The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1864-12-13 00:00:00

THI DINMU

took place at the South-Western Hotel, the large
room of which was certainly inadequate to accom-
modate the guests with conifoit. Nearly 100 eat
down to an excellent dinner, provided by the land-
The chair was taken by J. Floyer. Esq.,
N. P., supported by Lord Rory Thews., 11. P. fur
%V lite, Whieldon, Eece, Captain Groves, Captain
Matthews, Captain Steiger, the Rev. J. Deane, the
Hon. and Her. E. H. Stapleton, .1. R. Lyons, Esq.,
W. R. Bell. Em., P. Matthews, Req. and among
the principal agriculturists were, Messrs. White,
Parfit, Loader, E. Benjatield, Mitchell, Phillips,
liossiter, 8. Case, Keynes, Brickell, &c., Itc. The
room was very tastefully decorated for the occasion.
The motto, "Speed the Plough,"in °enemas tal letters,
w.is suspended at the back of the Chairman's seat,
and on either aide, the words,"Arniculture," "Com-
merce," "Trade," were hung. In the centre of the
room were suspended the various prises, consisting
of dessert and tea spoons, cream jugs, and other
articles, in silver, which, placed against a circular
piece of black velvet, had a very pretty effect, and
no doubt looked double so in the eyes of the fortu-
nate competitors. On the removal of the cloth,
The Cuelan.se gave "the Health of the Queen,"
remarking that ithad been stated that the popularity
of the Crown hari increased with the curtailment of
its privileges. Hs, howeeer, was of opinion that
the esteem and love which was evinated by the
people of this country to their Queen arose mainly
and chiefly from the many excellent qualities of
mind and heart which adorned the character of that
distinguished lady. (Loud cheers.) Those goddess
bad gained such an amount of attachment as was not
shown to any other sovereign. During the peat few
months a still stronger proof had been given of that
attachment by those of oar countrymen who re-
sided in the Colonies, who bad determined, what-
ever other arrangement, might be made, to stand
by the Crown of England. (Cheers.) He need
hardly ask them present to respond most heartily to
the toad, the yeomen of Dorset and Wilts had
ever been not.ed for their loyalty. (The toed was
enthusiastically received.)
In proposing "the Health of the Primo and
Princess of Wales," the Chairman said that his
Royal Highness had endeared himself to the people
of this country by his many good qualities, his
open•heartedness, and frankness of character, and
now especially, by choosing for his wife a mod
amiable lady, whom owning among them was the
source of great gratification to the people of
England. The Prince of Wales had also shown
himself both able and willing to assist on such
public meadow!, when the presence of a Prince
would contribute to tha 1111000110 of •
And he ...a
philanthropic case. (Hear, hear.) An he had
also allied himself with the people in participating
in their amusements. He therefore milled upon
them to honour this toad with the saws enthusiasm
a. tbe preceding one. (Loud cheers.)
Song by Mr. Wiikinson—" The Royal Baby."
The Careinst•N then proposed "The Army and
Navy, Yeomanry, and Volunteers." The deeds of
the army were enrolled on the pages of British
history, and he did not know of a fairer page, or
one which redacted greater honour upon both servime
than what had been inscribed during the past few
years. Of the Yeomanry be would deers to speak
with all modesty, as he had been connected with
that fates between 90 and ao years. (Loud cheers.)
He might say, he was mere that the whole of those who
belonged to it were animated with the truest spirit
of loyalty; and, though their services might not be
so mach appreciated in the manufacturing as in the
agricultural districts, yet whenever celled upon they
would be found ready and willing to do their duty.
(Cheers.) Of the Volunteers he could not speak too
' high—they had secured the eddy of old England.
' (Loud atom) Not only were they a most able
defensive force in ram of mod, bat the movement
had shown to other nations what Englishmen were
prepared to do for the sake of their country. There
might be some present who heard the excellent
speech of the Lord•Lietitenant when the Volunteers
were reviewed at Maiden Castle. He (Mr. Floyd)
was there, the Yeomanry having the honour to keep
the ground on that occasion, and he was highly
gratified with the remarks made on that occasion of
the efikiency of the ibonet battalion. With the
toad he had the honor of coupling the names of
Capt Groves, Capt. Matthews, Mr. Lyon, Capt.
Singer, and Dr. Mika. (The toad was most warmly
responded to.)
Capt. If Arreirws retnened thanks on behalf of
the Army and Navy, and expressed bie regret that
one more used to public masking than binreeff was
not present. The Army and Navy had ever 'toad
high in the @etiolation of the people of England,
and he trusted that their future candied would be
of nth a eliarecter as to maintain that respect.
(Cheers.)

