The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1864-12-06 00:00:00

Somtrsttshire.

WINCANTON AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The Wincanton annual show of stock and
C; is, catila insiket wag held MI Wednesday,
November 30. There was • somewhat lem supply
of fat stock than last year, but what sae lout in
quantity was made up in quality. Of stock
there was • fair supply, and many of the animals
received marked attention. A very large numb.,
of sheep were penned, and with regard to pigs, the
competition was exceedingly severe. For • county
show we do not remember seeing op many fine
animals of the kind together. A large number had
to be conveyed in large box,, as they were far too
rag to stand, much more to walk. It was a curious
sight to the uninitiated in three matter* to see them
lying in their cribs in • roe, covered over with
horse cloths. Upon the sbole, we consider the
Wincanton cattle show a decided mucous.
The attendance was also OULDPrOUP, and it was
amusing to listen to the numeroue labourers deecant•
ing on the various " points" which they considered
worthy of particular notice—more particularly as
what some considered the very beet, others asserted
they were the very wont. With regard to the
judges, they had a most difficult teak. The com•
petition in some of the chasm was so severe that the
nicest discrimination was required. near decisions,
however, we Cr. happy to state, met sith general
approval.
The judge. were for breeding stock Mr.
Corne, l'onipton, and Mr. Coates, Hammoon. —Fat
stock : Mr. Card, Merv, and Mr. (lid, Qxeen
Camel.—Butter and cheese : Mr. Hill, Evercreech,
and Mr. Thomas. Shepton Mallet.

BIZIDINO Stock. —For the best I.oro bred bull of soy
awe, kept for th use of tie public, a Nees of piste
*glue £3 3w., 14,11 r. Hsnuan, Iforsnagtou ; 2ad,11 lit..
Ur. N..tley, Contptoo Psuneef.tot.
_ .

For tho'inwt 1..;11, not ..zwerlirg two yrwrt
14. Mr. Janus Ca.iburi ; 2nd Li, Mr. Row ter, Mart,
bon

For the test dairy cow, in calf and in milk. calved
during the last 1.01.00, ouch oteepring bred by the
exhibitor, • piece of plate value LI 3. , let, Mr. Jam..
Gifford, Cadbury ; 2nd, El 10.., Mr. James Gifford.
FT the two beat dairy cows,in self end in milk,a piece
of plate value £3 3•., 1-t, Mr. Harding, Holbrook; 2nd,
£1 10., Mr. Gifford.
For ;he beat pair of heifers. in ealf, not exceeding
three 'min old, such litifeis bred and kept by the
exhibitor, • piece of plate of the value of 1.1, no coin
Petition, but El was given to Mr. White, Zeit ; for the
2nd El 10e no comp- tit.oh.
For the beet pair of heifer.,in calf, not exceeding two
years old, bred and kept by the exhibitor, let, £l, Mr.
Rovsiter, Marnlinll; 2nd, El, Mr. Janie* Gifford,
o.dbury.
For the beat pen of not lem than 213 Down stook ewes,
.puce of plate f the vides £3, Isl, Mr. White, Zeal. ;
2nd, 1.2. no competition.

. -
For the bent pen of not lees than FA flown Chileer
lambs, a piece of plate of the value of £3, let, Mr. Rose ;
2nd, El 10.., Mr. Roes.
For the b. it rata of any bered, £2, lit, Mr. Rose,
Zeus; 2nd, El, Mr. Rose, Zeal'.
For the be.t hoar pig, El le, Is', Mr. N. Read, Win-
canton ; 2nd, 10.., Mr. Simms, Hendridge-
For the hest breeding sow, with her young or in
farrow, £1 10.., Mr. Creed, lkoharu ; 2nd, El, Mr. J.
R. Peweey, Yarlington.
For the beat pen of not lees than 611 store pig.,El 1118.,
1-t, Mr. Hold, Queen Camel ; 2nd, El, Mr. Craddock,
Wineanton.

FAT MTOCK —For the best fat cow, a piece of pate of
tht value of ei let, Mr. Ile!moth, Bruton ; 2od,
I:1 10a, Mr. Benjall-Id,
For the best let beihr. a piece of plate of the vales
of 1.1 2e, 14, H. blemiter, Eoq., Wintation ; 2urt,
El 1., no competition, but a prise of 10a. via
awarded to Mr. Trauma Gifford.

