The Book, Cat, & Cat Book Lovers Almanac

of historical trivia regarding books, cats, and other animals. Actually this blog has evolved so that it is described better as a blog about cats in history and culture. And we take as a theme the advice of Aldous Huxley: If you want to be a writer, get some cats. Don't forget to see the archived articles linked at the bottom of the page.

February 21, 2012

February 21, 1905

Caroline "Cara" Hennell (June 4, 1814 to Feb. 21, 1905) married, on May 26, 1836, Charles Bray (January 31, 1811 – October 5, 1884). Bray made a prosperous living as a ribbon manufacturer. His fortune allowed him and his wife to pursue their concerns for social reform, philanthropy, philosophy, and phrenology.  Both Bray and his wife put their sentiments into action. Among Caroline's books are

Physiology for schools (1860)
Our duty to animals, (1871)
and
Paul Bradley: A Village Tale, inculating kindness to animals (1876)  which we excerpt:

...[A] cat and dog... became so attached to each other, that they would never willingly be asunder. Whenever the dog got any choice morsel of food, he was sure to divide it with his whiskered friend. They always ate sociably out of one plate, slept in the same bed, and daily walked out together.‎

And here is an excerpt from the same author's Elements of morality (1882 ):


We CANNOT EXIST ALONE. " Nothing in this world is single ; All things, by a law divine, In one another's being mingle."

This last quote may be the least fantastical of all.

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