Mr Barlow.—Are you not then more to be blamed than the cat herself? You have observed that it was common to the whole species to destroy mice and little birds, whenever they could surprise them; yet you have taken no pains to secure your favourite from the danger; on the contrary, by rendering him tame, and accustoming him to be fed, you have exposed him to a violent death, which he would probably have avoided had he remained wild. Would it not then be just, and more reasonable, to endeavour to teach the cat that she must no longer prey upon little birds, than to put her to death for what you have never taught her was an offence?
Tommy.—But is that possible?
Mr Barlow.—Very possible, I should imagine; but we may at least try the experiment.
Tommy.—But why should such a mischievous creature live at all?
Mr Barlow.—Because, if you destroy every crea
ture that preys upon others, you would perhaps leave few alive.
Tommy.—Surely, sir, the poor bird which that naughty cat has killed, was never guilty of such a cruelty.
Mr Barlow.—I will not answer for that. Let us observe what they live upon in the fields; we shall then be able to give a better account.
Mr Barlow then went to the window and desired Tommy to come to him, and observe a robin which was then hopping upon the grass with something in its mouth, and asked him what he thought it was.
Tommy.—I protest, sir, it is a large worm. And now he has swallowed it! I should never have thought that such a pretty bird could have been so cruel.