[Illustration: BREAKFAST. By H. W. Trood]
FAMOUS CATS.
Cats were household pets in Egypt more than two thousand years ago. The
Egyptians worshiped them as beings superior to men, and would suffer no
harm to come to them. If, by accident, an Egyptian killed a cat, the
punishment was death.
Once a Persian king named Cambyses was fighting against the Egyptians.
Knowing how cats were cherished by his enemies, Cambyses gave to each of
his soldiers a cat to carry, instead of a shield. Not one of the
Egyptian soldiers would hurt a cat, and so the Persian army was safe.
Probably the first cats lived in Egypt, and though they are no longer
worshiped in that country, they are protected and cared for. In the city
of Cairo is a cats' hospital, where sick cats are nursed, and where
stray or homeless cats may come every day for their dinner.
When the Romans conquered Syria and Palestine, they found in nearly
every house a kato or kitt. From these eastern names we get our words
cat and kitten. The Romans were so much pleased with the little animals
that kitts soon were carried to Italy and western Europe.
The Roman goddess of Liberty was pictured with a cat lying at her feet.
It is quite true that it is easier to make a slave of any other animal
than it is of a cat.
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