The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1866-12-11 00:00:00

IJIWAIDIS FOR INOCIITIT AMID 1.010 szavrimpr.

To the man or woman who shall produce the best
and most satisfactory testimonials of religious and
moral charseter, u well as of faithful servitude, EI 10s.,
Robert Sergeant, in the employ of the Rev. J. F. S.
Phahlagne ; second, 30a, Emily Dyke, in lhe employ of
Mr. John Davis.
• " ' "•

—.—
To the carter who boa served the some master for the
greatest number of years, and has never been fined by
any magistrate for riding without reins or obstructing
the tram. on a public road, £2, William Hann, in the
employ of Mr. Robert Corry; wood, Cl, William
Yothern, in the employ of Mr. George Game.
To the shepherd who shall have bred and reared the
greatest number of lambs from • flock of not las than
200 horned ewes, £l, George Rees, in the mploy of
Hoddinott.
_ _ . . . . . .

—..-----
To the labourer In husbandry who has worked the
greatest number of years in succession upon the same
farm or with the same employer. and has retaiued a
good charseter, £2, James Abbot, in the employ of Mr.
Crisis Parsons; 10a. each to William Peaty, in the
employ of Mr. Robert Corry, and William Ellaway, in
the employ of Mr. Coate.
To the boy (coder eighteen years of age) who has
worked the greatest number of years in succession on
the same farm, or with the same employer, and bar re-
tained a good character, El, Joeeph Chant, in the em-
ploy of Mr. Sealy ;'aeoond,lloa, John Hatcher, in the
employ of Mr. John Darla
To the labourer in husbandry who ha& brought up the
greatest number of legitimate children in habits of
industry and who boa not at any time received paro-
chial relief, except In skittles', £2, William Chessman,
la the employ of Mr. Robert Danford; second. £l,
George Childs, in the employ of Mr. Robert Danford.

rcouc HMIS.

To the best manag-er of the plough—Vl, James
Chaney ; *mond, £2, William Wiscombe ; third, El,
James Ball ; fourth, 104., Daniel Hunt.
Boys under 18 years of age, El, Richard Hunt.

