69 



average is well maintained, and the quality 

 of exhibits, as the auctioneers' returns prove, 

 continues steadily to advance. 



The Society has numbered among its 

 Presidents His Royal Highness the Prince 

 of Wales, who takes a keen personal interest 

 in the breed above all others associated with 

 agriculture, and has owned a stud for many 

 years ; the Earl of Ellesmere ; Earl Spencer, 

 K.G. ; the Hon. Edward Coke ; the Earl of 

 Powis ; the Duke of Westminster, K.G. ; 

 Mr. William Wells of Holme Wood, Peter- 

 borough ; Lord Egerton of Tatton ; Mr. 

 Anthony Hammond of Westacre, Norfolk ; 

 Lord Wantage ; Mr. Chandos-Pole-Gell ; 

 Lord Hothfield ; Mr. R. W. Sutton Nel- 

 thorpe ; Lord Belper ; ^Ir. A. C. Duncombe ; 

 Lord Tredegar ; and Mr. A. B. Freeman 

 Mitford. 



For myself I may say in all sincerity that 

 the year 1883, when I had the honour of 

 holdino- office as President of the Societv, 

 and the year 1897 ^^hen again I was paid 

 the compliment of being asked to fill the 

 Presidential chair will always remain in 

 memory as among the pleasantest in a 

 tolerably active life. 