For the best pen of oot lam than 10 fat Down
wethera 2... Lt. hr. J. Lewiter, Wincanton ; 2nd,
El In., Yr. James Moult/a, Winaanton.

For. the best tat pr, LI 10., I.t. Mr. N. Read,
Witmanton ; 2nd, I, Mr. Coombs, Yarlington.
iiollBll4.- Fur the but hackney Bullion, not exceett•
tog e,e, 'sung o'd, tied in the netthboarhno4, • Hee*
p 1.4. g reit by U. D. Wing& Id Digby, Eaq ,L, no
competil.n.
. . . . .

For the best stallion, for ogrieu'tural purpose', not
ese ed,Yg emit years old. u .ed in the neighbourly od, a
piece I.f plate, value £3 3•., Mr. Thomas, Ccelney Farm,
W.

Ciires AND Bcrrui.—For the beet two cwt. of MM.
tot le ebeeee, a piece of p!ate, Taloa £2, let, Mr.
Trea.are, of Yarlgagtoo ; 2ud, El, Mr. Greco, 4
Downhead.

For the be.t two cot of hal coward eheem, • pie. e
of plate, value £2, let, Mr. lloneyfield, Bockhorn
Wkstoo ; 2n‘l, CI, Mr. Jame. Dyke, of Burton.
For the hest one dozen of butter, made by the
exhibitor, n pime of plate, value fa, lit, Mr J. White,
of Cucklangton ; 2nd, LI. Mr. P.o..ey, of Yallington.
LOso stavlruos.—To be man who has served tbe
greste4 ,umber of y. urn for the same 'truster, or on
the same ;render.% e 2. Ifrary Knight, labourer to
Mr. John Wadman. senior, 51 your,; 2n.1, fl,
James Macey, labourer for Mr. Chad. Richards 49
yeal. .

The boy under 18 years a •ge, who has served the
greatert number of years for the Paine maser, or on the
same prennses, 4:1 Is., 14, James 1101, labourer for
Hr. Wen. lieney, 11 years and 4 months ; 20.1,
10a. 61. Albert :lampoon, labourer for Mr. John Card,
Horton lerlio, 10 years and 3 month..

MI DINNER
took place at the Hear Hotel. Viands of the
choicest description were served up, abundantly
and well, and every attention wee paid to the
comfort and convenience of the guests. We greatly
regretted that the attendance was not so numerous
as it ought to have been, and we would suggest to
the committee the desirability, on another occasion,
to consider whether it is not poesible to draw to-
gether some iif the landed proprietors of the neigh-
bourhood. Our own ipinion is, that the question
of good stock breeding is an much a landlord's
question as it is a tenant's, and we most sincerely
hope that the former wiil in future suction the pro-
ceedings with their pnunce as well as with their
purse. The chair was taken by H. Measlier, Fag.,
an the vice-chair was tilled by Mr. lioseiter.
Among the company were the Kay. Mr. Collins,
Mr. Cooper J.P., Mr. Herbert Musiter, Mr.
Stuckey Wood, Mr, Godwin, Mr. W. Godwin,
Mr. Dowding, Mr. Davis, vecretary, Mr. Hutchings,
Mr. Creed, Mr. Philip., Mr. Snooks, Mr. Hannan,
Mr. Old, Mr. Card, Mr. Coates, Mr. Currie, Mr.
H•ll, Mr. Thomas, tu. _ . _

