THE CATS AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE.
THE Fourth Cat Show at the Crystal Palace was a pretty and pleasant spectacle. On a raised platform, which occupied a great space between the marble basin and the centre of the build- ing, stood a long range of light, strong, commodious pens, each handsomely furnished with a raised cushion of crimson baize, a delf basin for purposes of refreshment, and a selection of fine gravel in a kind of lane at the back, whither the exhibited tenant might retire to scratch, tread, or meditate, whenever publicity should become wearisome to him. These pens were occupied by 285 cats, for whose comfort and safety arrangements of the most admirable and ingenious kind were made. Whatever the vicissi- tudes or hardships of the journey, the competing quadruped who had once reached Mr. Wilson's hands, and had attached to his neck his little leaden label, whereby his identity was established, and his safe restoration to proprietorial embraces secured, was a cat to be congratulated. For the furry family twenty gallons of milk and twenty pounds of meat were provided per diem ; their temporary dwellings were specially constructed for this show, and tended with the scrupulous cleanliness essential to the happiness of every well-regulated cat. There were no casualties, and the only mistakes were made by exhibitors who did not comply with the rules forwarded to them—rules which were drawn up with per- fect distinctness—and whose cats were wrongly classified or debarred from competition in consequence.
A few of the most beautiful of the competitors have appeared at one or more of the former shows. Among them is No. 1, Class 1, a short-haired tortoiseshell he-cat, who has had the honour of disproving the prevalent belief that no such animal existed. He is a grave and beautiful creature, with an air of wisdom aided by a quaint little spot of white hair under the lower lip. He seems to know that he is No. 1, and a unique specimen, and yet he is not unduly proud, but betrays a lively interest in the admiring crowd, and some curiosity respecting his immediate neighbours, three very handsome tortoiseshell-and- white he-cats, who seem shy and imaged to public life. The male cats are calm and contemplative ; their toilet for the day has been carefully made before noon ; they are for the most part
inclined to doze ; but the females are very lively, and such of their to them ; while the pens at the end, facing the crystal fountain, number as are not engaged in maternal duties are stretching were occupied by numbers of beautiful kittens, whose innocent themselves and looking about them. It takes some time to discern dewy eyes and playful restlessness contrasted with the prepon- this difference, however, for the line of he-cats is a long one, and derating expression of reserved and watchful gravity among the several are so beautiful that the visitor lingers before them, elders on either side. That many a cat there had a story, it was following their graceful lines, their rich colouring, their soft, easy to see, but in some instances the story was told. One pen silent movements with delight. The brown tabbies are especially was occupied by a beautiful tortoiseshell she-eat, her jet-black beautiful. No 10, who has carried off the first prize, and wears kitten, and two fine solemn-looking bull-terrier pups, which she his blue bow so gracefully, just blending it with his rich brown- had brought up from their birth to their present prosperous stage and-black fur, in which not a white hair is to be seen, is, of course, of existence. Complete harmony reigns in this happy family, the finest, but there are many who nearly approach him in dark and in another—resident, like Amontillado, on the premises— sleekiness. There is not among them that variety of names which which is composed of a dog, a cat, a jackdaw, and a bantam hen. one would wish. They all suggest the homely, comfortable, inti- Then, in Class 22, among she-cats of abnormal qualities, sits mate love, the nicety of care with which they are regarded, and in " Blackie," a lady of mixed descent, Java and Manx, who has a most instances their collars or neck ribbons are assorted to their handy milk-jug hanging on a peg in her pen, and helps herself to colouring with delicate appreciation ; but, on the whole, their its contents by dipping her dainty little paw in the milk and then names are feeble. Bobby, Toby, Billy, Tom, Tig, even Tiger,— licking it. Here is a unique specimen of a long-haired red tabby these are not impressive appellations, and Whiskerandos is insult- she-cat, who is very beautiful, has wild light eyes, and is uncom- ing to its truly noble-looking bearer. That splendid brown tabby fortably like the " tawny " heroines of several modern novels. should not have been called after a caricature, and by a name Here is Lady Dorothy Neville's "Mrs. Poodles," a pure Siamese which must naturally dwindle down to "Andy." " Crystal " has of royal extraction, the daughter of the famous race of which the no meaning, and Dick is too familiar for a grand creature with King of Siam never permits a male to leave the sacred precincts eyes like great topazes, and shining black forepaws folded on his of his palace. She is an exquisitely beautiful creature, with won- red cushion with perfect indolent grace. The red tabbies are