BENEVOLENCE IN ANIMALS. [TO =I EDITOR OF THE "SrscTAToz."]
Sin,—Many years ago I lived with my grandparents at Kennington, and our household pets consisted of three cats,
Kate," Tip,' and Smut,' and a white French poodle, grandly called 'M. de la Touche,' after the donor, but known by the familiar name of Tooshe.' Two of the cats and 'Tooshe ' were excellent friends, but there was an insuperable antagonism between 'Tip' and Tooshe,' who never met without a growl on one side, and a spitting and scutter on the other. One morning when the cook went into the yard to fetch coals, the dog caught hold of her skirt, and tried to drag her to his kennel, which she had to pass. She resisted, threw him off, but yielded at last to his persistence, and then observed that the white hair round his muzzle was blood-stained. Stooping down, she found in a heap the seemingly dead body of poor Tip,' which she raised and carried into the house, Tooshe' meanwhile dancing round her, and wagging his tail in delight. Our first impression was that ' Tip ' had fallen a victim to his enemy, but examina- tion proved that he had been badly shot, and a trail of blood across the yard pointed to the fact that Tooshe ' had carried the wounded cat to his kennel, and had spent some time in licking the wounds. My uncle, a naval officer, experienced in gunshot wounds, bathed the cat, extracted the shots, and recovery was gradually effected, after which Tooshe' and 'Tip' became the warmest friends, often sleeping together, sharing their food, and showing the strongest mutual affec- tion. I was a very little girl at the time of this incident, which is strongly impressed on my memory, and for the truth of which I can unhesitatingly vouch.—I am, Sir, &c.,
S. B. S. B.
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