Judging by Points. 187 



of any judge, and in judging by points the qualified man, whilst he 

 might vary in his valuation of points, would never be very far off the 

 mark. 



The modus operandi of judging by points is so clearly shown by 

 " Caractacus," in his chapter on the bulldog, that I need not repeat 

 it here, but will in conclusion refer to a few general questions affecting 

 judging, and the manner of doing it. 



What I may call the Birmingham system, as it is the only show of 

 importance, where it is now in vogue, is the election of the judges by a 

 small committee and the keeping of their names secret from the public and 

 exhibitors until the day on which they have to act arrives. 



Concomitant with this secrecy respecting the judges, there is a great 

 parade made of keeping these gentlemen entirely ignorant as to the 

 identity of the dogs they are judging plain chains and collars must be 

 worn by the dogs no one but the committee, the judges, and the servants 

 of the committee, who lead the dogs, are admitted during the judging. 

 Even the press is excluded until noon, and then they are denied 

 catalogues and forbidden to approach or speak to a judge until he has 

 completed his labours ; and altogether on the judging day at the 

 Birmingham show one feels that in Curzon Hall they are breathing an 

 atmosphere of suspicion as thick and unwholesome as Birmingham 

 vomits from any of her numerous tall chimneys. The great difficulty is 

 in deciding which class the judges, reporters, or exhibitors is the most 

 suspected by this immaculate committee. I am disposed to think the 

 servants in the yellow striped vests are treated with the most confidence 

 at Birmingham. 



The simplicity that supposes such ridiculous rules effective for the 

 avowed object is in harmony with the miserable spirit which considers 

 precautions against collusion between judge and exhibitor necessary. 



The Birmingham committee cannot, for want of space, have public 

 judging, but here as elsewhere when the public cannot see for them- 

 selves, their representatives, the press, should certainly have every 

 facility given to them to accurately and fully report facts to their clients 

 but the Birmingham committee seem like Otaheitan cooks, to think 



No food is fit to eat 

 Till they have chewed it. 



As far as the matters above referred to go, the Birmingham committee 



