11 
Sydenham, but that which received most favour and which 
was recommended by the Committee was the suggestion 
of Mr. John Giblett, that a Company be formed to 
provide a suitable hall. They recommended that if this 
was done, and adequate terms offered to the Club, the 
Exhibition and Annual Show of the Club should be leased 
to them for a term not exceeding twenty-one years. This 
led to the issue of a preliminary prospectus of the proposed 
Agricultural Hall Company, with Mr. Jonas Webb as 
Chairman, and in the same year (1860) it was resolved that 
the scheme be carried out—the Company undertaking to 
erect a suitable building on a selected site in Islington, to 
make all suitable arrangements, and to pay the Club £1,000 
per annum; the Club agreeing to lease their exhibition for 
a term not exceeding twenty-one years, commencing in 
1862. The site chosen was that known as ‘ Dixon’s 
Lairs,” Islington. 
In the same year the President, the Duke of Richmond, 
died, and at the meeting of the Club it was resolved— 
“That this meeting desires to record its deep regret at the 
irreparable loss the Club has sustained by the decease of its 
late President, His Grace the Duke of Richmond, K.G., who 
has, during a number of years, given the greatest attention to 
further its objects, and promote its prosperity.” 
His Grace had taken charge of the Club’s affairs when its 
success was practically assured, but he had done much in 
maintaining and increasing its position. His name will 
always be associated with that of Earl Spencer, as one of 
the two men whose personality influenced the Club and 
swayed its counsels most during the second great period of 
its existence. 
With the death of what may be termed the last 
permanent President, it was resolved that in future the 
holder of the office should be elected for the term of one 
year, and not be eligible for re-election for the term of three 
years. The Right Hon. Lord Berners, elected President 
for 1861, became the first of the Annual Presidents. 
The remainder of the stay at Baker Street was taken 
up by the ordinary work of the Club and, preparations 
for the removal into larger quarters. Among other 
things, the prize sheets were re-arranged, ‘fresh divisions 
‘and classes added, this latter, in the year the Show was 
held under its new conditions, being further increased 
by another £600. 
