presence of ladies being now frequently alluded to. In 

 other quarters also it had attracted notice and appreciation, 

 as will be seen in the letter of a Scotch breeder in the 

 Farmers' Magazine in 1810, advocating the establishment of 

 a similar Society for Scotland. A proof, too, that the Club 

 was already attaining some part at least of its object, is 

 seen in the classification of animals according to breeds, 

 which took place between 1807 and 1815, and the 

 consequent widening out of the prize lists. The Duke of 

 Bedford had, at the dinner in 1808, remarked, in noticing 

 the great increase in the number of beasts and sheep sold 

 in Smithfield, and the improvement and excellence of their 

 own exhibits, that " these results could not have been 

 attained but by the gradual banishment of numerous coarse 

 and unprofitable breeds from our pastures and supplying 

 their place with breeds disposed to early and perfect 

 maturity." There is no question but that the Smithfield 

 Club had taken a leading part in bringing about this 

 improvement, and a great impetus was given to its 

 endeavours by the munificent act of the President, who in 

 1813 gave the sum of 125 guineas to be offered annually in 

 plate and medals, known afterwards as the " Bedfordian 

 Plate," and a die, with the profile of the Duke of Bedford, 

 engraved by Mr. Joseph Porter from the original bust of 

 the Duke by Mr. Nollekens, was prepared for the medals. 

 The same year, the Duke of Bedford temporarily resigned 

 the Presidency on proceeding to the Continent, but 

 resumed it, at the invitation of the Club, on his return. 



But the great crisis was at hand which nearly brought 

 the Club's existence to an end; A society such as this 

 would naturally consist of what may be termed enthusiasts, 

 with a certain following of steady adherents, and 

 also a number of members who had been attracted for 

 various reasons. The defection of many of the latter, and 

 the backwardness of others in the matter of paying their 

 subscriptions, together with the general depression following 

 on the termination of the war, brought on the financial 

 difficulties which occasioned, in the year 1816, the determi- 

 nation to give no prizes in the following year, 1817, except 

 the Bedfordian Plate and Medals, and led in that year to 

 the suggestion of the President, that the Club, 'having 

 sufficiently attained the object for which it was formed, 

 should be dissolved. There were not wanting many who 

 were disposed to agree with the President, but there were 

 not wanting many also, who, as in the great nation of old, 



