"It is often impossible to decide the ultimate colour of a kitten's eyes until it is four months old. They vary very much, sometimes giving one the impression that they are green, and perhaps a few days afterwards one discovers them to be yellow ! As these cats become better known they naturally increase in popularity, and I should not be surprised to hear of several well-established kennels of this breed in the immediate future.

"It is many' years ago since I first made acquaintance with this breed ; but I find I made no notes at the time, so cannot give full particulars. In 1889, however, I purchased a smooth blue, whose owner declared her to be a Siamese - she certainly resembled a puma-shaped Siamese in her body outline and movements - and I believe I entered her in the stud book as such. 'Dwina' won many prizes at Crystal Palace and other shows in' any variety' classes, was a most faithful creature, reared many families, and lived until June,

1901. In 1890 I owned a very pretty soft-looking blue female - she was, in fact, a blue tabby (one of Canon Girdlestone's breed); also a male of the same variety. They had evidently been the victims of tape-worm for a considerable period, and finally succumbed owing to the presence of these odious parasites in overwhelming numbers. That same year 'Kola' - a very pretty blue-and-white female - became mine. She was imported from Kola, and after changing hands more than once whilst at sea she was finally exchanged at the London Docks for a leg of mutton ! A very lovable little cat was 'Kola,' with very round face and very soft fur. She lived until November, 1900, and evidently died from old age, becoming feeble and toothless, but quite able to enjoy the soft food that was specially prepared for her. These two old pets - 'Dwina' and 'Kola' - were a great loss, after twelve and ten years 'companionship.' Ling-popo' - an extremely beautiful blue - was imported from Archangel, very sound in colour, rather long in face and legs, sleek, sinuous, and graceful, peculiarly lethargic in her-movements, and dainty in her deportment. I bought her in 1893, when she was seven months old.

Unfortunately, a disease of the kidneys carried her off when in the flower of her existence.' Moscow' (1893) was a very successful blue Russian sire of many kittens; he won many first and special prizes ; he died in 1897, during my absence from home. In 1895 Lady Marcus Beresford presented me with a very handsome kitten - a male - with a very thick yet close coat, and very compact in shape.

Mrs. Carew Cox's "Yula." 'Olga' came to me in 1893 or 1894, and still lives ; she was imported, and has been a great winner in her time, but is getting an old cat now. She is the mother of my stud cat 'Bayard,' who was born in 1898, and whose sire was' King Vladimir." Fashoda' was born in 1896, and was imported ; she is a large, strong cat, and a winner of many prizes.

'Odessa' is a daughter of' Fashoda' by 'Blue Gown.'

'Yula' came to me in 1901, and was imported from Archangel.' Sing Sing' (neuter) is the cat that as a kitten had the peculiar black stripes down his spine alluded to previously He was born on Easter Monday, 1899, a son of 'Fashoda' and 'Muchacho.' He has two toes off one of his hind feet - the result of a heavy weight falling upon his foot when a kitten ; he suffered greatly from shock, and every day for three weeks he paid visits to the doctor, who dressed his foot, having previously amputated the toes. The little fellow had a sad time, but he does not miss his toes now.

"'Muchacho,' the stud cat that has sired so many winning kittens, is a son of Mrs. Herring's (late)' Champion Roguey' and my (late)' Lingpopo.' I sold him as a kitten, but after two people had had him I again became his owner, and now he will never leave me until he is called to the' happy hunting grounds' that I hope, and think, must be prepared for all faithful creatures somewhere 'beyond the veil.' "

In America the classification given for these cats at the Beresford Cat Club show is " Blue or Maltese," but I have not heard of any ardent fanciers of this breed over the water. More will be written on the so-called Maltese cat by one well qualified to give information later on in this work.

Lady Alexander Of Ballochmyle (Photo: Lafayette, Ltd.)

I have always been told what delightful pets these blues become, being extremely intelligent and affectionate. Mrs. Bagster, the Cat Club's hon. secretary, owns a splendid fellow - one of Mrs. Carew Cox's well-known strain. At the time of writing there is no specialist club for short-haired blues, but they are included in the list of the British Cat Club, founded by those ardent supporters of the short-haired breeds, Sir Claud and Lady Alexander. No standard of points has been drawn up for these cats, but the following definitions are descriptive of the two types exhibited at our shows

British Blue (Short-Hair)

Head

Round and flat, with good space between the ears, which are small and well set on.

Shape

Cobby in build, round quarters, and good in bone substance.

Coat

Short and close, of sound blue colour throughout. Legs and feet shade lighter in colour, with no bars or markings.

Eyes

Deep orange in colour.

Russian Blue

Head longer in formation, has space between the ears, more prominent in ears, and well-tapered face ; fairly round under the cheek bone, thin, falls away under the eye.

Comes out rather longer in back. Less bone substance.

Colour same as the British short-hair, with no bars or markings.

Eyes deep orange colour.

"Ballochmyle Champion Brother Bumf."