108 A HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



Monkhouse of The- Stow. No reference to those 

 rare old worthies, who, by their keen delight in the 

 improvement of their live stock did so much to pro- 

 mote the improvement of the local breed, would be 

 complete without special, mention of Monkhouse of 

 The Stow. Originally from Cumberland, he early 

 displayed a fondness for Leicester sheep and good 

 cattle, and in the face of a great physical affliction 

 arose to prominence as one of the best breeders of 

 his day in England. He made the acquaintance of 

 John Price of Ryall, who doubtless influenced him 

 in his original purchases, but unfortunately while 

 yet in his prime he became totally blind. However, 

 he did not permit this affliction to overcome his 

 interest in stock-breeding. On the contrary, he went 

 steadily ahead with the Herefords. He is supposed 

 to have commenced about 1840. In later years he 

 came to rely largely upon his neighbor, Mr. Eea 

 of Monaughty, from whom he purchased several 

 bulls in succession, including the afterwards famous 

 Sir Thomas (2228). This bull was still in service in 

 the herd at the time of the death of Mr. Monkhouse 

 in 1866, when the cattle were dispersed. While Mr. 

 Monkhouse could not use his eyes he evidently used 

 his hands to good effect, for it is recorded that his 

 cows were "exquisite in their touch, but wanted 

 scale. " As Sir Thomas was very large, the motive 

 of the blind veteran in introducing that bull into 

 the herd was undoubtedly to increase the weight of 

 his cattle. Sir Thomas was purchased at this sale 

 by Ben Eogers at around $2,000. Speaking of the 



