SIAMESE CATS.
I have often remarked at our cat shows that strangers in the fancy
will inquire and ask to be directed to the Siamese class, and many and
varied are the exclamations of surprise and admiration expressed by
them on seeing, perhaps for the first time, a row of Siamese cats
seated in their pens. Nor is it always necessary to direct visitors to
the Siamese classes, for generally these animals will betray their
whereabouts by the unique tone of their voice, which is
distinguishable at a great distance.
There is certainly a great fascination about this peculiar breed of
cats, which is yearly becoming more popular and fashionable. But
fanciers are also learning a lesson in the school of experience, where
frequently the fees are high, that they dare not trust their valuable
specimens on the show bench. Siamese cats seem to be more sensitive
than even the most delicate of long-haired breeds, and if attacked by
any of the ills that catty flesh is heir to they do not appear to have
any stamina to bear up against the ravages of the disease. Their
recuperative powers are almost nil, and they rarely pull through a
severe illness. I have never kept Siamese myself, but I have had many
opportunities of observing them in sickness and in health. I have seen
grown-up specimens go out like the snuffing of a candle with acute
pneumonia, almost before one has realised they were even ailing. These
creatures are quite human in the way they look at you with those
bonnie blue eyes, and when you talk to them they seem to answer in
their croaking voice. I can well understand what companionable cats
these may become, and to fanciers of this unique breed other cats must
appear lacking in interest and wanting in intelligence.
From time to time there have been discussions in our cat papers on
Siamese cats in general, and on their kinked or kinkless tails in
particular. It is certain that those cats known to us as royal Siamese
are not the only species in Siam, the common cat of the country being
tabby or black. So many of my friends who are fanciers and breeders of
Siamese have kindly supplied me with interesting facts concerning this
variety, that I do not intend to enter into any details, but will
state that in 1902 a Siamese Cat Club was started by several
enthusiastic admirers of this breed, and the members have certainly
done much to improve the classification at shows, by offering prizes
and guaranteeing classes.
The following is a list of the officials of the specialist club, with
a standard of points for royal Siamese cats:—
_President._—Mrs. Vary Campbell.
_Vice-Presidents._—The Lady Decies, Mrs. Vyvyan, Miss Sutherland,
The Hon. Mrs. McLaren Morrison, Mrs. Chapman, and Miss H. Cochran.
_Committee._—Mrs. Parker Brough, Mrs. Carew Cox, Miss Derby Hyde,
Mrs. C. B. Robinson, Mrs. A. Spencer, Miss Forestier-Walker, Mr.
Gambier Bolton, and Mr. C. W. Cooke.
_Hon. Treasurer._—Mrs. Parker Brough, Springfield, Kettering.
_Hon. Secretary._—Miss Forestier-Walker.
_Hon. Auditor._—Conrad W. Cooke.
STANDARD OF POINTS FOR THE “ROYAL” SIAMESE CAT.
_Body Colour._—As light and even as possible, cream being most
desirable, but fawn also admissible, without streaks, bars,
blotches, or any other body markings.
_Points_, _i.e._ mask, ears, legs, feet, and tail, dark and clearly
defined, of the shade known as “seal” brown.
_Mask._—Complete, _i.e._ connected by tracings with the ears,
neither separated by a pale ring (as in kittens) nor blurred and
indistinct, the _desideratum_ being to preserve the “marten face,”
an impression greatly aided by a good mask.
_Eyes._—Bright and decided blue.
_Coat._—Glossy and close lying.
_Shape._—Body rather long, legs proportionately slight.
_Head._—Rather long and pointed.
[Illustration:
THE GARDEN CATTERY AT BISHOPSGATE.
(_Photo: Cassell & Company, Limited._)
]
_General Appearance._—With points emphasised above, a somewhat
curious and striking looking cat, of medium size; if weighty, not
showing bulk, as this would detract from the admired “svelte”
appearance. In type, in every particular, the reverse of the ideal
short-haired domestic cat, and with properly preserved contrasts of
colour, a very handsome animal, often also distinguished by a kink
in the tail.
_Remarks._—While admitting that blues, blacks, whites, tabbies, and
other coloured cats may be also cats of Siam, these being common to
all parts of the world, this club recognises only as Siamese cats
those cats the points of which conform to the above standard, and
is, in fact, desirous of encouraging the breeding of those
particular cats first made known to British fanciers as the “royal”
Siamese.
The points of the “chocolate” Siamese are the same as above, with
the exception of body colour.
VALUE OF POINTS.
Body colour 20
Shape 10
Coat 10
Head 10
Eyes 20
Mask 15
Density of points 15
———
Total 100
Any cat failing to obtain 75 of the above marks shall not be
eligible for the club’s challenge prizes and medals.
It was shortly after the formation of the Siamese Cat Club that the
following letter appeared in _Fur and Feather_:—
POINTS OF THE SIAMESE.
The committee of the Siamese Club wish to draw attention to the
unfortunate diversity of opinion concerning Siamese cats expressed
in articles which appear from time to time in some of the papers
which devote a portion of their issue to cat news. One great object
of the Siamese Club is to encourage the distinct breeding of the
royal cat of Siam and also of the chocolate cat of Siam—both
beautiful in their own way, but recognised as distinct breeds. The
Siamese Club is young, and not infallible; but, containing as it
does most of the principal breeders and exhibitors, its committee
would like to record their opinion on some few points which have
appeared in the Press, in order to avoid a silence which might be
construed as consent. With regard to colour, they cannot agree that
a royal can be too light in body colour, nor can they endorse “we
like a rich cream body, chocolate saddle, and the points glossy
black, shading away to chocolate.” Another paper advises the mating
of royal Siamese with the chocolate variety. It is true that the
young kittens are very pretty, but after six months old quickly
become dark and blurred. The great beauty of royal Siamese is the
contrast between the sharply defined, deepest brown markings and a
body of as light a cream as possible. A third paper gives the
information that an exhibitor known to it has bred prize-winning
Siamese from a cross between a white cat with blue eyes and a
Siamese queen. It also mentions another case where such crossing has
produced good Siamese kittens, and thinks that many other people
have, with more or less success, followed the same tactics. The
above experiment has often been tried, purposely and accidentally,
but no case is known to the writers where the result has been
anything like Siamese, the kittens always favouring the English
parent. All Siamese are born white, and therefore if the children of
one white parent died quite young such a mistake might be natural.
