550 Report on the Exhibition of Live Stock at Birmingham. 
stretching far awav, but now gradually contracting on all sides 
— the beautiful giving way to the utilitarian. 
One word more, and I have done. The maintenance of order 
on the Show-ground was, as usual, entrusted to a select body of 
the A Division of the London Police ; but considerable doubt 
was expressed as to whether that force would be sufiBcient to 
cope with the unruly elements which were expected to be present 
on the shilling days : so much so, that, speaking for myself, I 
looked forward with some apprehension to making an intimate 
acquaintance with the inhabitants of the Black Country, more 
especiallv the Birmingham " Roughs." Never in my Life was 
I more agreeably disappointed. With few exceptions, and those 
of a very trifling character, there was absolutely no disorder, 
and with over sixty thousand people, pretty closely packed, this 
is saying a great deal. I believe 1 am capable of forming an 
opinion on a matter of this sort, and certainly I had the oppor- 
tunitv ; and all I can sav is that I failed to see that which I had 
been led to expect. The people were there most assuredly, and 
their behaviour was an example to be followed. Doubtless this 
is due to the high influences which are now so extensively 
brought to bear with advantage to us all ; and if we had only 
more men of the same stamp as the Rev. Canon Wilkinson, D.D., 
who conducted our Sundav-morning service, we should make 
more rapid strides in the right direction. 
And now I take my leave of the Royal Show of 1876, with 
my best thanks to all — herdsmen, horsemen, grooms, and attend- 
ants generally — for their cordial help in the work. The mantle 
of the happily still extant Mr. Brandreth Gibbs fits well on the 
shoulders of Mr. Jacob Wilson, and I would sav of him, last, 
though not least, long may he remain in his present post ol 
Steward of General Arrangements, the right man in the right 
place. 
Sedgwick, August 28th, 1876. 
XXII. — Report on the Exhibition of Live Stock at Birmingham. 
By Joseph Darby. 
The Birmingham Meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society 
has been proclaimed to the world a grand success, but in reality 
it may have been so to an extent far exceeding the popular 
impression. The fact of 163,148 visitors having been attractctl 
to such a magnificent display of stock and implements is, of 
course, in the highest degree satisfactorv, and the Council may 
be heartily congratulated on having improved their financial 
position. But there were nobler ends to be worked for and 
