THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN’S COMPANION, June 23, 1857, 
193 
unpleasing, though I could do so considerably; but as I 
myself consider every labourer worthy of his hire, and I 
find not a few of such societies adopt principles diametrically 
opposed to those views, I will draw to a close by the simple 
mention of the fact that, entirely exclusive of all the shows 
that I have voluntarily agreed to adjudicate gratuitously, 
I have attended twenty-three where expenses refunded 
were faithfully “promised,” yet in not one single instance 
have I ever received one farthing ; whilst at fifteen of these 
meetings I paid my own hotel expenses also, besides those 
of transit, and travelled in the aggregate considerably more 
than three thousand miles to fulfil the duties allotted to me. 
Most certainly Judges of poultry ought not to be thus 
treated if they attend properly to their appointed duties; it 
is the way to drive away many that would possibly have not 
only enjoyed the office, and faithfully fulfilled its require¬ 
ments, hut also, if still continued, precludes even the 
expectance that really disinterested individuals will accept 
office; but still I hope the mention merely will work its 
reformation; it is most desirable for the good success of 
such undertakings, and undoubtedly arrangements once 
entered into ought to be fulfilled, even where the ways and 
means fall short of the anticipations of its original 
projectors. 
My convictions are very decided that Poultry Shows will 
even yet increase, both as to numbers and likewise as to 
importance, if properly conducted. On that all depends. 
If laxity and indifference to general results have been 
prominently a feature of any managing Committee I always 
found non-success inevitable; on the contrary, I cannot call 
to mind even one isolated case of failure where really 
business-like men took possession of the helm. 
In conclusion, when we reflect on the immense aggregate 
of breeders and exhibitors of poultry now existent throughout 
the land, the great amount of recreation to some and emolu¬ 
ment to others, the poultry movement induces, it surely 
becomes equally a duty, and ought to be an inclination, of 
every one to do all in his individual power to remove incon¬ 
sistencies, and place on a secure foundation an amusement 
so innocent in itself, and which, if disposition leads them, 
there are very few indeed who, from outward circumstances, 
are debarred enjoying. — Edward Hewitt, Eden Cottage, 
Sparkbrook , Birmingham. 
THE PHILOPERISTERON SOCIETY. 
In reading your publication of the 26th of May last my 
attention was attracted by a communication headed “ Pigeon 
Clubs of the Metropolis,” which I think calls for some few 
remarks from me, as Honorary Secretary of the Philo- 
peristeron Society, while at the same time I may claim 
exemption from the charge of any invidious feeling towards 
the National Columbarian Club (the other Society referred 
to), being also a member of it. 
Your correspondent,J. H. S.,” starts by saying that the 
Philoperisteron Society was established by a few gentlemen, 
who hoped to place it on a similar footing with its pre¬ 
decessor, the Old Columbarian Society, a hope which “ J. 
H. S." does not deny has been fully realised; and then he 
proceeds to state that its honours are now shared and 
its numbers passed by the National Columbarian Society, 
started only at the close of the last season. Now, how can a 
comparison be instituted between a society which, like the 
Philoperisteron, has been established for more than ten 
years, and the fame of whose birds and exhibitions has 
extended to America and most parts of the world, and a 
society like the National Columbarian, but recently esta¬ 
blished, and which up to this moment has not had even a 
private exhibition of birds ? 
As to the relative number of members referred to by 
“J. H. S.,” the Philoperisteron, like the Old Colum- 
bariau (so justly lauded by him), is not desirous of great 
numbers, but merely enough to produce a good show of 
birds, make a friendly party, and pay expenses, all which it 
has attained. Besides, it should be borne in mind by 
“ J. H. S.” that mere number of members does not consti¬ 
tute the excellence of an exhibition of Pigeons, but the 
number and quality of the birds are the essential requisites 
of a Pigeon Society. 
For the merit of the birds exhibited, the ease with which 
visitors can at our annual Exhibitions inspect them without 
crowding or any other inconvenience, the elegance of the 
Hall, and the beauty of the pens, the Philoperisteron 
Society may challenge comparison with any society in the 
world. 
Your correspondent further asserts that the Philoperis¬ 
teron Society, though in some respects equal, is in his 
opinion in many respects inferior to its rival. It would seem 
that “ J. H. S.” was a little startled with the difficulty of 
proving this proposition, and therefore has not attempted it, 
but has quietly glided into a general proposition that the 
increased expenses (which I may state are incurred princi¬ 
pally for the accommodation and gratification of visitors) 
are not counterbalanced by increased advantages. Pray let 
me ask how “J. H. S.” can tell whether “there are no 
corresponding advantages for the larger subscription” until 
the new Society has commenced its exhibitions. Is he 
gifted with second sight, and thus able to argue against 
what is and has been by comparing it with what is to be ? 
Does he mean to assert that the new Society will give the 
public so large and commodious a hall as the Freemasons’ 
Hall without an increased subscription ? I think he will not 
venture to assert that. Will their pens be as good, or their 
birds of as high a quality, as those of the Philoperisteron 
Society ? All this remains to be seen. 
But the severest blot upon the Philoperisteron escutcheon, 
and the hardest of digestion by “J. H. S.,” is “the annual 
dinner,” which is not paid for out of the funds of the 
Society, but by the members themselves. What an unrea¬ 
sonable man “J. H. S.” must be in seeking to abolish a 
friendly meeting which comes but once a year, and which, it 
seems to me, tends very much to keep societies together, 
and promote a good feeling among the members ! There is 
nothing to compel any member to be present or bear any 
part of the expense, and any member not attending loses 
nothing save a very agreeable entertainment. 
In all I have said I mean not one word against the respect¬ 
ability of the National Columbarian Club (many members 
of the Philoperisteron Society, as well as myself, are en¬ 
rolled amongst its members and anxious for its prosperity), 
but I desire only to protest against such comparisons as 
“ J. H. S.” has drawn being now instituted, and to suggest 
that they would have been better deferred until a year or two 
of active operations had enabled “ J. H. S.” to point to what 
had been done by the National Columbarian Club, rather 
than to what is about to be done. 
I did not read the number of your paper I have, referred 
to sooner, as at this time of the year I am much engaged, or 
I should have written to you earlier on the subject.—W. W. 
Hayne, St. James's Road , Croydon Common. 
GAME BANTAMS. 
I was much interested in reading the letters of “ Dandy ” 
and “ Merry Legs ” on the subject of Bantams. I lament 
very much with them the neglect with which Game Bantams 
are now treated, and I wish that fanciers would turn their 
attention to this beautiful and useful class of poultry, thus 
giving them their right station at Poultry Shows. In point 
of fact there are very few really good Black-breasted Red or 
Duckwing Bantams, for generally these two sorts, as well as 
the Piles, are in my opinion too coarse and large. 
Rely on it if more attention is not paid to the breeding of 
true Game Bantams we shall soon lose this breed, which is 
in no respect inferior to either White, Black, or Laced Ban¬ 
tams, and in some points their superior. A separate class 
should be allotted to Game Bantams, as there is to the other 
sorts, and they should not be condemned to “ waste their 
sweetness” in the “ class for any other variety.” Remember 
that, as “ Dandy ” said, and I said in my Plea for Bantams, 
Game Bantams are “ capital layers and wonderful sitters, 
tight-feathered, and hardy.” 
A few words as to the breeding of these little beauties may 
not be here out of place. Feed them well till six weeks old; 
then, as they must be small, feed light. August is the best 
hatching month, and even later sometimes. Select the 
smallest and most accurately-marked birds for breeding 
from. 
