Premiums to Thoroughbred Horses. 
15 
new conditions was held by the Royal Commission in 
conjunction with the Royal Agricultural Society at Nottingham 
in the spring of 1888. The Society continued to co-operate 
with the Royal Commission until 1892, and Sir Jacob Wilson 
served as the Society’s representative upon the Commission 
from its establishment until his death. 
He was a Fellow of the Surveyors’ Institution, and of the 
Highland and Agricultural Society. In 1885 he was selected 
to act as a Juror at the International Exhibition held in 
London. In conjunction with Sir Walter Gilbeyand others, he 
represented the Royal Agricultural Society of England at the 
Paris Exhibition of 1889, where also he acted as Judge of Live 
Stock. His services as a judge of stock were frequently called 
into requisition at the most important shows in the kingdom. 
Sir Jacob received many favours from the Royal Family, 
by whom he was held in great esteem, and on more than one 
occasion he visited Sandringham by Royal command. His 
Majesty the King, then Prince of Wales, paid him the 
distinguished honour of being godfather to his eldest son, 
who was, by special permission, christened Albert Edward, 
after his illustrious godparent. 
In private life Sir Jacob was a genial and kindly gentleman 
and a true friend. He had always a pleasant smile and cheery 
greeting for his acquaintances of whatever rank in life. He 
was greatly beloved by the inhabitants of Chillingham, being 
ever ready to take an active part in any scheme for their 
welfare or amusement. An ardent sportsman, he was in his 
earlier days very fond of hunting, and for some seasons acted 
as Honorary Secretary to the Morpeth Hunt, under the Master- 
ship of Mr. J. B. Cooksoo. He was a keen and excellent shot, 
and a good fisherman ; indeed latterly, when not so capable of 
undergoing the fatigues of other sports, this branch seemed to 
gain increasing place in his affections, and he spent much of 
his leisure with his rod by the River Till. 
Perhaps he never showed to more advantage than when 
entertaining friends in his own house, his kindly hospitality 
and genial manner making him a most charming and 
agreeable host. It was, indeed, a pleasant experience to form 
one of a party at his table comprising Mr. Chandos-Pole-Gell, 
Mr. “ Billy ” Booth (to both of whom, alas ! the words “ the 
late ” must be written), Mr. John Thornton, and other men 
of light and leading in the Shorthorn world, and to listen 
to the flow of conversation and fund of anecdote which fell 
from the lips of those congenial spirits. No less happy Avas 
Sir Jacob when, perhaps next day, he would do the honours 
of his herd, and conduct his visitors round the Shorthorns, 
which were marshalled for inspection by John Brown, his 
