The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1861-08-06 00:00:00

ANNUAL SALE AND LETTING AT HIGHER

W AT ERSON.

The tenth annual sale and letting of Mr. James
Harding's well known flock of pure Southdown
Hams and Ewes took place on Thursday List, which,
as usual, drew together a large number of gentlemen
interested in the breeding of sheep. and in the
progress of matters connected with agriculture
generally. The weather was all that could be
desired, and notwithstan•ling that harvesting opera•
tins are now very general throughout the county,
still • large number of yeomen were present. That
the successful breeding of sheep is a matter of great
importance, not only to the agriculturist, but also to
the public at large, is, we believe, • fact fully math.
Influx' • and during the ten years which these sales
have lieen held, Mr. Harding has earned a well.
merited fame as being a successful breeder of the
pure Sure: sheep. In the opinion of many the
flock which was submitted to the hammer on Thurs-
day was superior to that of any previous years, and
, many were the eulogiuma passed upon the animals,
which looked perfect models of symmetry, and it
was well known that they were not "shorn to shape."
The rams were ranged in pens in • field adjoining
Mr. Harding's residence, and amongst them was the
one•year•old rain that carried off the prize at Dor-
cheater. a short time ago,as was also the one that won
the prize at the Bath and West of England Society's
meeting. These were special objects of inspection
and admiration. After some time had been spent in
viewing the animals and marking catalogues, an ad-
journment took place to the residence of Mr.
Harding, in front of which had been erected a
spacious awning, beneath which were disclosed long
tables sumptuously and bountifully laden with choice
and cool delicacies, which, whilst showing the
hospitality of the worthy host, reflected great credit
upon the catering of Mr. James Yearsley, of the
Antelope Hotel. There was • profusion of wines
and liqueurs, besides a large quantity of champaigue.
At the entrance to the awning was the word—
" Welcome," topther with other appropriate mottoes.
amongst which were "Cod save the Queen," and
" Speed the Plough," and over tho door of Mr.
Harding's residence was placed the Ilchester Arms.
The tent was very prettily decorated with flowers
and evergreens, and over the chair were the letters
"V. R." The chair was occupied by Sir Edward
B. Baker, Bart., supported an the right by H. Her
Seymer, Esq., M.P., J. F. Hodges, Esq., (Mayor of
Dorchester), and Count Wezele ; and on the left by '
Major• General Michel, C. J. Radelyffe, Esq., Colonel
Tapp, and Troyte Bullock, EAR.
The Viceehair was occupied -by Mr. W. Dunning,
and amongst the company present were—Matthew
Devenish, EA., (Dorchester), G. Penton, Esq., (l)or-
cheater), Messrs. Kent, Nutley, Paull, Stone, Dunford,
Loveless, Andrews (2), Berms (2), White, Mayo (3),
Cooper (2), Symms, Fookea, Tell, Strange. Keynes, Long
(Stunninster), Harding (Durweston), Atkinson. Stroud,
Bridge, Pope (Sutton),Banndera (Druce), Bartlett (Bar-
wick), Old, &c.,
Ample justice having been done to the good things
provided,
The CHAIRMAN said he bad great pleasure in proposing
a toast which they had often drank, and which he hoped
they would live to drink many years to come. It was
the " Health of the Queen, and the Royal Family."
(Cheers.) Her Majesty took • decided and active pert
in the noble pursuit in which they wsre engaged, and it
did not require him to says word respecting her merits.
They all loved her, and they all admired her. (Drunk
with three times three.)
The CHAIRMAN said the nest toast was the" Army
and Navy," which was one in which they were much
interested, and he was glad to see several members pre-
sent to respond to the toast. (Cheers.)
Major-General Motet. returned thanks.
Colonel Taw* also responded, and said he felt highly I
honoured at having his name sjecially mentioned in
connection with the toast, but after what had been said I
by General Michel, he need not say anything more about
the Army and Navy. They (the public) supported the
army in every difficulty, and iu whatever situation it
was placed he was certain it had their sympathy. He
must connect with the army the volunteers, for he had
the pleasure of being at three of their finest reviews—
the one at which her Majesty attended, at Edin-
burgh, where there were 22,000 volunteers, and the
other at Wimbledon, where they were inspected
by the Commander-in-Chief. who expressed himself
highly delighted, and asked him (('olonel Tapp) what be
thought of them? He replied that "ha was never more
pleased in his life." He would drink 'access to the
Volunteers, and may they be always ready to defend
our shores when called upon. (Cheers He concluded
by proposing "Colonel Mansel and the Volunteers."
(Applause.)(
Captain THRTAIHER, of the Weymouth Corps, briefly
responded, and said he was certain that wlissi danger
threatened, the volunteers as • body would be ready to
do_ their duty. . .

The CHAIRMAN next gave the "Health of the county
members," coupling with the toast the name of H.
Ker &ruler. Kam.. m.p. (Loud cheers )
11. KER Sel NKR, N.Y., in responding, thanked
thrum for the kind manner in which they had received
the health of the county members. He mast not forget
that he belonged to an assembly of long speeehes which
were said to interfere with business. He was too good
a judge, however, to make A long speech upon the
present occasion. The only scruple he had was that
he did not come there for business, but simply to enjoy
the hospitality of his old friend, Mr. Harding. He
(Mr. Harding), had often invited him to attend at his
festive board, but ~he had never been able to attend till
to-day, and he must say that he bad never experienced
greater pleasure, and he hoped it would not be the last
Pine he should have the pleasure of attending. (Ap-
plause.) Although he had come with no nieney in his
pocket, he trusted thatlwaa the case with but very few of
them, and he hoped they would do a successful business,
satisfactory alike to theniselvin end their worthy boat.
He wished before he sat down to propose the "Health
of their chairman, Sir Edward Baker, Bart." (Loud
cheers.) He was delighted to see bum present, because
he knew that he name there for business, and that his
pocket was full of money. If he had not been there be
would have been on the Goodwood downs, and he was
certain to throw away his money, as he was sure to bet
on the wrong horse, but, being present, he would be
certain to buy the hest rail. (Laughter.) (The toast
wiui drunk with three times three.)
The CHAIRMAN, who was received with loud cheers,
thanked them for the conies.' manner in which they
had received the toast. With regard to the Goodwood
downs, he said, the proof of the pudding was in the
eating, and they saw that liepreferred being with them,
not that they need be almmed that he was going to
lose his money there, for his hoped to keep it and spend
it in Dunietaiiire. )Cheer.) Still, at the same time he
hoped that their est... Bent host would not choose the
Goodwood cup day another time for his sale. He
I should be a great hypocrite if he said that Mr. Harding
had done right in choosing :hat day. However, they
I were all very glad drink the cup of hospitality, and
I the Goodwood cup must take its chance, for • bird in
1 the hand was worth two in t.ic bush. Ile woubl, ith
. . .

their periuisaion, now propow the health of their iouch
respected and hospitable boat, and he hoped they weuki
drink it with nine lallloll one. (Chaim) U. hoped
that aa be (the Chairmen) bed an rld ta business, 110,7