478 
EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
and the prizes raised to higher sums. The country 
strengthened, and confiding in the talented and energetic 
guidance of a beloved sovereign, received with eagerness the 
invitation addressed to it. 
Each year has since been marked by an improvement. 
In 1853, meetings took place in the eight agricultural de- 
partments into which France is divided. 
The prizes were again increased. Some special arrange- 
ments were made by which the animals that had been the most 
remarkable at the meetings of the departments were brought 
together at the general meeting ; and thus there reassembled 
at Orleans, 421 animals from all parts of the country. 
In 1854, the females of the bovine race, sheep, and pigs, 
were admitted, and some special prizes were given to 
poultry. 
Lastly — Conformably to the wish expressed by the jury at 
Orleans, a general meeting was definitely fixed for Paris. 
Happy and fortunate innovation, which with respect to 
France gives to this exposition its most complete develop- 
ment ! 
This year, gentlemen, a bold attempt has been made, and 
I hope you will agree with me that it has been crowned with 
success. The agricultural meeting has now become universal. 
To this appeal of France, addressed to persons. of all countries 
who could usefully assist its object, England, Switzerland, 
Holland, and other countries, have nobly responded. Our 
neighbours ! our rivals ! and I thank them with gratitude, 
are associated with us in this noble act, and actuated by the 
same sentiments of sympathy and great liberality. 
The pages of our catalogue are enriched with the names 
both of the noblest and most devoted protectors of agriculture, 
and the humblest cultivators. Visitors of all ranks of society 
have been eager to attend, and this meeting has become the 
most useful, the most complete, and the most experimental, 
which has ever been opened to agricultural zoology. 
In one place, on the same day, sixteen hundred and eighty- 
four of the finest animals of the European breeds are found 
assembled together. 
