The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1858-02-16 00:00:00

norsetsbire.

GRAND BANQUET

-
AND
PRESENTATION OF PORTRAIT
TO
J. J. FARQTJHARSON, ESQ.

The banquet by the foxhuntera of Dorset to Mr. Far-
quharson, and the presentation to that time-honoured
gentleman of his portrait—which forms a portion of the
Farquharaon Jubilee Testimonial—were celebrated on
Wednesday evening in the Townhall. The proceedings
had been postponed owing to the lamented death of the
Earl of Ilehester who had kindly promised to preside.
About 220 gentlemen assembled to do honour to the
veteran sportsman and master of foxhounds now, we
believe, in his 74th year, many of his friends greeting
him at the King's Arms prior to entering the scene of
festivity. The walls of the dining room were grace-
fully draped with scarlet cloth decked with artificial
flowers. On each side of the lofty window facing the
president's chair was stretched a banner also embellished
with flowers. At the head of the room a canopy of
scarlet cloth was placed over, and extending to the right
and left of the president's chair, and above were a large
ensign and a flag bearing the royal arms. Resting on
the canopy were a rich and elegant vase and shield, pre-
sented to Mr. Farquharson a quarter of a century ago,
and the first part of the Farquharson Jubilee Testimo-
nial presented last year at Blandford—the two five-branch
gilt candelabra, bearing lighted candles. In a recess, to
the right of the chairman, midway down the room,
and screened by a scarlet curtain, the picture for pre-
sentation reposed. The size of the painting is 10i feet
by 9, and it is in a chaste gold frame on the base of
which run the words :—"Presented to James John
Farquharson, Esq., by the friends of his Hunt, as •
proof of their regard and esteem for the kind and liberal
manner in which he has hunted the county of Dorset
at his sole expense for half • cenMry. —1857." The
picture is a beautiful work of art, conveying a life-size
portrait of the Squire in his hunting dress, seated, in
characteristic attitude, with whip in hand, on a favourite
dark-bay hunter, "Botanist." Conspicuous in the
foreground stands "Rarity," a well known tan and
white hound, and drawing near, on the left-hand aide,
comes the huntsman, James Treadwell, mounted, and
sounding his horn; while passing in an opposite direc-
tion, with face partly averted, is a whipper-in, " Jem,"
also on horseback. Mr. Farquharson, whose features
beam with their accustomed pleasantness, is stationed
on a rising ground beneath the overhanging bough of a
venerable thorn. Whilst truthfulness of portrait is ad-
mirably preserved in each figure, and the drawing is
very careful, the painter has happily produced • really
first class picture, in which harmony of colouring and
graceful grouping blend in agreeable effect upon the most
cultivated eye, and such as does credit even to the high
reputation of the talented artist, Mr. Francis Grant, RA.
The horse and his rider—to secure • faithful and lasting
representation of which has, of course, been a main
object of the managing oommittee—stsnd out in utter
verisimilitude of the life. The price of the picture is
about £l,OOO.

Shortly after 5 o'clock the guests began to arrive, and as
the seats had been marked no crowding was experienced.
The entire management of the banquet had been en-
trusted to Mr. Manley, of the King's Arias Hotel, who
well deserved the warm eulogiums pronounced upon his
skill on this occasion. The repast was of the most
finished description, got up in magnificent style, and
everything at the appointed hour was in readiness, long
are the president appeared.
When the company had waited some considerable
time, the Chairman selected--Lord Ashley—not having
yet arrived, Mr. Gerard Sturt proposed that Sir Edward
Baker should take the chair pro tem. Sir Edward
assenting, the Rev. S. Lane, of Chilfroome, offered up
grace, and dinner was commenced. The venerable
guest of the evening was heartily welcomed by the entire
company standing, on entering the hall. Lord Ashley soon
afterwards arrived, and expressing his regret at keeping
the company waiting, said he had been travelling since
seven in the morning. The Right Hon. Lord Ashley,
M.P., then took the chair, being supported on the right
by James John Farquharson, Esq., H. N. Middleton,
Esq., H. K. Seymer, Esq., M.P., John Floyet, Esq.,
J. J. Farquharson, jun., Esq., Captain Lionel S. Dawson
Darner, M.P.; and on the left by Sir E. Baker Baker,
Bart., Gerard Sturt, Esq., M.P., J. C. Radelyffe, Esq.,
Sir John H. D'Oyley, Bart., H. Frampton, Req., George
Harbyn, Esq., Sir W. C. Medlycott, Bart., G. P.
Maned, Esq., C. W. Digby, Esq., T. B. Bower, Esq.,
and C. Porcher, Esq. The Vice-Presidents were—
Messrs. James Harding, John Homer, and L. Groves.
The guests numbered about 220, and amongst those pre-
sent were—Colonel Malet, Captain Evens, the Revs.
S. Lane, H. T. Bower, T. Fox. J. T. Hinds, and W. F.
Bodclyffe ; T. B. Bower, jun., J. Tatchell Bullen, G.
Troyte Bullock, E. Castleman, E, Castleman, jun., W.
H. D'Oyley, R. Farquharson, H. Farquharson, A.
Foster, A. B. Foster, E. Featherstonbaugh, H. T.

