THE HEN FEVER. 



223 



but the prospect suddenly became clouded — the demand 

 fell off — and I saw that the gate was about to be shut 

 down. 



The jig was nearly up, evidently, in December, 1854. 

 In all the suburban towns of this state, and more especially 

 throughout the entire length and breadth of Khode Island 

 and Connecticut, immense numbers of the Chinese varie- 

 ties of fowls were being bred ; and I saw, months before, 

 that the market must of necessity be glutted, to the 

 full, in the winter that was then approaching. Many of 

 tlie experienced fanciers still clung to the hope that the 

 trade would rally again, however, — but I was satisfied that 

 the engine-bell had rung for the last time, and that the train 

 was already now on the move. 



A " PURB-BKBD " SPECIMEN, IMPOKTBD PBOM BRIGHTON. 



