2Cj6 



THE BOOK OF THE CAT. 



although my name is mostly connected with 

 the long-haired breeds, I am such a lover of 

 all cats that I feel as anxious for one variety 

 as another to obtain friends and favour. It 

 is specially in the South of England that the 

 interest in our short-haired breeds is on the 

 wane, and it behoves all fanciers to strive to 

 assist in keeping alive the love of the British 

 cat in our midst. 



In 1902 Sir Claud and Lady Alexander 

 most generously guaranteed the whole of 

 these classes, and although they themselves 

 made a very numerous entry, yet there was a 



deficit to pay of several pounds, a thing which 

 ought not to be. 



I find that the Manx, Siamese, and blues 

 are generally able to take care of themselves 

 at shows, or they have clubs and secretaries 

 who look after their interests; but the " common 

 or garden " puss needs a kindly hand to assist 

 in drawing him to the front, for, as that well- 

 known lover of " the domestic cat," Harrison 

 Weir, writes, " Why should not the cat that 

 sits purring in front of us before the fire be 

 an object of interest, and be selected for its 

 colour, markings, and form ? " 



" BEN-MY-CHREE." 



OWNED BY Miss G. E. SILLAR. 



(Photo: J. W. Thomas, Colwyn Bay.) 



