The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1870-08-02 00:00:00

THATCHING.

To the labourer, not ezei.;:i7nt...t;e trade of a thatcher. who
shall hate done the thatching upo a farm for the longe.i
period, in one pervon's employ, or on the same harm £4,
William lloone, in the sertke of Me W. S. Hull, Deuce,
Fiddletown, 12j.earr
The Casten/or then said: Friends,—lt in my agree.
able task iii the name of this society, to offer you cm:
congratulations on the great success you have achieved.
It is • gr-at pleasure to have • set of men before
us who, by their industry, good eonduct, temperance,
and excellence of demeanour in every possible way, are
a credit to our county. Tour example will be before
the different parishes, and I hope next year we shall
find • hddy of men equalling you, if possible, in what
you have performed. I propose the honest and good
labourers of Dorset, and those present as representiag
them—(ohwi).
The PRIM DENY proposed three cheers for the labourers,
and they were cordially given.
"The Prinos and Princess of Wales and the rest of
the Royal Family," was next given by the CHAHLHAN.
In givingthe army, Davy, and volunteers of all claws,
the OH AIRY AN said the army wan so small that it WAS
no wonder there was nobody to return thanks for it;
the navy wu also unrepresented ; for the yeomanry he
called upon Captain Foster to regiond, and with the
rifts volunteers he coupled the name of Sir llolyneux
Nepean—(applause).
Sir MOLTNIUI NM' lAN (Captain of the Ist D.R.V.),
said he was a eery old soldier, but • young volunteer.
Now be thought the volunteers were very fine fellows,
bor., %peaking so an ...aril., he
• little diseipline would do them a great deal of good—
(lauehter). He was obliget to them for drinking the
health of the volunteers, and he should he t 3 See
the Bridport volunteers defending this country if
H•poleon Bonaparte, King of the Cannibal Islands,
should land at Weymouth—(laughter).
Captain nitres said he was exceedingly sorry that
Sir John Michel should have had to speak of the British
army as that "very small British army"—(hear, hear.)
At the present time they did not want A small army of
regular soldier'. Although the yeomany could take
but a small part in what at no distant date might be
wining off, they would do their duty MS well as they
could. He did not for • moment wish to undernte the
services of the yeomanry or volunteers, but he thought
it was • very great mistake to rely upon them instead
of • regular army—(applause).
The Pastime= gave the Bishop and clergy of the
diocese, coupled with the name of the Rev. E. W.
Pears—(cheers).
The Rev, E. W. Petits said it always geve him very
sinoere pleasure and satieteetirn co be present at their
anniversary gatheriei.; and, although he was absent
last year, it was because he 'could not possibly attend
He tru:ted they would see, as they were so kind
as to drink the tout of the bishop and clergy, that the
cherish wan willing to receive them well in Dorch, star,
for they had the rector of the parish at one end of the
table, and his churchwarden (Mr. Andrews) at the
other—(applaue). He did not think they timid do
better then that—(bear, hear). He alwaye felt that
they (the clergy) ought to treat gentlemen of their pro.
fusion (the agricalturists) with the greatest posaible
respect, because they were their chief supporters in the
county, and, more than that—if be might touch upon
delicate ground—they were the best payers of the
clergy—(laughter, and hear bear). If spared to see
another =tam), he hoped they might have as large
a number at the dinner, and that the show.yard might
be • little fuller—he thought there was room for
improvement in that reined. He was very glad to see
so mane present, and wished them health and pros-
perity—(aoplause).
The PHIMIDIINT then gave "The Lord Lieutenant and
the magistrates of the wonky," associating with the
toast the name of Mr. Brymer.
M:. BHT/IHk in responding, referred to thedifficulty
the magistrates were sometimes In through the twig..
ture not making the law clear; but he said they were
always willing to do all in their power to carry out the
laws as they exist.
The CH signate proposed" The health of the hardest.
worked men in Doreeti-the county and borough members"
—(cheeta, Captain Foster loading, and "one more" for
Mr. Floyer).
Mr. PLOY SH, who was well received, said: I beg to
thank you Sir John for the very kind manner in which
you have been pleased to preface the toast of the c.iunty
member.; and to you all, gentlemen, end especially to
my good (riled and old lieutenant Mr. Foster, I have
also to express sincLire acknowledgment. for the way the
toast has been responded to and cheered, lead by my old
lieutenant's powerful voice, contributing, as he always
does, to the good feeling of the meeting; and I know
he bean, in common with you all, every good and kind
diaptsition towahis the county members. Sir John
Michel has been pleased to say we are the hardest
worked men in the county of Dorset; and certainly I
think that in common with a good many other members
of that honourable house to which we belong, we have
passed through • season that may be pretty truly celled
one of "unusual severity." In ordinary years, if we
deal with one or two large, comprehensive, and oonsti-
tationel measures, disease and settle some matters
essential to the good working of the body politic, and
then pass the estimates—because we can't get ore without
• little money : we can't do without that at all—if we
go through that course in ordinary years, we think we
have done a very good year's work; but, in the past
year we have done a little more. We have diepo.ed of
two great measures—l think I may say they are pretty
well disposed of now, ler one has lately received the
approval of the House of Lords, and the other is pass.
init. I think I may say pretty rapidly, through that per'
tion of the legislature—we have dealt with two measures
of very unusual importance. The first which I allude
to you may well suppose is the Irish Land Bill. That
was a measure which certainly involved principles of
very unusual novelty. For my part, I have always
been disposed to think that when two men
Want to deal, whether they are going to bny
or sell a horse, or • cow, or even settle • little
matter as to any limited interest in land, the beat thing
to do is to leave them alone. They knew their own
bu•iner best—at least, I am sure they await todo so;
and, if they do know their own business the less you
intetfere with them the better. Of course, if there is
anything like fraud—though I think in Dorset there is
no difference between landlords and tenant.: I hope
cot—if there is any fraud the legislature must step in to
Provide against it. But this Bill seemed to start on •
totally different principle, and, certainly, In so far, as
not only laying down the law as to what landlords earl
tenants should do in the future, but also interfering
with what had been already agreed upon in the past. I
think it was • measure of a very unusual character, and
one which I oonsider that only the strongest exigency
of the state of Ireland could warrant being passed. But
further then that ; it went on to provide means out of
the publics purse for enabling tenants to buy out their
landlords. That again, I think, is • very novel and
uousual piece of legislation. There is no man more
sensible than myself of the great advantage to this
country in the fact that it is open to all professions and
all claims of men to rise to the rank that is above them ;
and I believe that is especially true with regard to the
agricultural interest. I could point to many men—l
dare any some in this room, and many in this neigh.
bourbood -who have risen from the rank of tenants to
the position of landlords; and, I believe that nothing
contribute. more to the soundness and strength of the
body politic and the social life of Ragland, than when
we see men rising, by hoee at industry and the exercise of
those talents they have, to the mks above thews
in whieh they started early in lifs—(applieuse.)
Bel it moat be remembered that It the tenant

