56 THE MASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY 



somehow interpreted the congratulatory reports of the 

 Massachusetts society, respecting the series of shows begun 

 at Brighton, as having a tendency, if not a purpose, to 

 diminish their own just renown. The Berkshire movement 

 owed its origin wholly, and its success largely, to the 

 ardor and energy of Elkanah Watson of Pittsfield. He 

 had travelled considerably in England and France, and 

 had observed the popular appreciation of cattle shows 

 and fairs there, and he possessed the somewhat rare 

 faculty of being able to infuse into those associated with 

 him a large measure of his own enthusiasm. There is 

 some reason for supposing that at that period there was a 

 stronger community feeling in Berkshire than in any other 

 considerable section of the State. At any rate, the cattle 

 show prospered there from the start, and its success made 

 an impression on the public mind wherever the fact be- 

 came generally known. 



In 1823 John Lowell who had been the corresponding 

 secretary of the Massachusetts society from 1806, became 

 its president. In the first issue of the Journal after his 

 election he gave a somewhat extended review of the socie- 

 ty's transactions, with a purpose to vindicate it against 

 various unjust aspersions. He thus adverted to the Berk- 

 shire society : 



But it has been intimated that this central society had 

 arrogated to itself merits, to which it was not entitled ; 

 that it had been tardy to do justice to the great and meri- 

 torious exertions of the Berkshire society. This is unkind ; 

 we have always been prompt to acknowledge the early, ef- 

 ficient and intelligent efforts of that society. We have ad- 

 mitted that they were the first to give a spring to agricultu- 

 ral efforts by introducing the British and French system of 

 public shows of cattle and manufactures. Still, too much 

 must not be claimed on this score. It was not an original 

 thought. Many of us had visited the European shows, 

 and the subject of introducing them had been discussed,, 

 and there can be no doubt, that long ere this, they would 

 have been in full operation from the successful effect of 

 European example. This is not said with a wish to dimin- 



