

HISTORY OF THE SHORT-HORNS. 



CHAPTER I. 



FIRST PERIOD OF THEIR HISTORY. 



THE origin of this noble race of cattle is obscure ; but, that their 

 lineage is ancient there can be no question. Modern records say 

 within the last hundred and fifty years, as tradition had already done 

 for several hundred years previous first recognize them inhabiting 

 the counties of Northumberland, Durham, York, and Lincoln, on the 

 north-eastern coast of England, and the country more immediately 

 in the vicinity of the river Tees the dividing line between Durham 

 and York as the locality where the more signal efforts have been 

 made in their cultivation and improvement. 



Why it is that the histories of nations, states, and peoples, usually 

 so minute in what relates to conquests, government, laws, military 

 and naval achievements, arts, and the general condition of the people, 

 leave out valuable minor items to which the industry of the popula- 

 tion is continuously directed, is difficult to say, other than the histo- 

 rians themselves have had no tastes or sympathies in common with 

 agricultural pursuits; or perhaps the humbler subjects of agricul- 

 tural industry were esteemed of too vulgar and menial a character to 

 attract their notice. In short, domestic animals were below the 

 " dignity of history," while the dirty intrigues of a lascivious monarch 

 with a high-born wanton, or of a court favorite with an attractive 

 wench of plebeian birth, were exalted subjects of record ! 



From researches through the various authorities in English annals 

 from- the time that England had a recognized history at all, we find 

 no mention made of cattle, as distinguished by origin, race, or breed. 

 They are mentioned as domestic animals, simply, furnishing a portion 

 of the food of the people, and articles of traffic, and there all allusion 

 to them ends. We know nothing further whatever of their existence, 



