[Illustration: _Photo by Fratelli Alinari, Florence._
Tabbies are probably the best known and the commonest cats in England.]
[Illustration: _Photo by L. Medland, F.Z.S., North Finchley._
A unique photograph, showing the way in which the cat carries its young.]
[Illustration: _Photo by E. Landor, Ealing._
Persian or long-haired cats are of various colours; this is one of the least common.]
[Illustration: _Photo by E. Landor, Ealing._
Two pretty and valuable Persian kittens.]
[Illustration: _By permission of Lady Alexander._
[Illustration: _Photo by E. Landor, Ealing._
[Illustration: _Photo by E. Landor, Ealing._
[Illustration: _Photo by E. Landor, Ealing._
The TORTOISESHELL has long been looked upon as the national cat of Spain, and in fact that country is overrun with the breed, ranging from a dense black and brown to lighter shades of orange-brown and white. The pure tortoiseshell might be called a black and tan, with no white, streaked like a tortoiseshell comb if possible, and with wonderful amber eyes. It is characteristic of their intelligence that they will invariably find their way home, and will even bring that mysterious instinct to bear which guides them back long distances to the place of their birth; and, with regard to this cat, the stories of almost impossible journeys made are not one bit exaggerated. The tom-cats of this breed are very rare in England; I myself have only known of the existence of six in fifteen years, and of these but three are recorded in the catalogues of our cat shows.
This champion cat belongs to Lady Alexander, by whose kind permission it is here reproduced.]
The BLACK CAT has many of the characteristics of the tortoiseshell, but is essentially a town cat, and is wont to dream his life away in shady corners, in underground cellars, in theatres, and in all places where he can, in fact, retire to monastic quiet. The black cat of St. Clement Danes Church was one of the remarkable cats of London. It was his wont to climb on to the top of the organ-pipes and enjoy an occasional musical concert alone. A christening or a wedding was his pride; and many people can vouch for a lucky wedding who had the good-fortune to be patronised by the black cat of St. Clement Danes, which walked solemnly down the aisle of the church in front of the happy couples.