derful limbs, and head, and ears, with an indescribable graceful- very handsome, and their eyes are large and golden in colour, but ness, as of a fairy-queen among cats, and fur like the richest they do not look so sociable as the others, and the largest and sealskin, when the first faint tinge of the lurking yellow suggests handsomest lies down in his house, and refuses to tumble to the itself amid the brown. Indolent, nonchalant, but perfectly aware admiring audience. The variety of countenance and shape of face that she is the observed of all observers, "Mrs. Poodles" lies upon among the cats is very curious, and it grows on one's perception as her supplementary cushion, in the warmth of the crimson and the one passes down the long line. The visitor is not distressed by the gold, with one soft brown leg and languid paw curved, half open, painful wistfulness always seen in the faces of imprisoned wild round her breast, like the hand of a fine lady from which a fan has animals. Only two or three of the cats looked as if they did not jest dropped. And "she must lend those beauties to the grave like it, only one was jumping at the bars in any earnest. There and give the world no copy" (she has a kitten on the other side, was a good deal of unembarrassed play under kindly maternal but it is of mixed race), unless some traveller as enterprising as superintendence among the kittens, and there was hardly any M. de Beauvoir will beg or steal a royal consort for her from King noise. Among the silver-grey tabbies, both male and female, are Mongkut. Here is a pretty little tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat, many remarkably handsome faces ; and No. 31, a black-and-white very intelligent and active, with short fore-paws like a kangaroo, he-eat of perfect form, evenly marked in white under the neck, with so that it cannot climb ; but it bounds and hops through life like white whiskers and white-topped paws, has such an expression of the creature it resembles, and is quite happy. To a black-and- sagacity, that one turns to the catalogue confident that he is "not white she-cat, whose name is Dinah Stumps, a story attaches which for sale." Of course not ; and he lays his paw gravely against his does great credit to the human actors in it. It is too long for nose, and winks slowly, in confirmation of the fact. No. 36 is per- repetition here, but "The Autobiography of a Cat," printed and fectly black, with soft fur, like satin for sheen. No. 46 is pure white, hung beneath the pen which contained Dinah Stumps, was eagerly with a sad face, as of a eat who, though only a year old, has out- read by thousands at the Cat Show, and we hope it will be widely lived pomps and vanities, and does not care for shows or bows. He circulated by all who desire to teach the love and the care of these wears his ribbon carelessly, and lets his nose droop listlessly towards dear dumb creatures to men, women, and children, who are often the cushion-edge. Not so a neighbour of his, aged six, who has cruel mainly because they know no better, and have no notion of reached middle-life and likes it, who is a roystering brigand with the consolation and joy which may be imparted by the love and a rusty face, unutterably knowing, a cat whose home life is plainly gratitude of a saved and succoured animal. Long may Dinah live untrammelled by restrictions, who has a latch-key, and who, if by to reward such a master as John Saffery.
reason of a town residence he does not "know where the wood- The institution of the Crystal Palace Cat Shows has led to the pigeons breed," is familiar with the best preserves of sparrows. He importation of foreign, especially Eastern cats in considerable num- arches his back, squeezes himself against the wires, gives his head bers. Several very beautiful specimens were exhibited among the a shake, twitches his ears with a click, and lies down, having said long-haired classes ; two by Mr. Jamrach, who, it was painful to plainly, "I don't mind this for three days, you know, just to observe, was not animated by that fine feeling which inspired other oblige them at home, but it couldn't last." Among the short- owners. His cats had no necklaces, not as much as a scrap of haired he-cats of unusual colour is a handsome creature named ribbon ; their labels were merely tied on with common twine. Now, "Amontillado," who lives at the Crystal Palace, and has an amus- that is cruel ! one might as well send a child to a children's party ing air of at-homishness. "Ha, ha!" he seems to say, as he licks in a pinafore and boots. A superb wild cat, or ocelot, marked his lips and blinks, "if I were to be let out, I should be all right, "dangerous," occupied the last pen. He is a most beautiful no one would be alarmed, there would be no running after me ; I creature, striped yellow and black, like a tiger, but his fur is fine, know all about it, I hadn't to be brought here in a basket with a his limbs are delicate, and his eyes, not blinking, or crafty, but label on it describing me as a 'live cat ;' I came of myself, and I wide, wild, brilliant, and pathetic, with a strange liquid blue tinge know where the milk-cans are kept, and where they cut the meat in them. He comes from South America, and he looks as if he up." No blandishments disturb his profound calm, and when a wanted to go home very much indeed.