made into • landlord ht ceases to be a tenant;
and, if that is to prevail to aay great extent, it will so
far dispose of the body of tie teniuitry. As I have
said before, nothing can be uore desirable than that
jse
money for that purpose, and it prevail to an extent so
ever
that satn state atehls ha ho
le
ul dk's le. in by
a andti ado wens neeel rtp
is;
se to blot out that body if yeomen from the social
condition of England, would I Milian,, be one of the
tee, wont and most fatal sear. a On which we could
' possold
Engilbalnyeentietr.thehrytolsmnrinnetuoitdernentloengei4.rvibe„morafrro'.'
and I hope the day is far diatut when we shall meet in
this room otherwise than m a body of landlords, of
yeomanry, of farmers, and of Ishotners. (4polause).
The other matter upon whit& a grett deal of time has
been spent in the past smoke, is the Bill for the educa-
tion of the people. That is a subject which has been
long befoi e the country, it hut esercised the abilities of
the most eminent men in isis 'mantel, and et last, it
is receiving. I trust, it. happy solution. There were
two great prinoiple In that measure—the one was
that religion should not be excluded from the
education of the people if England, and the other
that there exertions which hen, been so abundantly
lavi-led by men of all pieties, and of all creeds—
by the Church, by Nonconformists, and by
Portonn of what persuasion mewl—for the edutiation of
the people, should not be thrown away, and 60 made to
have been put forth in vain. The Bill preserves for the
es* Of the "r`."..-..;;:. o MIS country those Mutational
miablishinent• which have been set en f sot and obrri.hed
by the people who have taken an interest in the educa-
tion of the people ; and, it has also this good qoelity,
that by utilising the exist*/ means of education, it
will not —I trust in this county at last—be necessary to
make a melon* addition to the already burden rate-
payers of the oonnty—(applause). Them two great
measures, with all their merits and demerits, with
whatever praise or blame may be attached to them,
most chiefly be put down to the chugo of the Govern-
ment of this country; yet I would not say so entirely
and esclusively, becatee, as yop will know, whatever
Minister may be at the head of altars he must not shape
hie Bills or praises his measures without consideration
of the Opposition thet sits on the other able of the
table; arid, when a Bill passes through the House, it
receives—and has received in both thou inetances—very
decided colouring, and has, perhaps, very different bees
from what it had when it entered the Rowe, in con.
sequence of the action of that part of the House which
in somewhat fuetiouly but not the lose truly called Her
Majesty's Opposition. And the power of that °meet-
quo has I think been felt in other matters this year, as
well as in reference to the two great questioas to which
I have alluded. You may remeniber that among the
alterations of taxation it was proposed that the tax upon
homes should be levied upon all eroept suoh m were
employed strictly speaking for purposes of husbandry,
and that was at first interpreted to exclude horses
employed in drawing materials for the parish roads.
That hardly seemed (sir to a portion of the Rouse—
it was objected to by the Opposition, and With the
assiotanee of a certain portion of the county members
on the Government side of the House, the Chanaellor
of the Exchequer was induced to reconsider that propo-
sition and the result has been that agricultural horse+
employed in drawing materials for the roads still enjoy
that exemption •hich for a long time has been asoorded
tis them' In this taster and in others the Opposition
I think has not been altogether a useless body in the
past session; and, I think it would have been very hard,
looking at the feet, that the budget of the Chancellor
of the Exchequer—(l don't wish at all to detract from
any meri t justly belonging to the right honourable gentle-
man) --was essentially a prosperity budget, imparting
remissions here anti there, and giving edv stases, to
many chimes in this eouni ry—it would have been very
hard if the single exception in which instead of remis-
sion of taxation there was infliction should have been
the agriculturist and thot in his Ca..e, his horses, when
employed for the peewee I have mentioned, which
have for a number of years been exempted, should, for
