The Cat as a Musical Critic.

Waikato Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2081, 7 November 1885, Page 2 (Supplement)

The Cat as a Musical Critic.

I IATMiY (writes n clergyman in the poutb of Irf i'luit), m visiting a medical friend, ba<l an opportunity of witnessing the BtraDgn pft\i2tß of a certain kind of music upon a cat. Pu"s-v wr.s sportinp, with ber young kittens on tbe ruj?, when her master drew my attention to her, paying that there was an air in Verdi's " 11 Trovatore " which she detected and would not allow to be whittled wi'hin her hearim?. Upon expressing ray surprise and begging for an illustration of "the truth of his statement, he began to whittle different airs in different styles. Of these, however, the cat took not the smalloßt notice. Ho then changed to tho well-known " Ah che la morte," wi.en instantly her play topped and her ears pricked up with nn unra«y motion. Am the whistling continued she grew more and more restless and at laefc, with a piteous cry, run to h<-r rrneter, climbed up beside him nndjiut her paws on his mouth to stop the objectionable mti°ic. I asked was it ft trick pussy had been taught, but wan as-ured that her antipathy to Verdi's celebrated air originated altogether with herself. The doctor hud been one day pensively looking out of the window, thinking very little of either the cat or music. Half unconsciously he began the " Ah che la morte," when suddenly he felt that pus=y was clambering up his leg". She seemed much excited, and would not bo quieted till she had stopped hia breath with her paws. From that day che had Rlways shown the most determined aversion to this air as distinct from all others. It mattered not in what part of the house the doctor struck it up it always brought her Instantly to his side, and if any one else had tbe temerity to try the experiment it was with difficulty she could be kept from tearing out hi a eyes— a fate which had well nigh befallen a rash visitor who had ventured to whistle the tune before tho extreme violence of the cat's objection had been discovered.— Leisure Hour.