The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1881-12-13 00:00:00

BARON OF BEEF DINNER.

The fifty-fifth anniversary of this old-fashioned
tradesmen's gathering, which was held on Thursday,
was as successful as any of its predecessor,. Clues on
70 gentlemen ettended, under the presidency of the
Mayor (A. Emma, Esq.). including the following :
Mr. Alfred Pope (in the vice-chair), Alderman
Gregory, Mr. W. Durden (ex-Mayor), Mr. Arthur
Lock, Mr. It, Douglas Thornton, Mr. H. Durden, Mr.
R. Hunt, Mr. G. Davis, Rev. H. P. R•ikee, Mr. J.
Peard-Jillard, Mr. Henry Symonds, Mr. Hewgill, Mr.
George, Mr. Herbert F. Hodges Mr. G. Cricitmay,
jun. (Weymouth), Mr. Marvin ark (the Baron), Mr.
T. Chapman Saunders. Mr. Halliday, Mr. W. R. ,
Gould. Mr. B. Loader, Mr. Duke (2), Mr. H. Selway,
Mr. W. Meader, Mr. S. Barnes, Mr. W. Brown, Mr.
J. M. Lush, Mr. It. Cue, Mr. H. Line, Mr. Osmond,
Mr. Ramsey, Mr. J. Robinson, Mr. W. Thelma, Mr. I
James Guy, Mr. J. R. Taylor, Mr. G. J. Wood, Mr.
T. G. Bryce, Mr. G. Greening, Mr. R. Hayman, ,
C. Parsons, Mr. S. Allen, Mr. IL Fudge. Mr. L.
Robinson Mr. Hull (liruce), Mr. Miles, Mr. Peach,
Mr. 8.. Bennett, Mr. Webber, Mr. Jackson, Mr. G.
Keely Cottman (Weymouth), Mr. Ling, jun., Mr.
boarle, Mr. T. Walden, Mr. W. Slade, Ote.
The tablea present xi • most attractive appearance,
and the dinn,r in every particular wadi worthy the
catering of Mr. H. Frost. Grace before and after
meat was said by the "Chaplain of the Baron," the
1t.,. 11. Puget Hawke'.
The Cn•la.u•e said their first duty as Englishmen was
to drink "The health of the Queen," a sovereign lady
who hoe by her public and private career secured the
approbation of this and, he might say, of every other
country. (Hear, hear.) She wee worthy of all the
esteem and all the consideration and good feeling that
her subjects meld bestow upon her. She hal during
• period of between 30 and 40 years, been first and
foremost with her liberal hand and sympathising heart
in every fund for calamities and other charitable
objects that arose, and in that respect she was
deserving of all they could say and all they could think
in her favour. (Hear, hear.) He expressed the hope
Her Majesty might live long with health and
11to reign over this country. (Applause.)
117.4 warn cordially drunk.
Again rising, the CHAllucts gave "The health of the
Prima' and Princess of Wales and the Rest of the Royal
Family," which war also drunk with great cordiality.
The Dalt Waft, the CHLIBIIia said, was a very
popular one, and one which he was sure would be very
well received by them all—it was that of "The Army,
Navy, and Reserve ROWS." He need not say much
about either service because they were all so fully alive
bathe vales and importance of them all. They ought
be be thoroughly oblige I to all those gentlemen and
privates who entered the army, because they all knew
very well that the advantage MU not so much to those
who joined either the great service, as it was to the
public
at large. (Hear, hear.) He believed very few
men were thoroughly aware of the enormous
=fees they made when they entered the army—of
the fearful sacrifices of health, strength, and oppors
smalls of getting • better living. When they took
thosi faces into consideration he considered they ought
ta geed very SAtsukful to them. (Applause.) There was no
gentlemen connected with the regular army or the navy
=lNbut he would call upon a gentleman to respond
taken so much interest in the Yeomanry, Mr.
Reginald Thoraton—(applause)—sad with the toast he
would also couple the name of Mr. Duke for the
Ymeneark
Lint. o innurrox expressed his regret there was no
„presentative of the regular forces present, but he
would in. their behalf thank the Chairman for the
manner in which he had spoken of them, but he himself
felt rather at a lose how adequately to !IMMO the
thanks which they would have rendered had they been
L He thought they ought rather to have chosen