On the cloth being removed, the CHAIRMAN pro-
posed "The health of the Queen." But before
doing so, he wished to remark that the "leading
journal" of the day had lately and that mistier; of
this kind were not, and weld not be, sociable and
friendly gatherings; that those who wrangled about
the choice of breeds of stock and the growing of
turnips, and that the effect produced was some-
, thing like the effect produced by a mountebank or
, Cheep John. Now there was nothing more con-
tagions than joy and good humour, and he was sere
they would all manifest that conduct that evening
which would falsify the statement be had alluded
to. He would now give the health of Victoria, ,
Queen of England. No other nation was to be
compared to this little island of the West. It had
created • constitution by the acclamation of the
public, which was the wonder and admiration of
surrounding nations. Might the Queen long sway
• united sceptre over a united realm. (Cheers.)
The Cameos:l next gave "The health of the
Prince and Princess of Wiles, and the rest of the
! Royal Family." (Cheers.)
The nut toast proposed from the chair was "The
health of the Bishop and Clergy of the Diocese."
We all knew of the great benefit of which we derived
from having • parochial clergy. Their plain
. practical piety wealth object of our love and venom-
anon. They were the teachers and promoters of
that which tended to man's eternal interests and
• they benighted us by their friendship, their waver-
ration, and their oounseL With this toast he bogged
to sasociate the name of the Bev. Mr. Collins.
(Cheers)
The it.,. Mr. Cowes tendered his beat thanks
for their upraise:os of sincerity and kindness. The
clergy were at all times proud to have any token of
the approbation and esteem of their parishioners,
and he could &more them with equal truth that their
well-being constituted much of the happiness and
pleasure of the clergy.
The CHAIRMAN said they had just drunk to the
defenders of our faith, and he would now propose
the defenders of our homes—the army, navy, and
volunteers. The name and fame of the British
soldier had ever been as inseparable as the Siamese
twins; but unfortunately the greater portion of the
army had to he stationed abroad, and hews England
had for many yesrs to bear the stigma of being
unready in cue of war suddenly breaking out
Hence arose the volunteer force, which was • self-
constituted, and to some extent • self-supporting
body. Hitherto their prowess had been watined to
drill and exercise, and he hoped such • state of
things would long remain. He had always looked
upon them as sort of preventives, but they were
equally as valuable am though they were in active
service, as be held that in all cases prevention wea
better than cure. Our soldiers desired peace—they
did not wish for war; but should mkt of neosseity
arias they would sot on the advice the late lamented
Stonewall Jackson gave to his men—" Be slow to
draw the sword from the scabbard, boys but when
once drawn, throw away the scabbard." (Appleton.)
Mr. J. Maastres renewed thinks for the video-
teem All the services he said were volunteers in a
measure, ss we had is this country no impress-
ment or conscription. With regard to the
volunteer movement, it bed become both popular
and suooessfuL It was predicted at first, that after
the novelty of playing at soldiers had gone off, the
movement would go down; but facts had proved
differently, se the force during the past year had
increased from 160,000 to 166,000. The force had
been in existence but 6ve years, and yet, awarding
to Colonel MoMardo, and other officer; their
dieciplioe and drill was fir superior to what it was
at first thought it possible to bring them to. The
volantur movement had done one thing—it bad re-
moved from England the stigma that she waa nothing
but a nation of shopkeepers ; and what was more—
it had been the wonder of all surrounding nations
The number of the regular army steitioned in the
United Kingdom at ons time was sever more then
40,000, and our continental neighbours were set-
primed • that mob hp meerniciee lowly as the vo/untser
Soros should come forward volastairily, east thee
they should be swlreeted with anununiticie said arms
completely under their control. They could not
undermined bow it was that these should bead them.