After the show the company adjourned to the
Town Hall for the

Which WM served up by Mr. Mess, of the King's
Arms Hotel. John Floyer, Esq., m v., occupied the
chair, supported by Itlarwood 8. Yeatinan, Esq.,
Rev. J. Blennerhassett, Rev. H. E. Platt, F. J. J. F.
Falwamer, Req., W. Ffooks, Esq., J. Y. Melmoth,
Esq., George erding, Esq., T. Fooks, Esq., G.
Andrews, F.4q., Professor Backman, 8. IL Ruogg,
Esq.; Messrs. H. Know, Symea, J. H. Colson,
Stacey, of Treat; Clatcombe, Sealy, jun.. Milborne
Port; Sealy, gen.; Osborne, Martian, Pen Mill,
Yeovil; Bart, Role, Danford, H. Costa, Sampson,
Stone, Welsford, Hooper, Shaw, James Ellis,
Spicer, Hyde Miller, and Whittle. After the cloth
had been removed,
The CIIATIMAI said that) the first toast he bad to
propene to their seeepteriee was that of their most
gracious sovereign "The Queen." That was a toast
which was always received with the greatest cordiality,
but, perhaps, them were times in which that toast
claimed a more hearty response even than was usual at
their bands. They were well amino that in Ireland
there were numbers of unloyal people, who were
believed to be bonded together for the purpose of '
establishing a so-called Fenian Republic. and even in
um country niers were persons wtio by their constant
disparagement of all English institutions and great
preference for American institutions, evinced
no cordial or hearty loyalty to the monarchial
institutions under which it had been their pride and
Privilege to live—(hear. hear). Whatever might be
felt elsewhere, he was surelhat in the county of Dorset,
and among the farmers of Doren, there was but one
feeling and one resolve to uphold, by every means, the
throne of England, and to show their hearty *path.
moot, their deep devotion to their Queen—(hear, hear).
Band: "God rave the Queen," and song "The Queen
of merry England."
The CNAIL1(111 said he had now to propose to them
"The health of the Prince and Princess of Wales and
the rest of the Royal Family." Ho said the Prince had
made himself popular in this country by those various
qualities which were always cbarasterigßo of the Royal
Family of England. He briefly'sllndad to the receptions
I which the Prince had mitt with during his recent tour
on the continent, and said that they were earnests of
the good feeling of friendly Interchange of friendship in
the various nations through which he had peeped—
(hear, hear). It was on this account that he was sure
they would cordially unite with him in wishing
him and his Consort and all the Royal Family all the
blessinp of good beelth—(hear, hear).
Song: "God bless the Prime of Walen"
The OUTMAN next proposed "The health of the
Army, Navy, and Volunteers." He dare say they
had all beard of or reed those discussions on the very
Important questions affecting the army and navy. In.
guides of the most elaborate description had been
entotad into respecting which were the best cannons
and ships, and the most efficient armaments. They
could not attach too much importance to such questions.
No government could neglect them without serious
evil to them. No government could send the army or
navy for engagement with the enemies of the country
without being prepared In the very best possible man.
nor and agape great cesurare—(hear, hear). Bat, im-
portant as these matters were, the great and vital
question was—had they the same men now as those who
bad for centuries borne the gag of Ragland over the
whole world, and with that flag victory—(mer. bear).
He believed they bad. He believed the materials of
which the land forces were formed had still the :came
good hearts, and would still show the same courage in
front of the enemy as they had done ever since Eng-
land was • nation—them, hear). He, for one, had no
fear for Old England, With regard to the volunteer
forms, they had great encouragement to *am that faith
In them, which they always had placed in them,
In the event, which had taken place of late. On the
continent they had seen a large army °mewed, in a
great measure, of men not forming • pert of the regular
forties of ithe country men who bad acted se soldiers
and gonentack to their various occupations and duties—
men who proved themselves not inferior to those of the
army of the country—he meant the Landwheir of
Prussia. It seemed to him that civil duties and engage.
menta did not appear to affect their efficiency aa soldiers.
The knowledge of this gave them faith in the volunteers
of Ragland. He therefore asked them to drink the
health and enema of the volunteer forms, and with
that toast he begged Is couple the names of Captain
Tatman and Captain Falwasser—(hem, hear).
. . . . -

Captain Ydirman, on rising, was received with loud
and long continued applause. He thanked them for
having so kindly ansoc6ted his name with the last toast,
which referred to the yeomanry of this country. He
had the pleasure of returning thanks on behalf of Lord
Digby, and the members of that corps, for the honour
they had so cordially paid them. He felt that so long
as the public feeling of this country expremed its con-
viction that the yeomanry were looked upon as an effi-
cient auxiliary to the standing army, so long would the
agriealturiste feel it an honour to some forward for the
defence of their country—(hear, hem).
Captain FALWASSER was loudly cheered on rising.
Re said: On behalf of the volunteers—he meant the In-
feetrl—he begged to return them their best thanks for
the way in which they bad drunk their health& He
was sure that they would be glad to hew Met he left
their expellent lieutenant-colonel in good health that
morning—(bear, hew). He was then making desperate
warfare on woodeocks—(langhter)—and but for the
extreme pleasure he felt at being present with them, he
would have been glad to have stayed with him. He
was glad to inform them that their battalion was pro-
gressing in the matter of discipline. With some there
was a feeling that the volunteers of Great Britain were
In some respects hindering the enrolment of the militia
of this country. He did not himself believe Bigot all.
He could only may from his experience be did not think
they bad any men wbo would enter the militia, and
very few had kit the militia to join them nor bad
many Idt the volonteeis to enrol in the militia. They
would sheathe their swords and lodge their arms at
once, if such were the case. Their only object was to
contribute, at least a little, to the general protection of
the oountry--(bear, betr).
The Casings' then pre The Bishop and Clergy of
the Diocese." The Bishop was well-known to them
as a most painstaking prelate, Lad one whose great
°blest among others was to make himself well acquainted
with every matter affecting his diocese. The clergy
were well known to them all, for they lived in their
midst, taking Naive personal interest in all that most
concerned their welfare —(hear, hear). He wee always
glad to lee them at their festive nmetinp—ihmr,
War, and applasee)—mestinge which they bold 0011 only
for amusement and for the interchange of kindly Avail
amongst themselves, but for the purpose at CrelentiZ
the Ite",e and important niece,e of agriculture ;
also For the benefit of the poor and the working duals.
Their pantos on these amm was Teel B.4BLiAI• to
them. He bad great pleasure In empties with toad
the names of the Her. J. Blennarbansel and the Rev.
H. L Platt-4km, head,
The Rev. J. Bunassau.taarrr, on behalf of the
*shop and clergy of the amens begged to attars than
most inane &maks foe the laisd"-manner in wish*
they bad aseeped th. toast. He weld ammo thou

