The Express.
London, England, 1853-12-12 00:00:00

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF

ENGLALVD.
--*--

Ott Saturday morning the December general
meeting of this society was held in lianover-square—Mr.
rusrv, the president, in the chair. Among these present
were his Grace the Dike of Richmond, Lard Fever•
sham, Sir J. V. Shelley, M.P., Colonel Challoner, Mr. R.
Barker, &c.

The SECRETARY (Mr. Hudson) read the following re-
port:

" The Council have to report to the members at their
present g • 1 meeting that during the past half year the
Society has lost, by deaths oe resignations, 43 of its members,
while 156 new members have during the same period been
enretled on its list, which now comprises es follows : 88
life governors, 148 annual governors, 760 life members,
4,073 annual members, and 20 honorary members. The
Council have elected Lord Ashburton to supply the va-
cancy in the number of vice-presidents, occasioned by the
deeply lamented death of the Earl Dude ; and the Hon.
A. Leslie Melville, of Lincolnshire, and Mr. Barthropp, of
Suffolk, as general members of Connell, in the place respec
tively of Lord Ashburton and Professor Sewell.
•• A now list of the governors and members of the So-
ciety having been prepared for ineertion in the ensuing
number of the Journal, the Council submitted to the mem-
bers on the occasion the following schedule, show-
irg their distribution throughout the kingdom :
England.-Beds, number of members, 48 ; amount of re-
presentatives, 2. Berke, m., 117 ; r., 4. Bucks, m., 66 ;
r., 2. Cambridge, m., 58 ;r. 3. Cheshire, m. 56 ; r., 0.
Cornwall, m., 61 ; r., 1. Cumberland, m., 43 ; r., 1.
Derby, in., 93 ; r., 0. Devon, m., 203 ; r., 4. Dorset, m.,
1W ; r., 1. Durham, m., 96 ; r., 0. Essex, m., 142 ; r.,
4. Gloucester, m.,131 ; r., 3. Hants (including Isle of
Wight), m., 161 ; r., 1. Hereford, en ,100 ; r., 1. Herts,
in., 114 ; r., 3. Hunts, in., 38 ; r., 0. Heat, m., 183 ; r.,
2. Lancaster, m., 166 ; r., 0. Leicester, m., 71 ; r., 2.
Lincoln, m., 174 ; r., 4. Middlesex, m.. 266 ; r., 7. Mon-
mouth, m., 27 ; r., 0. Norfolk, mt., 256 ; r., 3. North-
ampton, m., 100 ; r., 4. Northumberland, m , 138 ; r., 1.
otts, m., 101 ; r., 3. Oxon, m.,112 ; r., 3. Rutland, tn.,
; r., 0. Salop, m., 176 ; r., 3. Somerset, m., 187 ; r., 2.
Staffordabire, in., 137 ; r., 1. Suffolk, m., 126 ; r., 8.
Sum v, m., 135 ; r., 2. Sussex, m., 186 ; r., 6. Warwick,
us., 76 ; r., 0. Westmoreland, m., 25 ; r., 0. Wilts, m.,
97 ;r. 2. Worcester, m., 66 ; r., 3. York, m., 229 ; r.,
6. Total members, 4,676; total representatives, 86.
Wales.-Anglesea, m., 6 ; r., 0. Brecon, m., 29 ; r., 0.
Carmarthen, tn., 36 ; r., 0. Carnarvon, m., 7; r., 0. Car-
digan, tn., 16 ; r., 0. Denbigh, m., 18 ; r., 0. Flint, m.,
21 ; r., 0. Glamorgan, m., 66 ; r., O. Merioneth, in., 2 ;
r., 0. Montgomery, m., 14 ; r., 0. Pembroke, m., 32 ;
r., 0. Radnor, m., 6 ; r., 0. Total members, 256 ; repre-
sentatives, 0. Scotland, m,69 ; r., 2. Ireland, m., 44 ;
r, 2. Channel Islands and Isle of Mao, tn., 15 ; r., 0.
Abroad, m., 29 ; r., 0. Grind total of members, 5,089 ;
ditto of representatives, 90.
" The council consists of 75 members, several of whom
represent by their residences more than a single county.
The finances of the society continue to receive the most
vigilant attention of the council, and they feel it their duty
under circumstance' however apparently pressing at the
moment to guard their invested capital, derived Prim life
compositions, as the sheet-enebor of the society.
" The country generally is well aware of the great ser-
vice the society has rendered, in having raised up, b• its
prizes on the one hand and its most effective tests on the
other, a new body of agricultural impl: meat makers, whcse
talent and workmanship now attract general attention. The
council have spared no outlay of money, nor their members
either personal zeal or anxiety, to attain this great object ;
and haying attained it, they feel it their duty to devise
means by which the same results may be maintained at a
lees amount of annual expenditure ; and they have there
fore cau.ed a detailed statement to be prepared, for the in-
formation of the members, of the expenditure in every
branch of the secicty's country meetings. This has already
been completed in the case of the Lewes meeting, and will
be inserted its the ensuing part of the Journal.
" The Gloucester meeting, notwithstanding the very on-
favourable state of the weather on the principal day of the
show, fully satisfied the expectations of tho council. The
senior stewards of implements and live stock have drawn
up reports convected with their respective departments for
publication in the society's Journal.
"The council have decided on the following schedule of
cattle prizes to be offered by the society at the Lincoln
meeting, in the week commencing Monday the 17th of
July next:-Shorthorns, 1801.; Herefords, 1804 ; Demons,
180/. ; other breeds, 70/. ; horses, 1651 ; Leiceeters, 1201. ;
Southdowns (or other short-woolled sheep), 1201.; long-
woolled sheep (not Leicesters), 1201. improved Lincoln
sheep, .501.; pigs, 80/. ; total, 1,265/. The prizes for
implements and for poultry will be decided on
the reports of respective committees, on the Ist
of February next, when the conditions and general re-
gulations c f the prize shecu will be finally arranged.
" Framer Way, the consulting chemist of the society,
delivered before rho members, in May last, a lecture on the
management of the sewerage matter of towns as manure for
agricultural purposes; and Professor Simonds, the veteri-
nary inspector of the society, is continuing his researches
into the cause and treatment of diseases occurring among
the live stock of the larmer.

