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

Till EVENING MEETING,

Which was hell at 7 o'clock, was largely attended,
notwithstanding most unpropitious weather. The
Right Hon. Lord Portman, presided, and on the
platform were G. 1). Rigby, Esq., H. K. Soy-
Esq., M.l'., H. Danhy Seymour, Esq., NI.P.,
the Mayor of Yeovil, Donne. Esq., of tklcombe,
lice. Al. Hawtrey, lice. Jamul Penny, J '. Manse!,
Lei., Rev. E. N. Henning, F.. Itentbull, Esq.,
Eaq., Rev. Sir. Thomas, vicar of-Yeovil,
&c. . .

Lord Posnitx, in opening the proceedings of the
evening, after alludinf in eulogistic terms to Lord
Shaftesbury, the Lon -Lieutenant of the county of
Dorset, said: The object of this Associated Institute
is to give encouragement and assistance to the young
men of the two counties, who have not the &dean-
tages of attending schools and those superior places of
eacation which most of us have had. There are
those who are unable to take advantage of these in-
stitutions, and it is desirable to gave them every
sible encouragement in the education which their
friends are contributing to afford them. In most of
our towns we have institutions of some kind or
other for improving the minds of the young men of
those town.; and it seems to me very desiniide that
all those young men should have the opportunity of
meeting together, and be examined by skilful men,
to see if they have CO= up to a given standard—not
a standard of competition one with another only. but
a standard of education by which they are likely to
become useful members of society. ((heers.) Now
that is one of the main objects of the Associated
Institutes, and I believe it is one that is very well
worthy your support and patronage. (Hear, hear.)
I must rather claim for myself the lion's share' ; be-
cause I believe that I represent the county having
one of the four largest county populations in this
kingdom. Therefore I hopo the county of Somerset
will become more alive than it has hitherto been.
and that the meeting next year at Taunton will be

