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The Cat's Progress<br />
=THE CAT<br />
Outlawed for centuries, driven ruthlessly from<br />
hearth and home, <strong>the</strong>n tolerated merely as a useful<br />
chattel, <strong>the</strong> <strong>cat</strong> has gradually insinuated herself<br />
into polite society. She has made herself at home<br />
in library and drawing-room, she has reserved for<br />
occasional use kitchen, dining-room and office.<br />
She may be seen drowsing for hours on <strong>the</strong> bed, she<br />
takes exclusive possession of <strong>the</strong> most comfortable<br />
armchair, she curls herself at will on her master's<br />
knee, and, when <strong>the</strong> frost deepens, she always<br />
monopolizes <strong>the</strong> warmest corner by <strong>the</strong> fire.<br />
This is <strong>the</strong> progress, and <strong>the</strong>se are <strong>the</strong> admitted<br />
triumphs of <strong>the</strong> <strong>cat</strong>. She has conquered and do-<br />
mesti<strong>cat</strong>ed man, reduced him to <strong>the</strong> role of an<br />
obedient servant, and required of him that he shall<br />
provide her with <strong>the</strong> luxuries she loves. In doing<br />
this, he but performs his duty, and need expect no<br />
gratitude. The loud declarations of naturalists<br />
count for little by <strong>the</strong> side of such a candid con-<br />
fession as that of M. de Cherville, who tells us in<br />
one of his charming essays that for two years he<br />
has obsequiously served a little <strong>cat</strong>, born under his<br />
roof, and raised by his careful hands. For two<br />
years he has studied her tastes, and shown her every<br />
attention in his power; and never in all this time<br />
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