The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-05-12
WORLDS FAMOUS CATS
Great Men Have Shown Strong Pre-
diIectiOn for Feline Pets.

One OF the most pleasing traits in Dr..
JohnsOn's character was his fondness
for his cat, Hedge. Boswell admits that
he himself did not love cats and expert
enced some discomfort in their society.
sensation ne shares with other and
greater men. But" he writes. Il never
shall forget the indulgence with which
be Johnson treated Hodge. his cat. for
whom he himself used 10 go out and
buy oysters, lest the servants. having
that trouble, would take a dislike to tn
poor creature"
Nor was DR.. Johnson the only Htera-
tour with q IOndneSs for cats. Victor
Hugo had q great cat named Chanolne,
which always sat on a large req otto
man In the cen er OF his salon, and re-
ceived the novelist's guests in state.
What is more, ChanOine showed marked
displeasure II any enc failed % caress
or praise her.
Many famous Freedmen. by the way.
have shown a prediction for cats.
Rchelieu found his only relaxation IN
keeping a number o. kitters in his priv
ate cabinet ard watching their saE-OOlS
during his spare moments, while Ben
delalre, the French poet. a very shy
man, was always III at ease Ia any new
house -Ee entered until the family cat
was brought IN an0 introduced TO Lims
after which, with The cat on his knee,
ne was perfectly happy in his silent
poet fashion
The greatest cat champion was a
fTencnman. namely. Clateaubridnd.
the famous author and statesman
When Chateaubriand was made secretary
% the embassy at Rome. the Pope, Leo
AlIs gave him. as the most acceptable
gift he could offer, his own MicetJo a
, big cat OF a 2rayisn red. Earlier when
! ln exile In London, ChaJeaubrIand
Z boarded az the house OF an Irish woman.
Mrs DIARY. whose rooms sWarmed
with cats, big and small Ia the welfare
% which the good o1OUIau's ledger took
an even keener interest than herself.
Z United by this common interest he
writes. I'VE mOurned together the mis-
fortune Of losing two lovely she cats. as
white as ermines. with black tips 20
I their tails Often Chateaubriand said
/ Jh1t. before his death. he hoped 20 ''Id-
I VOc1te some works OF God despised by
man. and OF these the TWO chief were
10 be the ass and the eat.
Coming down 20 more recent times. n
might be mentioned that the fdVOTite
| pets Of Mark Twain are two cats, which
/ he has named Satin and Sin, respective
/ ly. Satin is a black cat. while Sin is O1
the tOTtOlseshel variety, and both are
I the best of friends
! II The society one. keeps is a sign OF
/ distinction. then the most distinguished
cat OF modern times Is the Marques OF
! HaddoclI, OF White Heather, names
| black feline favOrite Of Miss JanOtla
\ the famous court pianist. This cat has
! been introduced 10 more members Of
| royalty than probably any other pet in
! the world. for the MARQUES has been
/ Miss JanOtha's constant companion dur
! ing her travels.
! At The Berlin court the marques IS
/ known as OthellO. having been so re-
/ Chrlstened by the Emperor on account
/ OF its Moorish complexion Miss Jan
/ otha's pet IS such a wcil-bred cat that
even Queen Victoria made friends wltr
/ him. although her majesty did not care
/ for cats.
Mention Of marques travels calls %
/ mind that the mascot Of the White star
/ liner Majestic Is Jennie, a pet cat
! which boarded the vessel al New Eorl
| several years ago without q passenger
/ ticket
! Jennie is probably the most Travelled
4 cat in the world. She crosses the At
llantic about once every week. and as z
I weather uroplet she is considered 10 Id
the head uf the meteorological office
/ When she is seen making her toilet II is
l sure SIGN OF fine weather. n she run!
! about uucasiiy and squeals storm i'
/ coming on and when she mounts th'
I foredeck and her tail swel-s 10 the siz'
Of broom a hurricane IS AZ hand
] These signs are SO iufallible that th'
/ captain IS said 10 pay no little attention
10 Jennie's tail-Tld-Buts.