PREFACE 



HAVING been from his earliest remembrance a lover and fancier 

 of many kinds of pet animals, the subjects treated of in these 

 pages have been the most numerous and perhaps excepting 

 dogs only, by far the most interesting, in the writer's possession. 



As in the several capacities of breeder, exhibitor and 

 occasional judge, great numbers of these little animals have 

 come under the writer's notice, some detailed descriptions of 

 the several varieties with particulars of the standards of 

 perfection to be aimed at by breeders may be useful to the 

 increasing number of persons of both sexes, and in all ranks of 

 life, forming the exhibiting public. 



For this purpose the writer has drawn upon a life-long 

 experience, introducing many original and other anecdotes 

 which may be of interest to his readers. 



The illustrations have all been made specially from life studies 

 for this work, and executed by a skilful and sympathetic artist, 

 who is fortunately also a fancier, and has taken the keenest 

 interest in the subject. 



It is believed that such a collection of portraits of high-class 



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