THE HEN FEVER. 123 



fancy-birds on sale. It was astonishing how much some of 

 those buyers did know about the different breeds of Chinese 

 fowls there ! Yes, it certainly was astounding ! I think I 

 never saw before so much real, downright bona fide knowl- 

 edge of henology displayed as was shown by one or two 

 Southern gentlemen, then and there ; — never, in the whole 

 course of my experience ! 



By reference to the next chapter, it will be seen how 

 shamefully I neglected my own interests, and how self-sacri- 

 ficing I was in the report of the Society's last kick, which, 

 as I have already hinted, the Committee left to nvy charge 

 to prepare. 



I had no disposition (in the preparation of this document) 

 to underrate the stock of any one else, provided it did not 

 interfere with me ! And, after carefully noting. down what- 

 ever seemed of importance to my well-being there, I sat 

 rnyself down to oblige the Committee by writing the " Re- 

 port " of this show, which an ill-natured competitor subse- 

 quently declalCd was " only in favor of Burniam and his 

 stock, all over, underneath, in the middle, outside, overhead, 

 on top, on all sides, and at both ends ! " 



And / believe he was right ! 



