I am almost afraid to think, much less to say, how many years ago it was that I attended the first Cat Show held at the Crystal Palace, which was organised by Mr. Harrison Weir. I well remember, however, when the National Cat Club was founded in 1887; and since that date the. number of fanciers has steadily increased, and many new clubs and societies have been formed. Instead of one show a year, there are many, and Mr. Harrison Weir's prophecy is fulfilled. I quote from the preface of his book on cats written in 1889: "But should a new order of things arise the cat will not only be a useful, serviceable helpmate, but an object of increasing interest, admiration, and cultured beauty, and thus being of value, will also be profitable."

The National Cat Club, now under the able management of Mrs. Stennard-Robinson, holds its two principal shows at the Crystal Palace and the Botanical Gardens, and every year the entries increase and the improvement in the various breeds of cats is most noticeable.

The Cat Club came into existence in 1898, being instituted by Lady Marcus Beresford, who has done such good work in the cat world. The excellently managed shows held yearly at St. Stephen's Hall, Westminster, testify to the unwearied exertions and lavish generosity of the founder of the club. These shows have been held in aid of various deserving charities.

Other cat shows in all parts of England are held during the year, under the rules of either of these parent clubs, or independently.

In addition to the two principal clubs, which are well known to all cat fanciers, it may be interesting and useful to give a complete list of the Cat Clubs and Specialists Societies up to date, with names and addresses of their respective hon. secretaries.

List Of Cat Clubs And Societies

The National Cat Club, founded 1887. Hon. sec., Mrs. A. Stennard-Robinson, 5 Great James Street, Bedford Row, London, W.C. Annual subscription, I guinea.

The Cat Club, founded 1898. Hon. sec., Mrs. Bagster, 15A Paternoster Row, London, E.C. Entrance fee, 20s.; annual subscription, 10s. 6d.

The Northern Counties Cat Club, founded 1900. Hon. sec., Mrs. Herbert Ransome, Altnncham. Annual subscription, 1OS.

The Silver and Smoke Persian Cat Society, founded 1900. Hon. sec, Mrs. H. V. James, Backwell, near Bristol. Annual subscription, 5s.

The Blue Persian Cat Society, founded 1901. Hon. sec., Miss Frances Simpson, Durdans House, St. Margaret's-on-Thames. Annual subscription, 5s.

The Siamese Club, founded 1900. Hon. sec., Mrs. Baker, 13 Wyndham Place, Bryanston Square, W. Annual subscription, 4s.

The Orange, Cream, Fawn and Tortoiseshell Society, founded 1900. Hon. sec., Miss Mildred Beal, Ronaldkirk Rectory, Darlington. Annual subscription, 10s.

The Chinchilla Cat Club, founded May 1901. Hon. sec, Mrs. Balding, 92 Goldsmith Avenue, Acton. Annual subscription, 5s.

The Short-haired Cat Club, founded 1901. Hon. sec., Mrs. Middleton, 67 Cheyne Court, Chelsea. Annual subscription, 5s.; 2S. 6d. to working classes.

The Scottish Cat Club, founded 1894. Hon. sec, J. F. Dewar, 2 St. Patrick Square, Edinburgh. Annual subscription, 5s.

The Midland Counties Cat Club, founded at Wolverhampton 1901. Hon. sec, Miss Cope, 136 Bristol Road, Birmingham. Annual subscription, 5s.

The British Cat Club, founded 1901. Hon. sec, Sir Claude Alexander, Faygate Wood, Sussex. Subscription, 5s.

The Manx Cat Club, founded 1901. Miss Hester Cochran, Witchampton, Wimborne. Subscription, 10s.

Clubs In The United States

The Beresford Cat Club (Chicago), founded 1899. President, Mrs. Clinton Locke; corresponding secretary, Mrs. A. Michelson, 220 East Sixtieth Street, Chicago. Annual subscription, 1 dollar.

The Chicago Cat Club, founded 1899. President, Mrs. Leland Norton, Drexel Kennels, Drexel Boulevard, Chicago.

The Louisville Cat Club, founded 1900. Corresponding secretary, Miss E. Converse. Annual subscription, 50 cents.

The Pacific Cat Club, founded 1900. Corresponding secretary, Mrs. A. H. Brod, 114 Broderick Street, San Francisco. Annual subscription, 1 dollar.

The Atlantic Cat Club, recently founded in New York in February 1902. President, Col. Mann; corresponding secretary, Dr. Ottolesgui, 80 West Fortieth Street, New York.

It will be seen from this list that the only long-haired breeds not provided for by any specialist club are Blacks, Whites, and Brown Tabbies. When the Blue Persian Cat Society was founded, the idea of making it a self-coloured society and including Blacks and Whites was raised, but the "Blue" fanciers wished to keep to their own colour. Probably before another year is out some enterprising and enthusiastic "self" breeder will gather these handsome breeds within the fold of specialist societies. Then the dear " Brownies" will be the only remaining variety, and I would fain start a little Society myself for these - my pet pussies, I frankly confess - but I fear I must leave it to some other friend of the Brown Tabby to muster the breeders of these handsome but neglected cats.

As will be seen from the list, America is well provided with Cat Clubs. The Chicago Club was the first in the field, followed by The Beresford Cat Club, which was founded in 1899 by Mrs. Clinton Locke of Chicago, and was called after Lady Marcus Beresford. I think I am correct in stating that the members now number nearly 200. A very large Cat Show is held by this Club every year in January, where a wonderfully liberal classification is given. It is well known that our American cousins like everything of the best, and somehow they generally get it! Several very beautiful and noted cats have recently left these shores, and are now established in the States. " The Stud Book of the Beresford Cat Club," vol. ii., just received, is really well drawn up and arranged in a neat book of handy size.

There were no fewer than seventy-five classes at the last Cat Show held January 1902. Only two prizes in each class are given, the third award being a V. H. C. card and the fourth H. C. The White classes in long-haired, open and novice include separate ones for blue-eyed and golden-eyed males and females. This Club provides for Orange and White in both the long- and short-haired sections and tor Blue Tabbies, there being special classes for these cats, that on this side are relegated to the " Any other colour" class. Neuters are well provided for with four long-haired classes and three short-haired. There is a class for Blue or Maltese cats, male or female. Grey Tabbies are included with Brown Tabbies. These are the chief differences between the classification of the principal American Cat Club and our own.