ihrrt I:nost martial-looking gentleman, Mr. Taylor, to
he,. responded for them. (14aughter.) A short time
ego he, with • good many more of the Present company,
bad the pleasure of hearing the officer commanding
Igo &pet here, Colonel Wilkinson. make • most able
hrrtin the room upon the prospects of the array.
allant
colonel, he was pleased to hear, took •
moat hopeful view of the future of the army. They
all knew the army wag at the present time in a Douai.
tke irate, but whether the changes that were being
made were for g old or evil was a question for the
future. The expediency, too, of those changes wall
question for experts, and he must say it was a question
ol doctors differing, and they, as civilians, looked with
anxiety upon the future when they new such eminent
military authorities as Sir Garnet Wuleeley on the one
bend, and Sir Francis Roberta on the other, express
ae very divergent opinions. Some of the changes
appeared trifiing and trivial—for instance, the change
Doimaninixua, altering the names of the different
meat& It was, to his mind, doubtful if these
would be the means of effecting any good—
for initiator, • regiment would fight just as well when
iadreneed by Its old historic name, as by the title of
the mothers division of the West Riding of Yorkshire.
(Laughter. 2 It would be • waste of breath, and the
men won) not fight better than by the old historic
name which they always b ire. (Hear, hear.) Other
changes which have been inade were more important,
inch as the changes in the length of service and the age
of the ewe ; hut he was quite sure that whether the
changes were for gooi or had, the individual pluck and
genaotry of the men, odd never change—(applause)—
they would always, in whatever capacity they might be
ie or in whatever position they might be placed, they
wrodd always do their duty. ( Applause.) As regarded
the navy, he wan rejoiced to eay there were no two
=in regard to that—there was no need of
there. (Hear, hear.) They fought now
behind iron instead of wooden wally, but they
were still worthy successors of the men whom Nelson
and Blake led. (Applause.) Coming nearer home,
and referring to the Yeomanry, with whom he was
wore particularly interest :d, he wished he could give
• better account of their numbers, but be hoped, on
the principle of being little and RrY)d• tb were trust-
worthy and efficient. (Hear, hear.) They were all
aware that the Yeomanry depended a good deal, and
drew its recruits, from people engaged in agricultural
mesuits. but he trusted m ire prospsrous seasons would
beteg better harvests and • better crop of recruits
(Hear, hear.) For the rest be ehould leave Mr. Duke
to speak for the 'Yeomanry ; he was an uncommonly
good soldier in the field, and he hoped he would prove
ascood when he was on his legs now. (Laughter.)
Dugs said Mr. Thornton had remarked
CulonerWilkinson spoke very hopefully of the future
of the army, but he was afraid he could not speak of
the Dorset Yeomanry in the same way. Mr. Thornton
had said it rested entirely with the agriculturists and
the farmers generally to fill the regiment, but he (air.
Duke) was of opinion they must get more officers
before they could expect to till the rank,. If inure
dicers only came forward he knew there were plenty
.of own who would beefily too pleased to cotes forward
and lota the rooky, and to do any service which they
malaria be rupsetwi to do. (Applaueed
The Vir•Cn AIROMI nett peoposed the toast of "The
Bishop sad Merry of the Dior we and Ministers of
all Denominations," our good ol 1 bishop WM known
and respected by ttoso all. (Hear, hew.) As to the
7trey, they were th, guides and instructor, of our
lath, and he was sure they did • great deal of good
ta thole respective spheres. 'Now should, one and all
corssoatulate themselves that they it
%Swim weastry of England where relied giousinliberthei;
cs..^notl, and whore each minister of every decomidea-
mft idind and tied with his fellows in advancing the