It certainly would be very unfair to sell such kittens, as their
progeny would inherit, and might pass on, an English parentage, not
even necessarily white. A white is, or may be, merely an albino
variety.—(Signed) A. Forestier-Walker, Jean A. Spencer, May
Robinson, L. Parker Brough, S. E. Backhouse, Constance Carew Cox.
[Illustration:
MRS. ROBERTS LOCKE, WITH “CALIF,” “SIAM,” AND “BANGKOK.”
(_Photo: S. S. Finley, Chicago._)
]
Miss Forestier-Walker and Mrs. Vyvyan were amongst the first to
introduce Siamese cats into England, and they have always owned a
direct descendant from the first and famous “Tiam-o-Shian,” and many
are the prize-winners they have reared and shown from this celebrated
strain. Miss Forestier-Walker has frequently acted as judge of
Siamese, and took a very active part in the formation of the
specialist club for this breed. She has kindly furnished me with the
following notes, and given me some photographs of Mrs. Vyvyan’s cats:—
[Illustration:
“SI.”
THE PROPERTY OF W. MARGETSON, ESQ.
(_Photo: H. J. Comley, Stroud._)
]
“Siamese cats were first introduced into England about twenty-five
years ago, but were not often seen until a few years later. Among the
earliest were those belonging to Sir Robert Herbert, Lady Dorothy
Nevill, the Rev. S. Baring-Gould, Mrs. Cunliffe Lee, Mrs. Vyvyan, and
myself. Since then they have become fairly common.
“There are two distinct varieties in the present day. (1) The royal
cat of Siam, cream-coloured in body, with sharply defined seal-brown
markings on head, ears, legs, feet, and tail; eyes a decided blue. The
cats generally become darker after two years old, but where great care
has been taken in breeding the true royal cats keep the light colour
longer. In any case the body colouring should be even, not blotched or
striped. The larger, lighter-coloured cats have china or ultramarine
blue eyes; the more slender, darker cats have deeper-coloured eyes.
(2) The chocolate cats are deep brown in colour, showing hardly any
markings, and have blue eyes.
“All Siamese kittens are white when born, but in a few days slight
markings appear on tail, ears, and paws, and by four months old the
markings are dark and complete, excepting those which connect the face
and head; these are seldom perfect before eight months old.
“The tails are sometimes straight, which is not a fault; but a knot or
kink in the tail is a peculiarity of the breed, and therefore
desirable. In England it has been asserted that this is a defect, but
in Siam it is highly prized, and cats from the royal palace which have
been given by the King as presents of value to important people have
had this distinction. In the East a cat with a kinked tail fetches a
higher price.
[Illustration:
“TIAM-O-SHIAN IV.”
OWNED BY MRS. VYVYAN.
(_Photo: Speight, Kettering._)
]
“The Siamese have a great affection for animals, and there is no doubt
that the cats are much valued, those in the royal palace having been
kept exceptionally pure.
“There is a legend that the light-coloured cats, with blue eyes,
represent silver; the dark cats, with yellow eyes, gold; and that the
possessor of both will always have plenty. This rather gives the idea
that originally the eyes of the pure chocolate cat were yellow, and
that the present variety has been crossed with the royal cat.
“Mr. Young, of Harrogate, had some years ago a chocolate cat with
yellow eyes.
“Another belief is that they receive the souls of their owners at
death, and it is well known that the King of Siam had one on board his
yacht when visiting Europe a few years ago.
[Illustration:
“IT.”
OWNED BY LADY MARCUS BERESFORD.
(_Photo: Russell & Sons, Windsor._)
]
“It is a great mistake to mix the varieties, as the result after they
become adult is a blurring of the markings and a patchy coat.
“The males are extremely powerful, and will kill strange cats and
fight dogs. They are devoted to their wives and children, and to their
owners. They are exceedingly intelligent. With the dogs of the house
they will be on excellent terms.
“The litters vary in size, but four to five is the usual number. The
kittens are difficult to rear, as they suffer from worms and teething,
but after seven or eight months old there is little danger. Some
people think a meat diet best, but I find it satisfactory to bring
them up on lighter food, such as Ridge’s food, milk, gravy, and fish,
until they begin to cut their teeth, when meat is required.
“A pair from the Palace were given to Mrs. Vyvyan and myself in
1884–5, and we have been very careful in breeding, mating when
possible with such good cats as Mrs. Lee’s celebrated ‘Meo,’ Miss
Moore’s ‘Siam,’ Mrs. Harrington’s ‘Mechi,’ etc, and have bred in
consequence the famous ‘Tiam-o-Shians’ II., III., and IV.,
‘Polyphema,’ ‘Susa,’ ‘Kitya Kara,’ ‘Goblin,’ ‘Champion Eve,’
‘Mafeking,’ ‘Vishuddha,’ ‘Ah Choo,’ ‘Suzanne,’ and many others.”
Among fanciers and importers of Siamese cats in the past, I may
mention the Hon. Mrs. McLaren Morrison, Lady O’Malley, Lady Decies,
Mrs. Brodie, Mr. Temple, Mr. Gambier Bolton, Miss Moore, Mrs. Elliott
Hill, Mrs. Cunliffe Lee (owner of the celebrated “Meo”), and Mrs.
Carew Cox, who later in this article will give some account of her
“King Kesho” and the breed with which her name is still associated.
Mrs. Herring has exhibited good specimens from time to time. Mrs.
Chapman’s “Wally Pug” used to cross the Irish Channel to visit English
cat shows. Mr. Young and Mr. Inman, both of Harrogate, favoured this
breed, and had some lovely cats. Mrs. Nield owned a charming little
female named “Mintha-mee”; and Miss Sutherland, who lives in the south
of France, used to breed a lot of good Siamese from her imported
“Prince of Siam.” Several of her breeding have been sold in England,
and have won at shows. Mrs. Patton Bethune has often exhibited, and is
an ardent admirer of the breed. Mrs. Parker Brough, in whose care
“Tiam-o-Shian IV.” is placed by Mrs. Vyvyan, is well known as a
Siamese breeder, as is also Mrs. Spencer, of Eye Vicarage, who exports
quite a number of cats; one of her breed—owned by Mr. E. Ratcliffe—is
a beautiful animal. Mrs. Vary Campbell, the president of the Siamese
Club, is a generous supporter of the breed. Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Hawkins
have always had some fine specimens; and Mrs. Hankey, Miss H. Cochran,
Miss Derby Hyde, and Miss Armitage are among others who owned some
notable Siamese cats. Mrs. Backhouse’s “Champion Eve” was a
distinguished prize-winner, and Mrs. Robinson’s “Ah Choo” was chosen
as a model for the medal of the Siamese Club. But it is chiefly as the
owner of the celebrated “Champion Wankee” that Mrs. Robinson is known
in the cat fancy in general, and among Siamese breeders in particular.
