1866 – The Two Friends

“The Two Friends” is a full page book plate taken from “Animal Sagacity”, edited by Mrs S.C.Hall, and published by S.W.Partridge, circa 1866. The accompanying anecdote tells of a lady who lived at Champion Park, Denmark Hill and used to take great pleasure in feeding in both summer and winter months, the many birds that graced her garden. This included a multitude of sparrows, robins, thrushes, finches and blackbirds. She would ensure that they also had plenty of available water, and the birds would bathe and drink from these large saucers.  She was also the owner of a very tame cat dark tabby cat, named “Beddie” who would sit in the garden under the shrubs near the house, but who showed no interest in the birds themselves. So much so that one day, when looking out of her window, the lady saw a sight that pleased her very much, as Beddie was drinking from one of the saucers, a blackbird also perched on it, and began to enjoy a cooling drink, without any sign of fear. Mr Weir, being told of the incident, put pencil to paper and produced this image of the event. The image is currently available in A4, A3 and A2 sizing options.