The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1866-04-24 00:00:00

811 ER BORNE.

PRESENTATION OF • TESTIMONIAL TO
G. D. W. DIG BY, EN.

A year ago, when G. D. W. Doghy, Req., retired
from the mastership of the Machismo,. Vale Nevada,
amidst the sincere regret of the whole hunk It wee
resolved to offer horn • te,timonial, in the form of •
picture, as an indisation of the manner in which um
appreciated the taimilleame which supplied them for
eight or Mee years with healthful sport, and the noble
oiertesy which had rendered the meets of the B. V. D.
so pre-eminently esjoyable. fllte artist selected to pro-
tium the portrait was the newly sleeted, sad WWI
recenoly knighted, President of the Royal Aoadosy—
Sir Francis Grant.

The presentation took place on Tuesday evening at.
the Town-hall, Bberborne, at a banquet •ttended by
about 100 gentlemen. members ef the Blaokmoor Vela
Hut, and admirers of Yr. Digtry.
The interior of the Tomas&ll was for the nonce com-
pletely tranafortned. The blank well on the further
aide of the room wee bung with tines large pictures
from the Castio—portreita, as we believe, of ueseton
of the noble bonsai of Digby. The queue between the
pictures, end the windows in the oppuite well were
taetefullv relieved by tracery of evergreens. Tbs copse
end of the room hel4 in the central pointer an antique
mirror, surrounded with decorations of dr, laurel, body,
he. The windows were bong with heavy maroon
curtain& At 'lin lower end of the hall we. a rows,
shrouded with hangings of the &me colour an the
certeles. and these coothlud the tasitimooka Most of
the numbers of the bunt sppearwt in owlet, and
their brilliant co tome agreably relieved the cube-Pow
of the black costs prescribed.. your only weer" foe
seeping drug. The tables were gaily decorated with
dowers. and sparkled with Aim and glue. llrs. Mess,
of the Bieg's arnis.H&l, provi,led •suraptaoss dinner.
. . .

Kr. Stokes ofilcialad a;ioast-master in amod and t-
able manner. . _ .

The.hair occupied by Sir William llndlynott in
bin ...to...id genii, mariner. the meet at the evening
sluing on bie right hand. Sir William 111•41voott woe
vapportad on either side by Sir Richard Glyn, Sir
FAwaid &bee &ker.. the Horn._& Portman

'th. Hon. 11-P-ortman- lb. Hem. Mr. Pepys, Kee. B.
Disby, Hes. J. Thompson, Msjor Bolton, Coot Sandford.
Res. A. Hutchins. Mr. Maroeod 8 Y-aresaa, Mr. W.
Tufwell, Kr B Litticbal. a Mr. 01(sliy, Mr. 8. Pitmen
(m.srsr of the Taunton Vale Hunt). Mr. G. St. Lo, Mr.
H. bins. Mr. W. Ftedts, K. T. rmkes. Rev.
4. Dcody, Mr. C. Henley. Captain nlyna. Mr.
T. Romp+, Copt.in litilehtles, Captain J. F
Fail/amen, Mr. H. Memiter, Mr. H. Conroe,
Rev. H W. Blandtrord, Dr. Hisistance, Dr. Wlitiams,
Dr. Turner, Mr. J. Costs, Mr. X W. Janne, Mr. F.
%ekes. Kr. Nnrman. Kr. Crocker, 11r. Hurt., Mr. T.
Goldsmith, Mr. J. James, Mr. A beln..s, Kr. C. Spicer,
11. Symos, Mr. H Hutchins', Mr. J. Penny, Mr.
Baohridge, Kr. H. Miller, Mr. H. Coate. Mr. IL Don-
ford, Kr. T. atom% Kr. Artold, Mr. J. V .na& Mr.
J. Caldar, B.T. J. Bionsorhaentt Mr. H. Beenr, gr.
T. BMorren. Kr. Bishop, Mr. Woodward, Mr. Lowden,
Lient. M. B. Motilyrott, Kr. Deltrood, Mr. Berney. Mr.
:.+ealey. Mr. Adams, Dr. Bonatt. Mr. Whittle, Mr.
Devonielt. Capt. goat., Mr. H. Wilreott, Mr. a-dleon.
Mr. Phelps, Mr. Moffatt, Kr. & Woolotioron, Mr. W.
Panipee. Mr. Pouting, Mr. Hears, Mr. Woad., Kr. J.
Brooke, Str. 3. Dunford, Kr. Dudnso, Mr. W. Parsons,
Major fillerrald, Mr. Sartain., Mr. J. 57110, So its.
The band of tho 7th D.R.V. perforator! erloolioita of
merle in no setnelsanaber, aad arsoompasied lb. Mesta
.PPr°7.l".nj,o..

