336 FARMING FOR LADIES, [chap. xvi. 



weaned, it will also pine after separation, and 

 fall off so much in condition, as to be hardly 

 eatable until recovered by a few weeks' good 

 feeding. 



Adverting to fancy breeds, we lately at- 

 tended an evening exhibition of rabbits, all 

 under six months old, instituted for prizes 

 given by several amateur breeders, who have 

 formed themselves into an association under 

 the high-sounding title of Metropolitan 

 Fancy Rabbit Club ; of whom perhaps fifty 

 or sixty members were present. 



The president, in an able speech warmly 

 eulogistic of the importance of the institution 

 — which he insisted was to outrival the far- 

 famed Smithfield Club, and which, indeed, he 

 looked upon with no little contempt — launched 

 forth in praise of the committee and the 

 efforts of the breeders, as evidenced by the 

 superiority of the stock to be exhibited ; and, 

 after proposing the health of the founder, 

 which was drunk by acclamation, with the 

 barbaric honours of " three times three !" the 

 animals were placed upon the table, with a 

 handsome silver goblet for the first prize. 



Many rabbits of large size, and spoken of 



