THE SENSATION OF SEVENTY-THREE. 435 



from the ownership of Short-horns of illustri- 

 ous lineage or bearing the badge of show-yard 

 superiority. 



It is true there were certain parties identi- 

 fied with the trade who were engaged in pro- 

 moting public interest from purely mercenary 

 motives. Such individuals did what they could, 

 of course, to add fuel to the fire, but it goes 

 without saying that their utmost efforts would 

 have been wholly unavailing but for the exist- 

 ence of an abiding appreciation of the breed 

 upon both sides the Atlantic, which was as pro- 

 found as it was widespread and persistent. It 

 therefore came to pass at this period that those 

 who sought what they regarded as the most 

 desirable cattle of the breed were compelled to 

 pay exorbitant and finally fabulous prices; but 

 the mere fact that breeders and fanciers were 

 willing to follow their favorites to the amazing 

 figures quoted in the following pages is in it- 

 self a tribute to the fascinating character of 

 the Short-horn such as no other race of domes- 

 tic animals has ever yet received. 



"Coming events cast their shadows before." 

 While it was not until the autumn of 1873 that 

 the pent-up enthusiasm for the Duchess blood 

 was at length unchained, transactions both at 

 auction and at private treaty forecasted por- 

 tentous events early in the year. Trade opened 

 up briskly in the West. 



