Last week, the story of the "melancholy catastrophe" of a
ruf- fian drowned by a cat he was endeavouring to destroy, was ex- tracted from the American Papers. For the honour of old Eng- land, which, we suppose, should not be behind little Brother Jonathan in invention, the following tale has been put forth by a provincial paper, and is travelling the rounds of the press.
"A female servant in the employ of Mr. George Spedding, of Brampton, Appleby, whilst hoeing turnips a few days ago, perceived a number of strange animals in the field near her. At a loss to know what they were, and becoming in some degree alarmed, she beckoned to her master on the road at the bottom of the field, to come and view these unknown crea- tures. Mr. Spedding immediately proceeded to the place, but great was his surprise [why ?] when he saw nine or ten young pole-cats, with the mother at their head, [the pole cat is a skulking animal nearer the size of a ferret than a tiger,] meeting him boldly and full in the face, appa- rently not at all intimidated at his presence. On coming within a few yards of them, Mr. S. made a full stop, as did also the animals, and set up a loud yell [that is, Mr. S. set up a loud yell;] Mr. S., having a hay-fork in his hand, aimed a blow at the group, and killed one : his dog, which was in the road adjoining the field, hearing the yell, and scenting the animals, which at this time voided their fcetid odour, made up to his master, and succeeded in killing another; the rest, on seeing two of their army killed on the spot, made a rapid retreat, and got clear off, whilst Mr. S. and his dog were too much busied in examining the dead, and con- gratulating each other on their lucky escape, to think of pursuing the retiring, foe. Mr. S. thinks that, if the dog had not come to his assist- ance, they would have actually given him battle."—Kentish Gazette.
They write from Essex, that Mr. John Crackaway, of Bamem, Winkly, has had a desperate rencontre with a nest of tom tits, which, headed by the parent bird, charged him with the utmost ferocity. Mr. C. brained one by the blow of a hazel-nut ; and his faithful cat, allured to the spot by the scent of the fowl, devoured another, when the rest took to flight. Mr. C. and his cat con- gratulated each other on their escape. The gentleman was as much surprised at seeing those uncommon creatures, tom tits, as if he had beheld a family of pole cats.
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