Payment of Judges. 



175 



" There is, however, one other feature I cannot pass silentl}', viz., the betting practices of 

 some few would-be-called amateurs (which decidedly they cannot be) as to the decisions. When 

 it is known that eight and a half guineas have been given simply for the loan of a pen to win a 

 five guinea cup ; and other cases have occurred where thirty-five pounds have been lost and won 

 by bi'ts on a single award ; it is not. difficult to conjecture what these contingencies may give rise 

 to, to secure the attainment of a "win;" or what compromise of all that is honourable, straight- 

 forward, and just may be wilfully accepted for the sake of obtaining such undeserved pecuniary- 

 success." 



We would onl}' add one more remark-, relating to the faj/zinit oi judges. One or t\\-o of the 

 best in England act without fee or reward, and ha\e long done so ; but we are far from sure the 

 principle is a sound one. Deeply indebted as the whole body of amateurs must be to gentlemen 

 who thus devote time gratuitously to their service, we cannot but think of the future also, and 

 of the need of a constant succession of skilled arbitrators being maintained who shall, as required, 

 become qualified to take the place of those who retire. It is worthy of consideration whether 

 able service in this department, as in others, does not deserve remuneration without being open to 

 any suspicion of being mercenary; and whether a fair scale of judges' fees might not be richly 

 repaid in the creation of an increased staff of skilled judges, who might be able then to aff'ord the 

 time which they cannot now spare to the onerous duties of this office. More judges are needed 

 at almost every show ; we rarely visit one on the judging-days without seeing for ourselves that 

 the arbitrators are grossly overworked ; and the complaint generally is that more of really capable 

 men cannot be got. The judges themselves would gladly hail really able additions to their ranks, 

 and the question may perhaps, now we have stated it, be thought deserving the serious attention 

 of amateurs. Expense may perhaps be made an objection ; but in regard to this point, as with 

 respect to the reprehensible practice of holding shows in open fields without any protection 

 whatever for the fowls, it is a fair question to ask, if support enough cannot be obtained to carry 

 out such matters properly, whether any show should be held at all .' The multitude of petty 

 shows in England has long been thought by many to be a serious evil ; and if several of these little 

 starvelings were by the pressure of such considerations amalgamated into one, well supported and 

 under better management, we are far from certain that all parties might not be benefited thereby. 



