3-003-916 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Animals at the Florence Exposition: mountain race (dark grey bull), 1861. 'The cattle show at the Florence exhibition consists of the bovine race, including buffaloes, horses, camels, sheep, goats, pigs, rabbits, and poultry of every description; and, as a proof of what Italy can at the present moment accomplish in this department, it is a very interesting exhibition. To an Englishman it is not so much so in any other point of view; for we are, of course, as all the world well knows, too far ahead of any part of the Continent in all these matters for us to take any interest, except an entirely unselfish one, in the early stages of the course we have so long since passed through. The most remarkable portion of the cattle show, and that which would offer most of novelty to an Englishman, is unquestionably that of the horned cattle; it is also the most extensive...In the show of bulls it must be admitted that there were evident signs of incipient improvement. There were specimens of straight backs and clean legs among the younger animals which might have been sought for in vain among those of four years old and upwards'. From "Illustrated London News", 1861.