the tint time for a long period, have been brought with-
in and made subject to the tixation of the country.
The other m ittet upon which the action of dOS OPPod•
tion has been usefully felt, hu been with regard in
the tax upon gone That wao s matter upon which I
must say I entertained some doubt when it was first
' introduced into the HOW.) but perhaps, looking at
the fact thee a great many guns are carried for various
purposes which are a great piiblie aneoyanee —I do
not speak now of the question of preserving game—.
' but we all know there are times of the year when idle
people stand oboist in the roads silting smell birds, and
tutu guns werj much to the annoyance,and,mmettmee,
even to the damage aod injury of the public. Looking t
at these facts, I think a gun tax is not altogether an
undesirable mole of eheoking the indiscriminate and
too eatensive use of fireartne--(applatuse). But no doubt
it would press upon the occupiers of land who wmted
to protect his crops, and the tnan with a smell market
garden who wished to keep the birds fr ,m eating 1.1.
cherries, if they for the first time in their lives had to
pay tax for the guns so used. So far as I understand
it, I am afraid the market gardener would have to pay
new ; but the occupier of 1-nil on a lerger scale, as I
understand the law, or rather what will be law, for
when Bills are brought into the Hone., and various
'a nendinents made in them, it is diffirtalt to make out
the exact meaning and ferce of the immure tiU it is
again prin•eil ; but, as I take it, the occupier of land,
I if he takes out a certificate or a game license will be
; entitled to employ any of his servants in using the gun
for the protection of the crepe and the property upon
the land in his occupation. 'Thst, I understand, to 1.1
the concession which was made after some dsbite
and several divisions, upon this question of the gun
tax, and here again I think you will agree with me that
the action ef the Opposition has been nseful. I do
. not wish to say anything at all in derogation of Her
• sled... Sere hnt j wish to put forth, on me
own part, and ox the pert of those who set with me,
that if we are a minority and sit on what is milled the
"shady ride" of the House, and though some people
' may be pleased to look upon us, not as Sir John does,
but as a very useless body, that upon the whole we do
do some good—(hear, hear)—and I can ampere my
; good friend on my left (Mr. Brymer) that though we
may not always be so successful am we could wish to be
I in the construction of Acts of Perliament, we dn work
' very hard at it ; and if we don't euccoel, it is from no
want of will on our part and no deflciencre of endeavour
to do one duty to the best of our power—(spplaule).
' Iwi I not say any more on home polities : they hove
been thrown a good deal into the background- indeed,
; I may see, elrucet into the shade—by the very grave
, events which have taken place within the last Few
weeks on the continent of Europe. Even at this very
moment, when I have the honour of addressing you, we
, know not but that the shock of arms may already
neve taken place, and that war in its most hideous
' features may be raging throughout an extent of
• o matey it has rarely been seen to cover in civilised
times. The mighty masses which there is every pro-
Mobility in a few days will be hurled against one
another, cannot be contemplated without sincere corn-
, pigeon for the sufferings which such a mighty contest
, must entail, not only on the soldiers, but on the unfor-
; tunate petiole of the countries in which the war is waged—
; (applause). The sympathies of Ei;glishmen will no
doubt be raaged with those with whom they may think
; there is the least blame for this outbreak of hostilities
exi.ting. I say the least blame. beesuse if .e look beak
for a few years, we cannot but remember that
both the great powers engagOd in the war have shown
; an unwarrantable spirit—l think i X.IIIY aggres-
sion on those countries by which they are surrounded—
' (applause.) Which .4 the two powers may be most to
blame for the immediate outbreak of hostilities may be
; more difficult to say; but the °cense before on, thank
God, is quite clear. Both parties make the strongest
' professions that they will abstain from all interfereece
' with the rights and privileges of neutral powers. As
