INTRODUCTORY 15 



weeks before the Crystal Palace Cat Show, I entered the 

 little brown tabby Short-Hair, and the black Persian, the 

 former taking third prize in a strong class of her own 

 colour, and the latter first prize in the Black class. 



They both took numbers of prizes all over the country 

 afterwards, and were much admired wherever they 

 went. 



Another case was, when I was on my way to a railway 

 station I noticed a young short-haired white cat, of which 

 I liked the appearance, and took the first opportunity of 

 calling at the cottage where it belonged, to inquire if they 

 would sell it. I had some difficulty in getting them to 

 name a price, as they seemed to think it a strange thing 

 anyone should be willing to pay anything for a cat, but at 

 last they said they would be delighted to take half-a-crown 

 for it, which of course I readily paid, and this cat became 

 another Crystal Palace winner, as well as at many other 

 places. 



I mention these cases merely to illustrate the fact that 

 there are plenty of good cats about, if they were only 

 looked after. 



One of my most celebrated champions was bred by a 

 cottager in the village where I lived, and sold by him 

 not to me for the modest sum of five shillings. Un- 

 fortunately he did not come into my possession until his 

 value had gone up considerably, owing to the honours he 

 had taken. He was perhaps one of the best short-haired 

 whites with turquoise blue eyes, ever exhibited, and who 

 during his show career took scores of prizes at the Crystal 

 Palace, Brighton, Bath, Clifton, and all the leading shows. 



