The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1861-12-10 00:00:00

STALBRIDGE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The annual cattle show of this well-conducted
society was held on Monday, and a capital show it
was. The entries were about an average--that is to
say, not very numerous—but there was scarcely a
bad animal in the show field, and the competition
in soma class,* was very guod--in dairy cows
especially so. The fat stock also comprised some
very pretty animals, the top place being occupied,
in our opinion, by Mr. Eli Benjarield's heifers.
There were some good pigs and sheep in both
class's, but the pnae list sufficiently enumerates
the exhibitors. Messrs. W. Coate, Collings,
and Frampton, the judges, awarded tlie prize. as
fellow, :

Bent bull, 2 guineas, Mr. W. Roasiter ; 2nd ditto,
El, 11r. Josiah Magus. Best cow, £2, W. Rosaiter ;
2nd, El, Mr. Caleb Loader. Beat 2 heifers, L'2, Caleb
Loader ; 2nd, El. Mr Drew, Marnhull. Breeding
ewes, :10s., Mr. Stiby ; 2nd ditto, ills.. Mr. Stiby.
Best hoar, El. Mr. Turner, Temple Combs; 2nd, Mr.
rsraons. Bestsow, CI, Mr. George Seymour, Stat.
bridge ; '2nd, 105.., Mr. Jarnes Worthy.
FAT STOOL—HeId fat us., LI, Mr. William Senior;
2nd ditto, £l, William Senior. Fat beifers, Eli Benja-
Gehl, ; 2nd, El, Eli Benjafield. Wetbers, 30a.,
Josiah Marna, Stourton ; 2nd, 155., John Oalpin.
Ewes, 361., Ist,Jolin Galpin • 2nd,lss.,James Andrews.
Fat cow, fed on cattle food, let and 2nd prizes of C.I and
El, Mr. Senior. Fat pig, fed or cattle food, L'2, and
El, Mr. George Hatcher; 2nd, 11r. C. Chant

-
The dinner, a very creditable one to the hostess of
the Red Lion, was served up in the long room of that
hotel to • company which mustered under the genial
presidency of 11. Gerard Sturt, Esq., M.P., and WAS in
the later part of the eve g swelled by • large number
of late arrivals. The Chairman was supported by
M. S. Yeatnian, Esq., and J. H. Lyon, Esq., Mr.
Dike, hon. sec., Mr. litiby. Vice-chairman, and by
Messrs. W. emit., Senior (2). Frampton, Collins R.
, Roberta, 11. Roberta, Taylor, Burt Oh C. Loader,
• Pope, !Lake, Young, W. liossiter, KIM, Hatcher,
Trim, Harris, Bugg, Ice., Ice.
The after-dinner proceedings were enlivened by the
sweet singing of Mr. George Gen:re. the well-known
Loudon vocalist, whose charming ballads elicited tre-
mendous applause, and by the strains of Eyers's capital
quadrille Baud.
Having introduced in very pithy and appropriate
remarks the loyal toast and the health of the Bishop
and Clergy (fur which we are ashamed to say there was
no one present to respond. owing probably to the
poverty of the living of Stalbridge, which is only £1,3U0
a-year.)
The Chairman rose and said—l am now about to give
you a toast which I know will meet with • most hearty
and enthusiastic reception—the health/ of our Army
and Navy, and brave Volunteers --those who are the
defenders of our Engliali territory and our vast colonial
pomessions, mid also the upholders of the honour and
dignity of our flag. And let me tell you that I do not
believe any man could propose this toast at the present
moment without feeling that we live in most moineu•
toss and critical times. No doubt there is hardly a
gentleman in this room who is not aware that within
the laid ten days intelligence has reached this country
that a gross, and, I believe, a premeditated insult has
been often-it to the English 6ap. (Cheers.) Her
Majesty's Gorerniuent have, I must say in the mad
praiseworthy manner, acted as they, ought
to act : they have asked the opinion of the taw
officers of the crown— their opinion is second to no
men's in the world, and they have given it as
their opinion that what has been done is contrary to the
law of nations, and reparation has been demanded for
the insult. (Loud cheers.) 1 think too much credit
cannot be given to Her Majesty's Government for the
proiupt manner in which they have behaved in this
matter' furl can tell you, within the last twenty-four
hours, her Majesty's Government has sent out a special
steamer to Lord I.yous, demanding reparation, and if
reparation is not given. Lord Lyons will be re-called,
an.l I believe there will be war between the two
countries. (Cheers.) I feel, therefore, I do not
exaggerate when I say we live in most momentous
times ; but it is a comfort and comolation that if we
embark in this fearful undertakiog (and when • war
is entered In between two great powers like England
and America, it is impoesible to say what will be the
result, such an occasion as this has called forth such
patriotie sentiments as thaw lam about to read you.
We have stood a great deal—we can afford it. We
have stood a CertAIII amount of bluster. and a large
amount of swagger, but there is one thing we can't
stand, and if history is any provision for the future I
believe we shall show to demonstration, and beyond
contradiction, that all classes—the richest, the poorest,
the youngest, and the oldest—are determined they never
will stand a premeditated insult to the British eag.
(Loud cheers.) With these eentiments, I ask you to
drink, with three rattling cheers, "Our army, navy,
and brave Volunteers." (Great cheering.)
The Ctlxigalax then proposed the health of "the
Lord-Lieutenant and Magistrates." The Lord-Lieu-
tenant, who was well known not only in England but
throughout every country in Europe, was a most excel.
lent man, an honour to his country, an honour to his
county, and an honour to the peerege. Ntlierever good
was gong on, there they would And Lord Shaftesbury
foremost, aud wherever the poor were, there his lord-
ship would be found engaged in the lendable effort of
ameliorating their condition. (Cheers) With his lord-
ship's health be gave those of the magistrates of the
county, and men wore intent on performing their duty
without bias il;n't exist. Although they had just now
to regret that there was no person present to return
thanks for the Bishop and Clergy, yet they had an ex-
celleat magistrate present. (Cheers.) He would give
them the Lord-Lieutenant and Magistracy, and with
them the name of as good • fellow as ever walked—
Marwood Yeatesan. (Loud cheers.)

Mr. Maiteroon YZATIIIAN aid it was to him a source
of the greatest gratification to hare the honour of re-
sponding, on that oscasion, for the Lord Lieutenant
and Magistrate', to the toad which they had just drunk.
It was to him individually, and he felt sure it must be
to them, to find that after the test of centuries they
occupied the proud position which they. held among the
iostit.itiona of this country—that position which was
first conferred on them by the crown, and wbch still
enjoyed the approbation of the people. (Loud °been )
Mr. LTos then proposed " The Health of the empty
lithaberd° The thaw" of Donee had the *asp ee