"The Council of the Associated Institutes of
Dorset and Somerset, in presenting their first annual
report, beg to remind you that although the Appel.
&bon, as at present constituted, has only been in
existence one year, yet that two years' experience of
the working of the principle of the Association has
amen obtained. This is the second year in which
prizes have been offered to youths in this room. In
the first year the plan was wrought tint by Mr.
Macrearly, whose exertions in the Mule of education
it would be rank injustice to omit here to acknow-
ledge. This year, as you are probably aware, the
plan has been worked by an association, having for
it. object the encouragement and reward of study
among youth of the Middle and Labouring Classes.
Last year the number of competitors for the prizes
was 30; this year it is only 20. The comparison is ,
not so satisfactory as the Council could desire, and '
indeed as they had a right to expect. But if it affords
no grounds for congratulation, our present position
is far from discouraging. In that which is the prime
motor power in all associations in the sinews of war
—the Council have been successful beyond their
expectations. A fund of above £l7O is already in
our banker's hands, and with subscriptions
promised and yet to be paid in, and with the books
that remained over from last year, and which were
placed at the disposal of the Association, the years'
income of the Association may be set down at £220.
The expenditure cannot be exactly stated now as the
expenses of the present meeting are not ascertained,
but it is certain that the Council will be able to hand
over to there who will succeed them in working the
Association a sum approaching to, if not exceeding,
£l2O. Financially, therefore the success, not only
of this, but or next year's operations also is secured.
Indeed, the Council feared that so large a balance
might indispose the executive body to those active
exertions which are indispensable to success in any
walk of life ; or that it might induce some sub-
scribers to hold their hands under the idea that their
money was no longer wanted. It is necessary there.
fore to state that £63 9.. 6d. of our present year's
income is derived from a source that we fear cannot
be relied on for the future, viz., the Readings which
Mr. Ilacready gave in aid of this Association, and of
some of the Institutes in union. Last year these
Readings were given at Bridport, Weymouth, Poole,
Blanciford, FIYBOC, Crewkerne, Yeovil, and Sher.
borne. This year they have been given at Taunton,
Dorchester, and Weston•super•Mare. Eleven insti-
tutions have received aid in this way, and yet five
only have sent students. Sherborne, Blandford,
l'rewkernc, and Yeovil last year; Dorchester, Bland.
ford, and Sherborne only this. Yeovil and Crew•
kerne, which took each two prizes last year, send no
competitors this year. From Weymouth we have a
student who although he has not received training
from the institution to which he belongs, has been
allowed the privilege of examination here to-day.
The other institutions have been unable, either from
want of means or lack of inclination, to keep their
classes in existence. This apathy contrasts strangely
with the zeal shown in the educational unions of
Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Worcestershire, where
the societies in union are numbered by the dozen,
and their students by the hundred. It is also re•
proved by the operations of our neighbour, the
Wilts and Hants Adult Education Society. At the
annual meeting of the Lancashire Union there were
1,000 competitors. In Worcester the numbers at-
tending classes was last year returned at 360; whilst
the progress of the Wilts and Haute Adult Educa
tional Society exhibits, not as our Associated Insti-
tute does, a decrease from 30 to 20, but a very satis-
factory series of gradations. To what can we trace
their successes and our retrogression? Certainly not
to the encouragement held out to students; for
whilst the highest prizes given in Lancashire appear
to have been of the value of 305., our first prizes con•
sist of handsomely bound standard works, some of
them of above the value of two guineas, and of a
cheque for three guineas in addition. Considerable
as our money prizes are to these youngsters, the
books that are to be distributed will be, it is hoped,
even more attractive to the student, and when we
name such works as Johnstone'. Physical Atlas,
Macaulay's Essays, Lardner's Natural Philosophy,
Carlisle's Letters, Brougham's Statesmen, Preseott's
Mexico and Peru, Livingstone's Travels, the Poems
of Wordsworth, Burns, ttc., it will be seen that we
are placing within reach of these youths, volumes
that would adorn the library of any gentleman in
our land. It must be evident, therefore, that the
smallness of the competition does not arise from the
want of a sufficient inducement for the student..
Whether it arises from apathy on the part of the
youth to whom these considerable prizes are offered,
or to listlessness on the part of the societies,
.the
Council will not attempt to determine ; but it is
evident that with these two parties rests the future
success of our enterprise. That the handsome sub-
scriptions, the large anniigements, the substantial
prism, and this influential meeting, should all have
been evoked for 20 studcuts, would be a discourag-
ing reflection, but that we are yet at the beginning
of our work. The Council have given their best con-
sideration to this difficulty, and it has been deter.
mined to-day, to spend a sum not exceeding one-
half of the balance in engaging a travelling agent,
who shall visit the different towns, and endeavour to
arouse public attention to the advantages °floret' by
the Association. They hope that this arrangement
may be successful in exciting a wider interest than
has yet been manifested in the object we have in
view; and when the next meeting of the Associa-
tion us held at Taunton, your Council confidently
anticipate that a largely increased number of win-
petators will present themselves for your rewards."
G. D. W. DIOBY, Esq., ruse to propose the first
resolution. He was sorry to say that he had not
sufficiently occupied himself with the business of
the Association ; and, therefore, he feared that he
could produce little that was worthy of attention,
but he had the interests of this Association at heart;
and although the report just read did not give them
so satisfactory a representation of the progress and
the advantages to be expected from the exertions of
the Association so far—yet he thought they had suf-
ficient grounds to look for further and more satis-
factory results. (Cheers.). He proposed :—That
this meeting views with satisfaction the efforts of the
Associated Institutes of Dorset and Sticucrset, to-
wards improving the education of the youth of these
countries so far as they have gone ; but would
recommend a more urgent appeal to the several local
committees, and all interested in this cause, to per-
severe in their exertions to stimulate the young men
of their respective neighbourhood. to take advantage
of the classes organized for their advancement."
H. K. Scyulsim, Esq., M.P., in seconding the
resolution, said he felt, as a resident of Dorset, and
speaking also in the name of the noble chairman,
and the inhabitants of the adjoining county, that
there was one person present to whom they were
particularly indebted. He did not wish to create
jealousy, or to set up one man more than another,
but he would say that all who took any interest in
these institutions were under
°great obligations to
Mr. idacready for his unremitting exertions—(lowl
applanne)—fur his unceasing labour in the cause of
eiluaition. (Hear, hear.) With reference to. in-
stitutions such as that to which he was alluding,
everyone mast feel the advantages of bringing to
and exciting emulation in young men from
different counties. Ho quite agreed with Lord