Capt. (learn, CM behalf of the Yeomanry, ex-
premed,ble sincere thanks for the oordial way they
had drink his health. As he had left the army
some little Lintel and was now trying agriculture,
which be hopes' would be more profitable —(obeer•
and laughter)—he thought be was not exactly the
right person to respond to the toast of the Army
and Navy. However, he might state that be
believed that the army was never in a more efficient
state than now. He begged to return his sincere
thanks fur the moue Yeomanry of Wilts, to
I which body he belonged. He believed several of
I the Wilt/ Yeomaiiry were present, and that the
Wilts and Dorset Yeomanry were as good as any in
I tbe kingdom. (Cheers.) At the same time be gave
I the preference ti the Wilts. g ime said the Dorset
were. (dries of "Yes, yes," and "No, no.")
Whatever opinions were held as to their relative
merit*, of this he wages:stain, that shoal any un-
foreseen event occur in which the services of the
Yeomanry miyht be required, both the Dorset and
Wilts men would be ready to maintain the honoir,
and support the constitution of this country. (Loud
cheers.) There wee the best of fellowship existing
between them, which be had often perensally felt the
benefit of, and which, be trusted, would ever con-
none. (Loud &seta)
la 0. Stacie avid,'affer the able remarks which
had fallen from dm two peeeding epeekers, any.
thing be could say would be merely stroplementary.
He thanked them most heartily on behalf of Colonel
Bingham and his brother officers for the cordial way
In which they bad drank his health. He bad
belonged to the Dorset Regiment of Militia about
12 years, and he bad much pleasure in bearing
his teettmesty to the very great improvement which
bad ashen Pace in the character of tbe men who
composed that teeiment. Dnmkenness, a vice many
wars greatly addicted to, theft)! not entirely eradi-
cated, was very rare; and on the hint occasion when
they were called oat for chill, he believed not one
mai brought before the magistrates fee that offence.
When he that belonged to the regiment very few
could reed or write. That wee not the mai now,
and a very decided imprweemeat am manifest to all
who were broeght iii °admit with them. (Hear,
boar, sad &am ) He begged again to return his
meet Mann thanks for the honour they had close

J. C. LYON, Esq., in responding for the
Volunteers, said it afforded him very treat pleasure
to find that Me toast of the Volunteers was so
oordially received, and this was the ease wherever
that toast was proposed. The fact that more than
160,000 men had joined the volunteer movement
proved that patriotism and love of hone was still
one ol the 4Aidiagoialag chaticeng of Englishasea.
He believed he was no -MUD( In saying that SO the
rill this past there were about 10 mom go
it the vokaisar inovsnseed had don@ no
other good than to reins ownstry to the setbes-
, tins of other • Nina hod born atoned. They
were enrolled hs dd their worm soil, sad Its

believed if ewer called upon they would be both,
ready and willing to do their deity. (Loud cheers)
Dr. blues also returned thanks, and expressed is
regret at the absence of their respected 11.,•iirensi.t.
The cordial way in which the toast of the Voloot,„„rs.
was received gave bun groat tlessure. lie could
never believe, from the just and honourable pride,
eith which the country viewed this movement, that.
they would allow it to recede; and if all could lie,
hr.iiight to oonsider the isolated position of Ent.land,
he believed that very many more would be disposed.
to join them. (Cheers.)
SmE by Mr. Wilkinson—" The Nottinghamshire,
geom.
The CHAIRMAN then gave "The Bishop an&
, Clergy of the Diocese." Of the former he cotthil
speak in the highest terms ; they all knew him, and
be was sure all would agree with him that no maw
! in hie diocese was possessed of greater warmth of
heart and sincerity of character, lie was a Lsburious
and diligent man, and was ever foremost in every
good work. As regarded the clergy he was very
happy to 400 two gentlemen resent to represent
them. (Loud cheers.) Their presence at such
meetings gave a tone to their proceedings, and he
certainly considered they were in their tight iLace
at such festive gatherings. The gentlemen wham
names he had the honour to couple with tho toast,
were better known to many present than to himself.
One of them was the rector of as large • pariah, he
believed, as any in England, but large as that parish
was he was ever ready to carry on his work, and
, took a deep interest in all that tended to the welfare
of those committed to his charge. (Cheers.)

