144 ^'^^ -^^^^ °f Cats. 



proves her affection for the fondlings, and that she 

 supposed them to be her young. In Hke fashion 

 hens, when they have hatched duckHngs, are as 

 attached to them as though they were their own 

 chickens. 



The first public exhibition of a " happy family " 

 in England, was one started at Coventry, about 

 thirty-two years ago, and began with Cats, Rats, 

 and Pigeons in one cage. The proprietor of a 

 happy family gave Mr. Henry Mayhew some amus- 

 ing particulars on the subject. Among other things, 

 he said that Mr. Monkey was very fond of the Cat, 

 probably for warmth. He would cuddle her for an 

 hour at a time, but if Miss Pussy would not lie 

 still to suit his comfort, he would hug her round 

 the neck and try to pull her down. If then she 

 became vexed, he would be afraid to face her, but 

 stealing slily behind, would give her tail end a nip 

 with his teeth. The Cat and Monkey were the best 

 of friends as long as Miss Pussy would lie still to 

 be cuddled, and suit his convenience. The Monkey 

 would be Mr. Master in a happy family. For that 

 reason the proprietor would not allow either of his 

 Cats to kitten in the cage, because Mr. Monkey 

 would be sure to want to know all about it, and 

 then it would be open war, for if he went to touch 



