Robert Baheweli. 
13 
Surely “ the cultivator ” himself ought to he at least as 
good a judge on this point as “the sages of Smithfield,”or as 
“ the town.” Even “ the unerring standard of the balance ” is 
unerring only so far as the weight of the product sent to 
market is concerned. The quality is proved by other tests, 
known alike to producer and consumer ; but the cost of qrrc- 
duction is best known to the producer. The strictures of 
Lawrence or of “ Benda,” stripped of a certain amount of mock- 
loftiness of style and affectation of smartness, are reducible to 
little more than another old writer, scarcely observed because 
of unobtrusive manner, has said, to the effect that Bakewell’s 
conduct was in some respects unpopular, and that the measure 
most so was the establishment (with its rules) of the “ Tup 
Club,” or Dishley Society, which was condemned, he adds, 
“ exactly in proportion to the rise in prices.” 1 
The Dishley Society, an association (founded in 1783) for 
the preservation of purity of breed, had also the object — - 
perhaps we should call it the primary object — of protecting 
and advancing the interests of the breeders of improved 
stock. They, at the cost of much time and pecuniary 
capital, had raised the standard of merit in the flocks of the 
country ; they had established a breed capable of widening 
incalculably to other breeds the circles of improvement ; and 
they had a just claim to recompense for their outlay and their 
time and skill. The club, therefore, was formed. Whether its 
proceedings, and those of its agents and friends, were always 
such as the enlightened and sensitive conscience could approve, 
or whether the meaner tendencies of human nature were some- 
times exemplified in its transactions, and, if so, who were to 
blame, we cannot at this distance decide ; but we can scarcely 
hesitate to allow that the existence of the club was justified by 
the certainty that the pioneers of improved breeding would be 
heavy losers unless they combined to protect themselves. 
The Society flourished. Prices rose. Envy and jealousy 
rose with prices. Hence the attacks upon the associated breeders, 
and charges, possibly much exaggerated, of unfairness in the 
means employed to keep up the prestige of the new breed. 
Bakewell, the foremost man, was necessarily singled out as the 
man most responsible for the alleged knavery of the Dishley 
coterie, and his name more than any other is consequently asso- 
ciated with discreditable practices. But when we remember that 
men of the mental and moral type of Arthur Young were Bake- 
i 
1811 . 
Husbandry of Three Celebrated Farmers) section on Bakewell. London, 