The Rev. H. DLL! 1, in resopodiok expressed
the very great pleasure it gave him to attend dm
meetings of the Gillingham association from
year to year. He was mire of being as kindly
welcomed as he wee in the homes of many he saw
around him. (Cheers.) It gave him no little satis-
faction that be could lay that during his resident*
in that pariahs period of 32years, he had had
an unpleasant altercation with anyone. (Hear,
hear, and cheers.) He wished he could congratulate
them on the prospects of the agricultural intaresta,
but the difficulties they had to contend against were
very great. They had to compete not only with the
whole of Europe, but of the world, and a gentleman
told him the other day that in America alone
there were hundreds and thousand.' of quarters,
of wheat ready for shipment as 110.11 ea the.
blockade of the Southern porta was removed. TIN,
old adage was that one Englishman was equal to five,
Frenchmen, and though he might not take upon
himself to contradict that theory, of this he was
sure, that as regarded agriculture, it could not be
said that an acre of English land was worth five of
French. But how did we beat the French ! Chiefly
through the courage, sagacity, skill, and determina-
tion of one man, whose loes we all deplored—the
late Duke of Wellington. Why did be refer to this t
Why to show them, though the soil of this country
would not naturally produce the same amount of'
yield as French "oil, yet by perseverance, skill, sod
energy, they might be able to compete with the,
foreigner, and have no fear of the mull. Ho
wished the Gillingham Society every success. (Loud
and long continued cheering.)
The Hon. and Rev. Mr. ST•PLETON also re-
sponded, and after thanking the company for thw
hearty way in which they had received the toast,
mid there warn one branch connected with agriculture
in which, as clergymen, they were deeply interearari
--the labourer. He did not mean to say it war
with them an, but it was with some the case, that
they left the moral and social well-being of the.
labourer too much to the care of the parson. They
considered that they bad only to do with the,
manual, and the clergy the morel. But he was of
opinion that farmers themselves should take a
deep interest in the moral and intellectual state of
those they employed,sa it was an undoubted fact that
an edmated and well-disposed labourer studied bier
master's interests the most. (Hear, hear.) It wee
always beet when the agriculturist and the clergy-
man worked together, and gave each other their
111EPrt. (Cheers.)
The Cast/Aar then gave "The Lord Lieutenant
and Magistracy of the county." Of the former he
spoke in the highest terms as • gentleness, whom
reputation was known throughout the world, but
who was especially endeared to the inhabitants of
Dorset, among whom he lived. As regarded Met
magistrates, he was sure he could say that they
endeavoured, to the utmost of their power, to ad.
minister the lawe in a fair and impartial manner..
As the prosperity of the people depended ins groat
measure on tbe due administratiou of justioe' it woo
of the utmost importance that those to whom that
task wee confided should be men of uprightness of
°tweeter, living in the esteem and approbation of
their fellow men, .And be was mire that the gentle-
man whose hadth,incionnection with the boast, he woo
about to propose was one who most ably upheld thw
character of an English gentleman. He was a warm
friend,a good neighbour,and one deservedly esteemed
throughout the county, hut, no doubt, among them-
selves even more—he alluded to his esteemed friend,
Mr. Whieldon. (Loud and long continued cheering.)
The toast was received with musical honours, and
every demonstration of respect and goodwill.
G. H. Witinnors, Fag., mid it afforded bins
most sincere pleasure to return thanks on behalf of
the Lord Lieutenant, sod to respood for the too
flattering way—(cries of " no. en ')—hi which the.
Chairman had proposed his health. It was not Lbw
brat time be had been called upon to respond to that
toast in the Name room, and every time he met with,
the same warm reception. It was by sock kindness
I their Barrio's were acknowledged. Some, people.
thought the magistrates were paid for their services,
and in proof of this he might mention that a few
days ago he was told by a brother magistrate of the,
congratulations he received from ooe of the servante
in his employ. " Lor, warmitar," aid the man,
"In. terrible glad to year ye ha ben made a magis-
trate for another county. What a lot of wage" yell
get." (Land laughter.) Mr. Wholdon thew referred
to the remarks made by Mr. Stapleton respecting
agricultural labourers, and said that the question or
emigration was a very important one. nos wasp
no doubt about one thing—they weld not do with-
out manual labour, and therefore they !should strive,
as much as possible to retain good labourers on their
farms. If they took all the bees from the hive, only
drones would be left, and if the best man anigratedl
then they would have to fall back upon the idle and
careless. It might be aided what had that to do
with the toast to which he was responding. It had
this—that idleness led to critne,and consequently, am
• magistrate, he wished to retain men of honest and
upright characters. The emigration commimicoars
would only take those of good character, and there-
fore he thought that the legislature ought not to
hold out too great inducements for parties to.
emigrate. There was another thing be wished to.
mention, and that was that he believed they were
indebted in no small degree for the quiet and pews-
able state of the county to the excellentmanage-
ment of the police. From Col. Cos downwards
whole of the force deserved their warmest thanks..
(Cheers.)

