When the state of the funds was subsequently more particularly inquired into, however, it was found that the amount of money actually received at the door was a little rising _nine_ hundred and seventy dollars, instead of "_four_ hundred and seventy-three," as above quoted. But this was a trifling matter; since the "Committee of Judges" spoken of above accounted for this sum, duly, in the final settlement.
The "Committee" aforesaid awarded the following premiums at this show, after attending to the examination confided to them--namely:
"_First_ premium, for the best six fowls contributed, to _George P. Burnham_, of Melrose, Mass., $10.
"For the three best Cochin-China Fowls (Royal), to _George P. Burnham_, Melrose, Mass., $5.
"For the twelve best chickens, of this year's growth (Royal Cochin-China), to _George P. Burnham_, Melrose, $5."
And there were some _other_ premiums awarded, I believe, there, but by which I was not particularly benefited; and so I pass by this matter without further remark, entertaining no doubt whatever that all the gentlemen who were awarded premiums (and who obtained the amount of the awards) exhibited at the Fitchburg Hall Show _pure_-bred fowls.
After making these awards, the "Committee of Judges" (consisting, as aforesaid, of myself, Mr. Burnham, and a fancier from Melrose) state that "they find great pleasure"--(mark this!)--"they find great pleasure in alluding again to the splendid contributions" of some of the gentlemen who had fowls in this show,--and then the Report continues as follows:
"The magnificent samples of _Cochin-China_ fowls, contributed by G.P. Burnham, of Melrose, were the theme of much comment and deserved praise. These birds include his imported fowls and their progeny--of which he exhibited nineteen splendid specimens. To this stock the Committee unanimously awarded the _first_ premiums for fowls and chickens; and finer samples of domestic birds will rarely be found in this country. They are bred from the Queen's variety, obtained by Mr. Burnham last winter, at heavy cost, through J. Joseph Nolan, Esq., of Dublin, and are unquestionably, at this time, the finest thorough-bred Cochin-Chinas in America."
My early hen-friend the "Doctor"--alluded to in the opening chapter of this book--exhibited a fowl which the "Committee" thus described in their report: