REPORTS FROM EARLY BRITISH CAT SHOWS (1884)

1884 WESTMINSTER CAT SHOW

WOMEN FLOCK TO A LONDON CAT SHOW. Chicago Daily Tribune, April 7, 1884
Fifty women to one man was the ratio of attendance at the cat show held recently at the Westminster Aquarium in London. And when it was over all the single ladies of that ancient town fall to lamenting the too brief delights of the exhibition. So there is a prospect of its being repeated. Nearly 500 tabbies were on view, from the largest variety, almost leopard-like in appearance and size, to the tiniest kittens that ever opened eyes on a hospitable kitchen full of mice and morsels. Lord Dufferin’s magnificent white cat, aptly called “Ambassador,” received a large share of admiration with most veil-bred indifference. Lord Lilford's large wildcat, being labeled “Dangerous,” commanded a certain distant homage which it took coldly and with an occasional gleam of teeth and nails that spoke mightily of what things could be done on occasion. The chocolate-faced Siamese were charming, their backs and tails shading off to pale fawn-and-tan color; and a long-haired blue animal, answering to the euphonious call of “Woolloomooloo,” was, perhaps, the belie of the occasion.

1884 ALFORD CAT SHOW

EIGHTH ANNUAL DOG AND CAT SHOW. Boston Guardian, 19th April 1884
Alford Statute, Thursday May 15th 1884 – the Eighth Annual Dog and Cat Show will be held on the above day in the grounds of J. and F. Higgins, Esqs., kindly lent for the occasion. There will be a Gala in connection with the above. A military band will be in attendance. For Schedules etc., apply to F. Bond, Hon. Sec. For further particulars see large Bills [posters].

ALFORD DOG AND CAT SHOW. Boston Guardian, 26th April 1884
We desire to call the attention of our readers to the Alford Dog and Cat Show which is to be held on the statute day, May 15th. The committee have arranged eleven classes for dogs [. . .] they have also provided three classes for cats, with special prizes for the best cat in the show. The services of Messrs. T. Kirby and T. Woodward have been secured as judges. The show will take place in a field kindly lent by J. and F. Higgins, Esqs.

ALFORD DOG AND CAT SHOW. Lincolnshire Chronicle, 23rd May 1884
Alford Dog and Cat Show was held in the grounds of J. and F. Higgins Esqs. (which were kindly lent), on Thursday, the 15th inst., when, although repeating the weather of last year, rain fell smartly during a portion of the day, the efforts of the Committee were very successful getting together a lot of exceedingly good dogs. The judges were Mr. T. Kirby of Heckmondwike and Mr. T. Woodward, of Nottingham. [. . .] The following were prize takers :- Cats:
English cats, male or female, 1, Abbott and Harwood, 11, Foss-street, Lincoln, "Dick;" 3, G. Shipley, white English cat.
Foreign cats, male or female, 1, R. Hodgson, High Ackworth, near Ponterfract, male Persian cat.
Foreign and English cats, within 12 miles of Alford, 2, A. Hildred, Market-place, Alford ; 3, S. C. Timmins, Alford ; highly commended, Walter Hall, Hagworthingham, and C. Smyth, Alford.

1884 SWINDON CAT SHOW

SWINDON DOG & CAT SHOW North Wilts Herald, 4th July 1884
Swindon Dog & Cat Show will be held at the Corn Exchange, Swindon, on 23rd and 24th July 1884. Entries close July 12th.

SWINDON DOG AND CAT SHOW. North Wilts Herald, 25th July 1884
The annual show in connection with the Swindon Dog and Cat society took place on Wednesday and Thursday in the Corn Exchange, Swindon. During the former day the number of visitors was not large, and the judging was not concluded until late in the afternoon. Most of the classes included some capital animals, and many prize winners in other shows in the country.
Cats. Class 36 – Long Haired. – 1st, mr. Scriven, Swindon; 3rd, Mr. W. Hill, New Swindon; h.c. Mr. k. Smith, Swindon; h.c., Mr. S. Edmonds, Groundwell, Highworth; no second prize awarded.
Class 37. – Short Haired. – 1st, Mr. Cowley, The Square, Swindon; 2nd, Miss L.C. Brown, Tourlow Cottage, Swindon; 3rd, Mr. Spiller, Wood Street, Swindon; v.h.c., Mr. E. Pavier; h.c., Mr. Lay, Wood Street, Swindon; h.c., Miss Lillian Stock, Brunswick Terrace, Swindon; h.c., Mr. Skinner, Regent Street, New Swindon; c., Mr. Batt, Wood Street, Swindon; c., Mrs. Boniface, The Castle Inn, Swindon.
[Cat judge – Mr. T. Latter, New Swindon.]

1884 PETERBOROUGH SHOW

PETERBOROUGH ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY. THE FIRST SHOW. Peterborough Express, 16th October 1884
Yesterday the Peterborough Ornithological Society held its first show in the Fitzwilliam Skating Rink and the Rink field, off Park Road.
CATS. Prizes 1st, 10s.; 2nd, 5s.; 3rd. 2s 6d.
Class 61 – English cat, male or female, any age. 1, James Barber, Peterborough; 2, F. Ashton, Louth; 3, G. Mann, Peterborough.
Class 62 – Foreign or long-haired cat, male or female. 1, Lady Elena Gordon; 2, Mr. C. B. Edwards; 3, L. Smith, Stamford.

1884 CRYSTAL PALACE CAT SHOW

CAT SHOW. Various, 17th October 1884
The Crystal Palace Company claim that its Cat Show, which will open next Monday, will be the largest ever held, and that as since the institution of these interesting shows more attention has been paid year by year to the proper treatment and improvement in breed of this most domestic of domestic animals, the exhibition will be far in advance of its predecessors point of quality. Nearly 400 entries have been made, and special advantages are offered to bona fide working-class exhibitors, and not the least commendable part of the undertaking that which cultivates the humanitarian aspect of Pussy's treatment. By the way, writing of cats reminds one of barbarous practice, which has been more common than ever this year, people going out of town, shutting up their houses, and leaving cats to starve on a few imaginary mice which are supposed to have stayed in the house after its inhabitants have left. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals might with advantage take this matter up.

CRYSTAL PALACE CAT SHOW. Western Daily Press, 18th October 1884
The annual cat show of the Crystal Palace, which will take place Tuesday and Wednesday next, will, I believe, be the largest exhibition of cats ever held, since the institution of these interesting shows more attention has been paid year by year to the proper treatment and improvement in breed of this most domestic of animals, the collection will naturally be far advance of its predecessors in point of quality. Nearly four hundred entries have been received, comprising every variety of longhaired and short-haired cat, and displaying all the combinations of colour and markings which have yet been attained. It is interesting to learn that special advantages have been afforded to bona fide working class exhibitors, and have had good results from the humane point of view, it having been discovered that a cat pays not only as prize winner, but as source of pride and pleasure when well treated.
[. . .] In addition to the regular prizes, nine special medals will be given, and, as a permanent record of success, will prove of great value as enhancing the competition. (South London Press, 18th October 1884)
[. . .] There is no doubt that in view of the prizes a good many cats have been better treated than in times when nothing could be made out of them (York Herald, 22nd October, 1884)

ANNUAL EXHIBITION OF THE NATIONAL CAT CLUB Grantham Journal, 20th October 1894
On Tuesday, the twenty-sixth annual exhibition of the National Cat Club was opened at the Crystal Palace. Everybody who has studied cats, says Mr. Wain, must know what an “ intense" animal it is, and how fully charged with electricity, but few people are yet aware that it is seriously contended that rubbing the fur on a cat's back has a beneficial effect upon persons in bad health, and the stronger the cat the better the influence for good which can be derived from this gentle friction. The show contained some novelties, notable amongst which was an "Indian Fishing Cat," shown by Mr. S. Woodiwiss, a decidedly formidable animal called “Sedgemere Hateful." Mr. Woodiwiss showed another animal, also to be labelled dangerous," called “Sedgemere Spiteful," and vaguely denominated "foreign." Mr. W. Symons sent an Iceland cat, of the colour which fanciers call blue, probably for the Hibernian reason that the fur is what is most widely known as mouse-colour. Japanese, Abyssinian, Persian, Chinchillas, and half-a-dozen other foreign varieties were represented; but, of course, the strength of the show lay in the familiar English breeds of the cat.

CAT SHOW AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE. The Times, October 22, 1884
The 16th annual national cat show at the Crystal Palace was opened yesterday under the central transept opposite the great orchestra. The exhibits exceeded in number any show of former years. There were 356 entries. The judges were Mr. George Billett and Mr. J. Jenner Weir, F.Z.S. More than 100 money prises were awarded to the 49 classes competing for them. Nine silver medals, in addition, were offered by the Crystal Palace Company for the best cats and kittens in the various sections into which the classes were divided. No. 17 in class 4, a red tabby owned by Miss L. Stevens, gained the silver medal in the first section, comprising classes 1 to 11. The medal for classes 12 to 22 was not awarded, owing to none of the competitors being of sufficient merit. The medal for class 23 was awarded to Mrs. E. Davies for two marked short-haired kittens, No. 102. Miss Moore's half-bred Persian “Fritz,” No. 125, gained the medal for classes numbered 24 to 27. In the next section Dr. Churchward's very fine Persian (blue) she cat, " Midget," No 167, boasting a distinguished pedigree of prize winners, was awarded the silver medal, and was valued in the catalogue at £1,000. Miss Beasley's two Persian kittens, “Blue Pearl” and “Bluette,” aged four-and-a-half months, No. 193, gained the medal in class 32, the first-named animal being valued at £50. The exhibits, taken as a whole, are about up to the average in point of merit. The show, which was very largely patronized by ladies yesterday, also remains open today.

A $500,000 Cat. At the recent [1884] cat show in London, one feline valued at $500,000 was exhibited. Just fancy throwing a 25-cent bootjack at a $500,000 cat on a back shed worth not more than $2.50. – various, January 1885.

