110 A HISTORY OF SHORT-HORN CATTLE. 



change. British agriculture was now pro- 

 foundly depressed. Average prices at Smith- 

 field market at Christmas, 1850, ranged from 

 3s. to 3s. lOd. per stone of eight pounds. It 

 seemed fairly probable that the Kirklevington 

 Short-horns, representing the life-work of one 

 of the most enthusiastic breeders England has 

 ever known, would simply be led to a sacrifice. 

 Mr. Bates had often said that his cattle would 

 never be appreciated at their full value during 

 his own lifetime. He believed that his own 

 estimate of them would some day be accepted, 

 and, in later years this indeed came to pass. 



The attendance was phenomenal in point of 

 numbers, being estimated at five thousand. 

 America was represented by bids from Col. L. 

 G. Morris and N. J. Becar. Curiosity attracted 

 many. Some, who had felt the lash of Bates' 

 free criticism during his lifetime, were present 

 to exult in what they doubtless hoped would 

 prove a Waterloo for the Kirklevington cattle. 

 As the first lots passed through, and the sand in 

 the auctioneer's glass ran out at about twenty 

 guineas each, these small-minded individuals 

 broke into ironical cheers, but presently the 

 spirited bidding of Mr. Anthony Maynard 

 pulled values out of the mire and some good 

 prices for the times were registered. The roan 

 4th Duke of York, then three years old, was 

 conceded to be the outstanding bull of the lot, 