“Wankee” was the first Siamese to win the title of “Champion.” He was
bred in Hong-Kong, his mother—“Nims”—being a stolen palace kitten.
“Wankee” was six months old when he arrived in England: and was born
in September, 1895. He has won over thirty prizes, but was never shown
till June, 1898, therefore losing the time in which most Siamese cats
gain their honours—namely, between six months and two years, when they
are pale in colour of coat.
[Illustration:
MR. RATCLIFFE’S SIAMESE.
(_Photo: Hartley, Burnley._)
]
Many are the prize kittens he has sired, too numerous to mention. Mrs.
Robinson, who is a member of the National Cat Club committee, has
frequently acted as a judge of Siamese, and has kindly written the
following account for this chapter:—
“One of the most beautiful of the short-haired cats is undoubtedly the
royal cat of Siam, and the breed is greatly increasing in popularity;
but is never likely to be common, as the cats are delicate in this
country. The best description is that drawn up by the Siamese Cat Club
in their standard of points. The points of the chocolate Siamese are
the same as the royal, with the exception of body colour, which is a
dark rich brown all over, thus making the markings less noticeable.
All Siamese cats darken with age, and when they get dark there is a
tendency to call them chocolates. I know of only one real
chocolate—Mr. C. Cooke’s ‘Zetland Wanzies’—so consider them more
likely to be a freak than a distinct variety.
“Of the royals there seem to be two types in England: the one—rather a
small, long-headed cat, with glossy, close-lying coat and deep blue
eyes, and with a decided tendency to darken with age—is generally the
imported cat or having imported parents; the other is a larger cat,
with a rounder head, a much thicker, longer, and less close-lying
coat, and the eyes a paler blue (these cats do not darken as much or
as soon as the other type, and have generally been bred for several
generations in England).
“The kittens are born absolutely white, and in about a week a faint
pencilling comes round the ears, and gradually all the points come. At
four or five months they are lovely, as generally they retain their
baby whiteness, which contrasts well with their almost black ears,
deep brown markings, and blue eyes. Some kittens are much longer than
others in getting dense, these making the lightest cats.
“This breed is said to be kept very carefully in the palace in
Bangkok—hence the title ‘royal’—and is by no means the common cat of
Siam. One gentleman (a missionary), who had lived there fifteen years,
had during that time seen only three. A few years ago there was a pair
of these cats in the Zoological Gardens at Bangkok, but they were very
poor specimens.
“They have occasionally been given by the King as presents of great
value, and several pairs have come to England in this way; also
kittens have undoubtedly been stolen from the palace from time to
time.
“There is a legend that these cats were kept exclusively and with
great care in the King’s palace, as resting places for royal souls.
The Siamese are Buddhists, and consequently believe in the
transmigration of souls; but with the growth of Western ideas and
Western scepticism I doubt this being admitted.
“They are very intelligent, almost doggy in their ways, and very
affectionate, but not universally friendly. The males are great
fighters, and freely use their terrible voices; but they are well
suited for house pets, as they seem happiest with their human friends.
“The first specimens were brought to England about twenty-five or
thirty years ago, and Mr. Harrison Weir says that among those who
possessed them were Lady Dorothy Nevill, whose cats were ‘imported and
presented by Sir R. Herbert of the Colonial Office. The late Duke of
Wellington imported the breed, also Mr. Scott of Rotherfield.’”
[Illustration:
LADY MARCUS BERESFORD’S “URSULA.”
(_Photo: E. Landor, Ealing._)
]
Miss Armitage, of Chaseleyfield, Pendleton, has sent me some charming
photographs of her pets. She writes:—
“I have very few cats at present; I lost so many beautiful Siamese
last year, and I think I made rather a mistake in having their skins
made into mats! ‘Cora,’ the mother of my Siamese cats and kits, is
still a beauty, and I really think she improves with age; and though
her eyes are not all I could wish for in colour, yet her kittens have
always had the desired tone of blue. I have now a lovely daughter of
‘Cora’ and ‘Champion Wankee,’ aged nine months. When she was a few
hours old I put her to be fostered by our old English garden tabby,
who makes her headquarters in the greenhouse. This kitten has never
had a day’s illness. She leads a wild life, catching birds and mice,
and nibbling the tips off the ferns—much to the gardener’s annoyance.
I am hoping to send her to our next National Cat Club show, if I can
catch her that day, but she is generally up a tree when wanted!
“I find the way to succeed in breeding and rearing Siamese kittens is
to only keep a few. I strongly believe in putting them forth into
cottage homes. Distemper spreads like wildfire amongst this breed, and
it is heartrending to lose whole litters at once. It is strange how
much stronger the females are than the males. I have never lost a
female kitten yet; but, alas! many a promising male.”
I remember a beautiful male bred by Miss Armitage that she exhibited
at one of the Manchester shows. “Sam Sly” was as near perfection as
possible, and after taking everything in the way of prizes, medals,
and championships this fine fellow came home and died! Mrs. Spencer,
of Eye Vicarage, to whom I have alluded as a Siamese fancier, has bred
so many large litters of kits that I wrote to ask if she would kindly
give me and my readers the benefit of some of her experience in
rearing young Siamese. She writes in reply:—
“My ‘Royal Siam’ came from the royal palace, and I consider him a
splendid specimen. I did not breed from him until he was between three
and four years old, which may be one of the reasons why all the
kittens by him are so wonderfully strong and healthy. He has never
ailed anything since I have had him. I have never placed him at stud,
but have allowed a few friends to send their queens to visit him.