Grove, B. P. Gundry, Wm. Manfield, jun., *tater Hen-
ning, E. L. Kindersley, B. Littlehales, F. H. Lambert,
Smith Marriott, M. Miller, W. Manfield (Mayor of Dor-
chester), F. Messiter, C. Parke, C. J. Parke, J. M.
Quantock, —Radclyffe, jun., D. O'Kelly Templer, James
Templer, St. Barbs Tregonwell, H. Williams, T. Coombs,
M. Devenish, F. T. Johns (Honorary Secretary), and B.
Welmaley, Esqrs. ; Messrs. James Andrews, J. Ains-
worth, W. Alexander, O. H. Baskett, J. T. Baskett,
11. W. Bower, James Burgess, J. A. Burgess, H. B.
Batten. J. Burgess, Robert Burgess, J. Batten, J. Bur-
gess, R. Burgess, R. Burgess, jun., Thomas Bridge
(Wynford), W. Bridge (ditto), T. Bartlett (Weymouth),
A. Burt, J. Bevis (Sydling), R. Caines, J. Chick, jun.,
E. W. Cave, G. Chilcott, E. Chilcott, P. COX, A. L.
Cooper, R. Damen, H. Devenish, J. S. Daniell, W.
Dunning, H. C. Dashwood, H. G. Dunning. H. Duke,
James Davis, J. A. Damen' J. T. Buser, Evens,
W. S. Ferris, W. Fookes, R. Fookes, C. J. Fookes, H.
Fookes, J. Furmedge, H. G. Ford, John Ford, J.
Fowler, R. Fowler, G. F. A. Flower, C. Fry, W.
Gelpin, J. Gibson, G. Game, J. Game, C. W Gordon,
T. Fraser (Grove), W. Horlock, H. C. Henley, H.
Hutchings, G. Hill. J. Hill, R. Hill, J. House, J.
House, jun., F. House, C. Hawkins, H. Hawkins,
Thomas Hawkins, S. Houndsell, C. Hervey, John
Homer, Thomas Homer, W. Henning, J. A. Homer,
Henning, IL Ingram, G. A. Ingram, W. James, H.
J. Little, 0. Mayo (Frome), George Miller, W. Mayo,
jun., H. G. Mayo, A. Marten, F. Miles, R. Miller, C.
Miller, W. Martin, J. May, William Manley, J. New-
man, T. Oliver, W. Parmiter, J. Pitfield, John Pope,
H. Paull, J. Rawlinson, R. M. Randall, T. Ribbeck, W.
P. Roberts, J. Redwood, S. Ruddle, H. Small, W.
Smith, E. A. Smith, E. H. Smith, James Symes, John
Symonds, Samuel Symes, Thomas Symes, Thomas
Byrnes, jun., John Symes, E. Shepherd, J. Shittler, J.
Sansom, Themes SIIII/301:11, W. Shittler, Shuson, H.
Symonds, G. Symonds, J. Steele, G. J. Smith,
R. Thompson, W. Thomas, J. Thresher, J.
Thresher, jun., G. J. Parker, J. G. T. Templer, W.
Watts, V. B. Watts, H. Webber, W. G. Whitmersh,
H. Warne, E. Whittle, and James Yearsley.
The bill of fare was as follows :—Soups. —Mock Turtle,
Hare Ox Tail, Mulligatawny, Spring. Fisk—Salmon,
Turbot, Cod, Soles, a la Meuniere, Whiting, Smelts.
Seeped Serriee—Remores.—liannehes of Venison,
Rumps of Beef stewed, Rumps of Beef boiled, Quarters
of Lamb, Roast Turkeys, Boiled Turkeys, Necks of
Venison, Haunches of Mutton, Rout Beef, Hems and
Tongues, Roast Sucking Pigs, Roast and Boiled Chickens,
Geese, Raised Pies. Entries.—Les Fillets; de Volaille
a la Vicomtesse Cotelettes D'Agneau Demi Provencale,
Vol-au-vent Ragout Melee, Grenaditui de Veen Aux
Epinardes, Casserole de Homerd, Petites Croquantes
Aux CEufs de Rougets, Venison Pasty. Third Course.
—Pheasants, Wild Ducks, Hares, Guinea Fowls, Wid-
geons. Eutremets.—Jellies, Blanche-Menge, Cream,
Custards, French and German Pastry, Mince Pies,
Cheesecakes, Tourtes, Fruit Puddings, Hunting Pud-
dings, College Puddings, Pommes a la Voliere, Lobster
Salads.
At the conclusion of the dinner the Rev. S.
Lane again said grace, and a choice and elegant dessert
was placed upon the tables, together with excellent
wines.
Excellent Music was provided under the conduct of
Mr. K Eyers, whose quadrille bend, together with the
vocal efforts of Messrs. George Genge and Ford, contri-
buted considerably to enliven the evening's proceedings.
About eight o'clock
The CHAIRMAN rose and said he had an apology to
make to gentlemen present for having kept them so
• long waiting, whereby, he feared, the dinner must have
been spoilt besidesthe inconvenience to those present. He
could only give his heartfelt apologies, for it was not
his fault. (Applause.) He came from London that
day and did not know exactly the time of dinner, having
reached Dorchester after the announced time of dinner.
He, therefore, trusted they would grant him their in-
dulgence on this occasion for he knew he was talking to
a set of good fellows, who were aware that misfortunes
would happen in the best regulated families. (Laughter
and applause.) This explanation would, he believed, re-
move all misunderstanding between them. (Cheers.) His
lordship proceeded to propose the toast of' The Queen"
—a toast he was sure needing no words from him to Cause
them to drink with enthusiasm. By a curious coinci-
dence the day fixed for holding this dinner—the 10th—
was the anniversary of her most gracious majesty's
wedding-day. (Cheers.) As loyal subjects, all must
confess she had done her duty well, and all might hope
that England would have a line of sovereigns equal to
her in kindness and every other good quality. (The
toast was warmly and loyally honoured, Messrs. Genes
and Ford singing the air of the "National Anthem,"
and the company joining, whilst standing, in the chorus.)
The CHAIRMAN shortly afterwards rose and proposed
"The Prince Consort and the Royal Family." There
was one member of the Royal Family who now especially
deserved cordial applause, and that was the Princess
Frederick William of Prussia, lately Princess Royal of
England. (Loud applause.) We had seen that young
lady leave this country with her husband, a German
prince of great 'promise, forming an alliance which gave
every earnest of being very advantageous to this nation.
It was the misfortune of royalty often to merry and be
given in marriage to those they did not mush care for,
mere marriages of settlement and convenience! but in
the present instance the noble Chairman thought all
e not only of
might safely say that the marriage
was
on
nil did
convenience but of afeettrt,:fp-aUSe.r for e not
from these shores then
think a happier pair ever s
the newly married royal couple. He was sure they had
the good wishes of every Englielunant end he (the
. an
Chairman) would propose the Prince Consort CI
of Royal
the Princess Frederick William
Prussia. (Loud and continued cheering.)
"The star of Glengarry," song by Mr. Gangs.
The CHAIRMAN next gave "The Arnil and NavY.'