1884 CRYSTAL PALACE CAT SHOW - The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, November 1, 1884

CRYSTAL PALACE CAT SHOW. Globe, 21st October 1884
The sixteenth annual Crystal Palace Cat Show was opened Sydenham this afternoon. The labours devolving on Messrs. George Billett and J. J. Weir, F.Z.S., were exceedingly heavy, the 50 classes into which the show was divided being represented by no less than 356 entries, to which over 150 medals and money prizes were awarded. Taken as a whole the show is this year far above the average, if not superior to any preceding exhibition. The accommodation provided for the competing animals, each cage being more than two feet square, was ample, and all the space required was found in the Central Transept, where the show is held. In the short-haired cat classes, the palm goes to No. 18, Class 4, Mrs. Huskinson’a “Sam,” a fine red tabby, which takes both the first prize and silver medal. No. 37, a very well-developed black and white tabby named “Little Pet,” forfeited its chance by being entered in the wrong class, a fact evidently known to Puss, who maintains a very downcast expression, The first prize, going to Mrs. Lee's Siamese tom, is well deserved, the cat being beautifully coloured. The first prize and silver medal in Class 15 are also well earned by Mr. W. O. Ellis’s “Champion Minnie,” remarkable tabby. Mrs. Lee's Siamese cat in Class 21 is also noteworthy for its very uncommonly brilliant blue eyes. ln Class 23, for two best kittens, the prize and medal are taken by Mrs. E. Davies's “ Calais and Douvres,” aged four months. Mr. W. Grist, a very well-known exhibitor, again takes the first prize in Class 27 with his “Haroun,” a well-bred Persian of five years.

Among the other noteworthy features of the show are No. 205, “ Sir Thomas, Knight of the Kitchen,” aged ten years, weighing 21lbs, first prize; No. 206, “Timothy,” three years, 17lbs, third prize; 246, “Bob,” a very fine animal; 270, “Charlie,” a fine long-haired Persian; “Ninnie,” aged three months, having seven toes on the fore feet, six on one hind foot, and four on the other; 346, “Jumbo,” three months, having seven toes on fore and five on hind feet, besides being double-jointed - both these curious animals are for sale, the price being £1 each, extra toes included ;this should be a chance for curiosity hunters – No 348, “Fluffy,” a handsome half Persian, and 353, two Persian kittens, aged two months.

Besides the animals themselves, there is much to amuse the visitor in this year’s show. As usual, a number of exhibitors have fixed fabulous prices on their pets, probably with the intention of retaining them; several are labelled £1,000, while Mr. K. Cole declines to part with his pet “Ossidine” for less than £100,000. This same cat is evidently used to the lap of luxury, being furnished with a very handsome cushion of violet plush, edged with gold, bearing its name embroidered with blue and gold in the centre. Several other cats are similarly pampered, “Shah,” (252) Persian, “age unknown,” the property of Mrs. Mayhew, third in Class 38, having a red cushion lined with white lace while “Floss,” (166) not only reclines on a handsome blue and lace cushion, but has blue hangings to the back of its cage. The show, which was opened to the public at one o’clock, was soon crowded, a very large number owners attending to reconcile their pets to the temporary confinement.

THE CRYSTAL PALACE CAT SHOW. Various, 22nd October 1884
The Crystal palace Cat Show is an annual institution which maintains its popularity notwithstanding the attractions of the Health Exhibition. It was opened today, when nearly 400 varied specimens of the feline race were on view. The prices placed on some of these interesting animals – “£10,000” for instance – represented less their market value than the determination of the proprietors not to part with their pets.

CRYSTAL PALACE. Morning Post, 22nd 22 October 1884
An interesting show of cats was opened yesterday at the Crystal Palace, and will be continued today. It is the 16th national cat show which has been held at the palace, and it greatly exceeds in extent any previous exhibition of the kind. The increase in the number of entries is probably due in some measure to the fact that the society, in addition to the ordinary money prizes, have offered many special prizes - silver medals for the best cat in the various classes. It is also to be observed that there has been a large increase in the classes for cats belonging to working men, and that their superiority in point of condition is equally remarkable. The classes are 50 in number, and the entries are 356, the largest and best of the classes being the tabbies, both long and short haired. The brown tabbies were very fine, and the red, spotted, and silver tabbies included several beautiful specimens. There was also a good display of Persians.

A considerable number of people attended the show, and the various cages in which the animals lay, apparently in the most perfect state of placid contentment, had always an admiring group of ladies standing before them. Although there was a class for “he tortoise-shells," there was no pure specimen in the show, the males which were exhibited having an admixture of white. Only once since these shows were established was a pure he tortoiseshell exhibited. On the other hand, there has never yet been known a red tabby female. The weightiest cat in the show weighed 21lb., and belongs to Mrs. Lovelock - Sir Thomas, age 10years. This animal was awarded the first prize in the class for weight only, Miss Louisa Hammond's Bob, age 12 years, 18lb in weight, and the winner of 18 first prizes, obtaining the second.

Miss S. P. Hawes obtained first prize in brown tabbies and in red tabbies. Mr. Huskinson’s Sam carried off the first prize and also won the silver medal. Mr. J. Hill's Gipsy, age 11 months, with a five-weeks-old kitten, took the first place among the she tortoise-shell cats, and Mr. Highton's Tibby, age three years, winner of a first prize at the Crystal Palace in 1882 and 1883, obtained a similar honour this year. The first prize and a silver medal in the class for the best long-haired cat, black or black and white, fell to Mrs. Jackson for her Persian Black Sam. Mr. Austin Cooke obtained the first prize and silver medal for a half-bred Persian Duke in the class for the best long-haired white cat. This cat was the winner of several prizes on previous occasions. Mr. W. Grist won a first prize for his Persian Harown, aged five years, who obtained a second in 1880 and first in the following year.

Mr. George Billet and Mr. J. Jenner Weir acted as judges, Mr. Harrison Weir, who has generally acted in that capacity, not having yet sufficiently recovered from the effects of his recent accident to enable him to undertake the duty.

CAT SHOW AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE. St James's Gazette, 22nd October 1884
The 16th annual National Cat Show at the Crystal Palace was opened yesterday under the central transept opposite the great orchestra. The exhibits exceeded in number any show of former years. There were 356 entries. The judges were Mr. George Billett and Mr. J Jenner Weir, F.Z S. More than one hundred money prizes were awarded to the forty-nine classes competing for them. Nine silver medals, in addition, were offered by the Crystal Palace Company for the best cats and kittens in the various sections into which the classes were divided. No. 17 in Class 4, a red tabby owned by Miss L. Stevens, gained the silver medal in the first section, comprising Classes 1 to 11. The medal for classes 12 to 22 was not awarded, owing to none of the competitors being of sufficient merit. The medal for Class 23 was awarded to Mrs. E. Davies for two marked short-haired kittens, No. 102. Miss Moore’s half-bred Persian “Fritz,” No. 121, gained the medal for classes numbered t24 o 27. In the next section Dr. Churchward’s very fine Persian (blue) she-cat, Midget, No. 167, boasting a distinguished pedigree of prize-winners, was awarded the silver medal, and was valued in the catalogue at £1,000. Miss Beasley’s two Persian kittens, “Blue Beard and Bluette,” aged four and a half months, No. 193, gained the medal in Class 32, the first-named animal being valued at £50. The show, which was very largely patronized by ladies yesterday, remains open today.

CAT SHOW AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE. London Daily News - Wednesday 22 October 1884
The national cat show – the sixteenth annual event of the kind - which was opened yesterday at the Crystal Palace, is said to be the largest of the kind that has yet been brought together. It includes nearly 400 entries, which comprise every variety of the long-haired and the short-haired cat. All the combinations of colour and marking that have been attained by the breeder seem to be represented. Special features of this year’s Show are the nine medals which, in addition to the regular prizes, have been awarded, and the prominence which has been given to the exhibits of the working classes. The cages at the Palace, of course, will possess for the special lover of cats an almost bound interest, though everyone will appreciate alike the beautiful soft silken texture of some of the little animals’ fluffy coats, the pure white and glossy black fur of others, and the tender, half-timid, half-playful expressions of many of the kittens. As usual, the Show yesterday gave special pleasure to a large number of children, who, passing from cage to cage broke out into repeated exclamations of delight as some counterpart of a personal favourite, or some unusually captivating animal, presented itself to view.

Two of the most prominent exhibits were Mrs. Mayhew’s Charlie arid Tibby, two pure Persians, aged respectively two and ten years, who took a first and a second price. Both show a very creditable record of honours won in the past, the former having been the winner of a silver medal an first prize at the Palace Exhibition of 1883, and a second prize in 1882; and the latter having won two first and three second prizes at Margate and the Crystal Palace, and a second prize at Cirencester. Probably the most popular group of animals were the pairs of long-haired kittens under six months of age. The competition for prizes among them was perhaps the most severe. Miss Beasley's Blue Beard and Bluette took the first prize and a silver medal. Other silver medals were awarded for Dr. Churchward's Midget, Miss F. Moore's Fritz, Mr. W.C.O. Ellis's Champion Minnie, Mrs. Austin Cooke's Duke, and Mrs. J. Baldwin's Nip.

There was one class in which the prizes were given for weight only. Mrs. Loveluck's Sir Thomas took the first place. He weighed 21lb, and was the object during the day of a great deal of comment and playful raillery. It is only due to Sir Thomas, however, to state that he took it all in good part, and made no other response to the popular badinage than what was conveyed in the slow and deliberate blinking of his eye.

In the class of he cats, first prizes were taken by Mr. John Hornsby’s Jumbo, aged one year and one month; Miss S. P. Hawes's Chappie, a brown tabby, aged six months; Miss Julia Gardiner's Silver, a silver tabby, aged 6 months; Mr. W. Treverton's Jim, aged 6 months; Mr. R J. Bradford's Dick, a spotted tabby, aged 6 years; Miss Heron's Kitty, aged one year and ten months, who was also the winner of the first prize in 1883; by Mr. W. Hant's Smut, an English black., aged 6 months; by a Siamese variety of Mrs. Cunliffe-Lee; and by Mrs W. Poskett's Dick, a Manx, aged one year and 6 months.