long as they do that we have nothing to do but to
remain in that, I think not undignified position, of
podect impartiality, waiting, if it shell plum God,
for an opportunity when we m 9 Interpose with good
' offices in the blessed tuna of peese—(ebeers)—and that
• interposition can be only effectual and will be only
effectual, if both parties, from the impartial position we
hold throughout the contest, can look to us with un-
tidiness that in any arbitration between them we shall
b. only guided by it'spirit of the sternest fairness and
justiee —(appletee.) I have now only onee more to
' thank you Sir john Mathsl and you all, who have so
kindly listened to the few words I have addressed to
. you, and most sincerely for the honour you have done
your county members. I am sure that the honour of
' serving you in the House of Commons is the highest to
which they aspire, and your good feeling, your kindness,
and the grateful manner in which you have always
sceepted our services, are our best and dearest reward—
(cheers.)
Mr. Fteiteit, in giving the next toast, remarked that
; for many years whea they had met around that table
they had not bad the pleasure of meeting Sir John
I, Michel: not that his heart had not been with them,
' for in all their public doings—in all thot might apper-
tain to the welfare of his native country, be (the
' epeaker) believed they might sefelyrely upon the co-
' operation of Sir Jona. But his (General Michere)
1 duties had celled him into far distant lands, where he
had served his Queen and his conntry with honour to
himself and with advantage to those in whose service
he was engaged—(hear, hear). They were glad to awe
I, him agaim amongst them -(applause)—and he (Mr.
Floyer) hoped that war's alarms and the exigencies of
war would not call him awey from them ; but if he
' were, and if the interest and the safety of this country
were again to be entrusted, in a respon.ible position, to
his charge, he (Mr. Floyer) knew that they might
' confidently expect that he would, as in the past, do his
' duty—(applause). Now be served them as President
• of the Agricultural Society, and it was more fitting for
• the piping times of peace; hot they were not the less
' glad to have a distinguished general presiding over
' tbetn. He trusted General Miohel would be long spared
to his country, aud that he might pass many years
amongst his fellow aunty-men, where his worth was
' so mush appreciated. Ile proposed Sir John Miehel's
'y good health—(applaue).
If The CHAIRMAN, in responding, said that when "the
army" wea Proposed there was nobody to return thanks
for it but himself ; still, be thought it right to say a
; few words on the subject, because, in times like this,
they might like to know what our army is—(hear,
• hear). At this present moment we had an army
• deficient in numbers—although the number of regiments
existed, the number of men was very small. The
o different departments were not quite so efficient se one
could wish, and there was a sort of idea amongst people
that soldiers could be made to spring up and fight
I immediately. He had the greatest respect for all our
r fo roes-0a r militia, volunteers, and yeomanry, and
I knew that a little preparation would fit them to go by
the aide of the regular forces just as well as themselves
r (the regulars); but it required time. It was considered
that a cavalry man could not be made under three
years, but now they were going to take men oaths Ist
Jan. and dismiss them three yearsafter, and toe, would
I not be worth a bolting. Further they were to do
without nonmommies.oned odious, and the result would
it
be the same no if all present were to be started off and
I tolil to direct thernselYea. He trusted we might not have to
; use our army, but se he himself heard in the Rouse of
Lords the other night, boththeCcn
rvanaitivaesll
and
took th ,
Independent Liberals admitted we were not in a state
• of preparedness for any eventuality,
, for granted that the Government were going to do some-
thing, and he thought they must be sharp about it too.
Of course they were cot supposed to talk polities there •
although his resoutedfriend Mr. 'toyer had been dote;
withuoutlhdechawyehylik_edbetatouleisalirr hpiroyerlongwesir.
so for the lest half-hour, and so well did be talk .that
Andwould
d(Sitre Jobs)
I lilt!, oblld of kia-(laughlor). Turectruina yeeei

