The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-11-06

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1878 exhibits many signs of advance US com.
pared with its predecessors in previous years.
The grimalkins sent in are not quite so nu-
merouS as they were last year, but they are
generally of better quality, and include speci-
mems we'll worthy the attention of connois-
seurS, There are about two hundred and
sixty black tabbies and white, red tabbies
and grey" aud they are all arranged in cool
and comfortable cages in front of the courts
on each side Of the north nave, a very supe-
rior arrangement to that Of last year, when
they were placed back to back down the
centre.
The cages run all the way down to the
placed table for the accommodation Of the
teryieHed" Mr.. Lloyd's famous Angorn,
which has been thought worthy of an en-
larged photograph, and of which the iollo"-
ing brief biography, is circulated IN the pa:
lace: "Born in Paris, April Z, leGo; came
to London November Is, 1851. travelled
thence to Hamburg, and IS now hnaiIy Set'
tied down in Lower Norwood. her llle-
size portrait Is published at her own ex-
peuse out Of the money she has gained ID
prizes, and she has been thought worthy OF
two eulogistic stanzas by Frederick Locker.
n. B. The visitor to inquire for 'Mlm.:"
The famous tortoise-shell Tom again
makes his appearance, and again takes the
first prize. He is in excellent condition,
looks quite fresh and kttenish, and has his
unique speciality as to hide, coming out
brighter and more pronounced than ever.
He is we'll worthy close Inspection, for
cats of his color are very rare. The specimen
now at Crystal Palace may be had for 500.
although $3.50 was offered and refused for
him last year. Next in interest and rarity
are three red tabbieS, extremely fine speci-
mems. Last years show WAS the first that
produced anything of the kind, but this
years open" is greatly superior to its pre-
decesSor. There are grand Angorls, flour
ishing in fur and dignity. Russian cats Of Il
weird and singular expression of coun-
tenance, and Il pair of playful little
kittens from Siam, which bear the
closest possible resemblance to pug dogs.
Very curious also the specimens from the
Isle of Man. where the cats have no tails, and
they are so beautifully marked as to throw
the Judges into ecstaccs.% One curious cat
reioices in the possession Of twenty-siN claws,
and another, which comes from Australia,
indicates by his color and the character of
his fur tendency on the part of the puss of
the domestic hearth, when transported to
Australia, ultimately to approximate to the
color, figure, and proportions Of the kansa-
roo, But we must pause here, lest we should
leave no pleasurable surprises for visitors to
the show. 1t will be sufficient to add that all
the cats and kittens exhibited are of a very
high feline merit in their respective classes,
and that they are admirably arranged for eX-
hibitiOn. ..-.
1t may be mentioned Us matter of regret
that huge fellow, weighing twenty pounds,
who went for weight, and had been chris
tened "The Claimant" has been shut out
from this years exhibition through coming
too late. The prizes are on the usual liberal
scale, and increased inducements, as well as
facilities for sale, are this year offered to
workiDgmen and women to send in candi-
dates. The directors, we think, deserve
credit for this, as it is Il step in the direction
Of educating the whole public into gentle
ness and humanity toward the domestic
members Of the brute creation.-London
Netcs.