1839-1861. 



The first Show in the new premises at Baker Street was 

 held under happy auspices. The situation was a little 

 distant from Smithfield, but this slight drawback was 

 counterbalanced by so many advantages that all concerned 

 agreed in congratulating the Club upon the change. Great 

 alterations and improvements had been made for the 

 purpose of showing to advantage the various breeds, and 

 affording room for the visitors. The wider thoroughfares, 

 the better lighting, and the arrangements generally by which 

 visitors could view the animals in greater comfort, formed 

 such a contrast to the Club's late quarters in Goswell Street, 

 as to realise the expectations of those who had anticipated 

 that more spacious and convenient premises would not only 

 produce a larger exhibition, but would also induce a larger 

 number of persons to visit the Show yard. It was 

 estimated that from 20,000 to 25,000 people attended during 

 the Show days, including a number of ladies of rank, while 

 as to the exhibition itself, the journals of the day, as well as 

 the speeches at the annual dinner, laid stress upon its 

 unusual excellence. 



It is pleasant to note also that the financial trials, once 

 so heavy a drag upon the Club's usefulness, had now 

 disappeared. 



Not the least interesting feature of this auspicious meeting 

 was the reference by the President to the recently-formed 

 Agricultural Society (now the Royal Agricultural Society of 

 England), and the drinking of the health of the President, 

 the Duke of Richmond. His Grace, in reply, anticipated 

 that the new society would be as successful as the Highland 

 Society an anticipation which has been more than fulfilled 

 and made a humorous appeal for recruits. 



The late Sir B. T. Brandreth Gibbs considered that the 

 proposal for the formation of the Royal Agricultural Society 

 of England having been first publicly announced by the 

 President of the Club, at the Annual Dinner at the Free- 

 mason's Hall, on December nth, 1837, tne Royal 

 Agricultural Society may, therefore, fairly be looked upon 

 as an offspring of the Club.* 



* Such various versions have been given of the origin and foundation 

 of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, I may here state, that the 

 late Mr. Wm. Shaw (the Editor of the Mark Lane Express and Farmers' 

 Magazine, who, on the formation of the Society became Secretary), had 

 an interview with the late Earl Spencer, the President of the Club, and 

 Mr. Humphrey Gibbs, the Hon. Secretary, in the Club's parlour in 



