6 JUNE 1885, Page 14

THE CAT.

[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."]

Sia,—The method adopted by " Topsy " in opening the door is not only simple, as mentioned by your correspondent, but, I think, not uncommon. I have seen dogs do the same thing, and once bad a horse who, on the top door of his loose-boxbeing opened, would not only undo with his month the latch of the bottom part of the door, but would even draw the bolt beneath it, in order to get out. This horse lived to be twenty-threeyears old. I have also seen a oat turn the handle of the kitchendoor in order to gain an entrance; this he did by holding it between his front paws, the handle of course being, like others frequently used, extremely loose.—I am, Sir, &c., A. H. D.