202 RECORDS OF OLD TIMES 



inventor, drove a pair of horses himself, and the 

 grass fell down in even swathes before it, I never 

 beheld such bewildered surprise at the efficacy of 

 the machine. We gave it first prize. So it was 

 with other machines, and I am glad to state that our 

 English implement makers reaped a rich harvest 

 from the exhibition at Altona. 



There was a most wonderful horticultural show 

 held at the same time on the banks of the Elbe at 

 Hamburgh, which was somewhat of a rival to the Agri- 

 cultural Exhibition at Altona. Indeed, there existed 

 some rivalry and jealousy between the two places. 

 This show was one of the most splendid sights I ever 

 witnessed. One of the chief attractions was the com- 

 petition of Hamburgh grapes, for the prize of a piece 

 of plate presented by our Most Gracious Queen, as 

 a compliment to the city, open to all comers. This 

 much coveted trophy was competed for by the 

 principal growers from Italy, Germany, France, 

 Belgium, and even distant Spain and Portugal. But, 

 to their dismay and astonishment, our Mr. Meredith 

 from Liverpool beat them all easily! His grapes, 

 both in size and in colour, were so immeasurably 

 before them, that they could not credit that these 

 could have been grown in a country where the sun 

 scarcely ever shone, and the climate of which was 

 made up of fogs and rain ! 



During the week my eldest son, John, came over 

 to see me, accompanied by the late Lord Chesham ; 

 and as it was doubtful whether I should ever have 

 a better opportunity of either seeing by myself, ur 



