i8 9 3 HIS CATS 369 



everything but speak — were living pets which might be kept 

 by anyone, and indeed Professor Huxley was the possessor 

 of a remarkably fine pair of them. Apply, enclosing stamps 

 etc. Of course, the wonderful mannikins were nothing more 

 than the pair of hands which anybody could dress up 

 according to the instructions of the advertiser ; but it was 

 astonishing how many estimable persons took them for 

 some lusus natures. A similar advertisement in 1880 had 

 been equally successful, and one exalted personage wrote 

 by the hand of a secretary to say what pleasure and interest 

 had been excited by the description of these strange crea- 

 tures, and begging Professor Huxley to state if the account 

 was true. Accordingly on January 27 he writes to his wife, 

 who was on a visit to her daughter : — 



Yesterday two ladies called to know if they could see the 

 Manx Mannikins. I think of having a board put up to say that 

 in the absence of the Proprietress the show is closed. 



The other incident was a request for any remarks which 

 might be of use in an article upon the Home Pets of 

 Celebrities. I give the letter written in answer to this, as 

 well as descriptions of the same cat's goings-on in the 

 absence of its mistress. 



To Mr. J. G. Kitton 



HODESLEA, April 12, 1893. 



A long series of cats has reigned over my household for the 

 last forty years, or thereabouts, but I am sorry to say that I have 

 no pictorial or other record of their physical and moral excel- 

 lencies. 



The present occupant of the throne is a large, young, grey 

 Tabby — Oliver by name. Not that he is in any sense a protector, 

 for I doubt whether he has the heart to kill a mouse. However, 

 I saw him catch and eat the first butterfly of the season, and 

 trust that this germ of courage, thus manifested, may develop 

 with age into efficient mousing. 



As to sagacity, I should say that his judgment respecting 

 the warmest place and the softest cushion in a room is infallible 

 — his punctuality at meal times is admirable ; and his pertinacity 

 in jumping on people's shoulders, till they give him some of the 

 best of what is going, indicates great firmness. 

 60 



