23 



But no comparison, however slight, would be complete 

 which did not take into account the altered conditions of 

 travelling. It is hard to realise at this time what a difference 

 railway travelling has made in the character of the stock 

 exhibited. Whereas in the earlier days the competition was 

 practically confined to the home counties, through the 

 difficulties and expense of transit, since the railway system 

 has become developed the whole country has gradually been 

 brought to take part in the proceedings of the Show, so 

 much so, that the competition now almost resolves itself 

 into a keen contest between the breeders of the three 

 Kingdoms. The comfort also in which animals now travel 

 compared with that which ruled in the earlier days, is 

 no unimportant factor in the success of later Shows. 

 Exhibitors of the present day would hardly like to 

 experience the difficulties and hardships of transit en- 

 countered by their forefathers. We read of a Devon ox 

 being driven 126 miles to the Show in 1805, and as late as 

 1840 animals were exhibited which had to be conveyed 

 miles by road and canal, as well as by rail, and even 

 500 miles by sea. At the present time the splendid 

 facilities afforded by the Railway Companies, by means of 

 special vehicles travelling by fast passenger trains, enable 

 animals to be brought the longest distances from the 

 North of Scotland with the minimum of discomfort and 

 loss. 



With the Centenary Show the first great stage of the 

 Club's existence may be said to have ended. The com- 

 mencement of a new century of its existence appeared to 

 the Council to be a fitting opportunity for making a change 

 in its constitution, the old organization, originally con- 

 stituted on the basis of a social club, not being in keeping 

 with the national character of the Society. The following 

 proposal was accordingly made at the May Council Meeting, 

 1899, on the motion of Mr. C. W. Tindall : 



" That in view of the Smithfield Club having now entered upon the 

 Second Centenary of its existence, it appears desirable that a 

 Special Committee should be appointed to inquire into the 

 whole subject of its present constitution and administration* 

 and report to the Council whether any, and if so what, changes 

 would in their opinion conduce to its extended usefulness in 

 the future." 