that nothing was more cheering to the clergy than those
kind feelings and expressions which they had evinced
towards them that evening. He eould only say that
kindly feeling would shwa exist between the clergy
and ell claees of nicety. He felt sorry that the rector
(the Rev. E. Bandon) was unable, through ill•health,
to respond to the toast. In having Mr. Floyer as chair-
man, he could only say they had the right man in the
right phew. Whenever he could forward the interests
of Use county, he was always the foremost in his exer-
tions to that end—(hear, hear, and applause).
The Rev. 11. E. PLATT was called upon to rwrpord,
and took the opportunity Of saying that the rector
regretted his inability to atteni the meeting—(hear,
hear, and applause). Ile also asked him (the speaker) to
Inform the meeting of that regret—(applause).
The CHAIKII Of said ho had now the pleasure to pro.
pose "'I he health% of the Lord Lieutenant and Magi.
trates of the County." Of the Lord Lieutenant the
county was justly proud, lie was a noble in every
geese of the word. The magistracy looked up to him
with the greatest reipect, anti were proud of
having him at their head. They MVO elan fortunate
In having 10 able and talented a man as Lerd Portman
to preside at their Quarter Session*, to advise with
them on questions of difficulty, and to give them
the great benefit of his legal mind and knowledge.
Hie lordship's presidency at their Quarter Sessions was
productive of great advantage to the county of Dorset.
He could hardly stand up to propose that toast without
being carried back in recollection of him who to often
stood spin that room to answer to this toast—(l ear.
hear). One who had filled for so long • period the very
Important position in which, he was sorry to say, be
(the speaker) was the unworthy successor. One whose
great ability and experience in all magisterial matters
had so much benedtted the inhabitants of the county,
and who had produced that confidenee In magisterial
decisions, which was of the knOlit vital importance—
(hear, hear). They knew to whom be alluded—the
late Rev. H. F. Yeaturan—(applanse). He WWI glad
to see that he was represented by one who was no less
well known to them; one who in his neighbourhood
dicaharged the duties of a inalletnate with great heuefit
to those &mon whom he Ilved—(applause). He wits
happy in being able to connect with the toast the names
of Mr. Footman, Mr. Falwasser, and the Rev. J.
Blennerhaasett—(applause).

