The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1860-06-12 00:00:00

BATH AND WEST OF ENGLAND
AGRICULTUBAL SHOW.
(Coaeinated from 3rd Page.)

THE ANNUAL DINNER.

The dinner took place on Thursday, in a booth
which had been erectz:il for the purpose in the yard.
The whole of the mnriting bad been exceedingly
wet, and many, who otherwmi would, no doubt,
have attended, excused themselves from joining at
the annual festival on that account. Thm con-
sequence was, the tent was only about half tilled.
There was an abunihance of every kind of delicacy
placed on the tables, the wines were excellent, and
the attention paid to the wants of the guests by the
waiters, was all that could he desired. The chair was
taken by Lord Rivera, president of the society, sup-
ported on the right by M. Devenish, Esq., Mayor of
Dorchester, and on the left by Lord Portman. We
also noticed H. Ker, Seymer, Esq., M.P.. the Rev. H.
F. Yeatman, T. I). Adam!, Esq., Sir E. Baker. R.
B. Sheridan, Esq., M. P., John Sillifant, Esq„ John
Floyer, Esq., the Hon. W. H. H. Portman, M.P.,
E. S. Drewe, Eaq., .1. H. Calcraft, Esq., John
Mansell, Esq., Colonel (1: Man*l. R. Neville Gran-
ville. Esq.. M. K. Welch. Esq , Dr. Aldridge, J. H.
Gillett, Esq., John Widdicomlie, Erg., John Dawn,
Esq., Jonathan Gray, Esq., W. L. Ailye, Esq., W.
Ffooks, Esq., Capt. Beaton, M. S. Yeatmaii, Esq.,
Capt. Command:nit Templar, R. N. Howard. Est.,H.
Williams, Esq., &e., itc. Grace before meat was
said by the Rev. IL S. Smith, and the Rev. C. W
Bingham returned thanks. •
After the table had been cleared, the CHAIRMAN
gave the health of "the Queen," of " His Royal
Highness the Prince Consort, His Royal Highness
the Prince of Wales, and the resit of the Royal
family," which were drunk with 3 times 3.
The CHAIRMAN, in proposing the "Army and
Navy," said, that he could hardly consoler they
would be doing justice to the toast to give it as it
formerly used to be given—more ass matter of form
and custom at public dinners—but that they should
drink it as an acknowledgment of their recent and !
signal services, and also iii acknowledgiuent of how
firmly the past might lead us to trust upon them for
the future, whenever their services might be again
called for. (Applause). By the Army and Navy was
generally oil lerstssid the regnlar forces of our
country, but lie did not think lie would be out of
place if he also included in this toast our volunteer
forces—the Yeomanry, Militia. Artilb!ry, and Ride
C.,rps. (Cheers.) In speaking of the Volunteer
Rifles, he wished it to be distinctly understood that
he was not averse to them ; on the contrary, he
believed that the formation of these corps through-
out the country was highly creditable to England ;
but at the aline time he wished to expres a hope
that the extreme enthusiasm at Present prevailing
in its favour would never cause those olidestablished
forma, the Yeomanry and Militia, to he digreganled,
nor their value to be overlooked. They were either
efficient and useful, or they were not. If they were
Inefficient and expensive, 14 them be aliandoued ;
if not, let them be fully and fairly aupported.
(Applause.) As auxiliaries to our regulary army he
thought, with a little additional care and attention,
they might become of great value; at the same time
he would urge them, tole and all, to let their pro-
ficiency lead us to the very happyconclusion that they
possessed those valuable ingredients of English
patriotism—regard to duty, and hive of country,
which stimulated them to defend it, remembering
that