In the class of she cats leading prize winners were Mr. J.Hill's Gipsy, Mr. T. A. Highton's Tibby, Mr. J. Challis's Topsy; Minnie, of Masters Tom, Willie, and George Kitching; M r. W. W. Strange's Beauty, Miss Trusson's Keeper, Mrs. Fossett's Beauty, Miss Mary Ann Wellman’s Minnie, and Mrs. E. Davies's Calais and Douvres. Other prominent prize-winners were Mr. N. Grrist's Fritz, Mr. HI. Swinyard's Pop, Mr. E. Barber's Blackie, Mr. T. Bushby's Sukey, Mrs. Patterson's Romeo, Mr. B. Rutherford's Mayor, Mrs. W. Hills's Tiger, Mr. W. C. Dunlop's Joseph, Mr. W. Fisher's Tim, Mrs. Harris's Bob, Mr. J. Green's Dickr, Mr. W. King’s Rose, Mrs. A. Dunk's Joe, and Mr.J. Gould's Tim., The exhibition will remain open tomorrow. It should be mentioned that the judges were Mr. George Billett end Mr. J. Jenner Weir, the former gentleman taking the place of Mr. Harrison Weir, whose unfortunate accident prevented him from attending.

CAT SHOW AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE. London Evening Standard, 23rd October 1884
The Cat Show is certainly the prettiest of those yearly exhibitions for which the Crystal Palace is famed. It has not the uproar nor the bustle which attend upon the dogs; it is the special resort of ladies and young girls and children, who do not restrain their ecstacies ; and the cat is an animal peculiarly fitted for such public display. The sixteenth of these national competitions was as great a success as great as any of its forerunners. We seem to remember dimly a greater variety of strange and eccentric felines, but no better specimens in each class represented; and the average of popular enthusiasm was quite as high as usual. The first classes of "Toms'' are less diverting than others, though not less interesting certainly to the connoisseur.

Ms. J, Molyneux and Mr. John Hornsby take prizes for ''Tortoise-shell he's" - the only competitors in this rare class; Mrs S. P. Hawes, Mr. J. Payne, and Mrs. Tullett for "Brown Tabbies." All the distinguished creatures look sleepy and sullen; but this is probably no more than masculine shyness. The Blue and Silver Tabbies are somewhat more c sociable, and vastly prettier. Miss Julia Gardener takes first prize, Mr. W. C. O. Ellis, second, Miss Lina Newall, third, with a cat that finds amusement in striking attitudes, and watches the effect with an interest unmistakeable. In the dull and ungraceful varieties of Red tabbies, Mrs. Hutchinson takes first prize and silver medal, Miss Harding second, the Masters Kitching third. Mr. W. Treerton, Miss Wilkinson, and Mrs. Cannon are the winners for Red Tabby and White; Miss Wilkinson's pet, we are told, is remarkable tor his great liking for cucumbers. Mr. R. J. Bradford and Mrs. E. Davis, Miss Heron, Mrs. Hogg, and Mr. Geo. Hounslow take the prizes in Classes 6 and 7.

Quite the most charming animals in the show are Mrs. Cuniffe-Lee’s examples of the Siamese cats, of which there are several, all prize- takers. The colour is mouse, lighter or darker, with points of very dark brown - muzzle, ears, legs, and tail. No more graceful effect of colour could be found, and the creatures are evidently as amiable and confiding as they are pretty. Mr. J. Hill's first prize winner in Class 12 is an amusing beast. The obvious cares of maternity fail to repress an exuberant activity, which leads it to perform gymnastic feats up aloft, whilst the deserted kitten mews disconsolately down below. One of the most renowned cats in existence is "Champ ion Minnie,” belonging to Mr. W. C. O. Ellis, who, at the age of two years and six months, has taken first and special prizes around the country, and here again achieves the highest honour and the silver medal besides. Distinguished though it be, one must declare that to the unscientific eye there are few cats so uninteresting in the show. There must needs be a good deal of promiscuous distribution of prizes when three hundred and fifty-six animals are brought together, all of whom probably have been pronounced worthy to compete by judges more or less skilful.

In Class 21 Mrs. Cunliffe-Lee again offers examples of the Siamese breed, more beautiful even than the former; the "American Blue Cat" of Mrs. Hancock also, which takes second prize, is a pretty creature. The Persians, of course, are a centre of attraction, and more puzzling to judge, one would think, than any other. Their points are now so well established that the thoroughbred classes present an array of beauty which can only find proper expression in the "Ohs”' and "You darlings" and vehement exclamations of immature but charming woman hood. The five snowy kittens presented by Dr. Geo. Howe, M.D., in company with a jet black parent, excite, perhaps, more longing enthusiasm than others, but in a general way people want to devour them all, without serious discrimination. These beauties are not less amiable than attractive - in no way puffed up by the consciousness of a long pedigree or distinctions, won and inherited, which fill half a dozen lines of print. Dr. Churchward’s “Midget” is traced back for several generations; he himself receives the first prize and a silver medal ; his value is publicly announced at £1000 But you will rarely find a cat of more pleasing manners : he does not presume, but any advances are received with enthusiasm, and instantly returned.

Miss Beasley wins the first prize for Persian kitten under six months with “Bluebeard and Bluette,” two little beings of a most delightful quaintness. Their colour is ghostlike, a uniform grey, somewhat uncanny, but the nervous quickness of their eyes, the intense life and fun of their demeanour, give them a peculiar fascination. In the class for weight, Mrs. Loveluck's "Sir Thomas" comes in the winner at 21lb, beating Miss Louisa Hammond's "Bob" by sheer obesity. "Sir Thomas " and Mr. J. H. Fisher's "Timothy," 17ib, which ranks third, are fine cats, but for size "Bob " would give them several inches all round, and for beauty points innumerable. Of the latter we are told briefly that he has won eighteen first prizes. It may be declared with confidence that the records of feline monstrosity tell of few heroes to compare with him. If Miss Hammond had chosen to class her ‘he' as a new species, only experts could have contradicted her with authority.

THE CAT SHOW. Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer, 23rd October 1884
The Cat Show which opened at the Crystal Palace on Tuesday attracted a large number of visitors and an exhibition of this kind is now firmly established as an annual event. Some of the animals on view yesterday were valued by their owners at £10,000 – a pretty stiff protective price for a cat.

THE CAT SHOW AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE. Dundee Advertiser, 23rd October 1884
The London correspondent of the Manchester Guardian writes:- The cat “show” which most Londoners would delight in would certainly be a mountainous pile of dead bodies. For the minority who have gentler sentiments a very excellent exhibition of living cats was provided on Tuesday afternoon at the Crystal Palace. Only to the non-expert in cat “points” the question would keep suggesting itself whether those “points” have been happily chosen. Almost without exception the prize-winners – especially among the toms – seemed mean in head, threadbare in tail, and generally wanting in resemblance to Blake’s “tiger burning bright through the forest of the night.” Is the cat already degenerating under civilisation? Surely to be an ideal cat it ought to have a grand muscularity of physique, a certainly clutchiness of demeanour, and an appearance of being mala fide to rabbits and poultry, and also of being at least able to “swear” at a fox terrier. Now in such characteristics prize-winning cats are almost entirely wanting. The feeblest of pug dogs would put a whole army of them to flight.

The classes exhibited consisted of tortoiseshell, brown tabby, or brown tabby and white, blue tabby without white, red tabby without white, spotted tabby, black and white, black, white, and other varieties. The long-haired cats were white, black, tabby, and other varieties. Two of those rare animals, the tortoiseshell tom, were shown, but it was only be extreme courtesy that they could be so described. They might be technically tortoiseshell, but their colours were so blurred and faded that nobody would have guessed their denomination at first sight. Mr. Highton’s Tibby, a tortoiseshell and white she-cat, would perhaps have been the prettiest creature in the show were it not for a disfiguring black mark over the eye and nose. This cat has won the first prize for the third year in succession. But on the whole two tortoiseshell and white kittens, named Calais and Douvres, seemed to the uninstructed eye the loveliest animals shown, one being really perfect in its markings and the brilliancy of its colours. A black Persian with five absolutely white kittens was also a very charming sight. It may be mentioned that most of the exhibitors come from the immediate neighbourhood of the Palace. Evidently cat culture is not a widely spread hobby.

CAT SHOW AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE. County Express; Brierley Hill, Stourbridge, Kidderminster, and Dudley News - Saturday 25 October 1884
That sixteen years have gone by [note: only 13 years – the first 3 years had 2 shows per year] since the first cat show was held at the Crystal Palace is a proof of vitality In the project originally formulated by Mr. Harrison Weir, whose love of animals must have assisted his acquirement of a paramount skill in their delineation. The difficulty of maintaining any distinct breed of cats in its olden Integrity must be obvious, and it is probable that the only examples, of pure race have been imported from countries to which no alien feline species was ever brought. A case in point is the peculiar race of tailless cats maintained in the Isle of Man. The Crimean peninsula, almost as secluded and remote from busy communities and centres of foreign intercourse as any of our Channel Islands, rejoices in a tribe of cats similar to the Manx variety. So, too, the Persian and other species of long-haired or otherwise distinctive cats are pure bred in proportion to the remoteness of the countries whence they are obtained. Lands shut out by mountains from the less barbarous countries adjacent to them are frequently more dissimilar in customs and in speech than nations separated by wide seas, and are more truly “islands” in consequence, even though no waters divide and surround them. It may easily be supposed that English-bred cats of an Oriental origin betray, after a few generations, signs of a cross; and, without impugning the true blood of some among the long-haired specimens in the present display, it must be owned that the division as a whole is far from strong. One the most remarkable animals, said to be a pure Persian, and, showing all the signs of that race except colour, is of deep, rather rich dun, free from dapple, like a Siamese. Such cats, with weird blue eyes like the animal in question, are tolerably common in Afghanistan. This example, exhibited by Mrs. Mayhew takes the first prize in one of the long-haired classes, and was near getting the medal, which was adjudged, not without hesitation, to a long haired white half red Persian, shown by Mrs. Austin Cooke. A very interesting and excellently supported department of the show is that which consists of cats belonging to working men. This is a truly notable collection, in which one class is of such extraordinary merit that only two out of its seventeen specimens go without high commendation, while it has been positively necessary to create two extra third prizes, still leaving many as seven competitors , “very highly commended.”