M ARWOOD 8. TIATWAN, Esq., said that as his name
had been connected with the toast, he begged to return
them his hearty thanks. As regarded the Lord
Lieutenant of the county, it was hardly necessary for
him to dilate upon his well-known eharacteristies, and
he would just observe that he was always ready to
promote the moral civil, and general welfare of the
people—(hear, boar). In reference to the magistracy be
assured them that they would ever receive with pride
and satisfaction the marks of approval they had just
riven them. They would endeavour to insure the
righta of all, the security of property, to maintain the
public peace, and promote the r üblic morality of the
county—)hear, hear). In every cue that owns before
them they endeavoured to act in accordance with the
dictates and principles of strict justice—(hear, hear).
He then said that he had been entrusted with the next
toast, which was "The health of the County Members."
They were fortunate enough to live under • °outdo.
tional Government—a Government which oonsisted of
different elements, which were so arranged as to act as
balances to each other. This was to all intents and
purposes the most perfect form of Government under
•hich civilised men could live—(hear, and applause).
Amongst those different elements was the House of
Commons. He said that it was a high honour to ban
with them a member of that body, and be felt
proud of having Mr. Floyer at their assembly, who he
knew would, to the best of his abilities, disabuse
thou important duties which fell to him, and
would pay every attention to the general welfare of the
country—(hear, hear, and applause).
The CIikIRRAW, on rising to rupond.was greeted with
1 the warmest applause, and after quiet had been reetored,
he said he begged to thank Mr. Yestman for the very
kind manner in which he had proposed the tout, and
them all for the very cordial greeting they had given it.
It was a great pleasure and gratification to him and his
colleagues, lo meet with a reception like that
which they had just been pleased to giro the toast
that day. His friend on the left bed said that he felt it
• high honour to represent the county of Dorset in Par-
liament. He could assure them that he looked upon it
as the highest hormone they could confer upon him-
-(applause). He knew that both his colleagues looked
upon those marks of the respect of their constituents
as the highest honour they could receive at their hands.
They endeavoured to the utmost of their power to de.
serve approbation, and when they received the
approval of the county they could look for no better or
higher reward. The part year had been one of cond.
demble trial and suffering to a great portion of their
fellow aerioultorlids. The year commenced with the
(tattle pimple prevailing in many of the northern and
midland counties, sweeping off herds of the most valuable
description. They had hardly been relieved from that
when the inclement harvest time burst upon them and
they had their crops so injured that they were soireely
lit for food. Even within the put month they
had been visited by a deluge of waters, which bad in
their great force swept away nearly the whole of the
products which had been stored in their yards. lb
lowered their fields with the refuse of the rivers ; made
them almost unfit as planes wherein to feed cattle' and
destroyed the seed which had been committed to the
ground. He was happy that in this district they had been
preserved from such loss and suffering. The cattle
plague hardly name among theni,land if on. only so much
as to make them Lel deep gratitude to God for their
immunity from its devastating effects. He believed
that the crops had been successfully gathered through-
out the county, and the seed had been committed to the
earth under ouch circumstances as to give better pros-
pects for the coming year than in the present one.
While they were thankful for these blessings, they
sympathised with their brother agriculturist. in other
part. of the country. Could they learn no lesson—could
they reap no instruction from these events, before they
were passed away and forgotten? He thought they
could. Rs said it might be somewhat presumptuous in
him, a farmer of about 30 or 40 scree, to make any sug-
gestions to agriculturists, but still he thought there
were characteristics In the put mason which they would
do well toloote. He thought they might derive instruction
and encouragement. He had spoken of their having
gathered in the crops of the pad year in good and satis-
factory condNon, but they were only gathered in just
In time in his own neighbourhood. The last fields bad
hardly been cleared when that pitiless series of storms
commenced which lasted for neulysix weeks. Thou fields
would n over have been cleared but for the fact that they
were enabled to be cleared in inn or three days after the
barley bad been out. The reason of that was that there
was not much clover grass among the barley. He was
not going to recommend them to uses growing clover,
hat only not in the same field. Of course he did not speak
to sub eminent agriculturists' as were to be seen in
Shoehorns fair. He knew It was these little additions
to the proper crop to which the fanner looked for
remuneration, which prevented the erePe being
tied as quickly as might otherwise be wished. e then
gave one or two suggestions for enabling farmers to
osrry their crops, one of which was that then should be
buildings erected in which corn might be pieced in
shelves in susesesion, and exposed to a blast of hot air.
He believed In these days whatever was true of other
things must be true of agriculture. All were now for
things being done quickly, and it was equally as desk.
able in agriculture as In anything elms Whether his
Ideas might be feasible or not, it was for them as agri-
culturist. to say. He thought he mold not be wrong in
saying that to keep their crops dean, was the beet and
rarest way of getting the crops 'dole harvested—(bear,
hear). He was also for having additional advantages in
carrying their crops: less active and less skilful agri-
culturists would see their crops expand to the rain and
destruction. That was one lesson width be had learnt
from last mown. He had often heard, with respect to
some years, "This is • good year for the slovenly seri.
culturists." He always liked to see the good year for
good agriculturists. With regard to the cattle plague,
had they learnt nothing from the last year? They were
in a different position to which they were when it broke
upon them. They all recollected the alarm which spread
throughout the country as to how they should meet It.
They worked hard to artablith insuranee companies to
compensate for losses. He thought they bed arrived at
some conclusion which would enable them, if it
pleased God to bring it upon them again,
to meet it. They had all been amused with
what they bad beard of the difficulty white
agriculturists had in the matter, bat the best
and the only way of getting rid of it was by stamping It
out. And they should not loos time and allow it to
spread throughout the country from the want of deal-
ing strenowdy with it. Again, they learned the
principle upon which compensation should be
rarr for animals destroyed. They must be paid for by the
public. They were intended in this matter in a similar
degree as the agriculturist. They were deeply interested
in the question of the price of meakand if the public exer-
cised its right to step In between the agriculturist and
his property, and to demand that that property should
he sacrificed, it weld not be disputed that the fawner
had a right to claim oompeemation—(applause). Then
were matters on which they stood on different grounds
to which they did at the commeneement of the !meson.
He thought the House of Commons had, by its seal and
assiduity, and by the ability which many members had
shown in the iii•CRAZIOns, • fair claim upon gratitude
of the country for the manner in which they dealt with
that very difficult question—(hear, hear). They set to
work upon it directly after Parliament met, and night
after night debated on the beet means of getting rid of
that disuse, and they proved by their efforts that they
had deserved confidence at the }mods of the country at
large—a very different reward from what Mr. Bright
would be pleased to give them, when he uttered such
unqualified contumely upon members of the House of
Oommons—(hear, hear). He was now about to speak
upon • question which loomed before them at no great
distance; and on which before very long it could not be
denied Parliament must necersarily decWe He meant
the Reform of the Conatitution—(bear). The first
question was, would the Government bring forward a
Reform Bill? He was not prepared to say how that
would be. But there was another question which he
thought was hardly less important than that which he
had already spoken of, and that was, supposing that the
Government brought forward • Bill before the
House, was it probable that they would be able to
carry ii? He thought they all grad with him when
he said nothing would be more likely to be prejudicial
than to have • Reform Bill plead at random on ths
table of the House of Commons not prepared in doh •
manner as to insure its being carried, and anima they had
• fair prospect of bringing it to • satisfactory end, and
pissed into law. What they had chiefly to look to was,
no doubt, the opinions of the leading members of the
Opposition. Those who supported the Governmenta the
bill sere of • satisfactory nature (which, considering the
character of the present Government, he should think
in all probability it was likely to be) they would
naturally support the Government. But on the other
side of the house the question Irak—what were thoy to
expect The fink man whose opinion they would like
to know was the leader of the late House of Commons,
but be had given them no (lips. He was in Italy, and
though before he left the country he did make some
astameets with regard to the question of Reform, be
had told them nothing dallaillsly. He thought he might
soda no conclusive ream for his being of certain
Ztin February when be bad given expression to
ilinions seers six or sight months previously. He
was •maof • reseptive tarn of mind. He had elks
his views on different questions. He did not
: irajd find fault with him on thailpotbet iss bad
lass faith In time man who shifted opinions.
"Zz
limey was test, he had at different ad
allergia views. Looking at this, they briddlla 00100

