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March 25, 1809

 

Anna Seward, a literary figure in 18th century England, died on March 25, 1809. Among her literary productions is a memoir of the man whose grandson was Charles Darwin. Erasmus Darwin encouraged Seward's poetry, and she regarded him as a great writer. Fortunately for us, Seward quotes some lovely poems of Darwin's in her memoir, poems which concern cats. This excerpt is from such a poem:

...
Cats I scorn who sleek and fat
Shiver at a Norway rat;
Rough and hardy, bold and free,
Be the cat that's made for me!
He whose nervous paw can take
My lady's lapdog by the neck...

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