OUR DOMESTICATED PETS. 
THE history of the animal world contains 
no parallel to the rise of the 
cat in local status. Not so 
very long ago Puss was 
regarded as part of the life below stairs; 
but times are changed. The modern 
representatives of the feline race occupy 
a prominent position in the aristocratic 
world. They are prized for thei blue 
blood. Their pedigrees are traced for gene- 
rations. They are carefully housed, fed on 
Cats. 
TWO BLUE KITTENS. 
Owned by Miss Kirkpatrick, of Harrow. 
prize winners. 
” 
=~ 
Their parents were both 
the best, nursed, waited on and generally 
treated as if they belonged to a superior 
race. Fashion of course may have much to 
do with the apotheosis of the cat, but there 
is little doubt that merit has won for itself 
an acknowledement well deserved. 
It is doubtful however whether the general 
public have any idea of the extent to which 
cat culture has attained. They know that 
there are short-haired and long-haired cats 
and that is about all. Of Chinchillas, and 
silvers and shaded silvers, of blues and 
smokes, of creams, and various other 
classes whose finely drawn qualifications 
are a standing puzzle to judges them- 
selves, they have but slight acquaintance. 
But that the attraction, the fascination 
we might say, of cat breeding is gradually 
extending is shown by the increasing 
number of cat societies not only in 
England but all. the world over. The 
cat shows, pure and simple, are for the most 
part held in the autumn and winter, for 
that is the time when coats and frills 
are in perfection. The National Cat Club 
leads off at the Crystal Palace in October. 
The Cat Club Show at the Westminster 
Aquarium is in January, but meanwhile 
there are Brighton and many other smaller 
exhibitions. 
It is noticeable that the custom of 
exhibiting cats at dog shows is on the 
increase. The Ladies’ Kennel Club admit 
them at them big show in the Botanic 
Gardens in June, an event which, if the 
weather is but propitious, is most enjoyable. 
The cats themselves may not be in such 
good coat as earlier, but the kittens just 
blossoming into the first beauties of feline 
childhood are bewitching. 
We purpose in future numbers to devote 
some portion of space to the best interests 