• conclusion respecting his views at a future day. The
next parson they looked to was the other greet leader of
the opposition, Mr. Bright. He had made known one oor-
tale sound. Ile had de4iired that it was his wrest object to
destroy the Government of Lord Derby. Ile would not
take • Reform Bill from the Government of Lord Derby,
however good It might be. He said that the Reform
Bill must be honest, and he did not believe they would
bring an honest bill, or if it were • bad one he would
oppose it—that vu right enough. But it did seem ex-
traordinary that Mr. Bright would not take • good
measure because it did not harmonise with his peculiar
views. This was not encouraging to the Government of
Lord Derby. lint there did C.. eneouregement front
another gamier. and that was from Mr. ll.•nry Berkeli,
e.r. for Bristol. who was the great champion of V,.
mermene of the ballot. He Vial certainly Lot especially
tender to the feelings of the Conservative party, bet he
had stated at the Coulston anniversary, like an honest
man, that whatever measure of Reform was brought in
by Lord Derby'. Goverument he would sonept it. If it
were • small measure be said he would take it as • step
in the right direction, and if a large one he would he
the more pleased. Ile confirmed his views by raying Alit
in the present corolitution—lt showed the matureneas of
his views—they enjoyed an amount of liberty which
bad been enjoyed by no other country in Europe. Ile
also went on to Bey that if the franchise be greatly
reduced did they aspect bribery to br less rife than at
prexeat? They had on these views of Mr. Berkeley,
who was no half-and-half politivien, plenty of grounds to
presume that them was • considerable body of men who
were ready to approach the subject of Reform in •
liberal spirit—go in with the Government if they placed
• good measure on the tibia of the House of Commons.
Supposing a measure to he.. brought forward, he sincerely
trusted that it would be pursed satisfactory to the com-
munity at large. He refetred to the feet that
it was exactly twenty years sines by their kind
Invitation he was placed In that chair, shortly after his
first election —(loud applause). Shortly after his first
election ea one of their representatives it was most
gratifying to him on first entering upon publie life to
be received with such hearty cordiality by a great body
of his oonstitnents. It Increased him gratitude when,
after such a long time he found the same kind reception
extended to him by those around and all his condi-
tuente, who were so generous as to impart unto him
their cionfidenoe—(great applause). Be then proposed
"The health of the Donors of the Prime, and the Subs-
cribers of the Society." First and foremost among
them stood Mr. Digby. The handsome set of plate—
the tea sereire—whichlwas won by Mr. Staple for the
best hackney colt, they had looked at with pleasure at
that end of the table, and It was worthy of the donor,
and also of the recipient, and of the animal which he
had put into the field--(hear, hear, and applause). They
sere indebted among other donors to Mr. King, Sir
W. Medlyoott, and the Rev. E. Huston. He begged
to propose to them the heiltha of these various
gentlemen, and with the toast be would particularly
mention the name of Mr. Dishy— he might say the
patron of the society—(mar, bear, and applause).