selves together of their own free accord to fight the
battles of their country, yet such was the fact ; and
though lie hoped such never might be the ewe, yet,
if celled out, they were ready, if need be, to die
in defence of their country. (Cheers.)
Ito CHAIRMAN next gave the health of "the
Lord• Lieutenant and Id•ristrates." Thu was the
first opportunity he had hail of proposing the health
of the new tord•Lieutenant to them. He had
the private acquaintance, and he could personally
say that a more fitting and more popular
appointment could not have been made. They all
knew that their late very excellent Lied Lieutenant
was a man of great ability, satiability, and liberality,
and all these happy qualifications be was happy
to my were possessed by his successor in a very
high degree. With such an excellent commander
they might expect to find able subalterns. They
often had to decide upon most difficult points, but
he was happy to say that--so far as thorn in that
district at least were concerned—they always
endeavoured to arrive at a just decision. With dm
toast he begged to propose the health of Mr.
Cooper. (Musical honours.)
Mr. COOPER acknowledged the compliment.
The CII•IRM•N next gave " The health of the
Members of the Eastern Division of the County"—
Sir William Miles, Bet., and Mr. Knatchhull.
Both these gentlemen had served them long and
faithfully, and he was sure they would acknowledge
their services with enthusiasm. (Cheers.)
The C 11•1101 AN then gave a toast which naturally
erode out f the fernier. It was • standing maxim
that the King never died, and it might be said with
equal troth that members of Parliament never died
or retired, as before either vacated their *eats, up
sprang new aspirants to supply their places.
Really, when • person contemplated the trouble.
the expense, and the anxiety in eliciting votes, he
would almost suppose that there were a barge
number of loaves and fishes lying about the house.
But each was not the case. The candidates asked
the privilege of representing them in Parliament
solely for the honour and glory attending the posi-
tion. In the natural order of things, • fresh election
must shortly take place, and they all knew and had
seen the three gentlemen who were to compete for
the two mate that would be then at their disposal.
They all knew, and he believed they all respected
the whole. He was not about to launch into politics,
and therefore he should go very gingerly over that
ground ; but the number of those gentlemen was
somewhat carious, the third potting him in mind of
the old gentleman who had • lady on each arm, and
who said, "bow happy could I he with either, were
Caller dear charmer away." (laughter.) He
wished it were in their power to enlarge the repre•
mutation an as to he able to take all in, but they
could not do it themselves, and if they applied to the
higher powers to do it for them, he feared they
would only get snubbed, and he told to mind their
own business. Two only could win—one must be
an outsider; but whoever that outsider might be, he
was sure that at their next merry meeting he would
he received with that favour which unsuccessful
candidates always received in Wiricanton. (Cheers.)
Mr. Coon's next proposed in highly oomph-
mentary terms the health of Mr. Mealier, who
might be called their perpetual chairman. To that
gentleman the society owed a deep debt of gratitude
for keeping them so well together, and he was sure
they would show their appreciation of him by
gi•ing him • hearty cheer. (Great cheering.)
Mr. &lESAITER briefly returned thanks, and con-
cluded by giving the health of the successful candi-
dates.

Mr. GIFFORD and Mr. RARE returned thanks.
The next toast given from the chair was the
" unsuccessful candidates," which was acknow•
lodged by Mr. Sew's.
The health of the judges was acknowledged by
Mr OLD, Mr. CARD, and Mr. HILL
_

The health of the Secretary URI other toasts fol.
lowed, and the evaning was apent in a very
huniourous manner.

BRIDGWATER AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

The fonrteenth Lowed exhibition of boosts, horses,
sheep, and pigs, in connection with the above associa-
ton, was hld in • field in the occueation of Mr. W.
!weightiest. celled The Blacklands. Notebaste. Bridg-
water, on Wednesday. The show, in consequeoce of a
combination of circumstance% was not so large or so
successful. in • pecuniary point of view, as in former
yews. It law Wen usu.) for the exhibition to he held
on the Bridgwater Christmas market-day, but this year
it was fund necessary to alter it to an earlier period,
otherwise it would have claelied with the Budibfield
Club Cattle Show, whence toot of the first-claws bit
stock is sent for, 'ambition. Other mews acted ti the
detriment of the show. The I/master meeting and
Hampton feir were held on the wine day; several
animists were sent to the Birmingham u C.ttle Show,
which would otherw se have been catered for oompetie
ion ; and laid, though not leant, the unpropitious
weather. Under the preeent arrangements the trades-
men of the town, who take • lively interest in the
prosperity .( the association, are unable to mix much
with their agricultural friends, owing to the show t.king
place on the market-day. It has be. n suggeetod that
the plan so suewesfolly wlopted at Taunton should be
followed, by having the meeting on the day preceding
the fair, and we believe the committee seriously con-
template adopting this counts The show•yanl was
open to the public at noon, just at which tinie it
oommenced to rain, and it eontinued almost without
intermision throughout the remainder of the day.
Tha suck was exposed to the "watery elements,"
no shedding haring been erected for their protection.
This is • matter which should be remedied, it being
well known that breeders and owners of good
have much objection to their b.ing left in an tweet:r-
ented state for several hours. The success which has
attended Mr. Welter Farthing, of ()Merry Court, at the
Royal Agriculturel rismety, the Bath and West of
England, the Birmingham Cattle and other shows,
app. ars to have had the effect of almost preventing
muipetition in the claws in which he enter,, and the
result is that Mr. Farthing won again this year • number
of prises. There were two prises offered for the hest
hull above two and not exceeding five years, pure breed,
to he kept in the county of Somerset until the firet day
of June next; but there was only one entry—Mr.
Walt. r Farthing, to whom was awarded the first prim
for a handsome roan Devon bull. 2 years 7 months and
3 weeks old. For the best bull not exceeding two years,
pare breed, there was a better competition, and the
five animals exhibiLd w. re very good specimens of the
bovine race. Mr. W. Farthing again took unit honours,
the second prise falling to Mr. W. M. Dibbeetßishop's
Lydeard. There was no competitien in the fat
cattle, as in some instances the entries were not
sufficient to give the umpires an opportunity of award-
ing all the prizes The cows, heifers, and oxen, worsen
exceedingly metitorion., but rather small, collection.
In the home dame% th re was an increwe upon previous
years, and several of Vie animals exhibited were well
mode, neat, and useful, more especially the start colts
and hackney mares. Th• best feature of the show, and
in w ich the oompetition was the most spirited, was
the sheep department, is which there were a number of
superior sheep, with excellent mutton-producing
qualities. Mr. Thomas Taylor, near Taunton, was as
successful in the pig classes as was Mn. W. Farthing
amongst the castle, the uutpires awarding him the first
prises for the best boar, the beet sow in farrow, said the
hest fat pig The umpires, who discharged their duties in
the most impartial manner, were r—Mr. Lanadon,
Itrempton Ralph, near Wivelimorabs ; Mr. IL Hole,
Stamen. and Mr. Tacker, Andries.
_ .