Neither have I ever exhibited him, for he is far too precious a pet to
be allowed to run any risks. My queen ‘Princess Maimowne’ is also a
fine strong cat, a daughter of Mrs. Carew Cox’s ‘King Kesho’; and many
are the prize-winners bred from these two. I heat my catteries during
the day in winter, and at night in cold weather I give the cats a hot
stone bottle in their sleeping boxes, for it is the damp and cold of
our English winter nights which are so dangerous. The windows of my
catteries face south, and this is important in rearing Siamese. I
always allow my cats an abundance of fish; this I give—mixed with
bread soaked in water—twice a day, with another meal of something
different, thus making three meals a day. I boil all the milk.
Sometimes I give a little cod-liver oil over their food—with very
beneficial results. If the kittens have bad colds or any trifling
ailment, I indulge them with a little finely cut up raw beef. I have
been breeding Siamese for over five years, and I have only lost one
kitten of my own rearing. I think the reason of my success is that I
never pass over the most trifling symptom of illness, and it is very
necessary to take the temperature of Siamese at the slightest sign of
sickness. I send a great number of kittens away to purchasers, and I
am most particular in the way I pack the kits for their journey. The
basket outside should be covered with thick brown paper, leaving just
a square piece in the lid for ventilation. Inside I line with new
house flannel, and place a soft cushion at the bottom, and if very
cold weather I put an indiarubber hot-water bottle under the cushion.
If the cats have to pass through London, I arrange with the District
Messengers Company to meet the cat and convey it to its destination or
to another station. Thus dangerous delays are avoided at a very little
cost.”
As everyone knows, Lady Marcus Beresford has always been especially
fond of Siamese cats, and many splendid specimens have inhabited the
Bishopsgate cat cottage. At present “King of Siam” and “Khoula,” and a
quaint little female called “It,” represent this breed. In the days
gone by “Tachin” and “Cambodia” were the admired of all admirers, and
I doubt if ever a more perfect pair has landed on these shores. These
cats were given to Lady Marcus Beresford twelve years ago by the late
Lord William Beresford, who brought them straight from the palace at
Bangkok. Lady Marcus writes:—
“I never once had any trouble or anxiety with them—dear, gentle,
friendly little people, so clever and attractive. I have never seen
any I have so admired. They had many fine, healthy litters, scattered
about now amongst various friends. My success all round was great with
them—no illness of any kind, till one day a fiend poisoned both
‘Tachin’ and ‘Cambodia,’ and some of their six months kittens. I have
replaced them with some bred in England; and my opinion is that, as a
rule, the imported ones are much the stronger. A pair of Siamese
imported from the temple at Bangkok I purchased from Mrs. Vary
Campbell, and had the great misfortune to lose them. They differed
from the royal Siamese, being darker and having a more pointed head
and face, and their eyes were larger and fuller.
“I consider that Siamese cats are much cleverer than other breeds, and
with patience can be taught several clever tricks. I intend to go in
more largely for them in the future.”
[Illustration:
MISS ARMITAGE’S “CORA.”
(_Photo: Salmon & Batchan, New Bond Street, W._)
]
Several of Lady Marcus Beresford’s Siamese found their way into Mr.
and Mrs. Hawkins’ possession, and were exhibited from time to time,
always gaining great distinction. Mrs. Hawkins possesses a daughter of
“Tachin,” and so hopes to keep up this unique strain. Mrs. Hawkins has
some of the best arranged and very solidly built catteries at
Brighton, of which I give an illustration. These are specially adapted
for the breeding of Siamese and silvers, the two varieties which find
favour at Shalimar. A long experience with Siamese enables Mrs.
Hawkins to write with authority, and I give her notes as given to me
for the benefit of my readers:—
“The first thing you have to consider with regard to these animals is
that when newly imported they are naturally delicate, and must be
hardened off, so to speak, just as our delicate foreign birds have to
be; that is to say, you cannot treat them at first as you would our
ordinary fireside cats. If you are fortunate enough to pick up newly
imported ones, even if you have to pay a good price for them, they
will prove a good investment; and perhaps you may be able to get some
from one of our numerous cat fanciers, though they are very scarce at
present and difficult to obtain. My advice is to get the best possible
pair, and let them breed in the spring in the house, if you can let
them have a spare room, which need not be warmed in any way. Leave the
mother quietly with the kittens; and, having provided a warm bed and
bedding for them previously, leave them to nature as much as possible,
just going in now and then to see that all is going on all right, and
giving the mother warm milk, etc., and coaxing her to get used to you.
“Siamese cats are particularly gentle and affectionate, and if you are
kind to them they soon get to know and love you. It is a pity their
nature is not more copied by human beings—then we should not have so
much dissension and wrangling in our cat fancy. But this is a
digression! As the kittens get on it is as well to have a warm place
outside prepared ready for them; but do not put them out too soon, and
if any show the slightest suspicion of cold they must be brought in
and allowed to get over it completely before being turned out in the
garden or outhouses, with the others.
“My own Siamese kittens were born in a cat house in my garden at
Brighton, but they were June kittens, so by that time we were having
very nice weather. The father and mother I had as kittens; I pulled
them through their baby ailments successfully, and as soon as the
weather was propitious and sunny I put them in their outside houses.
Siamese and chinchilla kittens (both of which I go in for) must be
hardened off gradually. They are just like English children brought
from abroad, who have to be carefully nurtured at first and trained to
get used to our English climate.
“What we want is to establish a really healthy, strong strain of
Siamese in England, and by following the above suggestions I think it
is possible to do it—not without difficulty, as, of course, it takes a
little time and trouble (like everything else), but what is worth
having is worth trying for.
“I may say I won with my Siamese at Brighton shows every time I
exhibited them, and am now starting breeding them again; and I think
that everyone who will have the patience to go in for this charming
variety will find themselves well repaid, as the kittens command £5 to
£10 each if successfully reared, and sometimes more. Of course, one
must keep a careful watch over their diet, and not over-feed (this is
a great point, as they will contract skin diseases if you do); but all
these things apply as much to all cats, and I cannot see why Siamese
should be more difficult to breed and establish thoroughly in England
than other cats. One of mine, a female, is out now (and has been all
the winter) in a brick cat house, and is perfectly well. I have been
told Siamese are so delicate that people cannot rear them. This is
often the fault of the people themselves, for if they will not take a
little trouble over animals they cannot expect to make money by them.
By this I do not mean fussing and worrying your servants over them.
Look after them yourselves, see that they are all right every day (a
good feed twice a day is quite sufficient), and then your Siamese will
soon be as healthy and strong as your other cats. All the points of a
good Siamese are so well known that I need not touch upon them here.
