4 
presence of ladies being now frequently alluded to. In 
other quarters also it had attracted notice and appreciation, 
as will be seen in the letter of a Scotch breeder in the 
Farmers’ Magazine in 1810, advocating the establishment of 
a similar Society for Scotland. A proof, too, that the Club 
was already attaining some part at least of its object, is 
seen in the classification of animals according to breeds, 
which took place between 1807 and 1815, and the 
consequent widening out of the prize lists. The Duke of 
Bedford had, at the dinner in 1808, remarked, in noticing 
the great increase in the number of beasts and sheep sold 
in Smithfield, and the improvement and excellence of their 
own exhibits, that ‘these results could not have been 
attained but by the gradual banishment of numerous coarse 
and unprofitable breeds from our pastures and supplying 
their place with breeds disposed to early and _ perfect 
maturity.” There is no question but that the Smithfield 
Club had taken a leading part in bringing about this 
improvement, and a great impetus was given to its 
endeavours by the munificent act of the President, who in 
1813 gave the sum of 125 guineas to be offered annually in 
plate and medals, known afterwards as the ‘‘ Bedfordian 
Plate,” and a die, with the profile of the Duke of Bedford, 
engraved by Mr. Joseph Porter from the original bust of 
the Duke by Mr. Nollekens, was prepared for the medals. 
The same year, the Duke of Bedford temporarily resigned 
the Presidency on proceeding to the Continent, but 
resumed it, at the invitation of the Club, on his return. 
But the great crisis was at hand which nearly brought 
the Club’s existence to an end. A.society such as this 
would naturally consist of what may be termed enthusiasts, 
with a certain following of steady adherents, and 
also a number of members who had been attracted for 
various reasons. The defection of many of the latter, and 
the backwardness of others in the matter of paying their 
subscriptions, together with the general depression following 
on the termination of the war, brought on the financial 
difficulties which occasioned, in the year 1816, the determi- 
nation to give no prizes in the following year, 1817, except 
the Bedfordian Plate and Medals, and led in that year to 
the suggestion of the President, that the Club, having 
sufficiently attained the object for which it was formed, 
should be dissolved. There were not wanting many who 
were disposed to agree with the President, but there were 
not wanting many also, who, as in the great nation of old, 