-
The prises awarded were ay follows
Best bell, not exceeding five year. old, Ist, OS, given
by W. Gm, Langton, Esq., R. 1.., Mr. Walter Farthing,
Stovey Court, near Bridgwater.
Best bell, not exceeding two years, lit, £4, Mr.
Welter Farthing. Blowsy Court; 2nd. 11, Mr. W. M.
Gibbs, Loinglands Farm, Bishop's Lydeard.
Best fat cis or steer, above three years old, lit, EIS,
gives by George Reed. Frq., Mr. H. If. Ball, Hank.
ridge-house, Taunton ; 2nd, ER, Mr. J. S. Bolt, Dodhill-
bowie, Kingston.
Best steer, not eseeeding three years, lot, Ed, given
by A. W Kinglake, Fem., Mr. Robert Farthing,
North Petberton ; 2nd, £2, Mr. Robert Gibbs, Car.
bamptop..

Best fat heifer, lit, £4, Mr. Robert Farthing, North
Petherton; 2nd, £2, Mr. W. Gibbs, Bishop's
Lydeard.
Best cow in oaf, or call by her side, Ist, CIL given by
Sir P. P. F. P. Argand, Bart., Mr. W. Farthing. &away
Court, Bridgwater; 2od, £2, Mr. James eniverweLt,
Claaseyynrm, North Pethertoo.

-
Bwa hotter, not esetattiog tour yeara, in calf or cell
by her id., let, Et, Mr. W. Farthing, Story Court ;
2nd, Ll, Mr. Robert Parthinr, North Petherton ;
3rd, El, Mr. W. T. Cnieerwell, Durleigh Fano, Bridg•
water.

Bad heifer, not exceeding two years, 14, L 2. i•VU
by Sir A. Attland Hood, Bart., M.P., Mr. Walter
Farthing, Stowey Court.
Beat pam of working oleo, Ist, £3, Mr. James Culver-
well, awe, Farm. North Pethertoo ; 2od, £3, Mr.
W. T. Calverwell, Durieigh Farm, Bridgwater.

STOCT:.

Fat steer, Mr. Rob;;;IF;rtilo-i,—North Petherron, 15.
Working Meer, Mews. Mork, Plain.field, Over
Stormy, 10e.
Reiter calf, Mr. Walter Farthing, Steamy Court, 105.
Cart colt, Mr. Robert Comer, Coapit Fenn, Bridg-
water, 100.. . . .

