3-008-683 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Lord Portman, president of the Royal Agricultural Society, 1862. Engraving from a photograph by John and Charles Watkins. 'The present peer has always been a most active supporter of the Royal Agricultural Society, and acted as its president when it met at Newcastle in 1846, and again at Chelmsford in 1857. When the lamented Prince Consort died, after attending only one meeting of the society in his capacity as president, it was felt that no one could be selected more fitted than his Lordship to finish out the year of office and guide the destinies of the society through a most difficult and important crisis in its history. What tact, untiring energy and method, his Lordship has brought to bear on the task, those who have seen him at the head of affairs in the showyard, or presiding over the councils of Hanover-square with a firm and yet very conciliatory hand, can most truly testify. His Lordship has been a considerable breeder of Devon cattle, principally from Mr. Davy's, of Flitton's blood; and Mr. Paull's Young Hebe and Young Gold Cup, the first prize and reserved number in the two-year-old heifer class at the Battersea Show, were both bred by him. We believe...that latterly he has rather leant towards the improvement of Alderneys'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.