XXIV 

 A KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN DAYS 



On the 20th of February, 1840, there was born 

 not far from the massive walls of Belvoir Castle 

 one of the seats of the ducal house of Rutland in 

 Leicestershire, England one who was destined to 

 play an important role in the progress of some of 

 the great events already detailed. He was one of 

 a family of fourteen, the eldest of eight sons. His 

 surname was GIBSON and his parents called him 

 RICHARD. Throughout a long and eventful life his 

 intimates knew him as "DICK." He became one of 

 the pillars of the International Show, and one of 

 the best loved members of the SADDLE AND SIRLOIN 

 CLUB. His portrait is not as satisfactory as might be 

 wished, but this little book would be wholly incom- 

 plete without some reference to his life and work. 



The GIBSONS removed from Leicestershire into 

 Derbyshire when RICHARD was but six years old. 

 He received his education in the grammar schools 

 of Derby and Lincoln, and spent two years in the 

 office of a grain merchant in the city last named, 

 after which he returned to his father at Swarkeston, 

 and spent four years familiarizing himself with the 

 farming and stock-breeding operations as conducted 

 upon a holding of some 600 acres, which was so well 



209 



