FIFTY YEARS OF A SHOWMAN'S LIFE 



Ask anyone who was present at the show that 

 day what they remember about it, and you will 

 get as your answer, ' Wasn't that performing 

 pony a joke ! ' : They may talk afterwards, if 

 encouraged, of the grand exhibition it was of 

 live-stock, machinery, etc., but it will be found 

 that the scene in the arena with the pony dis- 

 porting himself will take first place. It is very 

 much like the effect one experiences when on the 

 summit of St. Paul's or other height well above 

 the " madding crowd." Notwithstanding the 

 unceasing whirr and roar created by acres of 

 machinery in innumerable factories, printing 

 offices, etc., and the never-ending hum of a mighty 

 traffic, there stands out, more clear and distinct 

 than all the rest, the barking of a dog in a by- 

 street, or the squalling of a child in one of the 

 alleys. 



Other Royal visits include one in 1894, when 

 the show was held at Guildf ord, and was honoured 

 by the presence of the Duke and late Duchess of 

 Connaught, who maintained to the full that 

 character for kindly geniality shared by all the 

 members of our Royal House. A comic incident 

 in connection with the visit represents another 

 of those trivialities that dwell in memory. Re- 

 freshments for the Royal party were provided in 

 the Council pavilion, cherries being among the 

 fruits set before and enjoyed by their Royal 

 Highnesses. As soon as the latter had departed, 

 one of the waiters, with a quick appreciation of 

 possibilities, caught up all the cherry stones 

 which Royalty had omitted to swallow, cleaned 

 and polished them, and then, having mounted 



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