THE CAT SHOW AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE. Morning Post, 25th October 1884
To The Editor of the Morning Post. Sir - I see by the report of the cat show at the Crystal Palace, published in your issue of the 22d, that “there has never yet been known a red tabby female." I can mention three, one of them being my own, and another a grand- daughter of hers, though to whom now belonging I do not know. Mine has been exhibited as follows :- Aquarium, Westminster, June 28, 1877 ; Cirencester, November 7, 1877; Wellingborough, February 2, 1878, highly commended ; Barnstaple, June 26 and 27, 1878; Gloucester, December 11 and 12, 1878, third prize ; Swindon, December 31, 1878, and January 1, 1879, highly commended ; Dorchester, January 15 and 16, 1870, commended ; Boston, July 2 and 3, 1879; Margate, February 23 and 21, 1881, book ; Crystal Palace, October 16 and 17, 1883. She is a large cat with a magnificent brush, but not thoroughly long-haired, or she would have attracted a good deal more notice. I do not know of any red tabby female which is pure thoroughbred Persian, unless her granddaughter referred to was, of which I am uncertain. She is the mother of a numerous progeny, which sell well. Some are magnificent; but of all her children, although many are red tabby, not one has ever been a female, at least while I have had her.- Your obedient servant, W. K. W. C. CHAFY. Rous Lench, Evesham, Oct. 23.

NATIONAL CAT SHOW AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE. South London Press, 25th October 1884
The 16th annual National Cat Show held at the Crystal Palace on Tuesday and Wednesday, and it proved to be the largest exhibition of our household pets ever held, there being 356 entries, divided into 50 classes. The animals were exhibited in wire cages, placed on tables in the centre transept in front of the great stage. In addition to the money prizes, the Palace Company gave nine silver medals, which will no doubt be highly appreciated by the winners. The pure tortoiseshell tom-cat is now almost an extinct animal, and the show does not contain one – in fact, we were told that only one has appeared during the 16 years the show has been held. [note: actually 13, there being 2 shows per year in the first 3 years]

The various classes were well represented, the tabby cats being exceptionally fine. In the class for weight only, the first prize was taken for a tom-cat 10 years old, weighing 21 lb. In the show there were several cats which had either six or seven toes. The show was well patronised, especially by ladies, there being quite a crowd collected awaiting the opening, which took place about a quarter-past 1 on Tuesday, after the judges had performed their task. The judges were Mr George Billett and Mr. Jenner Weir, the first-named gentleman taking the place of Mr. Harrison Weir, F.R.H.S who was unable to present owing to his recent accident. The success of the shows during the past few years is mainly owing to the exertions of Mr. Venables, of the managerial department of the Crystal Palace, who takes a great interest in arranging the details of the various shows, and whose experience in these matters tends so much to ensure success. The following is complete list of South London Prize Winners:
Mrs. Baehr, 15, Westow Hill, Upper Norwood, third prize for Manx, Jaco.
Miss Baker, 69 Westow-street, Upper Norwood, very highly commended for short-haired tabby, Tom.
Mrs. Baldwin, 4, Penge-square, Penge-lane, first prize and silver medal for short-haired cat, Nip.
Mr. E. Barber, Queens Arms, Westow Hill, Upper Norwood, first prize for black she-cat, Blackie.
Mrs. Bates, 9, Victoria Cottages, Woodland-road, Upper Norwood, highly commended for Kittie.
Mrs. Biuckes, Hillside, Overhill-road, Forest Hill, third prize for black she-cat, Chloe; and very highly commended for kittens, Toddie and Budge.
Mr. J. Bontall, Melrose Cottage, Wirtemberg-street, Clapham, very highly commended tor Dick.
Miss P. Bowling, Carlisle House, Central Hill, Upper Norwood, third prize for short-haired eat, Jumbo.
Mr. R. J. Bradford, 134, Gipsy Hill, Upper Norwood, first prize for spotted tabby, Dick.
Mrs. Brooks, 117, Kennington-road, very highly commended for short-haired cat, Jack.
Miss Bryant. 3, Truscott Terrace, New Town, Upper Norwood, first for two kittens.
Mr. G. Bryant, Crystal Palace, first for Manx cat, Minnie.
Mrs. J. Burton, Alexandra Tavern, Kirkdale, Sydenham, second prize for silver tabby. Puss.
Mrs. Cannon, 76, Beckenham-road, Penge, third prize for tabby cat, Buff.
Miss Cassinello, Elston Lodge, Forest Hill, second prize for Manx, Minny Mingie.
Mrs. J. Challs, 21, Laurie Grove, New Cross, very highly commended for white cat, Snow.
Dr. Churchward, Erroll Lodge, Selhurst-road, Thornton Heath, first prize for Persian (blue), Midget.
Mr. V. Clutten, 51, Loughborough-road, second prize for Persian cat, Toby.
Mrs. W. Crampton, 54, Langton Grove, Sydenham, second prize for long-haired Persian, Fiji.
Mr. W. Crole, 73, Belvedere-road, Upper Norwood, very highly commended and highly commended for Jim (15 and a half lbs) and Tom (13 lbs); weight class.
Mrs. E. Davies, Braemar House, West Dulwich, first prize and silver medal for two kittens, Calais and Douvres; and very highly commended for two kittens, Socks and Hobnobs.
Mrs. E. Davis, 13, Barnfield-road, Gipsy Hill, second prize for spotted tabby, Peter.
Mrs. Deller, Burtwell Cottages, Hamilton-road, Lower Norwood, very highly commended for tabby cat, Joe.
Mrs. A. Dunk, 8, Montrave-road, St. John’s-road, Penge, first prize for black cat, Joe.
Mrs. W. C. Dunlop, The Lindens, Laurie Park, Sydenham, first prize for Angora cat, Bobb.
Mrs. Durman, 1. Chatham Terrace, Gipsy Hill, third prize for tabby. Beauty; and highly commended for kitten.
Mr. E. Durman, 425, Norwood road, second prize tor tabby cat, Tom.
Mr. W. Fisher, 9, Willow Terrace, Woodland-road, Upper Norwood, first prize for black and white cat, Tim.
Mr. C. Fossett, 53, Hamilton-road, Lower Norwood, highly commended for tabby cat, Tab.
Mrs. Fossett, 53, Hamilton-road, Lower Norwood, first prize for black cat, Beauty.
Miss S. Foukes, Kingwood-road, second prize for black cat, Topsy.
Mr. H. Foulkes, 27, Anerley Vale, Upper Norwood, very highly commended for tabby cat,Tom.
Mrs. Franks, 10, Rockingham-street, Newington Causeway, second prize for long-haired cat, Jack Franks.
Mrs. J. Freeman, St. Aubyn’s-road, Upper Norwood, second prize for short-haired cat, Tibby.
Mr. T. French, Gipsy Hill Dairy. Upper Norwood, very highly commended for red tabby, Tom.
Miss J. Gardiner, Yew Tree Cottage, Carnace-street, West Dulwich, first prize for silver tabby, Silver.
Mr. J. W. Gessey, 4, Central Hill, Upper Norwood, commended for silver tabby, Silver.
Mr. J. Gould, 5, Champness Terrace, Clive-road, Lower Norwood, first prize for Angora cat, Tim.
Mr. J. Green, 4 Westow-street, Upper Norwood, first prize for tabby cat, Dick.
Mrs. Green, Hamilton-road, Lower Norwood, highly commended for tabby cat, Jumbo.
Mr. W.T. Greene, Moira House, Peckham Rye, third prize for black cat, Lord Lovell.
Miss B. Gresham, 51. Kent House-road, Sydenham, third prize for Persian cat, Dolly.
Mr. W. Grist, Belvoir-street, Lordship-lane, first prize for Persian cat, Haroun; and very highly commended for tabby, Kitty.
Madame G. Gwatkin, 16, Cambridge Villas, East Down Park, Lewisham, third prize for short-haired cat, Boojum.
Miss G. Hale, Brockville, Anerley Hill, commended for Prussian cat, Puss.
Miss L. Hammond, Streatham Lodge, Lower Streatham, second prize for “Bob” (18 lbs); class for weight only.
Mrs. Harding, 10. St. Aubyn’s-road, Upper Norwood, very highly commended for tabby, Samuel Pompey. T
Miss Harding, 35, Elmina-street, Lewisham, second prize for red tabby, Tim.
Mrs. Harris, Berridge-road, Upper Norwood, first prize for tabby and white, Bob.
Mrs. Hatfield, 78, Arlingford-road, Tulse Hill, third prize for Persian, Albus.
Mrs. Hawkins, 4. College Terrace, Gipsy Hill, highly commended for two kittens, Bessie and Daisy.
Miss Heron, 4, Hillside terrace, norwood, first prize for black and white, kitty.
Mrs. Walter Hills, Bell Green, Lower Sydenham, first for black and white, Tiger.
Mrs. Hogg, Bryntion, Thurlow Park-road, West Dulwich, black and white, Rauza.
Mrs. Horton, 6, Heath-road, New Thornton Heath, third prize for Elizabeth.
Master S.R. Hunter, 6, Willow Terrace, Upper Norwood, second prize for tortoiseshell and white, Tib.
Mr. W. Hunt, Westow Hill, Upper Norwood, first prize for black cat, Smut; and very highly commended for tortoiseshell and white Minnie.
Mrs. Jackson, Mayfield, Beulah Hill, Upper Norwood, first prize for Persian, Black Sam.
Mrs. C. Johnson, 47, Colby-road, Gipsy hill, very highly commended for tabby, Toby.
Mr. A. Jones, 17, Anerley-road, Upper Norwood, very highly commended for Tommy.
Mrs. W. Ridley, 29, Westow Hill, Upper Norwood, third prize for tabby and white, Tom.
Mr. W. King, 8, Hadlow-place, Anerley, first prize for white cat, Rose.
Mrs. Lee, 1, Percey Terrace, Lordship-lane, third prize for Persian, Ruffie.
Mrs. G. Leadbetter, 82, Ridsdale-road, Anerley, very highly commended for Peter.
Mr. W. Leadbetter, 22, laurel Grove, Penge, third prize for two kittens, and highly commended for tabby, Tommy.
Miss Lelgerd, Valentia Villa, South Norwood, third prize for brown tabby.
Mrs. J. Longhurst, 43, Lausanne-road, Queen’s-road, Peckham, very highly commended for short-haired cat, Bob.
Mrs. F. Loom, Stafford Villa, West Hill, Sydenham, second prize for tabby and white, Dick.
Mrs. E.E. Mackness, High-street, Lower Norwood, second prize for short-haired cat, Nip.
Mrs. Mayhew, Holmesdale House, Holmesdale-road, South Norwood, second prize for pure Persian black cat, Jet; third prize for Persian, Shah; second for Persian, Tibby; and first prize for Persian, Charlie.
Miss F. Moore, Oakwood, Beckenham, Kent, first prize and cup for half-bred Persian, Fritz.
Mr. G. Monser, 23, Furze-road, New Thornton Heath, second prize for Jumbo.
Mr. R. Mulier, 14, Lorrimore-road, Walworth, second prize for Persian, Tittywee.
Miss Lina Newall, Farquhar Lodge, Farquhar-road, Upper Norwood, third prize for tabby, Cetewayo.
Miss Nunes, 4, Beardell-street, Upper Norwood, third prize for brown and white tabby, Frisky.
Miss Page, The General Jackson, Oakfield-road, Penge, second prize for spotted tabby, Tiger.
Mr. H. Page, 39, Woodbine Grove, Penge, highly commended for tabby and white, Bob.
Mr. J. Parkhurst, 3, Abbeville-road, Clapham Park, Balham, very highly commended for tabby, Minnie.
Miss parry, Derwent House, Crystal Palace Park-road, Sydenham, second prize for black cat, Jet.
Mrs. Payne, 1, Squire’s-yard, Westow Hill, upper Norwood, very highly commended for silver tabby, Minnie.
Mrs Percival, 3, The Limes, Moffatt-road, Thornton Heath, second prize for two kittens, Minnie and Kitty.
Mrs. W. Peskett, 90, Anerley-road, Upper Norwood, first prize for Manx cat, Dick; and very highly commended for tabby, Minnie.
Mr. F.H. Porter, 42, Springfield, Wells-road, Sydenham, extra third prizes for Tom and Tommy.
Master W. Redshaw, 138, Gipsy Hill, Upper Norwood, very highly commended for tabby, Foss.
Mrs. L. Rogers, 68, High-street, Upper Sydenham, very highly commended for tabby, Tiger.
Mr. T.F. Ross, refreshment department Crystal Palace, second prize for Jim.
Mr. H.W. Sexton, 100, Commercial-road, Peckham, second prize for short-haired cat, Gip.
Mr. G. Short, 7, Wade’s-palce, Nunhead Green, very highly commended for two kittens, Lottie and Tottie; and highly commended for Sandy.
Mrs. Smith, 3, Willow Terrace, Upper Norwood, very highly commended for tabby, Tabby.
Mrs. S.H. Smith, 609, Wandsworth-road, very highly commended for Persian, Jumbo.
Mr. W. Snazel, Kelvin Grove, Upper Sydenham, second prize for Tusey.
Mrs. F. Stanton, 3, Woodland Hill, Upper Norwood, highly commended for short-haired cat, Tim.
Mr. W.W. Strange, 40, Westow Hill, Upper Norwood, first prize for spotted tabby, Beauty.
Mr. W. Sumner, 9, Whiteley-road, Upper Norwood, second prize for Persian, Sammy.
Mr. H. Swinyard, Romney-road, lower Norwood, third prize for white cat, Tib; first for white cat, Pop; and third for white cat, Beauty.
Miss Taylor, 65, Clapham-road, very highly commended for short-haired cat, Kit.
Mr. T. Tripp, Anerley Vale, Upper Norwood, very highly commended for black cat, Tom.
Mrs. Tullett, 41, Westow Hill, Upper Norwood, second prize for brown tabby, Charlie.
Mr. H. Weightman, 16, Elmira-street, Lewisham, very highly commended for short-haired cat, Pussy.
Mrs. M.A. Wellman, 38, Oakley-street, Waterloo-road, first prize for white cat, Minnie.
Mrs. E.H. White, 190, Brockley-road, very highly commended for black and white, Prince Arthur.
Miss E.F. White, Post Office, Gipsy Hill, third prize for Dick.
Mr. W. White, 7, Gillett-road, near Thornton Heath, second prize for tabby, Micky.
Mrs. Wiggins, 8, Willow Walk, Sydenham, very highly commended for Jumbo.
Mrs. Wilkinson, 31, Versailles-road, Anerley, very highly commended for tortoiseshell and white, Princess Brownie.
Miss Wilkinson, 31, Versailles-road, Anerley, second prize for red tabby and white, Cucumber Pick.
Mr. C. Wilson, Waterman’s Arms, 125, Beckenham-road, Penge, very highly commended for Ben (14 lbs); class for weight only.
Mrs. Wood, Grosvenor Cottage, Central Hill, Upper Norwood, second prize for Persian, Tom.
Mr. E.J. Wright, 106 and 108, High-street, Clapham, third prize for white cat, Spotless; very highly commended for Persian, Hermione; and very highly commended for Persian, Spot.

