Well, a blue-eyed white pussy was my idea of an "angel cattie" then, and
it is not altered still.
It will be observed, however, that the colour of the kittens of the same
litter will often differ, and the question naturally comes to be asked,
Do I assert that the nature and temperament of cats in the same litter
will not coincide? I do so aver most unhesitatingly; and the thing
is easily explained if you bear in mind that a litter of
differently-coloured kittens has had but _one_ mother, but _many_
fathers. Although born from the same mother in one day, they stand in
the relation to each other of half-brothers and half-sisters. Except
when the odds in colour is very distinct, as in black, white, or red,
the difference in constitution, etc, will not be so easily perceived,
but it is there, nevertheless. _Colour follows the breed, and temper
and quality follow colour_. This is the same all throughout nature, and
is often observed, though but little studied, by dog fanciers. I have
only to remind pointer and setter men, how often hardiness and good
stamp cling to certain colours. That "God tempers the wind to the shorn
lamb," I believe to be merely metaphor, but I am ready to go to death on
it that He paints the petals of the flower and the blossoms on the
fruit-tree, to the requirements of the tender seedlings. What sort of
fruit would you grow in the dark, or under deeply-coloured glass shades?
Lest I be found guilty of digression, I shall say no more now on this
subject.
_Merits of the White Cat_.--A _pet_, gentle and loving above a cat of
any other colour, though at times dull, and cross, and wayward; "given,"
as a lady said, "to moods of melancholy." Not a bad mouser either, when
"i' th' vein," and a good cat for a miller to have, not being easily
seen among sacks of flour.
_Points_.--1. _Size_: Seldom a large cat. 2. _Head_: Smallish, and as
nicely rounded as possible; ears not too long, and well-feathered
internally; eyes of "himmel-blue;" eyes ought to be both the same
colour--if not so, deduct five points. 3. _Pelage_: Fine, soft, and
glossy; but a too long coat shows a cross with Angora. 4. _Colour_:
White as driven snow, if intended for a show cat; if not, a very little
black wonderfully improves the constitution.
Points of the White Cat.
Size, 5.
Head and eyes, 15.
Colour, 25.
Pelage, 5.
Total, 50.
CHAPTER SIX.
THE BLUE CAT; AND TABBIES--RED, BROWN, SPOTTED, AND SILVER.
The Blue cat: just one word about this pretty creature before passing on
to the Tabbies. Although she is called a blue cat, don't fancy for a
moment that ultramarine is anywhere near her colour, or himmel-blue, or
honest navy serge itself. Her colour is a sad slate-colour; I cannot
get any nearer to it than that.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account