Portman in his observations both here and else-
where respecting the system of " cramming,"—he
did not think there was a practice that more re-
quired to be put down. We are all in the habit of
reading and thinking in a loose way, and it requires
some unpleasuit exertion to give one's whole mind
to a particular subject. We mad and take in the
words, and to a certain extent we take in the sense,
but half the time we are dreaming_; but this is not
intense thought and application. 'here toe variens
laths of life in which intellectual aapirements are
most valuable. Take drawing, for instance (which
was once reganled merely as an accomplishment)
and consider its utility to engineers, a profession of
which we haul lately lost two of the brightest orna-
ments. Language, also, was highly important to an
engineer, because the greatest projects on the Con-
tinent are carried out by British engineers, and
the French language especially was highly useful to
persons qualifying for this profession. We could
not expect to see such MOD as Stephenton and Brunel
every day—they did not rise once in a century, still
there might be many young men who might attain
to great proficiency in that capacity. To those who
are occupied in country pursuits, geology, physi-
ology, and chemistry were of the highest impor-
tance. Taking, therefore, an utilitarian view of this
question, we were bound to attach gnat weight to
the exertions now making for the promotion of such
institutions as these. Knowledge taken by itself
puffeth up, but charity and love joined to it consti-
tute the perfect man. Let us do all this, and we
may fairly trust that this generation, which excels
all that preceded it, will also surpass them in happi-
ness, generosity, and general contentment. (Cheers.)
The resolution haring been unanimously carried,
the following prizes were distributed by his Lord-
ship, who had a kind word or a happy phrase for
every candidate. As his Lordship handed the last
certificate to l'erry, lie grasped the lad cordially by
the hand, and nislied him success in life, amidst the
loud applause of the meeting.

PRIZX LIST.

General Annerriny.—ht Prise Book. Frederick
William Perry, aged 17, (Sherlx,rne), brewer's clerk.
Preurh.—lst Prize.—W. F. Platkn, aged 15, (I)or-
eliester), draper. F. W. Perry, Frederick Hillary,
Certificates.

Dictation. —lat Prize.—F. W. Perry. James Cooper,
E. I'. Haskett, Frederick Hillary, W. H. Hodges,
Charles James !lipid°, W. F. Platten, George Hayes,
Certificates.

Prize.—James Payne, age 22, (Bland-
ford). attorney's clerk. 2nd prize.—J. B. Green.
George Hayes, Certificate.
GeograpAN.—let priv• (Dr. Booth's). William
James Croom, 14 years (Blandfurd). 2nd prize.—James
Payne.
irlegmelry.—Dr. Booth's Prize Book.—F. W. Perry.
Aridunefie.—let Prize,—E. Haskett, 20 years,
(Dorchester) carpenter. Stephen Baker, George Meat-
yard, W. F. Platten, J. Payne, W. F. Perry, Certi-
ficates.
Gralasuir.-14 Prize. —W. J. Croom. 8. Baker,
E. T. Haskett, Certificates.

