LITERARY MEN AND THE "CAT."

New Zealand Tablet, Volume 26, Issue 349, 26 December 1879, Page 19

LITERARY MEN AND THE "CAT."

Archibald Forbes, the famous war correspondent, declares that he was saved by the " cat," which it is now proposed to abolish from the British Army. Twenty years ago, he enlisted in a cavalry regiment. Young, full of spirits, and not destitute of money, he was scandalously often in trouble. At length an escapade got him placed for a month in the Sheffield provost. He was not cured, however. Again, brought before his commanding officer, lie waa asked if he knew be was a second-class man. No, he knew nothing about it. " Well," said he, "you are, and, a 9 such, liable to be flogged, and the next time you come before me I'll flog you." Mr. Forbes never again came before him, and is now so full of love for the cat that he pleads for its retention. An almost similar experience was that of John Boyle O'Reilly. At eighteen years of age, he enlisted in a hussar regiment, and in the strength and wildness of youth began a reckless course. One day a friendly old sergeant said to him, as be was mercbed to the guardrcom, "You'll destroy jourself, youngster, if you don't s*op. The next time the Colonel's in bad humour, he'll court-martial you, and you'll be flogged." The word clung to O'Reilly's mind, and appalled him into steadiness. But, unlike bis English brother in literature, he regards the " cat " with horror, and considers its use more degrading and demoralising on soldiers who witness it than would be the death of the dtffcultor,— Pilot, j