The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1861-03-19 00:00:00

HUNT DINNER TO L()RD POLTIMORE.

On Wednesday evening last the friends of Lord
Poltimore, the inuch•esteemed and popular master
of foxhounds, met at the King's Arms Hotel, for
the purpose of partaking of an excellent dinner,
which was given to commemorate the conclusion of
the labours of the hunt for the prevent season, and
for expressing the thanks of the gentleinein of the
western division of the county to Lord Poltimore
for the excellent sport he had shown them. It will
be remembered that his lordship had at a great ex-
pense brought his hounds from Devonshire to this
county for the purpose of giving sport to the gentle-
men of the Cattistock country, which had before
been very imperfectly hunted. He was cordially
received by the men of Dorset, but unfortunately
from the unhealthiness of his kennel he was obliged
to close his season sooner than he at first antici-
pated. This season, however, has made up for the
disappointment which was caused by the hounds
being obliged to leave so early last year, several runs
almost unexampled for length of distance and rate
of speed, having been made by them, which have
caused the noble master and his hounds to attain no
small amount of popularity. The kindness of Lord
Poltimore whilst in the field has pined for him the
love and esteem of the Dersetabire sportsman, and
we think they did well in entertaining him to such an
excellent repast, as that which we had the pleasure
of attending on ‘Vednesday last.
The room was ta.t.Sully decorated with flags and
evergreens, whilst here and there were appropriate
mottoes, amongst which we noticed "Success to the
House of Poltimore," and "Success to the Hunt."
Al the end of the room were the following lines,
I neatly printed, and surrounded by a frame of flower.
work

"Better to Lunt in fields fur health.nnbouglit

Thou fee the doctor for a nauseou. drought-:
The wise for health on exercise depend ;
llod never made his work tor man to mend."

At about 6 o'clock, upwards of seventy gentlemen
sat down to an excellent dinner, which was of the
most rechercht description, and which did great
credit to Host Manley. The viands comprised all
the delicacies of the season, and we must not omit to
mention that amongst the good things provided was
a "hunting pudding," weighing 60 lbs., and judging
from the old motto, that "the proof of the pudding
in the eating," wo must say it was greatly
admired.

The chair was occupied by Lord Poltimoie, sop•
ported on the right by Lord Digby, and on the left
by R. B. Sheridan, Esq. M.P., and =lunge! the
company present we noticed Major Henning, jun.,
Benjamin Gundg, Esq., Joseph Gundry, Eaq.,
Perks (luntlry, Log., J. F. Hodges, Eq., (Mayor of
Doreharter), H. Templer, Earl. Login, Esq.,
Captain Thresher, John Tizara, Eaq., Tatchell
Bullon, &eq., Foster, Eeq., Devenish' Esq.,
H. Devenivh, Esq., R. Boucher, Ewj., G. Kelley,
Esq., and A. Martin, Esq., ; Messrs. Thomas Noun-
sell, Robert Randall, George liendall, Bevies,
William Dunning, Henry Du JJJJ ing, Thomas Dunn.
in:, Henry Fooks, John Funks, John Chick,
Villiauiu Henning, Thomas Pope, William Johnson,
William Watts, William) Spmke, Edward Pope,
John Formidge, William ilanley, jun., J. Homer,
A. L. Cooper; William Groves. -- Collins, William
Felward Whittle, Thomas Sansom,
Mirth:U. Thomas Hotinvell, William Swain, H. Hos-
kins. William Pope, ikc. The vice chair was occu-
pied by Peter Cox, Req., of Remainder.
_ - - - -

_
Oo the reuseval ot the cloth, the CHAIIIMAN gave
"the Health ot the Queen,7.lwhich Mee loudly received.
. . . .

