The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1865-02-14 00:00:00

VIE MALT TAX.

The CHAIRMAN, in reference to this subject, said he
supposed the meeting would expect to hear from
him, sea matter of form,some account of the meeting
which he had attended in London' but he believed
those who attended it scarcely knew much more
.about it (than the members of the club knew from
the newspaper reports. Those reports, however,
were scarcely to be relied upon, for they had taken
their own views—some in the form of humour and
ridicule, whilst a few of them had made a tolerably
Ifair report. The meeting was well attended. It
•was not only • demonstration of numbers, but of
.sound argument, and it was impossible to see a
number of intelligent men meeting together from all
arts of England without a oonviction being
Impressed npon every one's mind that the repeal of
the Malt Tax had its foundation in wound argument
.and right mason. (Applause.) If any gentleman
wished to make inquiries of any one present they
would be happy to give any infonnation in their
power. Now he did not think they were arrogating
snore thaa the truth in saying that the Malt Tax
movement, which had now arrived at such a great
bead, took its origination from this club; bat he
mast say,froat what was most manifest at the L ,ndon
sneeting,althcagli they were forward ani enthusiastic
before very few of the counties in England had
taken up the question, yet in enthusiasm, in number,
and in popular feeling they were now far surpassed
by the Midland Counties. Now one was naturally
led to ask bow that had arisen, and he had been told
. . .

_
the prize essay which had been written by Mr.
Everett on the repeal of the Malt Tax had done more
to spread and excite popular feeling on this great
question than anything which had yet taken place
in regard to the tax. (Hear, hear.) He had read
that essay with great care, attention, and with the
utmost pleasure and satisfaction, and he could
honestly recommend itnot only to the members of
this club but to every person who felt an
interest in the question of repeal as the
best and most comprehensive arguments which
bad yet been put forth by any person on the ques-
tion. He confessed his feeling, after laying aside
the pamphlet, was this, that the wind had been
completely taken out of his sails, and that he must
be dumb for the future in arguing the question. tie
had no doubt that would be the feeling of many
men who thought they had answered the question,
and was ready with arguments in favour of repeal.
Now 100,000 of these essitys were first printed for
circulation by the Central Anti-Malt Tax Association,
which, he believed, had its nucleus at Ipswich. That
100,000 had been all circulated, and another order
was now given for printing 150,000 more. He
mentioned this matter because he thought it was
necessary that they should have a certain number
sent them, and suggested that they should not have
lees than 200 copies. These ought to go not only
in the hands of those persons who had already made up
their minds upon the question, but into the hands of
every one who felt any interest whatever in the
question, and he hoped that not only would
this club be put in possession of a certain
number, but that every club in the county
would likewise procure a supply, and adopt the beat
mode for circulating them. After some further
remarks the Chairman stated that be would write for
200 essays. In again alluding to the London meet-
ing, he said there was a little pressure put upon
them that more money should be forthcoming.
'Several sums were subscribed, and one gentleman
banded a cheque for £25. It was evident that more
mosey would be wanted, but it was also evident that
there was a more generous feeling in regard to sub-
scription& One gentleman that day, Mr. J. Caine',
of Cheselborne, had promised to give £25 if 100
gentleman would come forward and do the same.
Mr. Damen had mentioned a circumstance to hun
which IMO stated by Sir Frederick Kelly at the
meeting, that a gentleman had put down his name
for £lOO, sad that was a manufacturer employing
1,000 hands. (Applause.)
The CwAraatstr then delivered the following
lecture on
4•11013811!11 GAME PHISIEVATION— ITS EFFECTS,
WiRALYAND MATEBTAL."
ONITTLEYEN : You have prescribed to me, In distinct
terms, what I feel to be one of the most delicate
subjects that, in the !present state of our agrioultural
Telationshipel, can engage the attention or occupy the
elisetuurions of a Farmer's Club; because the preserve.
Akin of game is one of the most fruitful sources of
-dissension and heart-burning between Landlord and
'Tenant. And for this reason, its well as for others
which I have already mentioned to you, I should
willingly have exansed myself from the task; but since
It has been your will and pleasure—l may say your
pressing desire—that I should take it up; sin,* it is a
subject that Bee strictly and pertinently within the
range of our programme, and one which, though often
adverted to, does not yet seem to have been fully
discussed, I will endeavour to address myself to it as
fully and fairly and impartially as lies in my power.
The love or the spirit of game is inherent in human
mature. It seems as if it were the depraved form of
that disposition which was implanted in man when the
behest was given "to subdue the earth, to have
dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of
the sir, and over every living thing that moveth upon
theearth." To overtake that which flies from him, to
ensnare that which eludes him, and to conquer that
which resists him, is a faculty manifested by nine-
tenths of the human race. It is proved by its negative
disposition to spare those animals that seek the presence,
or choose their habitat near the abodes of man. Who-
ever shoots for sport the red breast, the swallow, or the
rook? But it is exhibited by the North-American
Indian, and all savage nations whose chief delight and
business consists in hunting, and in civilized countries
by the boy SA he seeks and robe the bird's nest, by the
youth as be is fascinated by the practice, and is taught
the use of the gun, and by the adult as be exercises
the power, or envies it in others, of the preservation of
game. The joy of the ease resounds from the stealthy
path and hasty escape of the fox, and the triumph of
sport the elephant and tiger;
from -- by the lasso;
. .

.4 terms
antlered