ABOUT `DOT.'
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."J SIR,—As I am a constant reader of the Spectator, I know you take a great interest in domestic animals, and I have long- wished to tell you about ` Dot.' She was handsome as to size; her coat was a beautiful, glossy black, and at the throat was a pretty, white star. Each day, as the different articles were- brought in for dinner and placed on the table, the charge always was, "Now, 'Dot,' come here and take care of this, till I come back." ` Dot' mounted guard at once, on a chair at the side of the table, and was never known to leave her post till the viands- were claimed. Whether it was beef, mutton, fish, or game, all was perfectly safe ; and she was quite contented when a cooked morsel after dinner was given to her, as a reward. Her own dinner, though placed close beside her, she never touched, but always waited till it was given to her, however hungry she was- known to be.
She was obedient to all orders, one of which was that she was not to come to my room. (I prefer to keep at a respectful dis- tance from even domestic pets, however excellent their individual characters.) But one very cold evening of a very severe winter,
Dot,' passing all the other rooms, to which she had perfect freedom, came to my door, and, with a special petition, to which my attention was drawn, as being something quite unusual in cat-language, waited till she was told she might come in. The good creature placed herself before the bright fire, and purred, to her and our great pleasure,—a self-invited and truly happy guest. She never once encroached on this one, little, special favour. Could even the illustrious `Jack' have excelled her,
when food was the charge P-1 am, Sir, &c., M. D.
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