lIA

h
'
M

I
;
1 I 1
1
i: 1 1

IS!0\

1'

I

spiritual welfare of his fellow creatures. (Appian's.)
He could hardly sit down without referring to MO
little matter, which he was sore they would all join
with him in grieving about, and that was the death of
a very useful member of the cieri,wl profession let this
diocese. (lieer, hear.) He referee Ito the death of
the Rev. Canon Bingham. He could not do better
than quote a few lines from an article on the death of
Mr. Bingham in a local paper, in which wag said :
"Few men were b Ater kuown or m-re deservedly and
more universally loyal and respected, and none would
be more missed." He was sore they would all feel
the truth of these words in the death of the Rev.
Canon Bingham. (Hear, hear.) With the toast he
coupled t• e name of the Rev. H. P. Bailees. (Ap-
plause.)
The Rev. H. P. RAMIS said he rose with much
pleasure in behalf of the Bishop and Clergy of the
Diocese t return thanks, and, at the same time, to
assure them that it was always their best endeavour
faithfully to discharge their duty in such • manner as
to secure their esteem and to cause them rightly to
appreciate their ministrations. (Hear,, hear.) He
hut that evening been addressed as their chaplain,
and he supposed that was the "Chaplain of the
Baron." (Laughter.) He mitst tell them he had had
a g sod deal of chaff from several of his friend+ because
he was proud to belong to that sect or party of the
Church who enjoyed a g sod dinner. (Laughter.) He
would ask them—ls there any harm in that? (No,
no.) He would say more, even if it were otherwise,
did sit they think there might be an impression that
they as the clergy were made of different material or
something superior to themselves? (Laughter.) Re
always felt that the a mial tie should go conjointly with
that rdationthip which they held in their ministerial
work amongst them. (Hear, bear.) It had often
been said that the-clergy were hardly worked and very
ill-paid. Now, was that the fact? He thought it was
more true a fact that, owing to patronage, those‘who
worke I the hardest very often had the most scanty
psy, nod liviogs were often offered, not because of the
fitness of the individual, but from other cauws.
Perhaps some of then. bad read not lon„r ago the cue
of a living that was vacant and the way in whi :h it
was tillel. Two clergyrnoi having been sel-cte 1,
it was determineel that the best preacher should be
appointed to the living. It so happened their names
were Lowe and Adam. Loire preached in the morn-
ing a very exoellent sermon, choosing for his text the
words "Adam, where art thou?' (Laughter.) Well,,
of counts that was thought to be exceedingly good, but
in the evening Adam stood up in the pulpit and gave
not as his text "Lot here am II" (Much laughter.)
Upon that he was appointed to the living, fit or not
fit. (Laughter.) Certainly be was the wittiest
according to the answer, and so he had the living given
to him. Now, on behalf of the Bishop arid Clergy of
the Diocese, he did not think that sort of thing was
practised here. (Hear, hear.) He returned them his
thanks for coupling his name with the toast, and hoped
that when there was • fat living he who woeked the
hardest might get it. (Applause.)
The CHAIRMAN then proposed "The health of the
Borough Member, Mr. Brymer," who, he was sorry to
say, was, through indispraition, unable to attend. He
had however, expressed his great sorrow, and hoped
they would enjoy a pleasant evening. (Hear, hear.)
He (the chairman) personally regretted his &bunco
very much, because he so thoroughly appreciated him
as a man, for he was a gentleman, who, he believed,
would do all that any man could d s for the borough in
• political sense. (Applause.) He did not know any-
one who was more moderate and who suited his views
better than he did, and it was simply because he was
so very moderate in all his views. (Hear, bear.) He
proposed his health with a good deal of pleasure, and
he could only express his deep regret he WM not
amongst them on the present occasion, (Applause.)
The toast was well received.
Mr. HERBIRT HOMES proposed the health of • body
of gentlemen in whom they were all interested as
ratepayers, and be was sure they wished them all
success in their undertakings. (Hear, hear.) He
belisved they were carrying out to the best of their
abilities the work they had to do in the Borough.
(Applause.) He begged to propose "The health of
the Mayor and Corporation of the borough."
(Applause.)
The hfsroh on behalf of himself and the other
members of the Corp 'ration expressed their thorough
appreciation of the kindneea which bad been evinced
