Burlington tri-weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1852-1855, 1854-12-30
AGRICULTURAL FAIRS-FEMALE EQUEs
TRANS

Messers. Editors: Should fairs, institu-
ted for the Improvement of Agriculture and
the Mechanic arts, be turned into theatres
for the exhibition of feats of during in riding
aud driving, by wives and daughters for the
amusement of a gaping crowd? The object
as we supposed, Of fairs, was to exhibit, the
products Of hn.nan genius, skill and industry,
developed in articles Of utility or beauty,
and by rewarding skill, encourage i'm
provement. By bringing together the
stock from all parts Of the country and Civ
ing to animals of merit suitable premiums,
encourage the growth ano propagation Of
the best breeds of horses, cattle, swine, poul-
try sc. And what connection with this OBJ
ject, has the exhibition Of feats If Amazo-
nian recklessness, agility and muscle? Will
this blending of the attraction of the horse
race and the hippodrome have tendency to
improve the breed Of horses or cattle?
1t will have tendency to lessen our res
pect for the good sense and correct taste of
the fair performers, however much they might
impress us with admiration for their aoilitu
and muscle! But what will be the effect
upon the short horns, Devons and Herefords
the South Downs and Leicesters-the Nor
gans, Merinos, and Berkshires-the Shanc-
hais? 1t will be to put the whole tribe out
OF countenance. What well bred Spanish
Jackass would ever attend cattle show
where he would be completely eclipsed and
lost sight of in the attraction of women and
girls, in full career, with skirts flying, cheer
ed on to acts Of daring by the applause of
admiring crowds? Even Humorous Jove,''
when, in form of Bull he ssdashed the bill
lowy surge astride," or the famous Darby
Ram, would have made mere one-horse
show, and never been any where, beside q
dashing damsel upon stallion doing sstwo
forty on a mud road!''
1t is very evident to me that unless this
ruinous competition is ended, the blood hor-
ses and cattle must succumb! It's clear to
me that they can't compete with calico. And
as they have always been considered useful
in their way, | write to suggest separation.
write, at this early cay, so that all may
consider of it and govern themselves accord
lngly. would have the grain, the fruit and
stock OF the farmer and grazer,-the tools
and implements Of the mechanic-the wares
OF the manufacturer-the flowers and fruits
OF the horticul1urist- the butter. patch work,
and domestic manufactures of the notable
house wife-all exhibited, admired and en-
couraged. But the dangerous and demorali-
zing feats Of the ring would reserve for
some more appropriate time and place.
But for Fear that some evil minded persons
may accuse me OF caring more for pigs and
poultry than women, will suggest, for the
consideration Of the "strong minded, who
regard this exhibition as important and USE
fu'' that an exhibition of female agility and
muscle be gotten up. Premiums can be
awarded for riding, driving, running, Jump
ing, wrestling and ground and lofty tumbling.
free to any maid Or matron between the ages
OF thirteen and sixty. Then, as Weller would
say, we shall have "show as is a show y,
which will not require any borrowed attac-
lions! charge nothing for the suggestion.
IOGlNES.
NEyx N~vyx-