Start with a good strain, be careful, be patient, and you will be
rewarded in the end.”
[Illustration:
PAIR OF SIAMESE BELONGING TO MRS. ARMITAGE.
(_Photo: Salmon & Batchan, New Bond Street, W._)
]
I have mentioned Mrs. Parker Brough as a breeder of Siamese cats, and
I am indebted to her for the following account of her favourite
breed:—
“A peculiarity of royal Siamese is that the kittens are born quite
white, and at about fourteen days the points begin to look rather
grey, turning at two months to a deep seal-brown, while the rest of
the body usually remains white or cream for at least a couple of years
(the whiskers and claws remain white). The colouring process resembles
nothing so much as that of a meerschaum pipe. There are distinct
varieties of Siamese known to fanciers—the palace or royal cat, the
temple cat (chocolate), and there is likewise the common cat of the
country, which is also found within the palace. The points of the
chocolate cat are identical for shows with those of the royal except
body colour, but the imported chocolate is often dark chocolate, with
blue eyes, stumpy tail with a marked kink, short legs, and heavy,
thick body. There are not many chocolates exhibited, owing to the
preference given to the royal variety.
“It must be understood that there is no definite royal breed as such,
but the palace breed seems to have originated by selection. The
Siamese as a nation are lovers of anything quaint or uncommon, and the
white-bodied cats in Bangkok seem to have been given to, or bought by,
the inhabitants of the palace, until they have established a breed of
their own, and reproduced the cat that fanciers know to-day as the
royal cat of Siam. This should explain a point which has given rise to
much controversy, as travellers agree that other cats than royal
Siamese are to be found inside the palace, yet the King and Prince
Damurong have given from time to time royal Siamese to friends,
naturally choosing for a present the cat that has the most value in
their eyes. That is to say, that the term ‘royal Siamese’ or ‘royal
cat of Siam’ is a descriptive term applied to a particular variety of
cat, and should imply no more than this. We have a parallel case in
‘King Charles spaniels.’ The temple cat is under the care of the Jan
priests, who have the greatest reverence for animal life, and whose
temple is a sanctuary for all animals.
“Those who have kept Siamese will readily understand that, given a
climate to suit them, only one breed of cat would be left in the
temple—_i.e._ the Siamese, for this breed is distinguished as much by
its pluck and activity as by hatred for any other breed of cat. The
common cat of Siam is very much the same as anywhere else, except that
the Malay kink in the tail is to be found in many of them. Until
recently the Siamese was but little known in Europe, but occasionally
was to be found in the various zoological gardens. At present there is
a fine female specimen to be seen at the Zoo at Frankfort-on-the-Main,
having been purchased from the King of Roumania. One or two are to be
seen at Berlin, and we understand some are to be seen at the Hague.
London has the first one it has had for six years, but it is not shown
owing to its want of condition.
“A point on which the Siamese fancy is divided is whether the ideal
cat should have a kink in the tail or not. The Club remains neutral.
‘Champion Wankee’ has a decided kink, looking, in fact, as though the
tail had been caught in a door in his early youth. ‘Tiam-o-Shian IV.,’
on the contrary, has none. This kink is a peculiarity of the animals
of the Malay Peninsula, and sometimes is so marked, as to make the
tail appear like a corkscrew, though others of the same litter may
have quite straight tails. There is a peculiarity in breeding
Siamese—_i.e._ the rarity of female kittens in a litter, the average
seeming to be five males to two females. This may be due to the
artificial lives so often led by these cats; and, if so, corroborates
the theory of Herr Schenk, the Austrian doctor, of the probabilities
of sex at birth. Three of the most noted male cats exhibited in
England have been Mrs. Robinson’s ‘Champion Wankee,’ Mrs. Vyvyan’s
‘Tiam-o-Shian IV.,’ and Mrs. Parker Brough’s ‘Koschka.’ Probably Mrs.
Backhouse’s ‘Champion Eve’ and Mrs. Vyvyan’s ‘Polyphema’ were the best
females exhibited. ‘Koschka’ was, perhaps, the finest cat we ever saw,
having eyes of the most glorious blue imaginable. ‘Koschka’ died after
the Westminster show of 1900. Owners run a great risk in sending their
Siamese (especially kittens) to shows, as in addition to being more
liable to take cold, are apt to fret themselves ill at being separated
from their mistresses. Many fanciers are leaving off showing Siamese
for that reason—for instance, the Siamese classes were cancelled at
the Westminster show of 1903 owing to lack of entries.
“It is hard to say how they should be kept and how they should be fed.
Some Siamese thrive by being treated just the same as ordinary cats,
but they are few and far between. We have known cats which have been
allowed to run about in the snow, and in and out of draughts, and
remain perfectly healthy; and others, who seem quite strong as long as
they are taken care of, catch cold and die if they get their feet wet.
However, if their cattery is kept constantly at a temperature of 50
degrees, and they are fed on scraped beef, milk (without boracic acid
or preservative), water, and vegetables they seem to do better than
under any other conditions. Personally, we have two catteries—indoor
and outdoor. The indoor one is fitted up with ‘foster mothers,’ as
used for chickens, on legs about three feet from the ground. We find
this very necessary owing to the draughts on the floor. The rooms can
be quickly warmed to any temperature required, even in the depth of
winter. We like our grown-up cats loose about the house, but it is
impossible to allow kittens their full liberty when there are many of
them, as they are bound to get into mischief and do much damage to the
furniture, climbing up curtains and breaking ornaments on mantelpieces
and scratching leather, etc. Of course, they are allowed downstairs a
portion of every day when their mistress is able to look after them.
They are most fascinating, frolicsome little creatures. The outdoor
catteries—for use in summer—consist of a house and greenhouse, with
covered runs leading from them, and so arranged that any or every cat
can be isolated at will. These arrangements have taken a great deal of
anxiety off our shoulders.
“This breed is certainly the noisiest, least dignified, most
intelligent, and most active of all the cats. They are doglike in
their nature, and can be easily taught to turn back somersaults, and
to retrieve, and in the country take long walks like a terrier.
[Illustration:
MRS. ROBINSON’S “AH CHOO.”
BRED BY MRS. VYVYAN.