The CHkIRMAIII next proposed 'Th. health of the
Ump' ires " and coupled the tout with the names at Mr.
Holding and Mr. Harding.
Mr. Nowlin; responded, and trusted they had given
satisfaction to the competitors. They had been very
unanimous in their decisions—(bear, hear). There was
great increase in the sheep this year over tact.

_
Mr. HARDING also next acknowledged the compPment,
He only regretted that they had been enabled to have
any cattle in the yard. There bad sot been so aloe& a
competition as he would like to h‘ve seen. He would
liked it to have been • little more difficult to decide.
The CnaamAx proposed the health of the sueoessful
candidates. He thought those who sent in their stock
to compete were doing a great deal in oontributiog to
the success of the exhibition, and the progress of the
sasiety—(hear, hear).
Mr. CHI= and Mr. STYR. responded.
Professor HOCKNAN was loudly called for, and also
responded to the toast. He said that that was the first
time he had spoken publicly in Dorset. He said he was
somewhat of • reformer. He wanted to see reform in a
great number of matters, bet more especially, he wanted
to see reform with regard to some matters connected
with parish affairs. As • farmer he felt it most when it
touched his breeches pockets. He only meant In
capacity since he had been in the county of Dorset. He
referred to the poor and road rates. He found the poor
rates was considerably increased, and be was told that
the farmers would soon have to pay all the rates for the
roads. They were said to be exempt from • great many
number of taxes, but the only material tax be saw that
they were exempted we, for &shepherd's dog, and he
wished his shepherd had none. He found that they in
their parish bad to relieve all the people belonging to
other towns in the neighbourhood, sad he thought that
the farmers should not put up with those things. He
had been a very good Tory, bat he might become • rabid
reformer in these matters • as reform had been talked
about so much from the chair he thought that farmers
should talk about it too—(bear, hear). If they went to
a neighbouring town they would find manufactories
covering one-fourth of an sere of ground, and paying
poor.rstes on 4:150 a year, and he on his farm paid on
£3OO. Now, In the manufacturer's ease, be with his
rent of £5O might realise £300,000, for what he knew,
and yet he paid less taxes than be who could not possibly
make more than £3OO a year. He thought there was
!something wrong at the bottom of all this, and the
farmers ought to stir themselves and get their rights.
He said that as a elan the farmers were worse repro-
seated than any clamed men in the world. The manu-
facturer' he said, could get his thousands for making the
paupersfor them to relieve. (lb c concluded his speech
amidst great applause.)

The CHAIRMAN briefly, in reply, noticed the Union
Chargeability Act passed in the session before last,
which be thought was on the whole • good measure.
He then proposed "The health of the Committee,"
and coupled the name oi the secretary, Mr. Langdon,
with the West.

Mr. LANODOX responded.
" The Vice-Chairman," "Press," and several other
toasta followed, and the company beeoming convivial,
spent a pleasant evening.