History of the Company. 145 



funds, and the pensions are largely increased by 

 supplementary grants from the Company. The 

 first stone of the Home was laid on the 30th 

 August, 1859, by the Master of the Company, 

 Peter Northall Laurie, and the building was 

 erected from designs by the Company's Surveyor, 

 Mr. Fred. W. Porter, F.R.I. B. A. It was com- 

 pleted in September, i860. 



In 1873 the Company, with a view to promoting 

 the art with which they are associated, offered a 

 series of premiums ranging from ten to fifty 

 guineas for improvements in military saddles. 

 Three judges were appointed by the Horse 

 Guards, together with two members of the Court, 

 Saddlers by trade. Previous to entering upon 



the competition, the Company received 



Saddlery Com- ^ scHes of sup'gestions from the Horse 



petition, 1873. ^1 .u • 



Guards, as to the pnme requisites 

 in a military saddle, one of which was that it 

 should be as light as possible, but sufficiently 

 strong to carry a Dragoon, his arms, and 

 ammunition, equipments and accoutrements, and 

 to be able to stand rough usage and exposure 

 on service in the field. Another was that, as the 

 horses in a cavalry regiment are constantly 

 changing, the saddle must be made so that it could 

 be altered by slight shifting, or other method 

 easily effected on service, to fit horses differing in 

 shape on the back and withers. It was also to be 

 made in three sizes so that it could be changed, in 

 case of necessity, according to the size of the 



