SITTYTON TO ABERDEEN. 163 



Aberdeen, who was first in his class at Batter sea, is 

 his peculiar charge ; and then came seven dozen 

 bullocks, of which at least seven-and-twenty were 

 "tops/' and getting specially sent along upon cake 

 and corn. Three of them, however, were on the re- 

 serve list for the next year's shows ; or were at least 

 to have the benefit of the doubt, when their compa- 

 nions were dispersed by March into many a British 

 larder. 



The whole of the shedding is more useful than 

 ornamental, and heather, tiles, slate, wood, and 

 thatch, all play their part in the roofing. It was here 

 that the great Poissy bullock was fed, and John 

 waxed eloquent at the remembrance of him, although 

 neither he nor his master have heard his weight to 

 this hour. Thrice has John crossed the Channel, 

 left six bullocks behind him and brought back 370, 

 a cup, seven gold medals, two great gold medals, and 

 silver and bronze galore. A Tillyfour ox was second 

 for the Cup, on the first occasion, to the Duke of 

 Beaufort's shorthorn, when Mons. St. Marie's cast- 

 ing vote was said to have decided the day. The 

 Toissy ox, par excellence, was bred by Mr. Tough, of 

 Deskie, Aberdeenshire, and sold for 28 at two years 

 old. He was then resold twice ; purchased by Mr. 

 M'Combie, for 45, from Mr. Shaw of Bogfairn, 

 kept two years, and finally sold to the Emperor's 

 butcher for 84, after winning 285 in money and 

 cups. Nine-eight was his best girth ; and he had 

 this peculiarity, that he would never touch corn. 



M 2 