The CH ‘IIOIIAN tbe next toant-un the bit
Ira the " Health ut the Prince Content the Prince of

Wale4-,-an4 the rest of the 'loyal ramify." (Cheer..)
He was delighted to see that the Prince of Wales had
taken to hunting, and he hoped that wheneverjie ramis
to the throne he would show his subjects so good an
example in other things as he had in that. (Cheers.)
The Crialets.tu again rose, and said he had greet
pleasure in proposing the health of 1 body of gentlemen
who always did good service, it WM " the Health* of the
Lord Lieutenant and the Magistrates of the county,"
and he begged to couple with the toast the name of the
" Rev. If. F. Yeatinan," whose Impartiality and clear
sightedness in ado i ii i 4 tering justice, were so well krown
to all present. (The toar.t was drunk with three times
three.)
3fatiwoon YHATMAN, E+4l., on behalf of his father,
heued to retain thanks for the kind manner in which
the toast had been received. He said it was • source of
gratification to him to have the honour of returning
thanks for the toast, and he was sure it was • great
pleasure to his father to know that the efforts, which be
hail devoted to public duty, were nut unappreciated
by his fellow subjects. (Cheers.)
Tim CHAIRMAN having proposed "(li, Health of the
Bishop awl Clura," mimed on to propose the health of
a bodr of utou who Lad ,(way., an 1 who would always.

do their duty lit whatever lart of the world they WA! !
placA,and in wlintever wAy they ni;uht ie. tailed upon
to
(pi
tkdtwi
iitiliii;;;itoo.
at
ri
.41 I:yr t
oit
b.Nniluug. rail h
ie;:vywma
ar
uu
Ibinietsliire :nen. They with I lalieve Win when lio
i•aid, that whether soldier or sailor, serving in a distant
country, there was nu each halm to h., woun Is, ii.f.
such aulane Ida trial., se to receive the approbation u
Ida countrymen. (Loud cheers.)
Lord Dauer, who was
reciniv, d wills loinl anplauie,
uluuklt is 'iii., health of Lunl lt,ltiunore." (Loud
ehecra.) I can only express the feelinguu of every one
country
f
t in r hole.tahroniagsmrie
that
of
ira
his health may enable him so to do. It is an ackuow-
m L
lodged general rule that no luau eau pie use everybody,
but it is also a known tact that every general rule
hula
.
that
lie has p.hease.l asevybu.ly, soul proved himself a worthy
SUCCI:ASOT to that long eideemed, and oft-to-bo-reinem-
bcrel old squire,. Mr. Farquharson. (Loud cheers.) I
rwmaagnlel:en%leo.liii.TaiedtiletwitiFtandta".ll cries of ovbcf" "Tally-ho!")
litnhde
The CHAIRMAN, oil Aping. was received in such an
enthusiaxtic incliner as to make it imPowible for him to
get a hearing for soar few i tttt hes. Whsui it hail some-
what sitieddei, he amid : My Lord Alld g 11111.11101, L cauu
scarcely find words to express my gradlicati.iti at the
Ikind and cordial incliner which you have received
I and drunk the toast of my health. 1 hopir you will
ezeuse e.e, for you know I eau do better in the field
than I can in speaking, but I trust that whatever I may
leave unsaid, you will mit think that it does not
cume Inuit my heart, but that it arises from my
not lie,ng able to express myself. I know I ban a
difficult task before ine in following sueh an ohl and
de:erring master of foxhounds as Mr. Farquharson,
es
worthy successor and also a good master of foxhound..
of
my kennel,and Iw as obliged to hunt
mftii::,,,ir::,,icaillaiii,nii;l:(tio::::synd,:ceu:rir,,is:4:l,.:p:eriyinlo:riuit.l,
y that I
ill do
st
ly, as
ntage by
liearl. and that I have been enabled
":lAsdnie'teldi,rwcti9telligir'lYw. ofis
te:ealli itneanrsititit better r°Y;;;11:.,,e3,11: asf
ouis e ige:as nails u:ar
tw'wai trust,,p for :attrY:°okeyuut :b
ell:l:yi:nawnit
etivi
tiepul
rei,w3:stavdi
that It always my desire ta show you apart, and lam
da
ur good
must not 't this importunity of sayinz bow prowl
(Applause.) II hope our
cennecti
ye'xnoueut,' ndfar
sport. u
en long nhunottop ara:llL{(l.lll,,,taantiihitotha:Limalylnheawkeerinikasbnalined,wa
more of each other we may like each other better.
to 511,01
tenant fanners for the kind way in which they have pre-
more than
I really think I onght to say on flak occasion, I will
therefore conclude by proposing "The health of the
owners of sneers," and with that toast I beg to couple
the name of "Lord Ilebeeter." (Loud cheers.) When
we have called anon him, and you are aware that
has not been seldom, he has always shown us foxes. I
' thank you heartily for the kind way iu which you have
ili unk my health. (Loud cheers.)
Lord Diner briefly responded on behalf of
his relative, Lord Ilchester, and elated that he was
certain that whatever conduced to the sport of the
comity, his lordship would do his utmost to sustain,
Although he (Lord Ilcheater) was no foxlienter, he bad
shown plenty of sport as he as material went, and he
was sure ha would be always most happy to de so.