[CRYSTAL PALACE CAT SHOW] Liverpool Weekly Courier, 25th October 1884
The Cat "show" which most Londoners would delight in would certainly be a mountainous pile of dead bodies. For the minority who have gentler sentiments a very excellent exhibition of living cats is provided at the Crystal Palace. to the non-expert in cat "points" the question would keep suggesting itself whether those "points” have been happily chosen. Almost without exception the prize winners–especially among the toms –seemed mean in head, threadbare in tail, and generally wanting in resemblance to Blake's "tiger burning bright through the forest of the night." Is the cat already degenerating under civilisation? Surely to be an ideal cat it ought to have a grand muscularity of physique, a certain clutchiness of demeanour, and an appearance of being mala fide to rabbits and poultry, and also of being at least able to "swear” at a fox terrier. Now in such characteristics prize-winning cats are almost entirely wanting. The feeblest of pug dogs would put a whole army of them to flight. The classes exhibited consisted of tortoiseshell, brown tabby, or brown tabby and white, blue tabby without white, red tabby without white, spotted tabby, black and white, black, white, and other varieties. The long-haired cats were white, black, tabby, and other varieties. Two of those rare animals the tortoiseshell tom were shown, but it was only by extreme courtesy that they could be so described. They might be technically tortoiseshell, but their colours were so blurred and faded that nobody would have guessed their denomination at first sight.

CAT SHOW AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE. Langport & Somerton Herald, 25th October 1884
Cat shows are increasing in popularity judging by the fact that the sixteenth national exhibition of cats at the Crystal Palace, which was opened on Tuesday, is the largest ever held. There are 356 entries distributed over 50 classes, which include all sorts of cats. In addition to money awards there are offered for the first time special prizes in the form of silver medals, which to the winners afford a permanent record of success. The pure tortoiseshell tom-cat is a rarity seldom met with. There is not one in the show, and only one has appeared at the exhibitions. There are, however, two tortoiseshell and white–one shown by Mr. J. Hornsby taking the first prize. On the other hand, of pure tortoiseshell female cats there is a good display, the first prize going to Mr. J. Hill; while the tortoiseshell end white she-cats are, too, an excellent lot, first honours being awarded to Mr. T. A. Highton. The tabby cats as a whole are well represented, being, indeed, a feature in the show. Here it may be noted that there is no pure red tabby fenale cat, which, like the tortoiseshell tom, is always a rarity, but plenty of red tabby tom-cats. A silver medal for the best tortoiseshell or tabby tom-cat is carried off by a red tabby belonging to Mrs. Huskinson, which is also winner of the first prize in its class. The tabby varieties are in classes of brown or brown and white, blue or silver, red, red and white, and spotted. Among the other first prize exhibitors may be mentioned Miss S. P. Hawes, Miss Julia Gardner, Mr. W. Treverton, Mr. R. J. Bradford, Mr. J. Challis, Masters Tom, Willie, and George Kitching, Mr. W. W. Strange, and Mr. W. C. O. Ellis, who also gains a silver medal. The classes already referred to are all for short-haired cats, and thi division also includes black and white, black, and pure white cats, and Manx cats of any colour. For the two best marked short-haired kittens Mrs. E. Davies gains a silver medal.

Of long-haired cats there are pure white, black, tabby, or tabby and white varieties. Miss Moore is awarded a silver medal for a beautiful half-bred Persian tabby with long hair. For the two best long-haired kittens a, similar honour is bestowed upon two Persian specimens shown by Miss Beasley. There is a class in which the cats are judged by weight only, and the heaviest cat in the show is Mrs. Loveluck's Sir Thomas, weighing 21 lb. There are also well-filled classes of gelded cats, in which competition a medal is gained by Mrs. P. Spink for a short haired Siamese specimen, and also by Mrs. A. Cooke for a long-haired half-bred Parisian cat. There are special classes for cats belonging to working men and their families, and these exhibits, judging by the selling prices marked in the catalogue, are either less valuable or less prized in the sense of being really intended for sale than the others. Many of them may be purchased for a few shillings, whilst against the other classes prohibitive prices are mostly marked. One cat in the catalogue is valued by the exhibitor (who clearly does not mean selling) at £2,000. A silver medal in the classes for cats belonging to working people is given by Mrs. J. Baldwin.

