218 AT THE SIGN OF THE STOCK YARD INN 



RICHARD GIBSON had an extraordinary appreciation 

 of the fascination of the breeder's art. He loved 

 all forms of high-bred animal life. Shorthorns and 

 Shropshires were probably the chief objects of his 

 affectionate study and regard; but his keen delight 

 in all that revealed skillful manipulation of the 

 mysterious forces of nature by the guiding mind of 

 man extended throughout the entire range of the 

 four-footed and feathered creation. Like "JORROCKS" 

 of old, he was a devout believer in the efficacy of 

 "a bit o' blood, whether it be in a 'orse, a 'ound, or 

 a woman." He could be equally interested in a 

 Christmas bullock, a "classy" Clydesdale, a Derby 

 winner, a game-cock, or fox terriers. There was 

 something of kinship in his love for country sports 

 and animal life with such worthies as old BARCLAY 

 of Ury. Fond of all that appeals to those who love 

 the open country, he could see as much beauty in 

 a hedge-row or an oak as some people can find in 

 metropolitan galleries of art. And speaking of oaks, 

 many years ago he asked for and received some 

 acorns from one of the royal domains in England 

 in fact, the product of one of the most venerable 

 and historic trees in the mother country. These he 

 planted successfully at Belvoir, and shortly before 

 his death donated some of the seedlings to the city 



