THE DEVON AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
407 
The Chairman, in a very kind and feeling manner, described 
the deep satisfaction which the Society felt in presenting to 
them these rewards for their good conduct through life. The 
men who had resided 40, 50, and even 60 years on the same 
farm, could not be otherwise than honest, attentive, and indus- 
trious in the concerns of their employers. This was not only 
creditable and honourable to themselves, but also to their masters; 
for good servants lived with good masters, and remained with 
them, as surely as they were treated kindly. Between master 
and servant, long services faithfully performed produced lasting 
attachment. Masters looked upon such servants as those whom 
he now addressed as old and esteemed friends. He then cordially 
shook hands with each of them, and told them that, as they left 
the room, they would hear three hearty cheers given to “ An 
honest peasantry their country’s pride.” 
The healths of the judges were then drunk and responded to 
by Mr. Webber, after which the adjudication of the prizes for 
shoeing-smiths was read by the Secretary. 
The first prize of £2 was awarded to Wm. Davy, working for 
Mr. R. Read, veterinary surgeon, Crediton, for the best set of 
shoes for hack-horses, and fixing a set in the best manner : — £1 to 
W. Harris, for the second best ; and 10s. to James Wright. The 
judges also desired to express their satisfaction at the general ex- 
cellence of the shoeing, which they thought highly creditable to 
all the competitors. 
On the suggestion of Mr. Hussey, Mr. Read stated that, in 
his opinion, the shoeing generally was very good, and all the 
competitors were entitled to some merit. As he was one of the 
judges for horses, he begged to return his thanks, and those of 
the two gentlemen who had acted with him, for the honour which 
had been done them, and he would beg permission to state what 
had occurred during the examination of the morning. Very few 
horses had been exhibited, and of them there was not one to which 
they could honestly award a prize. One horse had a plain and 
palpable lenticular cataract. Another had decided ringbone. 
There was not one that had not something or other wrong about 
him. He and his brother judges were therefore of opinion, that 
all the prizes, except in one case which he would presently men- 
tion, should be withheld in the present show; and that it should 
be regarded in future as a rule, that no horse labouring under dis- 
ease, or malformation which is likely to be, or which there is the 
chance of its being, propagated to the offspring, shall receive a 
prize. The horses on which the honours of the Society are be- 
stowed shall be perfect in their kind. Strict attention to this 