towards them that night. The toast which Mr.
Hodges had so ably prop sad was very plessing to bim
individually.and he was sure it was very pleasing to the
other members of the Council whom he saw around
him. (Applause.)
Mr. G. DAVIN, as the juni r member of the Corpora-
tion present, also responded. So long as he was in the
C mocil he should do his duty in a atraightforwsr I
manner, and be trusted that at the end of his term of
office what he had done would be satisfactory to the
town at large. (Applause.)
Mr. Alderman 11RMORY proposed "Sucmse to
Agriculture." Situated as they were in the centre of
a very large agricultural diat.lot, the proep-rity el the
town of Dorchester, of course, very largely depended
upon the success of that branch of industry. (Hear,
bear.) Unfo•tunately, as they all well knew, for
several years past agriculture bad been in a very
depressed condition—not from any want of care,
Industry, or vigilance, on the part of the tillers of the
soil, but purely from circumstances over which they
bad no control—a succession of bad weather; hut they
trusted the crisis wits n -w past, things were looking
better, and he trusted, with one or two good ha ,
they might see their agricultural friends in that ores-
perous and enviable condition they saw them in some
seven years ago. (Applause) He was very pleased to
see they had a fair sprinkling of their agricultur .1
neighbours payment, and it sat with great tile ware he
gave the toast, coupled with the names of Mr. Chap-
man Saunders, Mr. W. Hull, and Mr. Duke. (Ap-
plause.)
MT. CHAPMAN SAUNDIRS expressed their thanks for
the kind and cordial manner in which Mr. Gregory
had propmed "Success t Agriculture," The agricul-
tural interest, as he said, was not quite so prosperous
at the present time all one could wish, hut he trusted
It would prosper in the future net only for the benefit
of themselves, but dir the town of Dorchester as welL
(Applause,) Although they were only •smdl number
present, many of their friends being absent at this
time of the year from some unavoidable cause, still
he could assure them that did not lessen their interest
in the welfare of the town of Dorchester. (Hear,
hear.) There was no question the interests of the
town and agriculture were pretty well identical, and
therefore he trusted sericulture would prosper more in
the years to come, and then no doubt it would be better
for the town and trade of Dorchseter. (Applause.)
As to the cause of the depression in arriculture, it was
a very wide subject, and one which perhaps he had
better not say anything about; but he might say they
had passed through many bad lessons; that nobody
could help, and they had also suffered agoo I deal, as
agriculturists, from foreign competition. In conclusion
he again thanked them for the kind manner in which
the toast had been received, sad expressed the hops
they might hare better seasons and more prosperous
times. (Applause.)
Mr. RIGINALD THORNTON said it was with great
pleasure he rose to propose " Prosperity to the Town
and Trade of Dorchester, and the Donor of tho Baron
of Beef." (Applause.) He had always heard there
were two clamor of diners-out—men who had good
appetites and bad dinners, and men who had bad
appetites and good dinners; but to-night he thought
they might congratulate themselves upon forming •
third-clue—men who had good appetites and who had
enjoyed • capital dinner--(hear; hear)--and for this
they must primarily thank the doom of th• baron of
bee!, Baron Lock. (Loud Applause.) Dorchester
was acknowledged to be an sgricultural town, de-
pendent upon and intimately connected with the
agricultural interest, as they had heard, hut there
was • good deal of vitality in the town itself, and he
was sure they would all join with him in drinking the
toast. (Applause.)
Mr. MARTIN iJOCI WY Ter, mnch obliged to Mr.
Thornton for the kind way in which he had associated
his name with the toast. The tout of the town and
trade of Dorchester was • very important one. The
town and population had increased very much of late,
but he could not say that the trade had increased in
the same proporion. If it had not, he suppoise.l they
must put it down to depression in agriculture, being
a thoroughly agricultural town. All they wanted
was two or three good seasons, and if they c old
only get that, he believed they would have plenty of
trade. He thanked them for drinking his health in
connection with his giving the Baron of Beef for that
dinner. He was sure they bad spent a very pleasant
evening, and if his little present had in any way
conduced to its success he felt highly gratified. (Ap-
plause.)