. • -
Saar reying. Second Class Book. George Boat-
yard, In, (Blandford), surveyor's pupil.
Boot-keeping--Second Class Book.—James Cooper,
24, (Sherboree), shoemaker. F. W. Perry, Certifi-
cate.
Drawing.—lst Prise, Book.—F. W. Perry.
Puctualdy.—Book.—George Hayes, 17, (Sherborne)
silversmith's apprentice, not a minute lost from the
classes during the year !
NV. C. M.trimanr, Esq., in moving the next reso-
lution, said: The most gratifying of this evening's
duties has been entrusted to we, and, sensible, as I
am of the honour conferred on me in its assignment,
1 cannot but lament my incompetency to do justice
to it. I have to call upon you, Lthes and gentlemen,
to join me in testifying to our noble president our
grateful sense of the eminent service rendered to
this association by his presence and support. I will
not run the hazard of offending his delicacy and good
taste by dealing in elaborate panegyric, but will
merely appeal to the part lie has uniformly taken,
when the people's rights have been in question, and
to the sympathy he has ever shown with the efforts
for their moral and intellectual advancement, in eel.
deuce of his title to our most grateful and most col,
dial acknowledgments. His ready support was
frankly given to this movement. His name was
amongst the earliest registered as its patrons; and he
is here without consideration of any personal in-
convenience, to attest his interest in the object of
our union. That object, as you are aware, is to
raise the standard of education in these counties by
establishing, as an inductive or preparatory course,
these examinations, which may serve our young
men u a training school or nursery for those higher
, arenas of competition before the Society of Arta and
the two Universities, which have given of late such
inipetns to intellectual progress in the North of
, England. Our noble president, justly alive to the
importance of this measure, for supplying in jurt the
deficiency of the present imperfect scheme of Go-
vernment, has lent us the aid of his influential
name, and made a jounioy here to advocate our
cause. Knowing well in himself how much of its
lustre even the highest rank derives from intellectual
refinement, he would impart ungrudginyly to his
humbler fellow subjects the enlightening and isle.
eating blessing of education, willing that they
should have the power of initiating themselves—
In every science, and in every art
By which mankind the thoughtless brutes excel—
That can, or use, or joy, or grace impart,
Disclosing all the powers of head and heart."
I therefore beg leave to move—" That the warmest
thanks of the Associated Institutes of Dorset and
Somerset, and of all solicitous for the success of the
object of their Union, be most gratefully tendered
to their noble President, Lord Portman, for his
highly valued services in promoting the interests of
the Association by his presence, his patronage, and
his exertions in their behalf." (Loud cheers.)
DA NBY SEYMOUR, Esq., M.P., seconded the
resolution, and eulogised the character of the noble
chairman, observing that he not only gave good
advice, but had also set a good example, having
commenced his career of usefulneseto his country by
studying hard at Oxford, where he gained a first
prize during his first year at that university. He
had continued that career of usefulness, and on all
occasions had fully discharged the duties of that
station in which God had placed him. (Applause.)
The hon. gentleman compared the social systems of
England and America, observing that in America
the country had far more influence than the towns
in keeping together the social system • whilst in
England the reverse was the case, and had gone on
increasing of late years, until it was important that
the country should catch up to the towns. It was
also important that agriculture should take • place
in the advanced state of nations in this empire. He
was glad to see that societies of this description and
other societies were raising up their heads, and he
thought it was for the benefit of themselves and for
the good of the empire at large. ln conclusion, he
hoethe society would prosper under the distin•
pushed patronage with which it had been ushered
into the world; and that it would not be the last
time in which the noble chairman would honour the
institution with his presence. (Loud cheers.)
The noble CHAIRMAN, in reply, said he thanked
them particularly for the kind way in which they
had received the proposition. He wished he had
been seated that evening by the side of Lord Shaftes-
bury, because his lordship might have adopted
everything, that was said by Mr. Seymour to him.
self (the chairman). Lord Shaftesbury had worked,
like himself, in his youth, and the height he had
attained was known to all, He (the Chairman) only
wished he was in the least degree near him. His
noble friend had, like himself, found the value of
instruction. What they had done they did with all
their might. He said that whenever required he
should always be ready to assist in the cause in
which they were engaged; but he trusted they
would have a succession of presidents that would
help to keep up the society, and cause it to flourish
more and more. (Loud applause.)
H. TUCK XR, Esq. (Mayor of Yeovil), then rose to
propose that the thanks of the meeting be presented
to Dr. Booth, and the other examiners for their
exertions, and the skilful manner in which the exa-
mination had been conducted.

J. C. MANSIELL, Esq., in seconding the resolution
observed that he very reluctantly spoke on the pre-
sent occasion; but having come from the Blandford
district which, he was pleased to find had furnished
four or five successful candidates, and also being a
near neighbour of the noble president, he had made
some effort to be present that evening. (Cheers.)
He thought that the influence of these institutions
was not only felt by the upper strata of society, but
by those below us. He found that the poor people
of all classes, both agricultural and in towns, were
acquainted with facts and circumstances of which
they would never have been aware, but for that great
and powerful engine, the Press. The Press provides
all with the means of knowing whatever is passing
beyond the actual sphere of their lives. In giving
their thanks to Dr. Booth they should not forget at
the tame time that honor is due to Mr. Fisher and
Mr. Green, of Blandford, and to all those friends in
Sherborne, Dorchester, and elsewhere for the exer-
tions they have used in bringing forward there youths
to compete for and obtain, the prizes and advantages
which this association offered. The only reward
they could find would be in an easy conscience, and
the satisfaction of having dune good in their genera-
tion. ( A pplause.
The Rev. M. tlzw-rery having briefly returned
thanks on behalf of Dr. }tooth and the other exa-
miners, the preedent terminated a most spirited and
satisfactory meeting by taking up his bat and say.
ing, " I wish you all, ladies and gentleman, a very
good night."