THE LONQ-HORNS. 79 



qualities as milkers were considerably lessened. The grazier 

 could not too liigHy value the Dishley, or New Leicester long- 

 horn; but the dairyman, and the little farmer clung to the old 

 breed as most useful for their purpose." 



By what strange gift, or skill, Mr. Bakewell improved his cat- 

 tle, he left no record. He was not a man of learning, science, 

 or wide observation beyond his own line, but he studied his pur- 

 suit with great attention. He used to dissect the slaughtered 

 carcasses of his cattle, hang up and preserve their joints, bones 

 and sinews, in his rooms, and put their flesh in pickle, and study 

 them, as a surgeon studies his anatomical specimens of humanity. 

 By this he was enabled to detect their faults and imperfections, 

 and by comparison with living animals avoid the perpetuation of 

 like imperfections in the young progeny. He was kind-hearted, 

 and treated his cattle with great tenderness, never using anything 

 heavier than a little switch to control the young things ; thus he 

 rendered them docile, ani gentle in temper, a quality tending 

 much to their thrift and rapid growth. In the course of years 

 he probably raised the long-horns to the highest point of per- 

 fection of which the race was capable. The upshot was, he had 

 sacrificed the milking quality of his herd for the promotion of 

 their flesh, and the symmetry of their forms; and after all, it 

 may be questioned how valuable his improvements, in an econom- 

 ical point of view, were to the common farmers, who kept and 

 bred them. 



Youatt gives a long and particular description of many points 

 in Bakewell's practice, made up of inferences chiefly, some of 

 which may be correct, but as they are matters of opinion, we do 

 not care to foUow them. He names a fact, however, which it is 

 worth while to notice, viz.: After Bakewell's death, and his ' 

 stock went into other hands, they declined. His spirit, skill, 

 sagacity, tact, experience and knowledge — for he possessed all 

 these in an eminent degree — did not go with them. " Tradition," 



