296 THE HISTOET OF 



The Dorkings are great favorites, less difficult to raise than 

 with you ; and, though not abundant layers, still command, 

 from the greater whiteness and superior delicacy of their 

 flesh, a high price in the market. But the new Cochin 

 China varieties are in the greatest demand ; the display of 

 them at Birmingham exceeded all others, and they are now 

 much sought after here." 



Such accounts as these continually occupied the papers ; 

 and the fever had been kept furiously alive, by this means, 

 until far into the year 1854. The most glowing accounts 

 of the poultry-shows, at home and abroad, were kept up, 

 too ; but, in the mean time, Shanghae chickens multiplied 

 rapidly, and grew up, and filled the barns and yards of 

 " the people," — and at the same time they did not forget 

 how to eat corn, when they could get it. 



An(^, in spite of the best endeavors of interested parties to 

 galvanize the hum into a continued existence, it was now 

 evident to those who watched its progress, as / had done, 

 that the death-rattle was clearly in its throat. 



At this juncture I was reminded of the details of the 

 mulberry-tree bubble, the tulip fever, and the Merino sheep 

 speculation ; and I had taken care not to become involved 

 in the final ruin of the hen-trade (as I knew many had 

 been, and more were destined to be), in the eventual wind- 

 ing-up of this afiair, which was now close at hand. 



A brief account of the famous sheep mania (so like the 