- Mrs. Digby, Mn.. Wingield Baker, and WO',
entered the room a as after the clothe were • I,bdmern,
and took their mats In • balcony behind the Marmara.
The estrum* of them ladies was tho signal for pro-
longed and hearty cheering.
The sisal loyal and patriotie baste haring beers iima
and rwmended to—Major Bogle for Me Army and Navy,
Capt. Falreawer for the Rifle Vnluoteers, Capt. Teat.
man Inc the Yeomanry, and the Bay. B. Digby for be
Bishop and Clergy of. lb* Moose, . _

The' OwesLig— said : We nor; come to the lout of
11,. eveeing—OremenSous °herring). I con with
sincerity me I wish it bed fallen into abler bands, but
when I look round this room and es mi many friends as
well es Oranges present.. .ad then me Mr. Diem at
sty Bide, I begin to think myself &Imo the oldst friend
Mr. Dirby ban Is the room ; for I sea best • friendeliip
attending over also t fifty yeers—(cheene). I con
remember him obeli he sea in whet I may term the
zenith of youth—when wile iked to hien to show ma the
way awes emiltry, and to glee us that support in sr
favourite sport which sins be bas to liberally and
bendminely enlarged. Bet it I. not in fox-hunting sly
that hie manifests I. seen. If I were to appeal to hie
fonaum—(ebeere}— they would tell us of hie liberality is
&landlord. Ile like to see them priepering—to be able
to ride good horns, ani to follow the hounda—(itheers).
I think this of foshentirg —that it givno landlord and
tenant en opportunity of me ting spier the inoiit
favour...tile Secumstasea If I were to ask the clergy,
they could tell US of the munilloent .upoort be haa given
to their churches and trothrole (chi ere). It in not
t *rive months ago since we hood from the Bishop of
Oaford in this towe, that the restoration of Shoehorns
Aber wan looked upon, not as a boil work—not se •
diocesan work—hut cre a great pablth the nati.moi
bni At. If you look throughout the county you as
works going on, mrsely inferior; is many her you
em
toritions going on by means of his lirrirl hand
(Writers). If you go to ff.lobury you will see in the
Chept r Hues • inagiiillog t memorial win low the
Dieter window. I feel it • duty to motion thes things
when I consider the echo Is he los beilt—the bosses
for the clergy —the chestier this hare born eupported
by him; and mey I not add to the list that lad hand.
some testimonial—the Vstutan Hspital—(lou cheer.).
Then si all, bete at least, feel what a Arstirate thing
fox-111 siting le—(latiehter and oheere) What a noble
amusement. And if we limb at Mr. Digby u a lox
hunter, we lost ow i Viet over else he hes bad the
honour of beihg wiser of the Blackmoor Vale Hounds
no money Ise bees grudged, no pains spared to promote
the sum of foxliun•ing.{loud cheers). Wessell here
foethunters, and MOOT Of US have been Ito from OUT
earliest youth, and it is a elms" to us to see a really
super', rri ler. Ido not brlirre them is any mg. In
this county or in the whole west of Ragland who can
ride before Hr. Digby unle-e be odes before the hounds
—naughtier ant cheers). I meat leave some one b. tier
able than myself to spe.k of the doing* of "Forester,"
And now I on sore you will all do honour to the toast
of "Mr. Dishy." and in giving it I will out, add that I
sincerely hope the picture which we now preset will
give him the pleasure and stieda tion which it affords to
a.. It is painted by Sir Fraud. Grant.
l'be drapery that bied up to this point emosalei the
picture we drawn aside, and • large painting was dis-
covered, repreeentlng Mr. Dighy, in snot-let, on his
favourite beets, Forster, which is rending quite
still, and in the fore-sound, pieturesqedr grouped.
Thor. as three pet bounds—tire famous " Waverley,"
, "Guider." and • Deirymaid." The late master of the
▪ is depicted holding his hat, which nista lightly
upon one knee. The Huth on the rider'. facie indicates
that he. but irov Ines following hie beloved sort,
wad though mug thought the espreasioe wee slightly
too youthful, all aeknowled red the likeness to be the
" counterfeit p reenter-sr of the Squire. Toe &did
hes well might his remarkably seat oat, and tb t
finesse of heed whist, has long been commented on by
members of the hunt. The haektroctod is an ideal
fermentation of the Vale of Bleak moor. The horse is
admirebly painted, est so are the hounds, which were
