67 



charms of the exhibition of swine, and also by the musical cries, 

 and grunts of satisfaction, which the happy inmates from time to 

 time poured forth ! 



These animals were all of gentle birth, and had been carefully 

 nurtured, and reflect much honor on their patrons and proprie- 

 tors, as well as on the towns in which they flourish, and show the 

 successful results which care, skill and intellect can produce, 

 when happily combined and directed toAvards a great and impor- 

 tant end. They reminded your Committee of the great Falstaff, 

 in rotundity of person and cheerfulness of disposition, and also in 

 the habit of larding the lean earth as they waddled along. 



While examining the pens, your Committee, lost in admiration 

 and wonder at the sight of two splendid specimens of swine of the 

 Northumberland breed, from the highly-favored town of Need- 

 ham, Avere half inclined to say to the spherical, inert, but living 

 masses, " You are all blubber !" as Queen Victoria once said to 

 the young Prince of Whales, who was crying because they would 

 not make him President of the United States ! 



But however interesting and attractive it may be, we cannot 

 linger on this part of our subject, but must hasten to satisfy the 

 impatience of those who are awaiting the a^vard of honors and re- 

 wards in the shape of premiums. 



For the best Sow, your Committee would recommend that the 

 premium of five dollars be awarded to John Keating, of Dorches- 

 ter, for an animal of California breed. 



For the second best Sow, that the premium of three dollars be 

 awarded to Dr. W. T. G. Morton, of West Needham, for an ani- 

 mal of Berkshire and Sufiblk breed. 



For the best Fat Hog, that the premium of five dollars be 

 awarded to Thomas Belees, of Needham, for a hog of Northum- 

 berland breed, nine months old, and of extraordinary excellence. 



For the second best Fat Hog, that the premium of three dollars 

 be awarded to Thomas Belees, of Needham, for a very superior 

 hog of Northumberland breed. 



For the best Litter of Weaned Pigs, that the premium of five 

 dollars be awarded to Dr. W. T. G. Morton, of West Needham, 

 for eight pigs, of much excellence, and of a mixture of the Berk- 

 shire, Suffolk and Cheshire breeds. 



It has been remarked, by sage philosophers, that in all ages, 

 those men who labored in the care and improvement of swine, 

 in order to increase the comforts of their fellow-men, have been 

 distinguished for elevated qualities, and particularly for the vir- 

 tues of courage and fidelity. Such was Eumens, the brave and 

 jealous friend of Ulysses, as recorded by Homer, the father of 

 epic poetry — faithful when all others were traitors, and ready, 

 single-handed, to peril his life for his patron and prince. Such 