(_Photo: E. Landor, Ealing._)
]
“If they think it is meal-time and they fancy themselves neglected,
they cry like children. The points of the perfect royal Siamese lie in
the eyes, which should be a most perfect blue, and the contrast
between the seal-brown of the paws, mask, and tail and the white or
cream of the rest of the body, which should _not_ be disfigured by
bars or blotches. Age should be taken into consideration in judging
this contrast. There are many beautiful kittens shown that we never
hear of again after they have grown up, age having blurred their
coats, thereby making the contrast less defined.
[Illustration:
MRS. ROBINSON’S “CHAMPION WANKEE.”
(_Photo: E. Landor, Ealing._)
]
“For travelling short distances there are few better travelling cases
than a Canadian cheese box, with holes bored in the side. They are
cheap (say 4d.), light, and damp and draught proof, and can be burnt
after once using.”
It will be gathered from the accounts given by Siamese fanciers that
these cats, though delicate, with the exercise of care may be reared
like ordinary ones of other breeds. Miss Cochran is very emphatic on
this point. She says:—
“If Siamese are treated like common English cats, given plenty of
fresh air and proper food, they are hardy and healthy; and by proper
food I mean a meat diet—raw shin of beef, and as often as possible any
kind of bird with the feathers on, or fowls’ heads and mice. The fur
and feathers act as a mechanical vermifuge. If the Siamese cats are
coddled, they will certainly die. They have naturally rather delicate
lungs, and for these fresh air is absolutely necessary; a close, hot
atmosphere and heated rooms are fatal.”
[Illustration:
“MAFEKING.”
THE PROPERTY OF MRS. VYVYAN.
(_Photo: E. Landor, Ealing._)
]
Mrs. Carew Cox I have alluded to as one of the pioneers of the Siamese
fancy, and she still remains an ardent admirer of this breed, and
often acts as judge. She has kindly written a very valuable article
specially for this work, and I have therefore great pleasure in giving
her interesting experience in this chapter on Siamese:—
“Only those who possess Siamese can understand how reluctantly a lover
of this breed takes up a pen to endeavour to do justice to its
characteristics—it is like attempting the impossible. One feels one
must step softly—so to speak—in the presence of these wonderfully
fascinating creatures, whose thoughtful yet penetrating eyes appear to
see so far and so much, whose intelligence seems almost human, and who
seldom stay with us for long. Unfortunately, these cats are difficult
to rear, the constant damp of our climate affecting their lungs and
producing frequent colds and coughs, lowering vitality and causing
debility.
“There are two recognised varieties of this breed—the royal and the
chocolate. The former is certainly the most beautiful in appearance,
the seal-brown points—sometimes black in adults—relieving the pale but
rich cream colour of the rest of the body, and the brown mask forming
a grand setting for the superbly blue eyes. The mask on the face
should circle well above the eyes, but should not extend into the ear
space; the cream colour should be in evidence beyond the circle; the
ears should be seal and well and distinctly put on—_i.e._ the seal or
brown should not merge into the cream; the legs, feet, and tail should
be of the same shade of seal, the darker the better. The tail of a
Siamese cat has been the subject of considerable discussion and
argument, some preferring the straight tail and some the kinked. The
former is surely the most to be desired for appearance sake; but the
latter undeniably adds to the quaint and foreign appearance of the
cat, and in Hong-Kong preference is given to them and higher prices
paid for ‘kinks.’ The eyes should be large and luminous, of a bright
shade of true blue, appearing flame-coloured at night or by artificial
light; good specimens are often spoilt by small eyes, pale in colour.
There appear to be two distinct types—the compactly built, short in
body, short on legs, and round in head; and the long-bodied,
long-faced, lithe, sinuous, and peculiarly foreign-looking variety. I
am informed that the small cats are held in great esteem in Siam, some
of the females being quite liliputian. It is a matter for regret that
as the cat ages the beautiful clear cream colouring becomes cloudy and
dark. There have been exceptions to this rule: the late ‘Polyphema,’
owned by Mrs. Vyvyan, retained her pale colouring and her well defined
points to the last, and was the mother of many very beautiful kittens.
Male cats are generally larger than females, and possess voices, which
demand instant attention.
[Illustration:
THE LATE “KING KESHO.”
(_Photo: Phillips, Croydon._)
]
“The chocolate Siamese are of a rich chocolate or dark seal, with
still more intense points. These cats usually possess eyes of rich
amber. I have Miss Forestier-Walker’s kind permission to utilise the
following most interesting—and hitherto unpublished—extract from a
letter received by her in October, 1902:—‘I am very pleased to write
and give you the following information _re_ Siamese cats. During a
stay of some thirteen years in the Straits Settlements I have visited
Siam on several occasions, and on one of these visits the present King
of Siam gave a friend of mine a pair of cats. These cats were what the
King called palace cats, were very valuable and perfect specimens,
with short twisted tails. It may also interest you to know that the
Siamese have a superstition about their cats, and like to have both
breeds in their houses—_i.e._ the dark, coffee-coloured ones with
yellow or golden-coloured eyes, and the cream-coloured with blue or
silver eyes. The idea is that the yellow-eyed cats will bring gold and
the blue-eyed silver, hence if you have both breeds there will always
be plenty in the house.’
[Illustration:
LADY MARCUS BERESFORD’S “CAMBODIA.”
(_Photo: E. Landor, Ealing._)
]
“I advocate that all kittens should be reared by healthy English
foster-mothers, and am convinced that if breeders would adopt this
plan we should in time succeed in establishing a far stronger breed of
cats. As matters now stand, the kittens inherit and develop any
ailment or weakness to which their mothers may be subject, so that
from the very commencement of their existence they have but little
chance of becoming strong and healthy enough to withstand our climate
of many moods.
“Plenty of sun and air they require, but damp and draughts are fatal.
All young kittens should be encouraged to take exercise; empty cotton
reels cause hours of amusement, also a rabbit’s foot tied on to string
or otherwise; corks of any description must be avoided. Large bones
should be given when the kittens are two months old—they assist the
growth of teeth; small ones, such as of game, chicken, or fish, are
dangerous. The best and safest of all is a bullock’s foot boiled down
and pulled apart; these bones will occupy kittens for a considerable
time.