Jomeett Deemer, Fag., said he had • teak which was
a mno,t pleasant one, it Was that of proposing "The
health of the Members for the County of ISorset, and
also the members of the reveral borringhs." (Cheers.)
Ile thought it watt utinecepisary for him to trespass long
omen their attention, or expatiate in any degree upon
the merits of their county and )*rough members. He
might refer to the fact that twu of the county tneumbers
were most etaunch smiporters of the noble sport. which
they had met that day to celebrate. Mr. Portman
hunts a pack of honnds, and Mr. Start was one of the
straighteat riders in the country. Mr. tieymer, although
less in the field, was also equally determined to preserve
foxes, and to show sport for fox-hunting in this county.
(Hear, hear.) He hoped they would permit him before
be sat down, to diver., a little from the subject of the
toast, so auto enable him to lend his humble voice in
thanking their noble chairman, who bad, at • great
expense and personal inconvenience, shown inch ex-
cellent short which they hail witnessed that season,
and which net Dorset-hire man who had seen it could
fail to appreciate to the full, st possible extent. All of
them knew %hat a great personal inconvenience moat
be entailed upon any gentleman who comes so far from
his own hnme es Lonl Poltimore. in enter to show them
sport. Those who lived in the western division of the
county, felt most keemmly the want of sport which was
caused by the resignation of their esteemed friend, Mr.
Farquharson. None eseept themaelves knew the diffi-
culty which was felt in filling that trthl, but their noble
chairman had come forward, and had kindly undertaken
to hunt the county. and he had done so in a such a
manner as to satisfy every one. (Applause.) He hoped
they would pardon hint for trespassing from the subject
of the toast, and he would simply ask them to drink
with enthusiasm "the Health of the County Members,
and thoee of the boroughs in the county." hears.)
R. 11. SHARI!) req.' M.P., who was received with
loud cheers, eaid—My Lorde amid gentlemen : The tatik
which now devolves upon me is one which is more
difficult than I at first anticipated, as I have to roll 12
gentlemen into one. f am Imre that if the county
Aorbiber. Were Were ai..y...t01l do justice to the toast,
an I a ith ouch re efficiency tflu..lf can hope to do.
have also • tank to perform' on behalf of my ...Heave.
The gallant officer would have been present On HID
occasion had his duties enabled him to do no, and
would have done Ids best to return you his most sincere
thanks. (Cheers.) On behalf of the several members,
I can only say that we are moat grateful to von for the
honour that has been conferred upon us by Mr. Gunelry
iii prohmsing the toast, and also to those who are joining
with nun this temeial gathering, for tlie manner in which
they have received it. I came from London expressly for
thepurpose of being present at this meeting. (Applause.)
Oreat temptations were held out to moo to induce tame to
remain away front thin 'fleeting, but I felt that on an
occattion like this, having, as it were, taken an active
part in inducing his lordship to occupy the Cattistock
country, I ehould not be doing my (hay in showing
roper respect for that liberality which his lordship has
shown if I had declined to he present. (Clieent.)
Front what I have heard, greet success LA popularity
have attended the hunt, and it gives me the greatest
gai-faction for the share I have taken in endeavouring
to induce his lordehip to come to this county and to
'llford sport to all those who may be disposed to follow
him. I have no doubt it will surprise • great many
old friends, but it is a fact that it is almost a quarter
of a century ago that I first was at • dinner in lb,s
county, and I believe in thin very room, which was simply
called • hunt dinner. It in also, I must say, some years
since I had the pleasure of meeting in this social
manner im many of the tenaut farmers and gentlemen
connected with agriculture. It lout been said by some
that it was me own fault, perhaps I may think other-
wise, pert's!). I may have an amount of susceptibility
that others may not have, perhaps I may have imagined
things I had no right to imagine, but be that as it may,
I can assure you that at this moment the recollection of
those days are now before me, and I can only recognise
old friends and old faces. (Loud applause.) I seaure
you I feel most happy for those days, and that we have
a gentleman and a nobleman who bee undertaken to
hunt the Cattistock country, and in following the steps
of your old and faithful friend, Mr. Faroultanson
(cheers), as my health has been htropmed, and that of
the members for the county, I hope you will allow me
to propose a toast which I.do with • great deed of plea-
sure, it is that of the " kfavor and Corporation of the
borough of Dorchester." (Cheers.)
Mr. HODGEA (Mayor of Dorchester), responded to the
toast. He said lie sincerely thanked them for the kind
manlier in which the toast lied been received. It wait
an honour to him to be present amongst them on that
occasion. In his yoneger days he said he felt great
pleasure in having • day with the "old squire,"
and it alwaye cave him great satisfaction to
seances the progress of the sport of fox-hunt•
ing. On this occasion he felt anxious to be
present to testify the great esteem which was felt for
the noble lord, who now presided over them, and he
could assure him that when the intelligence was received
of his occupation of the western part of the county as
master of the hounds, it gavefithe greatest satisfaction
to all chaser, in the borough of I)orchester. (Cheers)
He would add one word more. He could assure his
lordship that the inhabitants of the bonnagli of Dor-
chester, had Mt time greatest gratification by the accounts
which they leave received from persons who have seen
his lordship in the field, of the uniforms kindness and
courtesy which every one who meets him in the sport
were sure to receive at hie hands. Ile ronlil assure his
lordship that he would Awayn receive the hearty and
sincere good wialles of the inhabitants of the county
town. (Applaurc.).. . . . . .