AND AGRICULTURAL GAZETTE, TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1870,

ago he was chairman of the committee whose Mr. Floyer
first went into Parliament, he had been there almost
ever tince, and he did not believe there was &member
who bad done his ditty more conscientiously and excel-
lently than Mr. Floyer—(hear, bear). He would say
more—at the present time he could not put his finger
on Ohs bested any other gentleman in the Mute of
Commons—tboub there might be numbers for aught
he knew—who had
these days, •hen two-thirds of them bed no principles
at all, or changed them every Mornius, Mr. Floyer had
been consisteht from the beginning to now: He fSir
Jobe) hid frequently differed from him. hot he tiir
Jobe) had chime, d his opinions, be would sey that amid
Mr. Floyer had ant—(l.aght..r). Now • little more
about the artny and navy. The army at the present
moment was well officered; and, with certain exertions—if ,
the Government were stirred up immediately to put it ,
to iighte, he had no doubt that in a shott time we
should have an efficient army. Still, when one marled
that the forces now in the field were each 700,000
strong. and that if England did her beet she could not
put 50,000 in Belgium, without • little preparation, it
must been teen whet a little help from a niiiitaretoict
f view we could •fiord if it were necessary. Bang in
su.h • position, would it not be better to keen not of it
altogether? Joining in the war would add E 200.000.000
to out National Debt, which meant an eXtrel raPenee
on the locate° tax. The preseot debt would break delta
any country but one to mercantile as this, except '
America, whose enormous territory would enable them
to support • heavier burden. So that, if some sympa-
thised with Fmnee, and others favoured Frtiona, he
said to all "hold your toogues,and have nothing to do with
either." There was • passagein Syron begioning arcades
unto, what followed they could read for themselves,
or they would be harsh wortisfor him to,use, but they
meant to say that both were a good deal to blame. He
warned them 'against interference. Whatever we might
feel we should not openly ens nation say sword for one
she or the other—(bear, hear.) If we espoused the
cause of one the other would use hard words, and we
must go to war. We could gain nothing by it. Let
them teoount all the wars of the past, even with the
beet cause in the world, and they would find all that
remathed sra• 300 or 400 millions of national debt. Let
farmers stiox to their business, work hard, and *ell their
corn at 60a. or 70s. a quarter, which would be some coinpsnsation for having no grass; and let theta assist the
ilinistiy to place this country in • state of preparedness
for war. Mr. Floyer talked just now about our inter-
posing by-and-bye with clean hands; but they miAht
depend upon it that our hands would be much stronger
and cleaner if they wielded • good shillaleb, in the
shape of an efficient army and •strong fieet—(epplause.)
At Portsmouth the other day be went over every fort
and ship with the Admiral in chief, and from what he
saw and heard from the various officers, he felt satisfied,
that whatever the army may • little outlay for men
in the navy would still enable us to thrash anybody on
the sea, and Hut we shell not have any unwelcome
fellows in Dorchester at preeent—(iaughter and ap-
plause.)
The YILISIDINT then proposed "The IItSyCK and Cor-
poratiun of Doreheeter"—(applause.)
Mr. J. F. HuDaga, in responding, said he could
assure them it was always• very great pleasure to those
who held effioe in this borough to attend these meetiup
and take • pot in celebrating the success of the society
from year to year. Although the show was not large,
yet he thought exceptional circumstances supplied very
fair reasons for it. tie believed it was in his power to
ciongratelate them upon the success of their pursuit.,
and the setisfution with which they Gould look upon
the state of agrioulture in this county. They had had
some very 'exoellent speeches, and particularly from
their good friend Mr. Floyer. who so worthily repre-
sented them in Parliament, and also from Sir John
Michel, of whim they sere very prou I as • Dorset
mu. Tbe office ot the Corporation was municipal.
end was eoneerned with local ihterests of the import-
ance of which they were deeply sensible. Its worst
part was that it Was necessarily connected with the
tax gatherer—and, u they very well knew, the tax-
gatherer was one of the last persons that would disap-
pear from this country—(laughter); but he thought
they inu.t bo content to go on with his visitations. and
if there was • little grumbling, the Corporation
would endeavour to lay colt the money ti,ey
received with the single aim of the advantage
of those who contributed it. The Town Council
were exceedingly anxious to provide the agrioul-
total body with such amoommodation for the
transaction of their Inisiuess as would stymie their
prosperity. They weie aware of the important extent
to which the trens.mions here west, and nothing would
he left undone that they could reasonably do to tin-
prove the advantages they already bad and make them
conducive to soil greater business. He barged to
thank them for recognising the ih-ry Mel and position of
the Mayor and Corporation—(applasu).
The CHAIRMAN proposed "The President-elect for
the ensuing year—the E.rl of lichester"—(applause).
Lite Hun. Sac. then read the awards of the pieties of
piste offered for stook :-
1•174/1 roa W/OCR.

