HUMOURS OF THE SHOW-RINGS 319 



" nonplussed/' but once, and that was when I was 

 judging some years ago at the People's Palace, situated 

 in the East End of London. I presume, the " drawers 

 up " of the schedule had not been previously experi- 

 enced in such work, as amongst others, they had pro- 

 vided a "' Variety Class for London Exhibitors/' and, if 

 obtaining entries is a criterion of success, it was very 

 successful, as they obtained no less than 145 entries. I 

 do not know, but I should think, it was the largest class 

 ever seen at any show ! And when I saw the tens and 

 scores of dogs pouring into my ring, I wondered what 

 was to become of them, as it was a good walk merely to 

 go round them, and they formed a small dog show by 

 themselves, and I noticed about five or six well-known 

 " Champions " amongst them, as it included most of 

 the known breeds of dogs. After referring to my judg- 

 ing book, many pages in which were of course taken up, 

 I found I had three prizes to divide amongst this crowd, 

 so I went to the committee, and explained the matter to 

 them. They behaved very well indeed, they said, " We 

 will leave the matter entirely to you, do whatever you 

 please in it." I went back, divided the class into over 

 thirty pounds and under thirty pounds, cleared out all 

 that was no good, and weeded down the remainder, and 

 eventually gave two equal firsts, two equal seconds, and 

 two equal thirds in each division, making twelve prizes 

 and two " reserves " in all, which was a lot better than 

 attempting to award three prizes amongst close on 150 

 dogs. I think the exhibitors were pleased, and felt I 

 had done the best in my power to get them and myself 

 out of an awkward position. 2i 