“Worms cause an enormous mortality amongst Siamese, and are, I feel
convinced, at the root of nearly every ailment from which cats or
kittens suffer; therefore, however reluctant one may feel as to giving
medicine to youngsters of tender age, it is better to do this than to
run the risk of these odious parasites establishing themselves, for
they are most difficult to dislodge permanently. I have used Saunder’s
worm powders with considerable success. Of course, the dose for
kittens must be administered in minute quantity—just a small pinch
given in warm olive oil early in the morning after an all-night fast.
In giving the powder to adults I always enclose it in capsules. In
cases of weakness or exhaustion a few drops of brandy or whisky in a
teaspoonful of warm milk works wonders. It is often necessary to give
some sort of tonic after medicine of this description.
“Siamese kittens should be well fed; not much at a time, but little
and often—lean scraped beef or mutton, vegetables, stale bread and
gravy, boiled fish, rabbit, raw eggs, milk (previously boiled); in
fact, anything light and nourishing. The remains of a meal should
never be left on the floor. These kittens’ digestions are not strong,
and their intestines are most delicately formed.
“The colour of the eyes of Siamese kittens should be well determined
at eight weeks. They are most interesting and playful at this age; a
tunnel made of newspapers will afford endless amusement, and after a
long and energetic game of play they will sleep for hours. It is not
desirable to lift or handle them more than can be avoided whilst they
are very young. In cases of bad colds or coughs, a simple but usually
effective remedy is a mixture of three pennyworth of oil of almonds
and three pennyworth of syrup of violets, mixed by a chemist—a quarter
of a teaspoonful thrice daily (it is absolutely necessary to shake the
bottle thoroughly before administering the medicine). For an adult an
eggspoonful three times daily may be given. Cod-liver oil is always
safe (also the best olive oil), and helps to build up the
constitution. As a tonic I know of nothing to equal half-grain
(coated) quinine pills, given early each morning for a few days now
and again. In cases of bronchitis, Carvill’s Air Purifier (about a
teaspoonful) should be placed in boiling water, and the cat or kitten
made to inhale the steam several times daily, and particularly the
first thing in the morning and the last at night.
[Illustration:
PUGS PAYING A VISIT TO THE SIAMESE.
]
“For adults suffering from bad throat complaint and total refusal of
all food I have found no remedy to equal the following prescription,
if given in time. I have administered it with great success to
numberless cats: Forty drops Calvert’s pure carbolic acid, two drachms
spirits of wine, six ounces pure water. Not quite half a teaspoonful
to be mixed with a teaspoonful of warm milk, poured down the throat
three times daily; for very young cats a smaller quantity of the
mixture should be given. I doubt if it would be advisable to give it
to young kittens. Even if the cat does not swallow the whole dose, it
acts beneficially as a mouth-wash and disinfectant, apparently
removing an unpleasant taste and re-establishing the power to
smell—the loss of this sense often preventing a sick cat from eating.
Weak eyes, sickness, and diarrhœa are tedious ailments to which all
kittens are very subject, and to effect a permanent cure the treatment
must be very persistent.
[Illustration:
MRS. HAWKINS’ CATTERY.
]
“I do not know when Siamese were first introduced into England, but
Lady Dorothy Nevill possessed some several years ago. Sir Robert
Herbert imported some; and Miss Forestier-Walker and her sister (Mrs.
Vyvyan), who have owned and bred many beautiful specimens, first made
acquaintance with this breed in 1883, and soon afterwards were
presented with ‘Susan’ and ‘Samuel’ direct from the palace at Bangkok.
‘Tiam-o-Shian I.’ also came from Bangkok. All these cats had kinked
tails. From ‘Susan’ and ‘Tiam-o-Shian I.’—mated with Mrs. Lee’s ‘Meo,’
Mr. Harrington’s ‘Medu,’ and Miss Moore’s ‘Siam’—descended, amongst
others, the following well-known and typical cats: ‘Bangkok,’
‘Tiam-o-Shian II.,’ ‘Goblin,’ ‘Kitza Kara,’ ‘Queen Rhea,’ ‘King
Wallypug,’ ‘Prince of Siam,’ ‘Tiam-o-Shian III.,’ ‘Adam,’ ‘Eve,’
‘Cupid,’ ‘Mafeking,’ ‘Rangsit,’ ‘Vishuddha,’ ‘Tiam-o-Shian IV.,’
‘Suzanne,’ ‘Ah Choo,’ ‘Tornito,’ and ‘Evangeline.’ In awarding prizes
in the Siamese classes at the Cat Club show at Westminster in 1901 I
found ‘Suzanne’ quite the best cat present, and upon referring
subsequently to a catalogue was not surprised to find that Mrs. Vyvyan
was her owner. ‘Champion Wankee’ for a long time held his own in the
show pen, and has sired some very good kittens; but, of course, as is
usual, age has darkened him.
“Mrs. Robinson’s ‘Ah Choo’ and Mr. Cooke’s ‘Zetland Wanzes’ are
well-known cats of to-day. Lady Marcus Beresford’s ‘King of Siam’ is
imported, has glorious eyes of sapphire-blue, and sires exceptionally
good kittens; he is short on the leg, has a coat like satin and an
excellent constitution. ‘Royal Siam,’ the property of Mrs. Spencer, of
Eye Vicarage, Suffolk (who has bred some of the best kittens I have
ever seen), is a superb creature with eyes of deepest blue; he was
given to a friend of Mrs. Spencer in Siam, is a genuine royal
palace-bred specimen with bright blue eyes, a handsome cat with,
strictly typical points, and—he is never ill! Miss Harper’s (late)
‘Curly Tail,’ a daughter of ‘King Kesho,’ was an excellent example of
the breed, all her points were very good; unfortunately her life was
not of long duration—she died a victim to dropsy. It is so long ago
since I first possessed a Siamese kitten that I cannot remember from
whom I purchased her; she was a very perfect little creature,
absolutely adorable with her quaint ways appealing and yet assertive
nature.
“After her death from rapid decline I tried to put aside all thoughts
of securing another, and not until September, 1893, did I again fall a
victim to the attractions of this breed, purchasing a female of about
one year old from Zache, of Great Portland Street. I named her
‘Yuthia’; she was supposed to have been imported, had very expressive
blue eyes, and she lived until February, 1899.
“In October, 1893—immediately after the Crystal Palace show—I became
the owner of ‘Kitza Kara,’ a very perfect male, bred by Miss
Forestier-Walker, which won first prize and several medals and
specials. He also carried all before him at Bath in March, 1894.
