The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1859-12-06 00:00:00

THE DINNER.

The annual dinner of the society took place at
the Crown Hotel at three o'clock, and was provided
in Mr. Hutchings' best style. The only drawback
was the smallness of the party, not more than 70
persons being present, notwithstanding that covers
had been laid for more than a hundred. The chair
was taken by H. K. Seymer, Esq., M.P., and the
company included H. C. Sturt, Mar.
wood Yeatman, Esq., Rev. IL Salkeld, Captain
Worry, T. Daahwood, Esq. (hon. secretary), Robert
Farquharson, Esq., Mr. H. Fookes, Mr. Robert
Fookes, Mr. V. B. Watt., Mr. Senior, Mr. A. Coate,
Mr. J. Coate, Mr. W. Coate, Mr. H. Coate, Mr.
Wyatt, Mr. JllOll7B, Mr. H. Ford, Mr. Legg, Mr.
Jetferys, Mr. Strange, Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Cough, Mr.
Wiltshire, Mr. Eyers, Mr. Bell, Mr. Job Rose, &c.
Mr. Reader officiated Ili vice-chairman.

Mr. Spinney and a party of glee singers were in
attendance, and greatly conduced to the harmony of
the evening.
Grace was said by the Rev. E.. Salkeld, and on the
removxl of the cloth the usual loyal toasts were given
from the chair and duly honoured.
The CHAIRMAN next proposed "The Army and
Navy," and commented at some length upon the bravery
of these services. AU our officers, he observed, were
bold enough, but he should like to see a little more atten-
tion paid to strategy. (Cheers.)
Captain WARRY, as an officer of the Dorset Militia,
begged to acknowledge the compliment. (Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN next proposed "The Bishop and
Clergy of the Diocese," coupling with the tout the
DAMS of the Rev. 8.. Salkeld. (Cheers.)
The Rev. R.. SALIELD returned thanks.
_

;.•71;he hearth-Ti-t-h-e"Members for the County" was
given by Mr. MARWOOD YLAMIAN, son of the Chair-
man of
.th% Dorset Sessions, and was well received.
. . .

Mr. H. G. Steer, M.P.., in returning thanks, said
there were some questions of national interest to which
he would briefly allude. These were the difficulties in
China and America ; the state of our relations with
France; the question of entering into a Congress; and
last, though not least, the subject of Parliamentary Re-
form. These were all delicate questions, but if they
were dealt with in a straightforward manner the diffi-
culties with which they were surrounded would be sur-
mounted with credit to the Ministry and with advan-
tage to the country. He said this because he had ob-
served, during the time he had been in Parliament, that
Governments had fallen and Cabinets crumbled to
pieces through a sheer lack of common sense, In not
asking or caring about the public opinion of the country.
(Hear, hear.) He mentioned that there had been con-
siderable differences in the Cabinet on the subject of
the Peiho expedition. Four or five members of the
Government bad opposed the sending out of any naval
or niilitary expedition, or the claiming of any sort of
indemnity from the Chinese Government. Had their
recommendations, however, been adopted, he believed
that the existence of the Government would not have
been worth a fortnight's purchase after the meeting of
Parliament. (Hear, hear.) He did not know what
Lord Palmerston would have said, but he (Mr. Stud)
should have said, "Those couples want drafting."
(Hear.) Well, the more vigorous policy of Lord Pal-
merston had succeeded, and we were about to engage
the Chinese, in company with the French. He himself
was rather opposed to our engaging in any military
expedition with the French, because in the Crimea we
got all the fighting and they got all the glory: we got
all the kick' and they got all the halfpence. (Hear.)
Having thus touched upon our Impend ally, he was
almost compelled to say • word upon our relations with
France. He had no hesitation in saying, that the Em-
peror Napoleon was a very expensive ally, for there was
not a gentleman present who was not in the habit of an-
nually paying large sums of money solely on account of
the policy of His Imperial Majesty. Within the last eight
or 10 years the Emperor had increased his navy toe most
unprecedented extent, and as • necessary consequence,
we had been obliged to increase our own. Would they
believe it, that since the war of 1815 we had spent
£300,000,000 on our navy? Still it was so, and the
mere mention of the figures was enough to make his
hair stand on end. It was difficult to know what to do,
but at present our alliance with France was like one
person greeting another with his right hand, and hold.
tng a revolver behind him with his left. (Cheers.) The
Government, however, had taken every precaution, had
exerted every infiuenco, to avert the impending danger.
They had given countenance, for instance, to the forma-
tion of rifle corps, which was • very capital movement.
(Cheers.) It ought to he encouraged throughout the
length and breadth of the land, for the panics by which
England was occasionally seised were humiliating to the
country. (Cheers.) He thought we ought to take steps
to put the country in such an efficient state of defence
that it might defy "the world in arnis"—(chcers)--and
he was certain that every one present would be ready to
make any sacrifice iii order to bring about such a result.
(Hear, hear.) With regard to the subject of Parlia-
mentary Reform, be said the necessity of • change had
been acknowledged by all parties, and therefore the
sooner the question was set at rest the better. That
question would doubtless be the battle ground of the
ensuing session. He bad no doubt the Government
would bring in • Reform Bill, but he was afraid that his
party (the Opposition) would attempt to make political
capital out of it. It was • most dangerous question.
The country was quiescent, it was true, but in his
opinion that was the very time to legislate upon it. He
only hoped that the Government would bring In • mo-
derate Hill, and one which would set the country at
rest for the next 25 years. Notwithstanding the tempta-
tions there might be to turn the Government out, it
was the bounden duty of every Conservative, and of
every man who called himself a Conservative, to sup
port such a measure, and to assist in carrying it into
effect. (Cheers.)
Mr. B. K. Snimea, M.P., said on looking down the
list of toasts he saw his name was shortly about to be
proposed as chairman, and therefore he should defer
any remarks be bad to make until that period of the
evening arrived, and.coutent himself by simply thank-
ing them for the kind manner in which they had on
this as well as on many former ocicaaions, been pleased
to drink his health. Allow him, in the mean tame to
call upon the secretary to road the list of prises.
Mr. DISHWOOD then proceeded to rood tile following•
list ot prises fur stock :