The i;ii.alituts 'then rose and said lie Lad a toast
to propose which gave him a great deal of
pleasure, but which lie felt he could not do rufficient
juatice to. He wished it lied been entrusted to more
able hands. When they heard it, he was sure they
would nay he could not say much about it. lie meant
the "Heath of their late respected muter 4 hounds,
Mr. Farqnbarson." (Loud cheers.) Mr. Fitriuharaon,
he said, 1.4.1 hunted the county for upwards of fifty
years, at his role expenae, which was • circumstance
unparalleled throughout all England. (Hear and cheers.)
Wu he not deserving of the utmost credit? They
knew theineelves how much they appreciated it.
Whatever lie might say would fall short of Mr. Far-
qtaharson'it real deserts. lie cooki only say that his
humble endeavours would be to follow so noble an
example. (Hear.) He might go on till to-morrow
morning expatiating upon the merits and deserta of the
" old squire," but he would surn it op in a few words,
and tell them the more lustily they drank the toast, the
, greater compliment would be paid to Mr. Faniliarson.
, (The twist was loudly cheered and was drunk with nine
I times nine.)
Mr. H. F.VIKM, of Whitchurcli, responded, and io
conolinrion proposed the "health of Mrs. Farquharson."
LITTLICHALL74, Esq., said he kid • toast entrusted
to him to propose, it was " the health of the three
packs of hounds., Lord Portman's, Mr. Itailclyffe'a, nod
the Vale of Blackfoot,. ((heers.) He autmosed it had
been entrusted to him beam,* he lived in a central
position, and eoubl occasionally reach all three of the
packs. If it had happen'd a little while no, lie shonlil
have been in • difficult posit. . because if he had
praised one pack more than the others, they might have
complained. The three packs had muds Pont. excellent
rims, and lie bemred to reunent their acceptance of the
toast of the "three pack* of the county." (('heers.)
M. VaArmAN. Esq., responded on behalf of the
(lb'humor Vale Hunt.
. .

