>m both toge<strong>the</strong>r;<br />

for I cannot justly say which was which. Then<br />

as to your handsome Cat, <strong>the</strong> name you distinguish<br />

her by, I am no less at a loss, as well knowing one's<br />

handsome <strong>cat</strong> is always <strong>the</strong> <strong>cat</strong> one likes best ; or if<br />

one be alive and <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r dead, it is usually <strong>the</strong><br />

latter that is <strong>the</strong> handsomest. Besides, if <strong>the</strong> point<br />

were never so clear, I hope you do not think me<br />

so ill-bred or so imprudent as to forfeit all my<br />

interest in <strong>the</strong> survivor. Oh, no ! I would ra<strong>the</strong>r<br />

seem to mistake, and imagine to be sure it must be<br />

<strong>the</strong> tabby one that has met with this sad accident.<br />

... I feel (as you have done long since) that I<br />

have very little to say, at least in prose. Some-<br />

body will be <strong>the</strong> better for it; I do not mean you,<br />

but your Cat, feue Mademoiselle Selime, whom I<br />

am about to immortalize for one week or fortnight.<br />

Thomas Gray to Horace Walpole.<br />

157

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