FAT STOOL
Aof pia Yell" 47. eras by Mr K. B. Baker. Dort forir Lig *
fal 011. Mr. M. basica% Hinton fit. MY'
bask tS, Mr. Henry Coate, Sberborne. MOM locirm.dsd,
Mr. Coons g•Mor'
• Pfsoe of Flele. "lue LS rim by J. J. Farquharson. Esq.,
for I. bug tat hear, Mr. John Coate, Hasenoce ; leeeob•
bast, 11. Mr. Jason lianhor, Hinton 14. Mary.
• place of plank value 46 eves by H. C. Mort, Esq..
for th• boot fat cow, Mr. John Caste We"' be". Mr.
Minim Costs, HAMI2OOII. Highly oomaioded, Mr. miUlam
Fodor.
A *Kea plate for the flys bent fat %%mbar sheep of the
ems braid, J. J. Farquhanott, req.

A sliver mustard-pot, for the beat fat plc, Mr. Job Rome, Fid.
dlatord; second best, al, Mr. Samuel Ruse, Flddleford.

Basso' xo Broca.
A piece of plate, value ta, give by if. K. Seymer, Esq.,
M.P., bribe beat dock bull, let to breeders during the past
season, at not more than les. Mr. J. E. Jeffery, Orchard ; aocond
beat, al, Mr. it 11. Warren, Child okeford.

A pkoe of plate for the beet onnyear-old stock bull. Mr.
lori Grove.. Blnghann Melton:ate ; second best, £l, Mr. 1...1,1eb
Loder, Buckhorn Weldon.

A piece of plate, value f 5, given by the Hon. W. H. B.
Portman, Ml'.. for the best bull, con, and offspring, Mr. W.
Homelier, lbarnhull.

_
A piece of plate, value £L, given by the Karl of Beauchamp,
for the bed Mary con or heifer, with offspring, Mr Henry
Coate, second butt, £l, Mr. J. A. Smith, Bradford Peverill.
Commended, Mr. J. W. Janim, Mappowder.
A piece of plate, given by H. K. Seymer, Esq., M.P., forth.
best dairy cow, Mr. H. Coate; gerund best, £l, Mr. J. A.
Smith. emmended, Mr. J. W. James and Mr. W. Ratifier.

,
A piece of plate, liven by the FAri of Shaftesbury, for the
best pair of to-year-old stock heifer., In calf, Mr. W. Senior;
second best, El, Mr. J E. Jeffery.
A piece of plate, given by the Earl of Shaftesburr, for the
best pair of one-year-old stock heifers, Mr. J. 1k . James;
second best, El, Mr. H. Coate. Commended, Mr. .1. E.
JeffeE.
A of plate, given by J. Floyer, Esq.. for the hest nine
soul own ewes, in lamb, Mr. H. lookes, Whitcburch;
second best, el, .1. J. Farquhamon, Esq.
A piece of plate, given by J. Floyer, Faq., for the best
southdovm ram, Mr. H. Fookes.

A piece of pieta for the best boar, Mr. J. A. Smith; second
best, 41, J. J. Farquharson, Esq.
A piece of plate for the bat breeding sow, in farrow, Mr.
James Strange, Hiltoe ; second best, Li, J. J. Farquharson,
Esq.
Hoaxes.

A elver cup, given by H. K. &per, M.P., for the hest en
tire hone, for agricultural purpose, Mr. R. Jacob, Battens
borough, DOW Glaeonbury ; second best, El, .1. .1. Farquhar-
Apiece of plate, given by G. W. Digby, Eel., for the best
art mere and foal, Mr. Heard Ford, Medford ; second bet
El, JD. J. W. James.

For a Prank= of two fulness, offered by Mr. E. J. Lam-
bert, for the beet foal of 1859, by " King of the Vale" on
" Matehlnee," there eras no competition.
Barna.

Prize given by the Baron Ilambro.—For the beet 361 b.
firkin of butter, £3 3c, Mr. James Strange; second beet
£2?., Mr. Richard Crocker, Inerne Minister.

