The Chester Meeting . 
509 
* ively lent itself, the emblem “ Long live our Earl ” picked out 
in coloured lights, was a conspicuous feature. The river fete 
was witnessed by the Prince of Wales from the illuminated 
barge in which the Duke of Westminster conveyed His Royal 
Highness and other members of the house party at Eaton Hall. 
On Wednesday evening the Mayor and Mayoress of Chester 
held a reception at the Town Hall, which was largely attended. 
The visitors had an opportunity of examining many objects of 
historical interest belonging to the ancient city. 
With regard to the weather, conflicting emotions must have 
been experienced by many who had the Society’s interests at 
heart. Whilst rain was most urgently needed by farmers gener- 
ally, it was obvious that a wet week would impair the success of 
the Meeting. Had the weather changed only 24 hours later than 
it did the receipts at the gates would undoubtedly have been 
considerably larger. Even as it was, however, the rain came too 
late to have any disastrous effect upon the attendance, and it is 
legitimate to regard the Chester Show as a fine weather meeting. 
It is true that the shillings were few on the Friday, but against 
this may be placed the 40,000 half-crowns received on the 
Tuesday and Wednesday. 
From the subjoined table it will be seen that the Chester 
Meeting of 1893 occupies a very good position, so far as the 
number of paying visitors is concerned, amongst the Shows of 
the last ten years. It is necessary to mention that at Plymouth 
there were three one-shilling days and only one half-crown day ; 
whilst at Windsor, Thursday was a half-crown day. 
Number of Paying Visitors at the last ten Country Meetings (1884-1893). 
Day of Show 
Ches- 
ter, 
1893 
War- 
wick, 
1892 
Don- 
caster, 
1891 
Ply- 
mouth, 
1890 
Wind- 
sor, 
1889 
Notting- 
ham, 
1888 
New- 
castle, 
1887 
Nor- 
wich, 
1886 
Preston, 
1885 
Shrews- 
bury, 
1884 
Implement day( 2.t.(W.) 
1st day (Mon. is.) . . 
2nd day (Tues. 2s. 6 d.) 
3rd day (Wed. 2s. G </.) 
4th day (Thurs. Is.) . 
5th day (Fri. Is.) . . 
299 
2,397 
20 959 
19,034 
69,555 
13,664 
2GG 
3,570 
16,598 
15,779 
36,448 
23,801 
314 
2,681 
12,331 
18,530 
57,580 
20,034 
194 
1,234 
10,008 
39,308 
32,371 
14,026 
493 
6,223 
18,809 
24,G90 
32,965 
44,493 
1,826 
1,671 
11,103 
9,057 
88,832 
35,438 
1,209 
1,097 
11.331 
12,020 
77,410 
24,305 
148 
625 
8,074 
10,894 
42,774 
42,394 
394 
3,557 
21,713 
19,318 
34,302 
14,908 
194 
2,183 
11.211 
13,474 
49,374 
17,690 
Total 
115,908 
9G,4G2 
111,500 
97,141 
155,707 1 
147,927 
127,372 
104,909 
94,192 
94,126 
1 Including 28,034 on the sixth day (Saturday). 
The persistent drought which characterised the spring 
and early summer of 1893 rendered the duties of the Steward 
of Forage unusually arduous. Mr. Alfred Ashworth, who 
undertook this important office, says 