_
- Beet mare, for riding purposes let. £2, given by W.
Gore Langton, Esq., Mr. W. flapper, 1/uddlestona
Farm, over Taunton ; 2nd, 11, also given by Mr.
Ltngton, Mr. R. Hurley, butcher, Bridgwater.
Bast yearling oolt or ally, £2. Mr. W. Capper,
Duddlestone Farm, Taunton ; Tod, Cl, Mr. C. Frankbo,
Bokenii•ll, Taunton.
Best cart mare, let, £2, Mr. Robert Corner, Cox*
Faro, Bridgwater ; 2nd, tl, Mr. Thomas Taylor, Pool
Farm, near Taunton.
Beet cart colt, let, £2, given by W. Gore Laagton,
Req., Mr. Robert Cotner, Cozpit Farm, Bridgwater;
2nd. fl, also given by Mr. Langton, Mr. Joseph Haines,
Huntspill, Bridgwater.
Beet pee of ten breeding ewes. Ist, £3, given by
lirnry Weetroop, Kg, Dorset horns Mr. Tbomiaa
Danger, Hontspill, near Bridgwatar ;2nd, Li, alto Riven
by Mr. Westropp, Mr. Robvrt Farthing, North
Petherton.

•
Beet pro of Itre fit wirthm, lA, L, Mr. W. Milton,
North Pethertoa ; 2nd, £1 10a, Mr H. H. Ball,
Hankridge•hows, Taunton ; Mr. Milton, North
Petherton. and Mr. J. B. Ohre.. Minor home,
Miildlraoy, highly commended.
13est heir, Ist. LI, Mr. Moroi@ Taylor, Pool Firm,
neer Taunton; 2nd, el, Sr. James Mead, High Ham,
near Issigtotrt.
Beet now, let, £2, bfr. Thomas Taylor, Pool Firm,
neer minutes; 2nd, El, Kr. Jrifery Button, Wool-
meridan-honee, Itrigginiter.
Best fat pig. let, £2.Mr.Thome Taylor, Pool Farm,
Tapjakoa 2nd, Cl. Mr. henry Buttes, Woolmarsdes-
house, Bridgwater.

UM NOM
Ten fat
Pethert wethen, Mr. William Milton, North
en,

Broodulg
Nssow, Yr. W. Whits, Mali Shovel Inn,
Bridgwator, .

V

TB! IMBICER
tgok place at the }loyal Clarence Hotel. Sir A. A
M. 0.& Bart., M.P., in the ahsciare of the President of
h. Siviay, (Gore Langton Esq.. _ M.P.) ',resided. Mr.
Jeff, ry Sutton occupied the vice-chair : and them men
Oao prownt the Ilayorof Bridgwyter (J. Browne, Faq.,)
1. I'. Broadmead, Bay., Messrs. W. Brice, Bishop,
Welter Farthing, R. Farthing, H. Farthing, J. Farthing.
W. Gapyier, Will,am &rate, It. Hole. J. S. Watt.
Corner, f. Taylor, G. Knight, William Simone, Clifford
Syniona, S. Node, 8. Nogg. H. South, 7'. Danger. W.
liang,v, William Withyaimbe, 11. H. Ball, C. Paull,
James Culverwell, W. T. Culverwell. W. Gibbs, J.
Alice, Laugdon, Tucker, William Milton, end
other..

