1879 – The Happy Family

“The Happy Family” is a recurring theme in the work of Harrison Weir, in most cases but not all, including a cat and a multitude of other small animals grouped together, either voluntarily as in this case, or sometimes forced to share a cage. Generally it was to demonstrate that a number of “natural enemies” could quite happily co-habitate, and sometimes form unusual and strong bonds. This image is from “Anecdotes in Natural History” by Rev. F.O.Morris, published by S W Partridge & Co, in 1879. Available currently in A4 and A3.