The CHAIRMAN then gave the health a the Lord-
Lieutenant and Magistrates of the County. (Loud
cheers.). . . . .

,
Mr. MAILWOOD YZATMAX acknowledged the oomph.
went.

,
1 The Rev. R.. SALKICLD also responded.
The CHAIRMAN expressed regret at the absence of Sir
Edward Baker, who had gone into Shropshire to inspect
his estates. He also expressed regret at the absence of
the President, Mr. Farquharson, but said it afforded him
much pleasure to state that his general health was good.
(Cheers.)
I Mr. ROBERT FARQUHARSON thanked them for the
manner in which they had received his grandfather's
health, and assured them that although they could not,
from his advancing years, expect to see him amongst
thew so frequently as they used to do, yet that interest
in the society was undiminished. (Cheers.)
Mr. STUB? then gave the health of the Chairman,
than whom • better neighbour, • better county magis-
trate, or a better county member never existed.
The CHAIRMAN, in returning thanks, said we had no
wish to send out a single man to invade France or any
other country, but whilst such was the feeling on this
side of the Channel, be regretted to say that there
were thousands on the other side, who would like noth-
ing better than a "go" at this country. That was
exactly the difference between the two nation,: we
wished for peace, and the other wished for war, and
more particularly for a war with this country. Our
French neighbours, who possessed many excellent
qualities, were so restless that, having upset half a
dozen Governments of their own, they now wished to
disturb the peace of Europe, and we had therefore
become alarmed. This time last year Europe was in
• state of profound peace. Everybody knew at that time
but Austria did not govern her Italian provinces as it
ought, but the mere fact of that misgovernment could
have afforded no ground of offence to ranee, and France
had no more right to go to war with Austria than with
England. And yet at the beginning of January, the
French Emperor came out with • warlike speech, and it
was evident from that time that France was determined
to pick a quarrel with Austria. That quarrel had re-
sulted in war, and we were told that it was all for an
idea. Now people who went to vies for an idea were
most dangerous enemies, for it was impossible to say
what the next idea might be. (Hear, hear.) We English.
men were prastical men,—if we went to war it was fora
substantial interest,—but when another country went to
war for an idea we could never be safe. The next idea
might be to avenge Waterloo, and that, he believed, was
the idea of France. If so, we must look out for squalls.
(Hear, hear.) If he were asked his opinion, he should
say that the whole matter rested with ourselves. The
I Emperor Napoleon was too prudent a man to think se-
riously of invading England, unless he had, or thought
he had, the command of the channel, for without ouch
an ads cottage he would soon lose all comm unication with
France, and his army would have to surrender as prison.
en of war. It was, therefore, highly important that
we should look to our fleet. (Cheers.) But supped' ng
it possible, as had beep suggested, for the French fleet
and the French aruiy to slip over in a fog, he believed
that such a spirit had been aroused amongst the general
population as would show the enemy that we were pie
pared to resist foreign aggressions to the last. (Cheers.)
Lookingat the great interests we had to defend, he would
say—we will continue to arm, and we will not disarm.
(Cheers.) He highly approved of the rifle movement,
and he would tell them why. If the French Emperor
talked about a mutual disarmament, he could not ask us
to disarm oar volunteers, who, to a great extent, had
been at the expense of their own equipment. (Cheers.)
As long, therefore, as we had 200,000 or 300,000 men
ready to fight for the country, he thought we should do
pretty well. (Cheers.) He should not detain them on
the question of Parliamentary Reform, because he
thought it rather a bore, and should have been content
without it. The China question was an important one,
and the American dispute was of • sonsewhat ticklish
character; he should not, therefore, touch aeon it,
more particularly as the Americans were so sensitive that
a juke in an English novel was almost calculated to bring
about a war between the two countries. (Laughter.)
All he would say was—let us take care to defend our
shores, and let us hope that nothing will occur to pre-
vent a continued cultivation of that good feeling amongst
neighbours which social gatherings like the present have
a tendency to produce. (Cheers.)
The health of "The Successful Candidates" was then
given, and Mr. H...F00K ES returned thanks.
_ . . .

f3or;ff by Mr. Bell—" The flag that'sbraved a thousand
years.
The CHAIRMAN then proposed the health of the Coin-
niittee of Management, who had performed many ardu-
ous duties to the entire satisfaction of all parties.
(Cheers.) He begged to couple with the toast the health
of the Umpires. (Chime...)
Mr. W. SICNIOR briefly returned thanks.
Song by Mr. Spinney, "King Alfred the brave."
Song by Mr. Marshallsay, "The snug little Island."
The CHAIRMAN begged to give thew the health of Mr.
Dashwood, the honorary secretary. (Loud cheers.)
Mr. Dassiswoon thanked the company for the kind
manner in which they had drank his health. He had
done his best to promote the interest* of the society, and
if he had gained their approbation he was amply re-
warded for all the trouble he had taken. (Cheers.)
Mr. Seymer shortly afterwards left the chair, and the
meeting broke up.