276 THE HISTORY OF 



hinting (barely hinting) to him that I felt certain he was 

 the best judge of the facts in the case, and I would only 

 suggest that, so far as my experience went, there were., in 

 reality, but ten varieties of /(wre-bred fowls known to orni- 

 thologists (I was one of this latter class), and that these ten 

 varieties were the Cochins, the White, Grey, Dominique, 

 Buff, Yellow, Red, Brown, Bronze and Black Shang~ 

 haes — and these were the only kinds /ever bred. 



As to their purity of blood, I could only say, that I im- 

 ported the original stock pyself, and "enclosed" he had 

 their portraits ; to which I referred with pride and confi- 

 dence and pleasure, &c. &c. &c. Of their probable merits 

 I must leave it entirely to his own good judgment to decide. 

 I had this stock for sale, and it did not become me (mind 

 this !) didn't become me to praise it, of course (0 no !). 

 And I would say no more, but simply refer him to the 

 public prints for my character as a breeder of blooded stock, 

 etc. etc. etc. 



Did this take him down? Well, it did ; vide the follow- 

 ing reply from him, two weeks subsequently. 



"My Dear Sir: 



" I never entertained a doubt that you were all you had 

 been represented ; and your reputation is, indeed, an envi- 

 able one, in the midst of these times, when so much deceit 

 and trickery is being practised among this community. I 



