52 GROWTH OF THE 'ORIGIN.' [1855. 



by getting nothing.' In short, it is almost beyond the human 

 intellect to attend to all the excellencies of the Almond 

 Tumbler ! 



" To be a good breeder, and to succeed in improving any 

 breed, beyond everything enthusiasm is required. Mr. Eaton 

 has gained lots of prizes, listen to him. 



" ' If it was possible for noblemen and gentlemen to know 

 the amazing amount of solace and pleasure derived from the 

 Almond Tumbler, when they begin to understand their {i.e. 

 the tumbler's) properties, I should think that scarce any 

 nobleman or gentleman would be without their aviaries of 

 Almond Tumblers.' " 



My father was fond of quoting this passage, and always 

 with a tone of fellow-feeling for the author, though, no doubt, 

 he had forgotten his own wonderings as a child that " every 

 gentleman did not become an ornithologist." ('Autobio- 

 graphy,' p. 35.) 



To Mr. W. B. Tegetmeier, the well-known writer on poultry, 

 &c, he was indebted for constant advice and co-operation. 

 Their correspondence began in 1855, and lasted to 1881, 

 when my father wrote : " I can assure you that I often look 

 back with pleasure to the old days when I attended to 

 pigeons, fowls, &c, and when you gave me such valuable 

 assistance. I not rarely regret that I have had so little 

 strength that I have not been able to keep up old acquaint- 

 ances and friendships." My father's letters to Mr. Teget- 

 meier consist almost entirely of series of questions relating 

 to the different breeds of fowls, pigeons, &c., and are not, 

 therefore, interesting. In reading through the pile of letters, 

 one is much struck by the diligence of the writer's search for 

 facts, and it is made clear that Mr. Tegetmeier's knowledge 

 and judgment were completely trusted and highly valued by 

 him. Numerous phrases, such as " your note is a mine of 

 wealth to me," occur, expressing his sense of the value of 

 Mr. Tegetmeier's help, as well as words expressing his warm 



