THE LONG-HORNED BREED. 
even trusted, no one. It is said that his only confidant was an old shepherd, who alone knew what animals were covered, and 
with what blood. Although young gentlemen resided with him for the purpose of receiving instruction, they knew nothing of the 
course of his experiments; and when it is mentioned that amongst these individuals were the present distinguished Earl of 
Leicester, Mr Culley, Mr Buckley, and others likely to take a deep interest in the proceedings, it will be seen what a 
methodised system of caution and secrecy was pursued. He seems to have obtained the respect of those connected with him 
for his character and judgment, but within the circle of reserve which he cast around him, where his own proceedings were con¬ 
cerned, no one was permitted to pass; and, strange to say, he left not behind him a single written record of his curious ex¬ 
periments. It is not probable that this can be ascribed to any higher motive than the selfishness of a trader, careful to pre¬ 
vent others from profiting by his acquired knowledge. But yet it manifested a certain strength of character, and may show that 
Bakewell, though actuated by ordinary motives, was not an ordinary man. He struck out for himself a new course of action, 
and carrying on a long course of peculiar experiments, ultimately succeeded, and laid down by his example principles which expe¬ 
rience has since proved to be sound. There had not before been another Bakewell, and all who have sought the same end have 
but followed in his track. Amidst many disappointments he never despaired of his ultimate purpose, but bore up against ridicule, 
neglect, and predictions of failure, till the end. He was at one time involved in great pecuniary difficulties, but at length he suc¬ 
ceeded in all his plans, and left a competent fortune to his successors. Even after he had succeeded in perfecting his stock, he 
kept all kinds of animals in his park, and was constantly engaged in his favourite experiments. He died, universally regarded as 
the most successful breeder that this country had produced, in his 70th year. 
Much fruitless inquiry has arisen regarding the precise course followed by Bakewell in forming his breed of Long-horns. 
The opinion seemingly founded on the best authorities is, that he obtained some of his first cows from Mr Webster of Canley, 
but that he likewise selected elsewhere the best animals, male and female, that he could obtain. He is said to have purchased 
amongst others, a very fine cow from Sir William Gordon of Garrington, near Loughborough, and from her to have had a fine 
bull, which he called Twopenny, because a person had observed of him that he was not worth twopence. This bull became the 
most celebrated of the early stock of Bakewell, and is constantly referred to in the pedigree of the improved Long-horns. It 
must be observed, however, that other accounts are given of the descent of Twopenny; and that much uncertainty necessarily 
exists in everything that relates to the origin of the Dishley stock, since this was precisely the point of practice which Bakewell 
himself desired to involve in mystery. 
Mr Bakewell adopted the practice of breeding from animals without relation to their affinities in blood, in a degree which 
had perhaps never before been attempted. He probably adopted this system from the very commencement of his experiments, 
and ultimately confined himself entirely to his own herd; one exception only being recorded, when, at a late period, he bought a 
cow from Mr Harris, a descendant, however, from the Dishley stock. The effect was, that he gave a permanent uniformity to the 
characters of his animals, and formed, after a time, a distinct and well-defined breed. Further, the effect of continually breeding 
from animals near of blood is attended with the effect of giving a delicacy of temperament and form to the progeny. It diminishes 
the size of the bones, and produces, as it were, a tendency to arrive at premature age. The animals getting soon old, arrive 
quickly at maturity of bone and muscle, which is the very end aimed at by the breeder. Bakewell probably adopted the 
system from the mere desire of preserving the properties of form which his stock had acquired; but he would learn by experience 
in the sequel, that the effect was likewise to produce a more complete development of those properties. 
The success of Bakewell called other breeders into the field. Of these the earliest and most distinguished was Mr Robert 
Fowler of Little Rollright, in the county of Oxford. Mr Fowler purchased several heifers from Mr Webster of Canley, and 
hired the bull Twopenny from Mr Bakewell, from which stock he bred several fine cows. He continued to hire bulls from Mr 
Bakewell, and in particular one in the year 1778 or 1779, called D, which, by one of his first cows of the Canley stock, produced 
a bull termed Shakspeare, the most celebrated in the annals of the improved breed, and continually referred to in the pedigrees 
of the stock. Mr Fowler became the breeder of numerous other fine bulls. His splendid stock was sold in the year 1791, 
at high prices.* Mr Princep of Croxall, and numerous other individuals, acquired and bred from the Dishley stock; and 
* Garrick, a bull, 5 years old, by Shakspeare, of Broken-horn Beauty, which came of Long-horn Beauty, brought, 
Sultan, 2 years old, by Broken-horn Beauty, ........ 
Washington, by Shakspeare, out of Washington’s mother, ....... 
Young Sultan, one year old, by Garrick, ......... 
Brindled Beauty, a cow by Shakspeare, of Long-horn Beauty, ...... 
Cow by Shakspeare, of Broken-horn Beauty, ........ 
Cow by a son of old D, brother to Shakspeare, . . . 
L.215 0 0 
220 10 0 
215 5 0 
210 0 0 
273 0 0 
120 15 0 
194 5 0 &c. 
N 