There are some curiosities to be noted in the feline display. There is a cat with seven toes on the fore feet and six on the hind feet; another with seven toes on each fore foot, and six on one hind foot and five on the other; and a third has seven toes on the fore feet and five on the hind feet. All the cat's on view bear signs of having been well cared for; they are placed in pens, many of them having comfortable cushions to rest upon, and milk to lap at leisure. The kittens are, of course playful, while the older cats are as sedate as need be. The judges were Mr. J. Jenner Weir, F.Z S., and Mr. George Billett, the last-named gentleman taking the place of Mr. Harrison Weir, who recently met with an accident that prevented his attending.

CAT SHOW AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE. Cornishman, 30th October 1884
Amongst "those of any other variety "at the Crystal Palace cat show were some enormities characterised extra toes ; these monstrosities should be drowned at birth rather than perpetuated. The interesting Siamese breed, fashioned as well coloured like the pug dog, was again shown and attracted much attention.

CAT SHOW AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE. Newcastle Courant , 31st October 1884
The cat show at the Crystal Palace has been a success. There is a fashion in pets as in dress and furniture, but the cat is a standing favourite. Skyes, poodles, Maltese, collies, pugs, dachshunds, terriers, greyhounds, King Charlies, all have had their day, but the cat keeps her place on the hearthrug permanently. The most sensational cat at the show was a very fine Persian (blue), which took a silver medal. As the owner did not want to part with his pet, be fixed a deterrent price upon it-namely, £1,000, quite I sufficient to close up the eye of the most covetous being

1884 DUNDEE CAT SHOW

DUNDEE DOG SHOW. Dundee Evening Telegraph, 9th April 1884
A meeting the Committee of Management of the Dundee Dog and Cat Show was held last night - Mr Ure, the President, in the chair - when the prize-list for this year’s show was arranged, and it was agreed to include a number of new classes. It was resolved that the name should henceforth be the Dundee Dog Show, but it was agreed that the classes for cats should be continued. Several handsome- extra prizes in the shape of medals and cups were intimated, and the members of Committee are sanguine that the show this year will excel the fine exhibition which was held last autumn.

DUNDEE DOG AND CAT SHOW. Dundee Courier, 24th October 1884
A great Dog and Cat Show will be held (under very Distinguished Patronage) in the Drill Hall, Parker Square, Dundee, on the 13thg, 14th and 15th November, 1884. Entries close 14th and 15th November 1884. G.J. Bell, Esq., and J. Harriott Bell, Esq., Belmont, offer Two Prizes for Cats owned and exhibited by the Working Classes – i.e. Persons whose individual wages do not exceed 30s per week – of Dundee. James A. Stark, Secretary, 62 Commercial Street, Office Open from 1 till 2 o’clock.

THE DOG AND CAT SHOW. Dundee Courier , 12th November 1884
The Association in Dundee, whose object is to improve the breeds of dogs and cats, open their annual show tomorrow in the Drill Hall, and with the promise that visitors will be enabled to witness a variety of entries in the different classes which will excel those of any previous shows. Considering the vigour and enterprise of the association and the support rendered by many friends who sympathise with the aim of the association, the prizes are both numerous and handsome - being in the form of money, watches, silver plate [etc, mainly for dog classes.] The arrangements of the show are to be thoroughly complete, and every provision will be made for the convenience and comfort of visitors.

THE DUNDEE DOG AND CAT SHOW. Dundee Evening Telegraph , 12th November 1884
To-day arrangements are being made for the Dundee Dog and Cat Show which opens at the Drill Hall tomorrow. The exhibition this year promises to be of much interest. The entries in most of the classes are large, and there will be a good show of collies, Scotch terriers, deerhounds, and pointers. Cats will also be a fair show. [. . .] The judges are Mr Peter Eden, Salford; Mr J. B. Morison, Greenock; and Mr James Taylor, Rochdale.

THE DUNDEE DOG AND CAT SHOW. Dundee Advertiser, 13th November 1884
This annual exhibition opens today in the Drill Hall, Dundee. There are 410 dogs of the various breeds entered, besides 31 cat ; and the show is certain to prove specially attractive, as a large number well known prize animals are included in the entries.

THE DUNDEE DOG AND CAT SHOW. Dundee Evening Telegraph , 13th November 1884
The Dundee Dog Show Society's annual exhibition sporting and other dogs and cats was opened In the Drill Hall to day, under very favourable auspices. The show is fully equal to those former years, and persons well qualitied to judge declare that both in numbers and quality it is the finest exhibition which has been held in Scotland for a considerable time, while it is superior in many respects to many English shows. [. . .] The of show cats is a good average one. There are five classes, and 32 toms, tabbies, and kittens have been sent for competition. The exhibits are chiefly from Dundee and district, but several very fine specimens have been forwarded from Kirkcaldy. The judging began about eleven o’clock to-day, and has since been proceeding satisfactorily.

THE DUNDEE DOG AND CAT SHOW. Dundee Advertiser - Friday 14 November 1884
The show of cats is said to be a very good one. There are five classes, and the entries number 32. The most of the animals have been sent in from Dundee and district, but there are also a number of splendid specimens from Kirkcaldy and other towns in the neighbourhood. The tom cats were specially mentioned by Mr. Taylor, the jusdge, as being and excellent collection. Appended is the prize list:-
Toms (common) - 1, Mrs J. A. Dawson, Perth; 2, Anna Grace Plenderleath, Barnhill, Broughty Ferry; 3, James Grant, Dundee.; very highly commended Mr. J.C. Jamieson, Newport and Matthew Kay, Lochee; highly commended, Miss Douglas, Elmbank, Dundee; commended, W.S. Cameron, Elmbank, Dundee, and W. Anderson, Dudhope Street, Dundee.
Tabbies [i.e. female cats] (common)- 1,James M. Frew [might be misprint for Jane M. Frew], Kirkcaldy; 2, George Crook, Annfield Place, Dundee 3, Robert Bain, Hawkhill, Dundee.
Toms (any other variety) - 1, Mrs Frew, Kirkcaldy; 2, Mrs R.R. Lingard-Guthrie, Taybank, Dunde; 3, John Anderson, Blairgowrie; highly commended, D. Mcgregor, Dock Street, Dundee.
Tabbies [i.e. female cats] (any other variety) – 1, Miss Bessie P. Frew, Kirkcaldy; 2, Miss Jane M. Frew, Dundee; 3, D. Wallace, Gardner’s Lane, Lochee Road, Dundee; highly commended, Mrs Howe, Robertson Street, Dundee, and A.G. Duncan, Broughty Ferry.
Kittens (any variety from 2 to 4 months old) - 1 and 2, John Anderson, Blairgowrie ; 3, Miss J.M. Frew; highly commended, Charles Skene, Hare Craigs, brought Ferry, and Miss Robina Frew, Kirkcaldy.

THE CATS. Dundee Courier, 14th November 1884
This is also a strong department as regards quality. Some fine Russians and Persians are on exhibition, one of them a Crystal Palace winner. The bulk of the prizes are carried away by Mrs and the Misses Frew, Kirkcaldy, and Mr Anderson, Blairgowrie.

1884 GUERNSEY CAT SHOW

POULTRY AND CAT SHOW. The Star, Guernsey, 4th November 1884
A show of poultry will be held at the Militia Arsenal on Wednesday and Thursday, the 3rd and 4th December, when eleven extra prizes will be awarded, in addition to 82 in the ordinary classes. At the same time a novelty will be introduced in a cat show, which ought to prove attractive.

THE POULTRY AND CAT SHOW. The Star, Guernsey, 22nd November 1884
For this show, to be held at the New Market Hall early in December, the entries for poultry closed on Saturday last and are about one hundred in excess of last year, so that a very excellent show in this line may be anticipated. The entries for cats closed to-day with about fifty entries, and it is expected that this new feature will be fairly patronised. We hear that the same pens used at the Crystal Palace Cat Show will be used at our Cat Show. Each pen is furnished with a cushion. Cats will have to be sent in on Wednesday morning, December 3rd, and may be taken home the same night.

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL AND HORTI- CULTURAL SOCIETY'S POULTRY AND CAT SHOW. The Star, Guernsey, 29th November 1884
The arrangements for this Show, to be held in the new Market on Wednesday and Thursday next, are now so far advanced, that ultimate success seems assured. Mr. Billet, sen., who will be the judge of the rabbits and cats, arrived this morning from Southampton with the pens, and Mr. Entwistle, judge of the poultry, is expected on Tuesday. The details of the Show will be learnt by reference to an advertisement in another column.

THE POULTRY AND CAT SHOW. The Star Guernsey, 2nd December 1884
One of the finest shows of poultry ever exhibited in this island, judging from the arrivals early to hand, and the number of entries, will open at the New Market Hall. The entrance will be facing the Church, and the ground floor will be devoted to the ordinary classes of fowls, ducks, geese, turkeys and rabbits. In the north hall will be placed the game birds occupying about 130 pens. The south hall being occupied by the cats and pigeons, all in suitable cages. The cats which include 45 entries, are comfortably accommodated in capacious cages, with red baize cushions to rest upon, and other conveniences. The pigeons (about 60 entries) have pretty wire cages, and with the exception of a few pens belonging to the Royal Agricultural Society are the property of Mr. Billett of Southampton, who has superintended their fixing. This gentleman will also act as judge of the cats, rabbits etc. [. . .] From present appearances the show promises to be a very remarkable one considering the size of the island. It will open at noon tomorrow, and will continue open Wednesday, and Thursday evenings until 9 oclock. The cups and other prizes are now on view in the shop window of Mr. F. B. Guerin, stationer of High Street.