at us recognised and named, and, as a work of art,
taken altogether, the 'mien"( ruegetlicent. The
Octane is 104 ft. be 64 ft., end is frames is • menive
hold frame of solid work, in which the acorn arid oak
leaf are intredeced effutivtly. The whole erpgja, we
understand. ha. noel upwards of ffl.ooo.
The CHAIRMAN then prisented the teeticoosial to Mr.
Dishy, in the name of the eubeeribera, and trusted It
OMNI be banded does as an heirloom in the esti*
from generation to generation. He hoped Mr. Digby'a
life would long be spared for many many yean—(great
ohnedoe).
Mr. DIGIT rose with en-Went emotion, and mid: Sir
Wil lam AA dlyeett, laclis and gentleuren,—if awe over
wee an reession on which • gentlemen, from being
overcome by Ise feeling, at the scene before him, may
be eemed if unable to "apses this feelings, I think I
might claim your indulgenosthisevening—(edeggr). But
If I could find words for what wand suggest Heat to
rs, I should express my feelisp of thankfulness to
assemblage for that beautifel future, painted by the
Are* meter is Regised To you, goalies's, I would
&sire to °awes, the donna feelinp of theinkfolnemo for
the kinds...elbow° to me on tbie occesioe, and to my
kind friend on my loft my earnest thanks would be
rendered for his observations—far more flattering than
I deserve, but they COU34 from the bottom of his heart—
(loud cheen)—fross aa uellinehing friend, as hour.,
plaisepoken country gentlessan--(oherre), May that
friondeliip to which be has referred, and which be kindly
wishes to lest for many more years, oontinne as long ea
,is all human probability it ern or will. G.-offenses, the
fej.ndsbir. of such a palms, and the bind en-
pensions be has need cannot but be most gratifying to
me ; but when I farther come to speak of all the ewes.
Sense under whisk the present asenablage has come
together I And 0111.0 for renewed and inereaand
cation; for Ido soave from hem an wares* that
what I has done in establishing • pack of fushoiside
has been recosteiged by you, and that, too, in a manner
that conatembre an ornament of thy life. It is not only
an saurus to me of approbation of my efforts but it
I. alas an ugurance that what I founded will endure. I
an happy to se now that what Cu begun by me bee
pt....fused better Sower and fruit than when in my hands. ,
I began • lisle too late; but I am heppy to me one at
my .4, who has the adventages of vigour and youth,
and is fall of life and spirit. Hy friend Sir Richard
alyn--isheerei—in thin, his Ant season, has bad a muse
of Boort *MA I could sever mime in Somereetehire.
I believe I laid some of the foundations for that sport in
an earnestness and seal for the cam, which I never
oonld hive carried into Mien but for the kind friend
who took from math. labour and fakigue—(clisers)--sad
whole merit" I am glad to me have been recognised and
gukusledged by you in so questionable form. It wee&
"mg and pismire to me to mist in establishing a park
of foxhounds ; but there it ermeething month= the mere
plums of those who partake of the apert—thens
the general momaset—the rest good feeling snake it
promoise in the counts, and I lees you to say whether
or DOT there is any avulse to • country wham one
man sidle his colt at • meet stielessiory Agars, and
another Ands • ready minket for his oats—(soes).
But there is soother way in which it dos 100 d—it
brings me together with feelings of warmth sad friend-
ehip—it pule aside all thee. little bitterness and
unitise which the bugloss of life moat bring with it.
A mu meets hie friend at the cover aide • lib epee
bud and a cheerful smile, "W. suet have sport to
day, it is ash • Au nrossiest"—(ebeere and laseirter).
When thie seers two., three time • week, it eannot
rag to eolith the &eventing of lie, end thie In the malt
if fox-baiting— ("been). lens delighted to bitable to
feel that these advaatageo are Arany stabil bed in this
coautry. We have • gentleman with youth, health,
and strength to ears that on which I began, add
though we has not the advantage of having In some
parts, the ems so well preserved La we Dula lOW yet
we bane bed a very much ineresed portion of uort
and fees n Somitreetehiss ; end if puller will join
in ose cosmos moue, / am reedy to Pik% gellebliebind
a rover in abet part of the ecesers—Good eihmtel. And
thst being dam% pee will Iwo
1163104511 PIM sill IA