lady rattled her parasol against the bars, he shrugged his shoulders No section of the Cat Show afforded more pleasure to the visitors, as naturally as if he had been born in a Parisian café, and did not or more amply fulfilled the designs of the projectors, than that
even glance in her direction. which comprised the competitors for the prizes offered for cats be-
Among the short-haired female cats there are two red tabbies, longing to working-men. The only class in which there was no the only specimens ever exhibited of animals almost as rare as entry was Class 38, "for the oldest white she-cat." The others the "Tortoiseshell Tom." They are both exceedingly handsome, were well represented, and among the competitors were four and of course form a distinct class. But they are of unequal value. splendid Angoras, who presented an appearance of bien etre not sur- " Zoonie," the first, aged four years and three months, is the passed by that of "Mrs. Poodles" herself. The English tabby- proud mother of fifty-three kittens, and her price is prohibitory, and-white cat, than which no kind is more beautiful or intelligent, /500. The second has no name, is four and a half months old, mustered strong, and in fine condition. Among the very hand- and may be purchased for five guineas. The cats are divided into some cats belonging to Class 42, was one splendid creature sent by forty-eight classes, a variety very surprising to persons who have "The Staff of Penge Station, L. C. and D. Railway." It is much not studied the subject ; and very interesting to trace, in the to be desired that the prizes offered to working-men should be more difference and resemblance between the short-haired and long- numerous next year ; and that the public should co-operate heartily haired animals. The former occupied one side of the raised plat- with the directors of the Crystal Palace Company in one of their form ; the latter, in corresponding order, were placed dos-a-dos most estimable enterprises. inclined to doze ; but the females are very lively, and such of their to them ; while the pens at the end, facing the crystal fountain, number as are not engaged in maternal duties are stretching were occupied by numbers of beautiful kittens, whose innocent themselves and looking about them. It takes some time to discern dewy eyes and playful restlessness contrasted with the prepon- this difference, however, for the line of he-cats is a long one, and derating expression of reserved and watchful gravity among the several are so beautiful that the visitor lingers before them, elders on either side. That many a cat there had a story, it was following their graceful lines, their rich colouring, their soft, easy to see, but in some instances the story was told. One pen silent movements with delight. The brown tabbies are especially was occupied by a beautiful tortoiseshell she-eat, her jet-black beautiful. No 10, who has carried off the first prize, and wears kitten, and two fine solemn-looking bull-terrier pups, which she his blue bow so gracefully, just blending it with his rich brown- had brought up from their birth to their present prosperous stage and-black fur, in which not a white hair is to be seen, is, of course, of existence. Complete harmony reigns in this happy family, the finest, but there are many who nearly approach him in dark and in another—resident, like Amontillado, on the premises— sleekiness. There is not among them that variety of names which which is composed of a dog, a cat, a jackdaw, and a bantam hen. one would wish. They all suggest the homely, comfortable, inti- Then, in Class 22, among she-cats of abnormal qualities, sits mate love, the nicety of care with which they are regarded, and in " Blackie," a lady of mixed descent, Java and Manx, who has a most instances their collars or neck ribbons are assorted to their handy milk-jug hanging on a peg in her pen, and helps herself to colouring with delicate appreciation ; but, on the whole, their its contents by dipping her dainty little paw in the milk and then names are feeble. Bobby, Toby, Billy, Tom, Tig, even Tiger,— licking it. Here is a unique specimen of a long-haired red tabby these are not impressive appellations, and Whiskerandos is insult- she-cat, who is very beautiful, has wild light eyes, and is uncom- ing to its truly noble-looking bearer. That splendid brown tabby fortably like the " tawny " heroines of several modern novels. should not have been called after a caricature, and by a name Here is Lady Dorothy Neville's "Mrs. Poodles," a pure Siamese which must naturally dwindle down to "Andy." " Crystal " has of royal extraction, the daughter of the famous race of which the no meaning, and Dick is too familiar for a grand creature with King of Siam never permits a male to leave the sacred precincts eyes like great topazes, and shining black forepaws folded on his of his palace. She is an exquisitely beautiful creature, with won- red cushion with perfect indolent grace. The red tabbies are derful limbs, and head, and ears, with an indescribable graceful- very handsome, and their eyes are large and golden in colour, but ness, as of a fairy-queen among cats, and fur like the richest they do not look so sociable as the others, and the largest and sealskin, when the first faint tinge of the lurking yellow suggests handsomest lies down in his house, and refuses to tumble to the itself amid the brown. Indolent, nonchalant, but perfectly aware admiring audience. The variety of countenance and shape of face that she is the observed of all observers, "Mrs. Poodles" lies upon among the cats is very curious, and it grows on one's perception as her supplementary cushion, in the warmth of the crimson and the one passes down the long line. The visitor is not distressed by the gold, with one soft brown leg and languid paw curved, half open, painful wistfulness always seen in the faces of imprisoned wild round her breast, like the hand of a fine lady from which a fan has animals. Only two or three of the cats looked as if they did not jest dropped. And "she must lend those beauties to the grave like it, only one was jumping at the bars in any earnest. There and give the world no copy" (she