You will not wonder that I am in a graver mood than is usual on these
occasions. For more than 30 years my lamented father occupied this
chair, and I believe he was present on every occasion of this kind. In
that time, the show has been raised from a very small one to be one of
the most important in the country. My father has left me, amongst
other possessions, an hereditary trust in the shape of this
Agricultural Show. If I have given any hope that I shall fill the
position as my father filled it, I shall feel very much flattered. It
is not my intention to make great changes. There is no way of showing
disrespect more than in making great changes, turning everything
topsy-turvey, as if we knew everything better than those who went
before us. I am naturally Conservative, and come of a Conservative
family. I intend to keep to what was good of my late father. I have
inherited a great trust in this show, and I hope that in future it
will be seen that the show has not lost its prestige, its popularity
or its utility.
_Tredegar Show,
December 15th, 1875._