POULTRY AND CAT SHOW. The Star, Guernsey, 4th December 1884
This annual show, with many additional attractions, opened in the New Market Buildings yesterday, and up to the close of last evening, considering the very unfavourable weather, has been a decided success. The entries in the poultry, pigeon, and rabbit classes exceeded 400, and the cats about 50, so that some idea of the extent of the Show may be gathered from these figures. The new locale obtained by the Committee for the Show has proved an important factor in its success, the two upper Rooms, and the new Vegetable Market being fully occupied, leaving a fair amount of space for the circulation of visitors. The upper north room was occupied exclusively by game birds, about 130 entries ; the south room by the cats and pigeons, while the Market below contained the rabbits, and poultry generally, including turkeys, geese, clucks, etc., and there being plenty of ventilation, the offensive smells experienced in more confined spaces, was avoided. [. . .]

The new feature, the cat show, attracted the largest attention, the admiration of the "pretty dears " by the ladies being universal, and their cages were constantly surrounded. This as an attraction was certainly the most important feature, and is mainly due to the suggestion of the Secretary, Mr. T. de Mouilpied. It is probable this department will be further developed now, when it is seen with what equanimity and apparent pleasure the animals bore the persistent attentions of their many visitors. [. . .]

The cats, a new feature of this show, came out beyond the most sanguine expectations. In the tabby and tabby and white classes there were some wonderful specimens, and many of them were well worthy to take rank in a show of larger proportions. The class assigned to "any other colour," strange to say was composed entirely of blacks, and it would perhaps be advisable on another occasion if the Committee were to appoint a special class for blacks, seeing the excellence of those exhibited. In the long-haired variety there were eight entries, but after the prize winner, a splendid animal, nothing special to mention. Amongst the tabbies there were some extraordinary animals, one weighing near upon 18 lbs., several which were commended although very fine, were deficient in regular marking, the whole were noticeable for weight and condition, but as several of the finest were disqualified for obvious reasons it would be desirable to have a special class for them another year. The Kittens were an interesting class, the prize one was a promising specimen, and as a cat bids fair to be a prize winner at some future Show. One very pretty pair which was greatly admired had to be withdrawn later in the day, one of them having died. The tortoiseshell class was certainly the prettiest, the tortoiseshell and white colours being well defined, although the real tortoiseshell was conspicuous by its absence. A cat with two kittens met with much admiration and on the whole for a first show this was remarkably good. The many exhibitors in most of the classes gives evidence that there is no diminution of interest in this branch of the Royal Agricultural Society's work, and it was satisfactory to see the sister island so well represented, some of the principal prize winners hailing from Jersey. The result of the judging appeared to give general satisfaction. The following are the Judges awards of the prizes, the commended ones we are reluctantly obliged to omit for want of space :—
Cats. Tabby, or tabby and white, short hair (18 entries) – A. Le Marchant, St. Julian’s Avenue, Tom, 19 months, 1; Mrs. La Serre, Vauvert, Brian Baroihue, 5 years, 2.
Any other colour, short hair (four entries), John Mcmahon, 2.
Black or white, long hair (six entries) – J. Gardner, old Government House, 18 months, 1; John Tugby, Ramee, Black Tom, 3 years, 2; Miss Frecker, Hauteville, Blackie, 3 years, 2 extra.
Any other colour (eight entries) – C. Mellish, States Arcade, 5 yeaers, 1; C. Foster, pollet Street, 2 and a half years, 2; J. le page, Hubits, Persian, 3 years, 3.
Kittens, single or pairs, any variety, not to exceed 4 months (seven entries) – T. De Moulpied, Brown Tabby, rough tail, long hair, 1; Miss Mace, St. Andrew’s, two kittens, 2 months, 2; D.F. Ogier, Duveaux, Angora kitten, 10 weeks, 3.
Tortoise shell, or tortoise shell and white (four entries) – F. Fallaize, St. Sampson’s, 1; J. Pengelley, Rouge Rue, 2.

1884 OTHER REGIONAL CAT SHOWS

ABERDEEN DOG [AND CAT] SHOWEvening Gazette, 1st January 1884
The Aberdeen Dog Show, which was opened this morning in the Woolmanhill Drill all, is one of he most successful held in the Granite City for several years.
Common cats (9 entries) – 1, C. Singer, Aberdeen; 2, John Henderson, Inverurie; 3, W. Duncan, Aberdeen; v.h.c., James W. Kidd, Dundee; h.c., A.D. Thom, Aberdeen.
Any other variety (12 entries) – 1, John Anderson, Blairgowries; 2, George barron, Aberdeen; 3, Miss Bessie P. Frew, Kirkcaldy; v.h.c., D. McGregor, Ballater, and Mrs Frew.

[1884] ROCHDALE DOG, POULTRY, PIGEON, AND CAT SHOW Rochdale Observer, 22nd December 1883
The Rochdale Dog, Poultry, Pigeon, and Cat Show will be held in Central Mills, Rochdale, on Saturday, January 26th, 1884, when upwards of £100 will be awarded in Prizes and Cups. Entries close January 19th, 1884.

ROCHDALE DOG, POULTRY, PIGEON, AND CAT SHOW various, 12th January 1884
The Rochdale Dog, Poultry, Pigeon, and Cat Show will be held in Central Mills, Rochdale, on Saturday, January 26th, 1884, when upwards of £100 will be awarded in Prizes and Cups, Entries may be made with Mr. Edward Stott, Castle Inn; Mr. J. Taylor, Golden Fleece; and Mr. Howarth, Tanner’s Arms. The Show will be open to the public at 10 o’clock. Admission 10 to 2, 1s. each; 2 till close (7.30), 6d. each.

BAKEWELL POULTRY, CAGE BIRD, PIGEON, AND CAT SHOW. Derby Daily Telegraph, 9th January 1884
The first exhibition of the above society was opened Tuesday, in the grounds of the Grammar School, Bridge-street, Bakewell. The entries numbered 426, and in point of quality the show was above the average. The judges were Mr. E. Hutton, Pudsey, for poultry, pigeons, cats, and rabbits; and Mr. Bemrose, Derby, for canaries and all cage birds. The day was damp and unfavourable, but the attendance of visitors was very good. The Bakewell Brass Band were in attendance and played selections of music. The following is a list the prize winners :— Cats (male or female), 1 E. Archer; 2, A. Lomas; 3 J. E. Handley. Any other variety, 1 James W Tooley; 2 Wilfred G. Taylor; 3, J. Roberts, Jun.

ANNUAL BIRD AND POULTRY SHOW. Cheltenham Looker-On, 12th January 1884
A Cat Show was included in the programme, but not more than ten or a dozen of the feline tribe were candidates for the prizes offered for competition.

ASPATRIA. THE POULTRY SHOW. Carlisle Express and Examiner, 12th January 1884
The entries for the coming Poultry, Pigeon, and Cat Show have now closed, and are numerically about up to the usual standard.

LIVERPOOL DOG, POULTRY, PIGEON, RABBIT, AND CAT SHOW. Liverpool Mercury, 24th January 1884
The Liverpool Dog, Poultry, Pigeon, Rabbit, and Cat Show will be held in the North Haymarket, Great Homer-street, Liverpool on Wednesday and Thursday next, the 30th and 31st Inst. Over 2700 entries. First Day – Ten a.m. to Three p.m., 2s 6d; Three p.m. to Seven p.m., 1s; Seven p.m. to Ten p.m., 6d. Second Day – Ten a.m. to Three p.m., 1s; Three p.m. to Seven-Thirty, 6d.

LIVERPOOL DOG, POULTRY, PIGEON, RABBIT AND CAT SHOW Birkenhead & Cheshire Advertiser, 26th January 1884
The Liverpool dog, poultry, pigeon, rabbit and cat show, will take place at the North Haymarket, on Wednesday and Thursday next, the entries being 335 in excess of last year.

POULTRY, PIGEON, RABBIT, CAGEBIRD AND CAT SHOW AT MAIDSTONE Kentish Express, 26th January 1884
On Tuesday this show was opened in the Corn Exchange Buildings at Maidstone, and it has proved a great success as far as the character of the exhibits is concerned, there never having been such an excellent collection gathered together. [Cat judge – Mr. G. Billett.]
Cats, Long-hair: 1st, 3rd, and special, Mrs. Vallance; 2nd, Mr. F. Danells, Linton; 4th, Mr. G Waters.
Cats, Short hair: 1st, Mr. A. Jenner; 2nd, Mr. G. Whibley; 3rd, Mrs. Catt; 4th, Mrs. Cook.

YEOVIL AND COUNTY POULTRY, PIGEON, AND CAT SHOW. Taunton Courier, and Western Advertiser, 30th January 1884
The Yeovil Poultry Show opened on Wednesday. The weather was very boisterous and wet, and this kept many people from visiting the town who otherwise have done so. The whole of the Town-hall buildings were occupied with the exhibits, the total number being 1,947 a few less than the total of last year. Several "post entries," however, were made, so that the total number was nearly equal to that reached in 1883. [. . .] The judges were - Foreign Birds, Rabbits, and Cats—Mr G. Billett.

CHESTERFIELD POULTRY, CAGE BIRD AND CAT SHOW. Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald, 9th February 1884
On many occasion in these columns the advantage of attention being paid by agriculturists and others to the increased and improved breeding of poultry has been pointed out, and it is pleasure therefore to have to chronicle the undoubted success of the first independent poultry show held in Chesterfield. The idea of forming society for organising such show had been often mentioned (but in an indifferent way) by persons connected with the local agricultural interests, but it was left for a few gentlemen of the town to give the project “a name and shape." [. . .] The show was made more attractive by offering prizes for pigeons, rabbits, and cats also. The Assembly room and the adjoining rooms were engaged and the first exhibition was held there on Saturday and Monday. The space at command was hardly sufficient for the large number of exhibits sent, but the committee made the best arrangements they could under this difficulty In all 718 entries were catalogued, between four and five hundred being the poultry classes. [Prize list] Cats (any age), any variety, male or female. – 1, Murphy; 2, Hobson; 3, Graves; 4, Hill; highly commended, Martin, Stringfellow, Wildgoose, Rooth, Hodson, graves, Ewing; commended, Dorrington.

POULTRY AND BIRD SHOW AT CHESTERFIELD. Derbyshire Courier, 9th February 1884
On Saturday and Monday last a most successful poultry, pigeon,. canary, cage bird, rabbit, and cat show was held in the Market Hall, Chesterfield. The proposal to hold such an exhibition was only taken up a short time ago, and although very energetic committee was appointed it was not anticipated that their efforts would be attended with such a satisfactory result. The entries numbered 726, which were made up as follows:—Poultry, 435; pigeons, 136; cage birds, 111; rabbits and cats, 44. This large number more than filled the Assembly Room, and the Magistrates Room and the upper room of the Corn Exchange had to be utilised in addition. The cage birds and rabbits were also of exceptionally good quality. The judges were :- Poultry, pigeons, and cats, Mr. James Dixon, Bradford. [Prize List] Cats – Any variety, male or female: 1, M.G. Murphy; 3, C. Graves, Alma-street, Brampton; 4, J.E. Toplis, Salter Gate, Chesterfield.

THE CHURCH OF ST. PAUL. BAZAAR AT ST. LEONARDS. DOLL SHOW AND CAT EXHIBITION, Hastings and St Leonards Observer , 23rd February 1884
On Tuesday and Wednesday last, a bazaar, with a doll show and cat exhibition, was held the Royal Concert Hall, at St. Leonards, in aid of the Church and various benevolent institutions and social organisations of St. Paul's parish. [Description of charity stalls] There was, moreover, a collection of inanimate objects under the name of a Doll Show, and nearly opposite was a congregation of decidedly animate objects, whom soma people called cats - [here an appalling series of yells came from the direction of the spot where these animals were situated] – which [the vicar] thought none should miss seeing. [. . .] The cat show was a decided novelty to introduce into a bazaar, and nearly a hundred of these furry pets had been gathered together. The breeds were chiefly Welsh, English, Persian, and Siamese. A few rabbits were also exhibited with the cats.

THE ST. PAUL’S BAZAAR CAT SHOW Hastings & St. Leonards Times, 23rd February 1884
The St. Paul’s Bazaar has been a great success; as it deserved to be . . . I didn’t have the opportunity of seeing the cat show, but everybody who did says it was a splendid exhibition.

CAT SHOW. Greenock Advertiser, 8th March 1884
Mr Smith has engaged splendid concert company for to-night - their last night in Greenock this season. The chief feature is a cat show, a gold watch is to be given away for the finest cat. This is sure to be very amusing and interesting, there are already about one dozen entries.

HORTICULTURAL, POULTRY, DOG, AND CAT SHOW. Oxford Journal, 17th May 1884
SUMMERTOWN. On Tuesday evening last a large assembly of parishioners met in the Village School-room for the purpose of considering the question of holding a Horticultural, Poultry, Dog, and Cat Show at Summertown this year. The Vicar presided, and after a few introductory remarks, called upon Mr. Gelling to read a few statistics which he had prepared for the information of the meeting. For the purpose of feeling the pecuniary pulse of the parishioners [. . .] the meeting terminated, all evidently wishing the affair to turn out successfully.

HORTICULTURAL, DOG AND CAT SHOW, POULTRY AND PIGEON SHOW. Western Morning News , 1st May 1884
Meeting at Bodmin on Wednesday and Thursday 18th and 19th June, 1884. The Local Committee have decided to offer £300 in money and 10 silver cups for prizes in the Horticulture, Dog and Cat, poultry and Pigeon Show, also Dairy Produce. Full particulars and prize lists can be obtained of P.J. Wallis, Esq., Bodmin, for Horticulture; major Ballard, Berryfield, Bodmin, for Dog and Cat Show; Mr. W.L. Garland, Fore-street, Bodmin, for Poultry Show; and Colonel Gilbert, The Priory, Bodmin, for Dairy Produce. – Henry D. Foster, Secretary Local Committee. Bodmin, 1st may, 1884.

[BODMIN SHOW] West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser, 26th May 1884
Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association, meeting at Bodmin on Wednesday and Thursday, 18th and 19th June. The Local Committee have decided to offer £300 in money and 10 silver cups for prizes in Horticulture, Dog and Cat Show, Poultry and Pigeon Shows, also Dairy Produce. Full particulars and prize lists can be obtained of …. Major Ballard, Berryfield, Bodmin, For Dog and Cat Show . . . All entries close on the 2nd June.

THE BODMIN SHOW. Western Morning News, 18th June 1884
The show ground at Bodmin presented a busy scene yesterday [. . .] The local shows promise to be large and interesting. They consist of a horticultural exhibition and dog, poultry, pigeon, and cat show.

CINDERFORD DOG, POULTRY, PUG, RABBIT AND CAT SHOW. Gloucester Citizen , 1st July 1884
The Cinderford Dog, Poultry, Pug, Rabbit and Cat Show will extend the time of entries until Saturday next. The first 29 classes for dogs will be reduced 2s 6d.

CINDERFORD DOG AND POULTRY SHOW. Bristol Times and Mirror, 10th July 1884
The second dog, poultry, rabbit, and cat show was held yesterday, and will be continued to-day, in a spacious tent opposite the Fleece hotel. The weather wan unfavourable in the morning, but there was a fair attendance.
Cats. – 2nd, E. Teague, Cinderford; 4th, J.D. Bond, Cinderford.

CHEADLE DOG AND CAT SHOW Alderley & Wilmslow Advertiser, 25th July 1884
Postponement of the Cheadle Dog and Cat Show. Owing to the recent cases of Canine Madness [rabies] at Cheadle, the Committee of the Dog and Cat Show (advertised to be held in the Village on Bank Holiday next) have, at the suggestion of several influential patrons, decided upon its Postponement to a later period of the year.

SWINDON DOG AND CAT SHOW. Swindon Advertiser and North Wilts Chronicle, 26th July 1884
There was a show of dogs and cats at the Corn Exchange, Swindon, on Wednesday and Thursday last, under the Kennel Club Rules. The hall had been prepared for the show at considerable expense, and there were a large number of entries, upwards of 300, we believe, exhibitors sending them from all parts of the country. Very little public interest appeared to be taken in the show and the receipts at the doors were therefor low. Judges – Cats – Mr T. Latter. Prize List:- CATS –
Class 36, Long Haired – 1st, Mr. Scriven, Swindon; 3rd, Mr. W. Hill, New Swindon; h.c. Mr. K. Smith, Swindon and Mrs. S Edmonds, Groundwell, Highworth. 2nd prize withheld.
Class 37, Short Haired – 1st Mr. J. Cowley, The Square, Swindon; 2nd, Miss L.C. Brown, Thurlow Cottage, Swindon; 3rd,Mr. Spiller, Wood-street, Swindon; v.h.c, Mr. E. Pawler; h.c., Mrs Lucy, Wood-street, Swindon, Miss Lillian Stock, Brunswick-terrace, Swindon, and Mr. Skinner, Regent-street, new Swindon; c. Mr. Ross, Wood-street, Swindon; Mr. Prowse, Swindon, and Mrs Boniface, the Castle Inn, Swindon.

BEIGHTON RURAL COMPETITION. Sheffield Independent , 9th August 1884
Beighton Rural Competition, Feast Monday, August 11th, 1884. Flower Show, Sports and Competition, Cat Show, Baby Show and Musical Contest. Brass band. Refreshments on Ground. Hon. Secs. E.G. Johnson and J.G. Bicknell.

TONDU AND ABERKENFIG COTTAGERS’ FLOWER SHOW Central Glamorgan Gazette, 15th August 1884
A Cat Show will also be held in connection with the above, for which the following Prizes will be offered:- best Cat (any variety), First Prize, 5s; Second 3s; Third 1s 6d. Entrance, 6d.

RABBIT, CAGE BIRD, PIGEON, AND CAT SHOW. Banbury Advertiser, 28th August 1884
The annual exhibition of the Banbury Ornithological and Rabbit Society was held in the show grounds, and proved great attraction. The entries numbered over 250, and the exhibits comprised many first-rate specimens. The judge was Mr. G. Billett, of Southampton, who also provided the pens. The list of awards was as follows:- CATS.
Class 27. Foreign Cats – 1, Mr. J. Hill, 3, Mrs. Beesley, Calthorpe Road, Banbury; h.c. Mr. W. Rogers, Banbury, Mr. W. Watts, Banbury.
Class 28. English cats – 1, Mrs. J. Woodford, 2, Mr. J.W. Prescott; h.c. Miss Jones, Banbury, and Mr. W. Cooper.

COLDASH COTTAGE GARDEN EXHIBITION. Berkshire Chronicle, 13th September 1884
A lovely day, a good show, variety of amusements, and a numerous company combined to make last Wednesday’s exhibition one of the most successful the society have ever held. Thanks to the hon. secretary and organiser, the Rev. J. M. Bacon, the event gains annually in attraction. The society is quite conservative in character and does not travel beyond its own rural lines. [. . .] In another part of the ground was a tent devoted to the cat show. This, too, is limited to parishioners. The boxes were filled with animals and they did not seem to mind their temporary confinement. This tent was the centre of much attraction. May we suggest that if this class was not so restricted a capital competition and good exhibition might be got up another year on a much larger scale.

OXFORD ORNITHOLOGICAL AND RABBIT SOCIETY. Oxford Journal, 22nd November 1884
The ninth exhibition of bantams, fancy ducks, rabbits, canaries, mules [hybrid canaries], British and foreign birds, and cats, in connection with this Society, will be held in the Corn Exchange on the 10th and 11th of December, entries for which close on the 29th inst. The show promises to be an exceedingly good one, several prize-winners at the Crystal Palace Cat Show being already entered.