The Rev. 11. P. &ULM proposed the "health of the
Chlirman." He was sure they were all grati6e I to see
the chief masristrate of the town taking the chair on
these occasions, as he considered he ought to. (Ap•
plause.) On behalf of the company he gave His
Wovship their sincere thanks I a having presidei that
night. (Applause.)
The CHAIIIIIAN, in the course of his reply, said he
felt a keen and very deep interest in that Baron of
Beef Dinner. (Applause.) He thanked Mr. Ratko
for so kindly proposing his health as Chairman, and
also thanked the company very sincerely for the
way In which they had receive i the toast.

might have been said of the vioe-ohalrema In the
words of a very old poet—
To tbil Mere man the knight repairs
For counsel in his law edam"

--(laughter)--but now he had given up the law to
conduct the Dorchester Brewery, and be was sure
they wehed him all success in that undertaking.
(liaar, hear.) Nowadays, if the knight did not repair
to him for counsel in his law affairs, he rep tired to the
nearest hostelry where Siess.re. Pope's ve good beer
was to be obtained, which would refresh his inner man
very much loin I. (Laughter and appl m. 0.)
Mr. A. Porn thanked Mr. Jiliard for p.oposing the
toast, and the company for the manner in which they
had received It. He confessed it had been at consider-
able inoonvenience that he attended that evening, but
he felt that it was a dinner and an institution that
ought to be supported thoroughly by the inhabitants
of Dorchester. (Applause.) It was a in I May which
p•omoted gaud fellowship and • good .n 1 friendly
keeling amongst them all, for when they net in the
comfortable way they did that night 'ashy of the
little differences which might have °cc erred during
the year were forgotten, and they were made better
friends and better neighbours for meeting as they slid
then. (Hear, hear.) lie, however, ghoul I like to see
the dinner better attended by the princ psi trades-
people of Dorchester. He knew Mr. Frost, the
Worthy host, always put a good dinner on the table,
and there was plenty of room, and ins end of 69 they
, m.ght have 169. (Applause.) lie MY sure &tr. Fruit
could provide for them. • He again thanke 1 them for
the manner in which they had re.,eived be tout of his
health. and he could assure them if he 6.1 added ..ne
iota to the success of the evening by taking the vice-
chair he was amply repaid. (Applause.)
The toast of "The Press" was pfloi,,,sed by the
CHAIRMAN, and having been acknowlr4;ed,
Mr. A. LOCK propossed " l'he health of toe Ladies,"
coupled with the names of Mr. Herbert Hodges and
Mr, Lille.

Mr. HOWIE and Mr. LINO having rest; mided,
"The Father of the Baron " wss wsnuly toasted,
and a ()spited speech woe made by Mr. SLADI in
reep Alan.
he CHAIRMAN gave "The health of M-. H. Frost,"
and thanked him far the excellent and bountiful dinner
which he had provided.
Mr. H. FRONT responded, and leisure I them so long
silt was his privilege to provide for the Baron of Beef
Dinner, assisted by Mr. Lock, whose very handsome
present certainly added to the sucoess, be would
endeavour do do his beet to please aIL If they num-
bered 160 instead of o—though he was proud to see
such • good c,mpany—he should be prepared to meet
them. (Applause.)
The Mayor having vacated the chair, his place was
kindly filled by Mr. Alfred Pope, and under his genial
presidency another hoer was spent in an agreeable and
*agent manner.

_
I The VICE-CRAIIIIMLN proposed the tout of "the
Visitors." They had one or two good representative*
there from the queen of watering places— ir rather
muthern watering places and they also had •
representative present from another watering place
whose name he would mention later. He was sure he
was not very far out when at the Mayor's Banquet at
Weymouth the other night he called that town the
Piraeus of Dorchester. This was rather questione I by
some who were there, but on the whole he had the vote
that it was. But for Weymouth, Dorchester would
not be half so pleasant • place to live in as it now is.
At any rate that was why Dorchester was such a
sucoeseful " go-a-head" place as his friend Mr.
Thornton had called it He a's menti .ned one other
gentleman who was very prominent there that night,
Mr. John Webber, from Bournemouth, who was no
d etht known to some of them. (Laughter.) Mr.
Webber having left the town and become naturalized
In Bournemouth, he supposed they must look upon hire
as a visitor. (Laughter.) With the toad he coupled
the names of Mr. Aylesbury and Mr. Crickmay (of
Weymouth), and hit. John Webber (of Bournemouth.)
(Applause.)
Mr. ALTZSBORY and Mr. CIIIOIDIAT first responded,
and expressed the great pleasure they felt in meeting
their Dorchester friends.
Mr. Joni Waimea; thumbed them for coupling his
name with the tout. He could users them it Dor-
chester was a go-ahead place, Bournemouth was much
more so; and he hoped it would continue to be so.
(Laughter.) Bournemouth air agreed with him very
well, but he hoped some day to come back to Dor-
chester and end his dap. (Applause.)
Mr. J. PEARD-JILLAILD had great pleasure in propos-
ing "the health of their worthy Vice-chairman." There
were a great many gentlemen present, and he did not
hesitate to say, and he was quite sere every one would
agree with him when he said, thth • more worthy
gentleman could net he found In the town of Dorchester.
(Hear, hear.) Mr. Pope had come there thst night at
very considerable Inc mveoienoe to himself, but he was
not thu man to shirk his duty at arty time. and he was
sure it had been a very pleasing duty for him to come
there that night. He bad had engarzementa which 'be
wail obliged to forego to attend that dinner, and there-
fore their thanks were very much due to him for doing
so. (AppLecim) It was not very long ago when it

