7 
Though some thought that the new Society would 
develop at the expense of the older one, it has not turned 
out so, and there certainly never was any idea of rivalry in 
any shape or form in the minds of the agriculturists who 
were associated with both these workers in the common 
cause. The Smithfield Club had its own special aim, which 
may be briefly described as scientific breeding and feeding. 
It, therefore, could not fail to be at one with a Society 
whose own aim was to bring science to bear upon all other 
Agricultural operations. But in this connection it may be 
noted that at the annual dinner during the Show of 1840, the 
President, Earl Spencer, in laying stress upon the common 
bond of action alluded to, said: ‘‘ It is now three years since, 
in this room, I suggested the establishment of the Royal 
Agricultural Society of England. I hope and trust that 
there is not one of you, that chanced to be present, who 
has reason to regret the establishment of the Society. But 
for the Smithfield Club, that Society would never have 
existed.” 
Among the guests on that occasion was the President 
of the Royal Agricultural Society for the year, Philip Pusey, 
Esq., M.P., who, in reponse to the toast of his health and 
success to the Royal Agricultural Society of England, said : 
‘“‘T should feel great embarrassment in returning thanks for 
the honour you have done me, but that I see present many 
of the members of the Society of which I have the honour 
to be President. It is natural that I should feel some 
embarrassment on this occasion, the more so, as I feel that 
this room is the cradle of the Royal Agricultural Society. 
To our noble President, to the Duke of Richmond, to Mr. 
Handley, and many others, the Society owes its existence.” 
Mr. Pusey’s speech at the same meeting is noteworthy 
for a reference to the Club’s own work. In noticing the 
increase in population we have already referred to, and the 
Goswell Street, on the 8th of December, 1837, and it was then deter- 
mined that, if the co-operation of the Duke of Richmond could be 
obtained, its formation should be publicly mooted at the dinner of the 
Club on the 11th, as recorded above. In doing this, the late Earl 
Spencer, after having alluded to the objects of the Club, as not embracing 
agriculture generally, said,‘ If a society were established for agricultural 
purposes exclusively, I hesitate not to assert that it would be productive 
of the most essential benefits to the English farmer ;” and later in the 
evening, the Duke of Richmond said, ‘‘ As an individual I feel it my 
duty to give my support to my noble friend in his exertions to institute 
such a society.” The late Mr. Handley also expressed his thorough 
_concurrence in the proposal.—B.T.B.G. 