On the removal of the cloth the Cnentuen proposed
" The Heelths of the Queen"—" The Prinoe and
Princess of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family"—
The Bishop and Clergy"—" The Army, Navy, arid
Volunteers" -"The Lotel-Lieotentht and Magistrates"
end "The Mayor and Corporation of Bridgwaeer."
The Mayon of Bridgwater propo•ed the next teat,
"The County Members, to whom, he said, they were
very much indebted for the arduous work they per-
formed in the Mouse of COlOO3OllB on behalf of the
constituents. He. at the same time, would proper
"The health of their President," who would be able
to respond to both of the toasts at the same time.
(Ar.pleuse.)
Th• ellatallme, on rising to respond, Was received
with loud •pplaur. On it. subsiding be aid
Mr. Vice-Preesdeut, and gentlemen, it gives me
great pleasure to endeavour to return my thanks to
you on behalf of the County Members for the oomph-
meet you have, kindly paid them, in drinking their
heeltha. and al.° to Mr. Browne for the kind manner
in which he had brought our crimes brfas you on this
°caution. I taff ords me rme gratification to meet you her.
to.eay ; but I did not expect to he present, as there is
also an •gricultural meeting being held at Detester, and
I am also on • gaol committee at Sher ton Mallet, sp-
iointed to consider the question of the salaried for the
offioers of the gaols of this county, which also mate to,
day. I have bren prevented by ill heal. h nod other
circumstances, for the Isot four or five year*, attending
the annual meetings of the Bridgwater Agricultural As-
erieturn, and therefore I felt it to be my duty to en-
deavour to be present here on this occasion, and con-
sequently I hope I may be forgiven for not having ful-
filled my public duties at Striven Mallet It is a
entree of pkaaure for me to he able to congratulate you
upon the general prosperity .1 the c ,untry. lam
akad that the egnealturints have not been parties-
lady fortunate this year. In tharequence of the boor
continued drought, thi gram has not Iran so le:orient
an usual, and oar root crops are almost a total failure-
at least so far as regards the turnips. But we must
look at the other side of the que-tion ; our wheat and
barley have both been above average crops, our mangold
wurtsel is • good and hoary coin, nod it is wonderful
' how our goals and herd, have flouri•hed in the &bona
of rain for no long a period. It may be said that wheat
is low, and in fact it Is so. We mart learn • lamas
from that not to piece too much confident:re in wheat as
• remunerative crop to the farmer. But if wheat ha,,
depreciated in value. we get good prioes both for beef
and mettoo, as also for wool ; and therefore, while we
arinot s.y that' arieultural matters are perfectly
flourishing, yet, on the whole, we must not he down in
the mouth, and look like starvedmut gardeners at
Christmas. (I.aeghter.) Under these cdrountstasure
we ebould be very thankful for the past, and
look with very great gratification to the general
prosperity of the country—that It is prosperous
is eeiilent from the general flourishing and
thriving state of trade. Our taxation has been re-
duceel by millions. and yet there is an Inca see in our
revenue; and there me= every chance, if peace is
maintained, that our expenditure will be still further
diminished, and • considerable reduction made in our
taxation, which, should it take the form of a dimina.
lion in the income-tax, will be all the more pleuing to
us. (Applause.) If we compare our position with
that of neighbouring and foreign countries, we stiall
still more appreciate and value this prosperity. Lorna
look for instance, at France. We all know that under
the elite rule of the astute Emperor, who, at this
moment, governs the destinies of that errantry, the
towns, as it were, have been built from the ground.
The amiss of France have gained victories in China
and Mexico, and the French name has been raised in
the eetienation of the world. But the country has had
to pay fur this rather dearly. We are taking off
millions of taxation, while the French, year after year,
have been suldiue to theirs. Our revenue is greater
than our exps n Rare ; in France, the expenditure is
greeter than the revenue. Our national debt haa been
minutely, hot gradually decreasing ; whereas the national
debt of Framer has been rapidly increasing—so ninth so,
in fact, that it is equal in burden to that of England,
and since ISIS it has been augmented eight-fold.
This, I think, is paying& high price for their glory and
grindeur; but we may reap Os. advantage from these
eirournstancen, for I do nut think it ie at all lately
that such • people, with this burden on their shoulders,
would attempt to force this country into war with them.
We may not only trust to that, but also to the trade
which has arisen Intwes n us, ad is now in such a
flourishing state, through the recerit legislation whiefi
bee taken place with reference to France and England.
This tends to strengthen the bonds of affection, and
renders it more difficult than ever to create feeling,
of hostility between the two countries; and it is upon
that feeling I trust, rather than any other, to the
maintenance of our (needle relations with Francs—
(applause). Now let us look to Russia. She is
groaning under debt and difficultiri, brought on
herself in • great measure, through her uni.rovoked
conduct, noine year. ago, which results d in the Crimean
war—(epphorie). Then we oar to Austria. She is going
on a sterily •an resemble, but is et.II inere•sing her
national debt. This hart •Iso hie n the M. in Italy,
where wr now re the people are endeavouriog to liar,
the first principle, of a good and prosperous conistitn•
tronal governmeet by reducing their ex, enditure re as