Tii!(H%lltM.tgai.l he begged leave to propose •
toed which Ito was sure they would receive with u
great pleionre as he had in proposing it. The toast was
" The health of the Tenant Fanners of the district."
(hood Cheers.) The tenant farmers were in every way
the bulwarks 4 fox-hauling. (A Viiteg And of every
thing else.] (Laughter.) it was the tenant farmer*
who preserved (oxes, and he begged to return
them his sincere thanks for the kind manner
in which they had always received him.
((beers.) Mr. Fooks hail remarked that when the land•
lord was found lortiul to presort. tosies, the tenant
tamer would do likewise, but tbe Wiwi tomer* bail

dono an where ev:n the landlord had not thought fit to.
presents feats. ((.oud cheers.) The testaut farmers:
we:e a Maly gentlenten with whom he VMS 011 the .
most intimate to Jill, all-I Wlth *1 be wa.s proud to
he ~e.insieleell. Ile connected with the I. sad the nausna.
ef several of the t. mut fannere Of the district.
Mr. J. Hoven returned thaeks. As a tenant f armee, .
Ise said. he had dime everythiug in uSC power to preserve
fose.,, bat at the preeent time WI was not a preserver of
bill*, and fur a very ;peal reason, because he had none
to prmerve. (Laughter.) U be had, he should have
great plemure in preserving them for Loral Poltimore,
for nothing could give him greater satisfaction. He
saa quirys e"ucalsested tote }:saryalilillestlaitys of irboultesbeiehliaden not "tenyort.
present, therefore he Mead the tenant farmers who
resided in the some neighbourhood as he did, end those
gentlemen who owned largo covers would make an
eff art for tlie future to show his Lordship sport. (Hear,
hear.) Lard Pei ti ~,,, re's country at Asreeent was far
different from what it was when Mr. Farquharson used
to hunt the Cettistoch country. Mr. Farquharson* had
a largo dietriet to hunt over, whilst Lord Poltimore's
was • small, limited district, and if the tenant farmer*
in that district did not make an effort to preserve
foxes, it would be impossible for Lord Poltimore to
hunt it as it ought to behunted. (Cheers.) They had
an area, he sresuld say, of something like 100 miles in
extent, between Bridport and Dorchester, bordering the
..es. His Lordship dusts.; the estrunn and 'pries
season had only killed two fresh fhses in the whole
country. During that season he badderewn the country
twice -- he believe-I three times -- blank, whilst
Cross 1114 experieece it ought to aIOW sport
at least three days a fortnight. This year
it could not show one day a fortnight, me lithe gentle-
men in that .li.strict who owned large covens wrseld pre-
sera foxes, they, the tenant farmers, wbselived upon
the hills wools% be sure to have plenty of Imes, and he
individually would use all his influence in eider to get
the foie* preserved (hear, hear.) It would ter nselees,
however, fur the tenant fanners to make any even-Dons-
if the covers in the neighbourhood were not preserved,
and suttees such aa effort were made, it would las im-
possible for Lord Poltimore to hunt the country. His.
Lordship had the love of the whole of the Cattistoek •
country, and he was sere the tenant farmers would en- •
de.ssatir to preserve foxes with all their hearts—
(Chaste.) lie begged to return thorn his sincere thanks
for the kiud mintier in which they had received the
teast. (Apelause.)
Lord ',IRBY said it was with great pleasure that he•
rose to 'propose the " Health of their worthy Vice-
Clutirsuan, Mr. Cox." (Cheers.) Ho was one of the.
oldest, if not the very oldest hunter in that room. His
(Lord Dighyl was a mere "infant" when he tint saw
hint in the field. (Laughter.) He was oily too happy