THE DORSET COUNTY EXPRESS AND AGRICULTURAL GAZETTE, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1881,

GMT SALM Or 46 FAT STOOL—Mr. T.
Ens iv, of Dorche.ter aod Winshome, held the 6rot of
his tales of Christmas fat stock at the Repoeitory,
Wimb woe, on Thursday, when there we.. s mod
extensive supply of both beasts and 'beep, 200 of the
former arid 800 of the Idea, bdie4 oh iho groand.
There was als a very large attendaiicf of hay,), r
i,radiug, Salisbury, Soutinaropton, inchest.r, Rio.;-
wood, Portsmouth, Ltiniugton, Lynihuist, Poole,
Blaudford, Wareham, Bournemouth, end wally other
places. The sale c unmanned with the store it ,ck, at
half.past eleven, the be heifers and calved wilting
£l9 ilk I° £22 1011, and secoudary e urt £l2 105. to
£.16 tlaCti.ln-calf tows maned 1.29 to £35 10*. per
pair • and good fresh barreners VS to £33. The pill
trade was dull at Into rates. The fat stock included a
prime 1"t of sh,el), am mot which were some very
choice Exmoor and D watt horu wethers from Mr.
:road, Bridg water. tlid E trainers making dis. 61. to 735.
6,1. apiece, awl the Do.-set wethers 640. to 675. 61. A.
prime lot of Dowu wdthers from hir.Stardy broughl6Bl.
to 745. apiece, Ilr. H. Pope's making 66a to 70.. 61. A
very superior lot of Sather wethersfrom Lord Alusgton.
a ,Id at from 87e. 61. to 9,. ; Mr. Chapman Saund
improved Hampshire Down wethere making 92a. to
97a. 6s. ;other withers range' from 58.. 61. to 661. 61.
Ewes brought 64.. to 654 6d. !apiece. The general
range for mutton was 104, to 11d, for withers, and 91.
to 10,1. for ewe,. The sale of fist beasts commeneed
with the offer of 36 exceptioually prime Devon steers
an eight heifers fro u Mr. Croad, but trade opened
dull, and ad were not sold ; those which changed
hands made from £25 10s. to £2B 151. for the steer.,
and £27 10e. to £3B for the heifers. Another prime
lot of besets from Mr. Bsveretock, made from A:27 to
.1.35 each ; Mr. Varley's heifers averaged £25 each; 34
good heifers and steers from Mr. Vine brought £26 to
£35 51. ; • prime ox of Mr. Betnafield's £4O, and a
capital heifer £39 10s., 22 other heaters from ttie same
grazier making £24 to £4O 10.. Other very good lots
of heifers realised £22 to ra 10., and steers 1:28 to £33.
' The average run of beef may be quoted at from 14.. to
11,11. for prime Devon then andinaiden heifer. and 12s,
to lis, for second-rate animals. Between the sale Mr.
Enaor entertained his patrons and supporters to an ex-
cellent luncheon at Tappet. Hotel, a large party being
present. The sale WM of • thoroighly succesefol
character, and before its close everytuing was said,
' incluling the whole of Mr. Croad's heifers, for
which buyers could not be found at Um c
ammense-
went.

'