not to let it exceed their revenue. When we take these
things into eansideration we may say that England is
praperoui, es compared with continental nations.
Again, let no look to America What is the state of
things there? There you see • people who, only flee
years ago, boasted themeless of an immunity from all
debt. What is the ca-e now? In th, se five years they !
have incurred • debt as heavy as it ha. taken older !
countries to do in as many etenturia. They basted
that they were tho facet nation on the face of the
earth ; and yet they have just re-elected • prisident
who is a p rfect despot, and sets their conetitutional •
laws at defiance. They boasted that they were the most
enlightened and the moot prosperous people in
existence; but what is their condition at the .
present moment? They hove drawn upon them- i
salves the plague. of F.gypt ; • darkness has
°erne over the vision of their public nem, who do not
see the ruin by which they are surrounded. (Applause.)
Their artillery has swept the face of the whole country,
and their army, like locusts, has eaten up green •
thing—made the whole country • lioreliog wilderness.,
and carried mourning into every household. (Appliare.)
To all this there seems to be no end. Every now an
then, when some dire calamity falls upon the people,
their hearts ripper to be softened, end name wish for
peace; but when success smiler upon them they are
more eager than ever to court war, and inflict greater
sacrifices of human life than before. Well, what is to
be the sal of all his?t The Nurtheneri h••• enlisted
abut 200,000 slaves as soldier.; the South is about to
follow their example, and we shall see, before • very
long period el.' see the) the war, which was
originally commenced, as it was said, for the emend-
ation of the slaves, is fought out by slava leaned !
against slaves. This may be beneficial in Olin Po6looa,
for it is very possible that it may eventually
be the cense of the abolition of sl . I sin not one
of there who wish to see slavery suddenly abolished,
because I do not think the slaves re at the
time ready for enrincipation ; but, nevertherer:4,l
should like to see it done theadily and gradually -so that
the came of slavery, which is • disgrace to the nine-
teenth century, shall not remain as a stain and blot upon
the twentieth century. (Applause). If this is to be
one of the cffeeta of the war, what remains for the
Americana to fight about. Nothing but the last of
power. We have sone) lessons to learn from all this,
and it mat eatisfy everyone ac inainted with mush
matters than England is very prosperous compared with
any other oonntry an the civilised world. (Cheers.)
Most of the evils to which I have referred are brought
about by countries plunging themeelae unnecessarily
into warfare. We have had temptations to war ; this
country is • generous one ; we felt sympathy for the
Poles, and we could hardly hear, without being affected,
the shrieks of Poland ; we could scarcely hear, without
sympathising, the cries for help which came from the
beloved land of our much esteemed Princess—Den'
mark. The threats and menaces of America have
tempted us to go to War ; but I trust there is nufficient
oonrinonersose left amongst us to enable us to keep
out of it, and if we do in there is • probability of a con-
tinuance of the present satideotory condition of the
eountry. (Applause.) One thing brides we must do;
we must endeavour to make ourselves worthy, by
arming it, of this prosperity. 'lt is generally felt .
throughout England that if any grievanose arks., or is
known to exiat ansocrit any clam of the community— !
however herald.* it may he—as POOO as that grievance le
known and proved to exist, so soon an endeavour will
be mad., to remedy it. This accounts in • great meatus
lon the contentment which exte in this conntry and
the confidence ehieh is placed in the Legislature. I
trust that it will continue, and that we shall elver' he
ready to make any change which the aircraft of the
time ad the proeram of events render aearry. It
court not be done ruddenly, or without forethought,
but after due consideration and deliberation. bitch
is the public duty of this nation. We must feel
also that the interest of one class is Identified
with all other areas We recollect • few years
ago the Irish famioe, and the dittres, which resulted
therefrom. All England 'malted to their ad with sub-
scriptions; aad the sante feeling was displayed • little
more than a year ago, when there was such distress.
in Madeira and the surrounding district through
the scarcity of cotton. When that became known,
every elms—end noes more so than the agricultural
clam—joined to &mist them in their difficulties. There
wee a time when there was • conflict of Interest,
beteeen dame ; but that is now swept away—l hope
never to again return. We know that the praperity of
the manufacturing °lames meet rw-art upon the rigri
cultural class; we know no clam can be proeporous,
without that prosperity being 'hared by all dames, and
baring a certain p-rtioo of their sufferings. It is our
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we shell deserve that prosperity which at
the preent moment smile. opeu us; and as long am I
hold the public position I now occupy, it will he •
plasare to me to uphold the opinions which I been
enunaisted, as also a gratificatioa to come and promote
the interests of the agricultural clue, with whose
intereate my own are so deeply identified. (L 06,1
chins ra) Is eincluaien, Sir A. Hood thanked the com•
rely for the manner in whisk they had drank ble health
as their president a that cooseica
Seams to the Bridgwater Agrioaltaral Society, the
health of the Seerstary, and ether taste followed,
disc which, the tawating beaks sp.