4 JUNE 1864, Page 2

That quaint little publication Notes and Queries has explained an

English proverb, or rather Irish proverb, which wanted an expla- nation. It appears that the story of the "Kilkenny cats" had its foundation in an atrocious act of cruelty. A regiment of Hessians quartered in the town in 1803 used to tie two cats by the tails, hang them across a clothes-line heads downwards, and watch them tearing each other to death. The officers prohibited the amusement, which, however, continued, till one day the officer of the day arrived a little too suddenly. Unable to untie the cats, a soldier cut off their tails, and when they were perceived explained that two cats had fought so desperately that nothing was left but their tails.