PREFACE. IT was intended to issue this History at the close of the Centenary Show, but as the question of the incorporation of the Club followed immediately after, it was thought better to bring it up to the end of 1900, the year in which the Smithfield Club ceased to exist under its old orgulization. In preparing the History free use has been made of the historical notes and compilations published by the late Sir I. T. Hrandreth Gibbs, Honoriry Secretary I843 to 1885. The extracts from the minutes have been continued and an index added. The statistical tables have also been continued, and in some cases amplified. It is hoped that these alterations and additions, with the illustrations which are now given.....