A piece of plate,value EL, offered by the patron, Lord Digby
to the owner of the three best breeding of any breed,
every one of which mioit have had a litter, an 4 been in the
puesesdo , of the owner six months previous to toe exhibition.
Mr. William !Wideld, Dorchmtcr ; c dnmended, Air. If. thiordee
WracaiL

A Piece of Plate, value £5, offered by the President, Lieut.-
General Sir John KCB., to .he owner of the best throe
dairy cows, under seven yeas of age, ail of the same laced,
and taken from the mane dairy. Open to MI bre.ds. Mr. J. A.
eith. Bradford.
A Piece 4 Plate. value .C 5 offered by the High Sheriff of
Dorset, 11. 13. Munro Ewa., to the owner (being the breeder) of
the 20 best Seuth-Down ful.-mouthed Ewes, Mr. J. Hard-
ing. Water....
A Piece of Plate, value .C.ll, offered by the Earl of Ilehester. to
the owner (being the breeder) of the best three South-Down
rams, under 2 year* old, Mr. .1. J. Farquhar...ln.
k • it,a, to th,,
owner Owing tba breeder) of the beat 100 Down ewe., kept for
stock, and not fed on ante or corn since 6th of April, under
two years Mr. O.W. Homer. Athelhampton.
A Piece of Plate, value 45, offered by the Lord Poltimore,
to the owner (being the breeder) of the 3 best pure-bred boron
Heifer., under 3 stars old, Mr. J. A. Smith.
A Piece of Plate, value £5, offered by the Hon. W. If. It.
Portman, IL P.. to the owner of the hew boll, of any broisi
age, Mr. .1. Pitfield, of Symondshury ; Mr. J. A. amlth,
highly commended; Mr. J. W. James, commended.
A rien."l Plato, value £5, offered by Berard t3turt, Esq.,
Si. I'., to the owner (being the Mee lee) of the beet 20 D ant
full-ruouthed ewes, Six. W, S. Hull, DI ; Mr. J. Chick,
commended.

A Piece .1 Plate, value C 5, offered by John Myer, 16aq.,
11. P., to the owner (being the breeder) of the bast 20 Ihweet
Ewes, under two years old, Hr. H. M .yo, Cohere Fronte.
A Piece of rice, vslue £5, offered by Lleut.-Colemel Sturt,
11 P. to the owner (being the breeder) of the best 20 short-
w.sdlesi Ewes, otherwise than Horned or South-down, under
two years old, Mr. J. Fooka, Came; Hr. T. if. Saunders, highly
commended.