Unfortunately, he died that year from congestion of the lungs.
“‘King Kesho,’ the well-known male (sire of many beautiful kittens), I
bought from Mr. Forsgate in 1894; he claimed descent from the Duchess
of Bedford’s, Mrs. Seton-Kerr’s, and Miss Forestier-Walker’s cats; he
had large bold eyes of a glorious shade of blue, and very dark points;
he won many prizes and specials, but died in 1897. ‘Lido,’ a male bred
by Mrs. Chapman and sired by ‘Champion Wankee,’ was descended from
some of the best of his time; he was of the long-bodied, narrow-faced
type, most graceful in his movements.
“Amongst the many females I have possessed, ‘Cameo’ was one of my
best, her pale body colour being relieved by intensely dark points;
this little pet died suddenly in July, 1896, from failure of the
heart’s action. ‘Koko’ was a very large cat, comparatively coarse in
appearance for one of this variety; she won the Duchess of Bedford’s
special at Holland Park in 1896, for the best adult Siamese. ‘Princess
To-To,’ 1900, bred by Mrs. Bennet, became a great favourite; no words
of mine could ever do justice to her remarkable individuality, her
fascinating moods, her expressive little face and sense of the comic.
She loved to be sung to sleep, closing her eyes with an unmistakable
air of enjoyment and confidence, and clearly requesting an encore when
the song ceased. I taught her to dance, and every night at ten o’clock
she frantically enjoyed prancing round the room on her hind legs.
“Alas, that these little companions to whom we are permitted to become
so deeply attached should be only lent us to brighten our weary way
for so short a period! ‘To-To’ was always very delicate, and after
lying at death’s door on several occasions she finally entered in;
with her very last breath she crept into my arms to die. ‘Yolanda,’
the female I now own, was presented to me by Mrs. Hankey, and bred, I
believe, by Mrs. Foote. She is a small cat with very blue eyes, and
has recently had a litter of five kittens by Lady Marcus Beresford’s
‘King of Siam’; these kittens all possessed the gloriously blue eyes
to which both of their parents can lay claim.
[Illustration:
“ROMEO” AND “JULIETTE.”
THE PROPERTY OF MRS. VARY CAMPBELL.
(_Photo: J. Clapperton, Galashiels._)
]
“‘Attaché’ (a neuter) was given to me in October, 1900, when six
months old, by Mrs. Spencer, of Eye Vicarage, Suffolk; he is a very
large and powerful creature, with massive limbs, and an unconquerable
antipathy to all other cats of any description, excepting only my
Russian neuter, whose presence he tolerates. So great is his aversion
to even the semblance of a cat, that he has attacked a life-size print
of an assertive-looking Persian that acted as a stove ornament in the
room he occupied during the summer months, scratching it several times
across and across, and then retiring behind it, evidently to watch the
effect from another point of view! He has large and luminous eyes, in
whose unfathomable depths linger many and varied expressions; he is of
a peculiarly jealous disposition, capable of intense devotion. In
spite of his living the life of a recluse, he is by no means a victim
of _ennui_, possessing his own special playthings, which he keeps
under one particular cushion, hunting them out when he feels inclined
to play; for so large a cat he is remarkably athletic, and as yet his
health has caused me no anxiety.
“It is highly desirable that all who own cats should keep a few simple
medicines always at hand. Personally, I am never without the remedies
previously alluded to. Delay, in neglecting to note and treat at the
very commencement certain symptoms of illness, often proves fatal,
whereas a ‘stitch in time saves nine,’ and may even save one of the
nine lives that a cat is (or was) supposed to possess.”
The love of Siamese cats has not seemed as yet to have developed in
America, and specimens of the breed are few and far between. Lady
Marcus Beresford sent out two good cats to Mrs. Clinton Locke, and I
believe several fine litters have been reared, and some fine exhibits
appeared at recent shows. I give an illustration of some of these
pets, with Mrs. Robert Locke, on page 256.
In the foregoing remarks of noted breeders of this variety many useful
hints are given, and some peculiarities of the breed mentioned. I
would, however, draw attention to a curious and rather remarkable fact
in connection with Siamese cats.
When they are ill, a sprinkling of white hairs invariably appears all
over the face and head. The bright blue of the eye vanishes, leaving
it a sort of pale opal colour. It often takes many weeks before the
cat regains its ordinary appearance. Harrison Weir, in his allusions
to Siamese, tells us that he had observed a great liking of these cats
for “the woods,” and goes on to describe them as not passing along
like an ordinary cat, but quickly and quietly creeping from bush to
bush; nor do they seem afraid of getting their feet wet—like the
feline tribe in general. The male Siamese will take a most friendly
and parental interest in the welfare of madame’s family; indeed, he
shows a great liking always to have the company of a lady, and frets
greatly when left alone.
The males are, however, antagonistic to others of their sex, and fight
with a terrible persistency. I have heard of a stalwart fellow who,
being allowed his liberty, cleared the neighbourhood of all other
wandering toms. When made neuter, Siamese become most charming home
pets, and can be taught to do tricks more easily than other cats. The
sole objection to a Siamese house cat is the trying nature of its
unmelodious voice. Siamese are rather prolific breeders, the litters
being generally large ones, and the females, as a rule, in the
minority.
I do not believe that Siamese will ever become common in England, for
many reasons. These cats are expensive to purchase, difficult to rear,
and fanciers are afraid to risk them in the show pen; but in spite of
these drawbacks, I think, as time goes on, and the Siamese Club
extends its labours, we shall see and hear more of these really
curious creatures, for what we call the royal Siamese bears no
resemblance to any other cat, and the distinguishing differences,
being so great, tend to make the breed one of our best show cats and a
clear class to itself, for the Siamese of the purest blood should not
be crossed with other cats. We have heard of “any other colour”
Siamese, but these cats of varied hue claiming to be Siamese are but
the offspring of a cross. We have been told of black and blue and
tabby Siamese; but the fanciers of Siamese look askance at these
freaks, and feel that it is worse than useless to attempt to produce
any other variety than that which we have learned by custom to
designate the Royal cat of Siam.
[Illustration:
A COSY CORNER.
(_From a Painting by Madame Ronner._)
]
[Illustration:
“ASHBRITTLE PETER.”
THE PROPERTY OF MRS. E. A. CLARK.
]