13 



Naturally the general arrangements were appreciated 

 by the breeders of stock and other exhibitors, but the 

 Show itself, though very large, was of unequal merit. 

 There were some very fine animals, but the great majority 

 were below the average, whilst many writers waxed 

 humorous over the "improvements" needed in the new 

 classes, and even questioned the utility of offering prizes 

 for competition among breeds that were so poorly repre- 

 sented. The Mark Lane Express, of December i5th, says 

 in concluding its notice, " So ends our review of the 

 biggest, and as far as quality is concerned, the poorest 

 Show of Cattle the Smithfield Club has collected together." 



But all this is equivalent to saying that the Club had 

 still much work to do, to improve by emulation, com- 

 parison, and better methods what could be improved, 

 and eliminate what could not. The minutes of the sub- 

 sequent years, which record so minutely the working of 

 the Club, bear eloquent testimony to the infinite care and 

 patience with which this was accomplished. 



At the General Meeting of the Club held at the time 

 H.R.H. the Prince of Wales was elected a member. 



An important change in what may be termed the 

 constitution of the Club was also proposed at this time, 

 on the motion of Major-General the Hon. A. N. Hood 



ist. That the management of the Smithfield Club be vested in a 

 Council, consisting of the President, Vice-Presidents, Trustees, 

 Hon. Secretary, and 24 members." 



2nd. That one-third of the 24 members shall go out annually by 

 rotation, and not be re-eligible for one year. 



3rd. That the Council shall prepare rules and regulations for the 

 management of the Club, and shall submit them for con- 

 sideration and adoption at a special general meeting of the 

 Club in May, 1863. 



The proposed Bye Laws, as drafted by the Honorary 

 Secretary, were subsequently discussed and agreed to. 

 They set forth the general rules by which the proceedings 

 were to be guided : such as the rules of election, the 

 privileges of members, the powers of the Council, the 

 duties of the officers, summoning and regulation of 

 meetings, alterations of rules, management of finances, 

 preparation of prize-sheets. The main and fundamental 

 rule of all being, that it is a principle of the constitution 

 of the Club to exclude from its meetings and proceedings 

 all questions of a political tendency. 



* Stewards added 1865. 