A Piece of Plate, value Z 5, offered by Wingfield Digby, Esq.
to the owner (being the breeder) of the best 20 short-wooded
full.mouthed 61wes, otherwise than Homed or douth-down,Mr.
T. H. Saunders, Watercumbe.
A Piece of Platt, value £lO, offered by John Dryrner. Esq.,
to the owner of the beat out atallion, free from any here Mary
defect, that has been at the service of the Members of thia
B.wiety during the season of 1070, and that has attended Dor-
chester duriog that period not leas than sia times. Open to all
England. Mr. T. Kellaway, straUon.
A Noce of Plate, came £5, offered by Hastings N. Middleton,
Eaq., to the UiVIICT (being the breeder) of the best 20 South-
doe ii.Eisea, under two years old. Not awarded.
. .

A Piece of Piste. Yalu; g 5, offered by Herbert Williams, Esq.,
to the owner of the beat hackney colt or ally, bred by the
eshibitor, or resrol by him, under four years old, Ilr. L
Grove.; Mr. K. Oenge, highly commended.

A Piece of Plate, ;a1ue..45 offered by William Eliot,
to the owner of the ben cart colt or filly, bred by the exhibitor
or reared by him. under three years old, Mr. G. Mitchell,
Brianumuddle.
A Piece 01 Pla,e, value £5, offered by Dr. Bisect Hawkins,
to the owner (being the breeder) of the three beet heifers under
three years old, of any breed excepting Derous, Mr. Paull,
Pidaletown.

•
74 Plate, value £5. offered by Yr. T. H. Saunders,
to the owner ol tin beet 20 chill's' bunts, whose are was hired
or purchased Of him. Noconspetition.

