The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-27
LADY BEREsFORD's PETS.
They Are PUSHES of High Degree and
They Live in COTTAGES.

London Letter in New York Herald.
A few days ago 1 had a chat with Lady
Marcus BereSford about her pet fad, CATER
les. Il have applications from all parts of
the world for my cats and Kittens" she
said. Il have lately formed a club which
has for its object the general welfare Of
the cat and the improvement~of the breed
Mrs. Clinton Locke, of Chicago, has become
member of my club, and l do hope the
Americans Will take to it, for certainly its
object is a worthy one The cat club in
tends holding its first show in London dur
Ing the early part of January. The presi-
dents of the club are Lily, Duchess of MARI
borough; the Duchess of Wellington and
Lord Marcus Beresford.
AT one time 1 had as many as $50 cats
and kittens in my batteries. And now to
give you some idea of the houses provided
for these pets of mine There is a pretty
cottage covered with vines. No expense has
been spared in the fittings of the rooms,
and every provision is made for warmth
and ventilation. One room is set apart for
the girl who takes entire charge of and
feeds the pussies. She has boy who works
with her and performs the rougher tasks.
There is a small kitchen for cooking the
meals for the cats, and this is fitted with
every requisite. On the walls are racks to
hold the white enameled bowls and plates
used for the food. Then there is a medicine
chest, which contains everything that is
needful for prompt and efticacious treat
ment in case pussy becomes sick On the
wall are list of the names and a full
description of all the inmates of the cattery
and a set of rules to be observed by both
the cats and their attendants. These rules
are not ignored, and it is a tribute to the
intelligence of the cat to see how carefully
pussy can become amenable to discipline
if once given to understand OF what that
discipline consists
'"Then there is a garden cattery. I think
this is the prettiest of ALL 1t Is covered
with roses and Ivy. In this there are three
rooms, provided with shelves and all other
conveniences which can add to the cats
comfort and amusement.
considerable attention is paid to the food
for my cats, which is varied as much as
possible. One day we will have most ap-
petizing bowls Of fish and rice. At the
proper time you can see these standing
ready in the cat kitchen to be distributed.
Another day these bowls will be filled with
minced meat In the very hot weather a
good deal of vegetable matter is mixed with
the food. Swiss milk is given, so there is
no fear of its turning sour. For some time
l have kept goat on the premises, the
milk from which is given to the delicate or
younger kittens.
Cleanliness is a great feature of the cat
terry. My experience with the Persians in
particular has been that they are naturally
IN their personal habits of that same de-
gree of daintiness that distinguishes the
human of the class that is better bred
And 1 cannot say that the Siamese are less
to be admired in this particular and it is
interesting to see that, in spite of the wide
difference in the breeds, they meet on a
common ground of aristocracy, feline
though it be-"