to PCO him in health that evening, and 11111 hoped he -
might long mutinies so. He would give them "Mr. Coe's.
good health." (Loud cheers.)
Mr. Cox in reaming thanks, assured them that
he never expected to live to fill so high • 'situation so.
he did that evening. When ha looked round and sew
such an influential assembly of gentlemen, it did good
to his heart (hear, hear). With the exception of his
friend, Mr. Henning, and Ma friend who supported him,
on the right, Mr. Furtuidge, be believed he was the
oldest to:hunter in the MOM. He had been at it. now
41 years, and be only hoped he should continue to be so.
for many years to come, and that they should pet
" firked" up by the young spirit which was rising
amongst them through the briskness and eourtesw of
Lord Poltiinore. (Cheers.)
Mr. Foirrea called upon the company to drink tam
"Health of the Rifle Volunteers." (Cheers.)
Mr. MANLEY, jun., returned thanks. He said as Gee.
of the voluethens of Dorset he could not allow the toast.
which had beefs proposed to pass by without notice. He-
had hoped that on• of the officers present would have
returned thanks, bat as they had not done so, as a non•
coneuissioned officer—and he was proud of being one—
he returned them his sincere thank.; for the compliment
they had paid his bretishin in arms. The Heliport
come, to which he belonged, was one of the first to r•
wood to the cell which had been made, and fthersfore it
was called the first Dorset, and he was proud to egg
that many who appeared in the hunting field belooged
to-
that corps. (Cheers.) Should they ever be called upon
to meet • pressing emergency, he hoped them w mid be
snore volunteers on that occasion than there had hien
to return thanks for that toast. (Applause.)
Mr. E. Pori: said be bad a toast entrusted to Ling
to propose—and he was sure that every gentleman,
aho would listen to the subject of the toast would give,
their hearts and souls to it. He had not the-
slightest doubt that they owed all the sport they bad'
received for the past two years to the origin of the
toast he was about to propose, for if Lord Fenimore
bad not come into this county to look for a wife, be
doubted much whether he would ever have come there
to look for a lox. (Cheers and laughter.) As his lord-
ship had chosen the county of Dorset from which to
'elect his wife, he was sure that every Dorietthire man
would endeavour to prove how much they appreciated
the choice he bad mule, for he (Mr. Pope) thought he
Ima taken off the belle of the county. (Cheers.) He
called upon them to drink the toast in the way in
which it ought to be drunk, and hoped the union of
Deractshire and Devonshire would breed first-rata
sportsmen. (The toast was drunk with loud cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN said hr hardly knew how to respond
to the toast which hi: ad.. 713) enanitte,:ijoson:erslin.iryshnaoud romusvealyred.propmed by
Mr. Pope, but begged to thaok them for the kind way
in which the health of Lady Potlimore had been drunk.
He could assure them that she was always delighted to
hear whenever they had succeeded in making a good.
run, or of having any sport whatever. (Cbeem.)
The toad of the "Owners of Covers" having been
given and responded to, the CHAIRMAN called upon the
company to drink the last toast, which was "Our next
merry meeting." He hoped he should again meet them
at another meeting of this sort, and that melt tines he
(...,...;:oetunn:Tchbe,::::ai:bail ea
and
conviviality
htigaohfievenntai:tottlhreo,
.ep:Tne
company
royi eb
ail
agi and
vii:en
amu:lneoTdi'mlrieut..lll..eil"fs'oabidt.l.le:: )
II o'clock, and a substitute having been appointed,
b"Prev'ealonaltngedut::ltal this small