has a kitten on the other side, was a good deal of unembarrassed play under kindly maternal but it is of mixed race), unless some traveller as enterprising as superintendence among the kittens, and there was hardly any M. de Beauvoir will beg or steal a royal consort for her from King noise. Among the silver-grey tabbies, both male and female, are Mongkut. Here is a pretty little tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat, many remarkably handsome faces ; and No. 31, a black-and-white very intelligent and active, with short fore-paws like a kangaroo, he-eat of perfect form, evenly marked in white under the neck, with so that it cannot climb ; but it bounds and hops through life like white whiskers and white-topped paws, has such an expression of the creature it resembles, and is quite happy. To a black-and- sagacity, that one turns to the catalogue confident that he is "not white she-cat, whose name is Dinah Stumps, a story attaches which for sale." Of course not ; and he lays his paw gravely against his does great credit to the human actors in it. It is too long for nose, and winks slowly, in confirmation of the fact. No. 36 is per- repetition here, but "The Autobiography of a Cat," printed and fectly black, with soft fur, like satin for sheen. No. 46 is pure white, hung beneath the pen which contained Dinah Stumps, was eagerly with a sad face, as of a eat who, though only a year old, has out- read by thousands at the Cat Show, and we hope it will be widely lived pomps and vanities, and does not care for shows or bows. He circulated by all who desire to teach the love and the care of these wears his ribbon carelessly, and lets his nose droop listlessly towards dear dumb creatures to men, women, and children, who are often the cushion-edge. Not so a neighbour of his, aged six, who has cruel mainly because they know no better, and have no notion of reached middle-life and likes it, who is a roystering brigand with the consolation and joy which may be imparted by the love and a rusty face, unutterably knowing, a cat whose home life is plainly gratitude of a saved and succoured animal. Long may Dinah live untrammelled by restrictions, who has a latch-key, and who, if by to reward such a master as John Saffery.
reason of a town residence he does not "know where the wood- The institution of the Crystal Palace Cat Shows has led to the pigeons breed," is familiar with the best preserves of sparrows. He importation of foreign, especially Eastern cats in considerable num- arches his back, squeezes himself against the wires, gives his head bers. Several very beautiful specimens were exhibited among the a shake, twitches his ears with a click, and lies down, having said long-haired classes ; two by Mr. Jamrach, who, it was painful to plainly, "I don't mind this for three days, you know, just to observe, was not animated by that fine feeling which inspired other oblige them at home, but it couldn't last." Among the short- owners. His cats had no necklaces, not as much as a scrap of haired he-cats of unusual colour is a handsome creature named ribbon ; their labels were merely tied on with common twine. Now, "Amontillado," who lives at the Crystal Palace, and has an amus- that is cruel ! one might as well send a child to a children's party ing air of at-homishness. "Ha, ha!" he seems to say, as he licks in a pinafore and boots. A superb wild cat, or ocelot, marked his lips and blinks, "if I were to be let out, I should be all right, "dangerous," occupied the last pen. He is a most beautiful no one would be alarmed, there would be no running after me ; I creature, striped yellow and black, like a tiger, but his fur is fine, know all about it, I hadn't to be brought here in a basket with a his limbs are delicate, and his eyes, not blinking, or crafty, but label on it describing me as a 'live cat ;' I came of myself, and I wide, wild, brilliant, and pathetic, with a strange liquid blue tinge know where the milk-cans are kept, and where they cut the meat in them. He comes from South America, and he looks as if he up." No blandishments disturb his profound calm, and when a wanted to go home very much indeed.
lady rattled her parasol against the bars, he shrugged his shoulders No section of the Cat Show afforded more pleasure to the visitors, as naturally as if he had been born in a Parisian café, and did not or more amply fulfilled the designs of the projectors, than that
even glance in her direction. which comprised the competitors for the prizes offered for cats be-
Among the short-haired female cats there are two red tabbies, longing to working-men. The only class in which there was no the only specimens ever exhibited of animals almost as rare as entry was Class 38, "for the oldest white she-cat." The others the "Tortoiseshell Tom." They are both exceedingly handsome, were well represented, and among the competitors were four and of course form a distinct class. But they are of unequal value. splendid Angoras, who presented an appearance of bien etre not sur- " Zoonie," the first, aged four years and three months, is the passed by that of "Mrs. Poodles" herself. The English tabby- proud mother of fifty-three kittens, and her price is prohibitory, and-white cat, than which no kind is more beautiful or intelligent, /500. The second has no name, is four and a half months old, mustered strong, and in fine condition. Among the very hand- and may be purchased for five guineas. The cats are divided into some cats belonging to Class 42, was one splendid creature sent by forty-eight classes, a variety very surprising to persons who have "The Staff of Penge Station, L. C. and D. Railway." It is much not studied the subject ; and very interesting to trace, in the to be desired that the prizes offered to working-men should be more difference and resemblance between the short-haired and long- numerous next year ; and that the public should co-operate heartily haired animals. The former occupied one side of the raised plat- with the directors of the Crystal Palace Company in one of their form ; the latter, in corresponding order, were placed dos-a-dos most estimable enterprises.
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