After a very amusing recitation and song by Mr..
Wilkineon,_

Captain .Gitov is proposed "Th. hoiden of thir
three members for the county," width wee
re.3eived with loud choice The worthy oaptaiw esi
I he gave this toast with the most sincere
for more worthy, honourable, straitforward°l4,ll=
conacientiotw men he believed did not exist than
their representatives. He then referred to the loss
the county sustained by the death of Mr. Sejrmar,
and remarked that they were fortunate in having
such an able man as Mr. Moyer to mowed bias.
On • late occasion his friend, Mr. Moyer, had aided
in • way which some might sot here apwoved
by withholding his vote. (Hear, heur.) He (MA.
Groves) was of opinion that that gentleman hod doses
so with the best of retires. ((hms.) Perhaps law
believed that the opposition to her Majesty's Govan-
meat was • hetions opposition. (Load cries a
"No, no.") Al any tete he abstained from voting,
so that they had meson to suppose he thought Lord
Palmerston was in the right if he had not, he
would have voted wind film. (Cheers and
counter obsers,and oriel of " no, no, certainly act")
At any rate,whatever was his mime for not Toeing,
be (Mr. Groves) was sure Mr. Ploys, had good and
satisfactory explanations to give. The melt og
that division they all knew, sad he considered the
verdict of the country was in favour of • liberal
Governmen. (Expressions of dimmed, followed by
counter cheering.) Mr. Groves then referred to Hair
immense redaction in the taxation of the country
during the past 15 years, and concluded his remarks,
by again propoing "The County Members, welded
with the name of Mr. Player." (The tort was
received with loud applause.)
J. FLOYZR, ER., M.P., whose risk; was the
noel for another round of their., aid he sweet
heartily thanked them for the very enthusiastic, WO/
In which they had drank his health and he would
la* the same time thank Mr. Groves for, he would
not my all—(Langhter)—be had said about kin. Ho
we. sorry he was the only representative el the,
county preempt, but Mr. Portal= was unavoninbly
ranted from attend jug by havin, to assist hie
to entertain a large company of fries& MP
Bryanston, and Mr. stint was in another part of the
country. He was are that as county members lw
could not have heartier and better fellows to week with.
As regarded his own connection with them it had
not been long on the present occasion, but he had
formerly been their repeessatative for II years.
Mr. Groves had been pleased to allude to the mime
he took on • late division in the House, and in
szPlnhation of his conduct as that ocumice,
be wished toss, that he did not, as Mr. Groves boa
hinted, adopt that nouns because he approved ef
, Lord Palmeseton's eandact, for his conduct had vary
hubs to do with the matter. Th• question brought
forward had chiefly to do with the noble lord at the
bead of foreign affairs. As they were all aware that
noble lord wee not so soorseedul as could have been
wished. He wrote despatches which were sees..
times not a pprovsd of, and internieddled • good
deal with what perhaps he had better have kb
skew At the seine time, he (Mr. Moyer) son-
lidera that be bad • very difficult task to perfsrmi.
liebseing UM that the quesiket we. not so
, mach as to the pokier of the Gorsnameet sa
to the werdhl of iersele Disks Noble
lord, he minadered hi sot be justified in
his rota esphist the Governer's& If the
Eag=tot too heti reaelliesed_ or premed a mares like
by wy! Reses polity of hams