(Applause.) It needed no word of his to bring this toast
before them in a favourable light. We were in the
midst of a groat war with India in which both our
army and navy had won to theninelven everlasting
laurels. (Cheers.) At the close of the Crimean cam-
paign our army was certainly placed in disadvantageoue
circumstances. That was a peculiar sort of warfare and
people were apt to say our prestige as a military nation
was lost and that we were going down hill ; but how far
that prophecy had been fulfilled every day more and
more allowed. No nation ever had had, had now, or
ever would have such reason to be proud of its army
and of its navy as England. (Cheers.) In spite of every
difficulty, every inclemency of weather, in spite of every
rebel, and every foe, our army gallantly and against
whelming number* had proved itself worthy of the
great name it had ever borne. (Applause.) No; let
them never forget the servicva the army was rendering in
India; and that army appealed to us inore and more, while
it made one proud to feel he belonged to a country that
could send forth a Havelock, • Neill, a Wilson, and a
Greathed—(load cheers)—and a gallant fellow he was
too. (Continued applause.) In the navy the Chairman
particularly mentioned Captain Peel, who certainly
since the time of Sir Sidney Smith was the greatest naval
officer our nation had produced. The Chairman coupled
with the toast the names of Colonel Hetet and Major
Ponto of the army, and Lieutenant Oliver of the navy.
The Chairman had hoped to couple with the army
another distinguished llorsetshire man, whom all knew
and of whom all approved on acquaintance—Captain
Napier Start. That officer had written to the Chairman
Baying it was impossible for him to leave London as he
had to be on duty all that morning, and begging the
Chairman to make his excuses for Inc non-attendance,
The Chairman was sure all regretted the Captain's
absence. (The toast was then duly honoured.)