340 ACCOUNT OF THE SHOW HELD AT KELSO IN 1880. 



venerable remains of its fine old abbey being a prominent object 

 in the view. 



The yard was ready for the reception of implements on Tuesday 

 the 20th July, and for stock on Friday the 23d, when many 

 animals coming from long distances were stalled. Two special 

 trains arrived on Saturday morning, bringing stock from Aber- 

 deen and from the South. All the animals were placed in their 

 respective stalls by 10 a.m. on Tuesday the 27th July, and the 

 business of the Show began at 10.30, when a meeting of the 

 General Committee and Judges was held in the Committee Eoom, 

 Lord Eeay, one of the vice-presidents, occupying the chair. After 

 receiving their instructions, the Judges commenced their respon- 

 sible labours at 11, at which hour the gates were opened. Eain 

 descended at intervals, and the opening day was attended 

 by most uncongenial weather. On this occasion, the admission 

 of the public was by turnstiles, so that members were relieved 

 from taking money at the gates. 



The Directors and Judges dined in the evening of the first 

 day of the show (Tuesday, 27th July) in the Cross Keys Hotel, 

 when Mr Gillon of Wallhouse, Chairman of the Standing Com- 

 mittee on General Shows, presided. 



On Wednesday the yard was open from 8 A.M. till 5 p.m. The 

 wet weather which characterised the first day continued during 

 a considerable portion of the day. The cattle parade, which 

 was to have taken place at nine in the morning, had to be aban- 

 doned owing to the rain. The showy ard meeting of members 

 took place at 1.30 ; and the public banquet was held in the 

 evening in the Corn Exchange, which was profusely decorated 

 with flowers and banners. The purveying was under the manage- 

 ment of Mr Theim of the Windsor Hotel, Edinburgh. The 

 duties of the chair were well fulfilled by the Marquis of Lothian, 

 President of the Society, and the vice-chair was occupied by Mr 

 James Smith, Chief-Magistrate of Kelso. Among others present 

 were Lord Arthur Cecil, Lord Keay, Lord Polwarth, Lord Napier 

 and Ettrick, K.T.; Lord Dunglass, Sir Eobert Menzies of Menzies, 

 Bart. ; Sir G. Graham Montgomery of Stanhope, Bart. : Sir Wm. 

 Baillie of Polkemmet, Bart.; Sir John Marjoribanks of Lees, 

 Bart.; Sir James E. Gibson Maitland of Clifton Hall, Bart,; the 

 Eev. Dr Grant; Chaplain of the Society ; Mr Campbell Swinton 

 of Kimmerghame, and Mr Gillon of Wallhouse. The usual 

 loyal and patriotic toasts having been given from the chair and 

 duly honoured, the Noble Chairman proposed the toast of the 

 evening — "The Highland and Agricultural Society of Scot- 

 land." 



He said his first duty was to congratulate the Society upon the show that 

 was now !;'oing on. As regarded numbers and cj^uality it came up to the 