will only advert to owe point mon. About this tines
lad year, I met an assessblege of gatieneen in this hall
to say " tioodba" as a maw 01 fosbands. What
that word "raiaalloo" see. me, I will not attempt to
m 7; but whet has aka plea to-day es the feel-
ing which bas brought yes together, yoar
Loot present mats ample emends t 0.,. for the bittered
faith/ with which I said "Ocrodbve"—(laud charts).
heel. however, that I chat the right mason for that
resimaitia. I was not the am I wa, or I skald not
ave had that accident. I see things so Italy sad well
established, and so roil a eneranwar in my plaes, that I
am guile resigned. Oireelemsn, from the bottom of my
lass% allow me to repeat my warmed* thanks for this
Vat ad gratifying honour—(lowl and asainnwil
ebeerleo.
Mr. B. Lreyi,gßALgg3trossed, &add enthalastio
cheers, the "Health a ra igbt." a
Mr. D. W. D. DIGIT, is aeknowledgLog the was. on I
behalf of Mrs. Digby, eei.l that in additioa to the
pleasurrithle *abject of the sweat, th•Y bad bad ohs that
was perhaps higher In his setioi ition than alga".
_""ata
—(bear. bear). Tbe one he now alluded to—who wee,
dotter to boo than himself—thaw, beer, aad
He assured timin that she *nab), felt tit ir kindness in
dnnking her health, and the remarkable =won in
which it wee ushered In —(eheers). She had een b. pvx
to hear et tbe .1100.11•11 be bad had in the field, and bad
been seer reedy to greet him wan he some home with-
out any great twaient—(therra). But be was obliged
to be wen careful 1:10t to let her know all lie aearptsol
it—frosts of laughter)—f• r bad be dose that be wood
never hate been able to keep the bounds these eight
yens —(renewed laughter). Hie mishap did not come
until late in the day of his life, when kiwi, won a out,
and he did not think they had loot mach. mil need
ea regret him—(appleues).
The health of the Charmer' as eordially drank and
responded to. "Scoot, to the Blaanion Ten Hunt"
'we. replied to by Sir Lollard Glyn. "The Lord
Lieutenant, members of Parliament. and Maglatrata of
Dona" was reepooded to by Hr. St. Lo, sod lb. Hos.
Si. Portman on Walt of hi. brother. Is teapot's* toe
general call, Mr. Manned R. reatwea acknowledged
the thitat—"The owners and occupiers of averto in the
Bleakrare Tale Hunt;" Mr. H. Heater, Mr.
and Captain Sandford slim respooded. "The Rn
sista" as replied to by the Hee. H. Denby aid Mr.
B. Littlehalse The health of Mr. Denby also wee
thank separately. "The Masters of li.triers' was
acknowledged by Mr. Patna and Mr. W TogieelL
Mr. Oltelly responded for "Tbe Lain." 'The
health of the Secretary, Mr. Missiter," aed "The
Press" amended the liet of toasts, sad the seem*
seperated about eleven o'clock.