------
Rome now present and others who bad passed away.
Mr. rookie's idea was that it would be • good thing to
have the show some time in October, It was a matter
that had often engaged their attention-be could
answer for baring " assisted" as they called it, at many
discussions at severe! Changes of the time of holding
the exhibition-certainly two or three-but be did not
mean to say that they hied fired upon the best time
161. This was • legitimate subject for discareion, and
he thouAt this • good time for ventilating opinions in
order to ascertain the best thing to be done. H.luo•
wiabed to propose the health of their excent
secretary- (h-ero). tie ( lir. Floyer) did not take m
active • part in the society now as he hail d...inen
former years, because he had other duties to perform ;
but as long r he did work with Mr. Andrews bd always
found it a pleasure, because his heart was alwall in
the right plasm-they knew that -(bear, bear)-and
his readiness, activity, and evertions on behalf of the
society could not be surpassed. He (Mr. Andrews)
Showed a prise sheet which would be • **die to any
society in the country, and especially to • moderate
-
sized society like this ; and all was owing to thei' hon.
secretary's endeavours. He proposed the health of Mr.
Andrews, with many thanks to him for all the trouble
and time he had devoted to the welters of the society
-(cheers).
Mr. Asosewe acknowledged the compliment paid
Mai, road went on to remark that questions Very vital
to the society had been that day discussed, viz., as to
altering the day of the show, and with regard to
"freshening UP" the society. As Mr. Floyer bad mid,
he wax one of the promoters of this society when Mr.
0. Homer wags little boy in pettiorts -( Mr. J. Homer:
nOt born)-but hit face and beard bad grown wonder-
fully sinoe-(laughter). Mr. Flop'r at that time took
a most active part in the founding uly the 'society, and,
without him, he did not think they would have had •
society at all ; but whenever they wanted any advice
or any money Mr Floyer was the gentleman who cams
to their assistance. That was more than 30 years ago;
thd, although the society might, as was said, require •
little " frrheniog up" at different periods, be meet
say the last time it had undergone the promise wag ,
mush longer since than the period that had elapsed
between former changes. But how had the last interval ,
passed? In this way-in 1853 it era thought desirable
that something more should be done for the labourers
than at the °ergot ; and what was then done / Why, the
members of the society to whom premiums were given
for stock, relinquished 14 prises, and they were added
to the labourers' list-(applause). At that time, if his
'memory served him, there were 26 Feign for labourers
I and 40 open to members for stock and so forth.
Now the labourers had 40 Prises and the
members 10, He remembered perfectly well
one of the objects then strongly urged upon
the society was that they should do something
more for the labourers; despite all that was said in the
newspapers of that time about its being nonsensical to
have agricultural societies giving theme little rewards
to labourers ; but be thought not one of those who
had received pnses that day thought it " nonsense,"
and the newspapers which used to run down the
societies now attended the meetings, and bad not •
word to say against them, but admitted they did •
great deal of good. He felt when he remembered that
this society had given away during the time it has been
in operation something over £2,000 in rewards to
labourers, in the small area over whieh its operations
extend, that it is impossible to deny the society most
have had some good effect-(hear. hear). If • man was up-
held to his fellows as an honest and respectable man, as
is the cam of those getting premiums for long service,
or as a clever man, as was the ore with those winning
prises for hedging and other work requiring skill-
though it should be borne in mind that however clever
a man might be unless he was honest too, be would
not get a premium-he thought the awarding of these
prises did good to those who got them, and were an
endeurageinent to ethers to do well. Tbe alteration be
bad described vs. made 17 years ago; and now Mr.
Homer, Mr. Fookes, and others thought something
might be done to freshen up the society. No doubt the
committee would consider every suggestion that was
likely to advrioe the interests of the society, but he
mast take • little exception to whet bad been said by
Mr. Saunders, who, if he hoard rightly, said he di t
not think the landlords did quite enough. If they would
look at the prise sheet he did not think they could
honestly and fairly say the landlords had not giro very
liberally and very kindly-(applause). F 2, 1:1 and 10s.
Prises used to be given ; now they had from 2) to
30 sups of 1:5 each, and e wen of larger value--fapplause)
-for there was a gentleman who bad come into this
county, and w..s kind enough to be present that day-
Mr. Bryiner-wbc heti most generously taken upon biin-
self as • landlord to offer • fib prixe-(hear, her). The
committee at the outset thought it advisable to main•
tsin the conditions laid down as to competition, bat Mr.
Brymer very liberally told them that if an animal were
brought into tlie county and exhibited of sufficient
merit to justify the prise it was to be awarded-
(applause)-sod that had been done. No society what.
ever could go on unless it had • good committee aud
gentlemen in the neighbourhood to assist them. This
society had b.:en well helped in both respects. The
committee had worked hard, and had secured a large
amount of support; at the same time he ,mild not but
admit that be thought if the objots and claims ef the
society were brought hour more to other gentleintn,that
more would be done for the society, if it were really
hel,evevl that it had done and was doing good. It was
not sufficient for the members to say all that would be
done by others: every one of them bad some indorses,
and should use it as they had opportunity for pro-
moting the objects of the moiety. In conclusiou be
gave 'The health of the committee for the past year-
(applatt,e).
Mr. J. down% replied, and said that the greater part
1 of the management had de.olved, as usual, upon their
worthy bon. secretary. He thought they should use
ovary .11.pri to segment the numb«es of th• society,
and he hoped that any nonmembers present would
join it- (her, hear). There were many reasons why
the society should be increased. First, they wanted
more funds-they did not wish for the society to go
back in the eyes of the runty or of England. It was
now uudoubtodly at the "top of the tree" in the
county, through the liberal way in which gentlemen
had some forward with prizes, and was • pattern to
others. They had found funds sufficient to give deserv-
ing labourers prizes for good redact and skill ; he was
sorry that through lack of funds they had been obliged
to withhold the society's prises for the last two ye
but he thought that if the members exerted themselvei
so as to gee 30, 40, or 50 more subecribers, those prises
might be again given. The competition that day had
been small, but he thought the quality of many lots
was very good. He hoped the society would &eclat'.
and that more members would join it. He disapproved
of the suggestion to make it more of • county society,
pointing out that it would be inconvenient in regard to
the labourers.

Mr. T. H. BAGNDIRB propoeed tbe health of the
iodizes, and be *puke from his own experience of the
diffioulty they often experieneed.
The judges that day had all left. and Mr. H. MAYO,
who has at different times efficisted as judge, was
called on to respond, and briefly returned thanks.
This concluded the has of toasts, and the company
separated early.

ILION UMEN T AL SCULPTURE, Monunaenta, Ta).et.
11'1. Marble and Granite Tombs, Crones, and Mcu Nal
Brims.; IMPERISHABLE LETrERS In SOLID LEW—
GAFF'S, the Carrara Marble Works, 03, Regent
London W