" The council witness with much satisfaction the steady
support which tho society receives in the acquisition of new
memoers, and zealous co-operator., the lively interest
created in the districts assigned for the successive country
meetings, and the increasing intelligence which distinguishes
the egucultural community of the countr7. Science is no
lonzer regarded as an unattainable requirement, but has
beci.me 'inactive principle, which, like the magnetioneedle,
points out the course to be steered, when all around is dark
and uncertain : it has, indeed, been found to be that know-
ledge which is power."
On the motion of the Rev. J. LINTON, seconded by Mr.
lbs./eI:RV, the report was adopted unanimously.
Mr. it. RA HI: ea, the chairman of the finance committee,
presented the balance-sheet. It showed, under the head of
receipts, that the life composition of members amounted to
3501.; annual subscriptions of governors, 530/. ; ditto of
members, 2,4221. ; receipts on account of journal, 1631. ;
ditto on account of country meetings, 1,526/. ; total of re-
ceipts, with ei,ine minor items and a balance in band of
1,1051 on the Ist of January, 1853, 6,3281. The debit side
included the following : —Purchase of stock in the Three-
and-a Quarter per Cents., 8001.; permanent charges, 170/.;
establishment, 4811.; payments on account of journal,
7031. ; veterinary grant, 300/.; chemical grant and inves-
tigations, 2001. ; prices, 4141. • payments on account of
(country meetings, 863!.; balance In hand on the 30th of
Jane, 1853, 2,2491.
In reply to a question from the Duke of RICHMOND,
Mr. Banana stated that the arrears on the subscriptions
of the past two or three years amounted to rather more
than 2,0001.
The Duke of RICHMOND thought it would be satisfactory
to the members to know that the arrears were not in-
creasing.

fdr. iiiittalt said such was the feet ; and he felt bound
to add that the members who hadjoinsel the society during
the last two or three years seemed to take a more perma-
nent interest in the society than many of the earlier mem-
bers.

On the motion of COI. BLANCHARD, seconded by Mr.
l'Avsn, the thanks of the meeting were given to the
auditors, Mr. Bark:r, Mr. Knight, mid Mr. Dyer, and
those gentlemen were re-elected.
The CHAIRMAN hating, asked whether any gentleman
present wished to put any question with regard to the
affairs of the society,
Mr. C. BRLE inquired why no lecture wits given during
the Smithfield Club?

The CHAIRMAN replied that the reason was, that it was
considered difficult, on account of the other proceedings of
the week, to ensure a geed attendance.
The Rev. J. LINTON said he wished to know whether
the council were urging on the Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs the necessity of representing to the Peru-
visa government the advantage it would derive from throw-
ing open the trade in guano ? It was well known that at
present that trade was confined to a single firm; and what
was required was, not that the Peruvian government should
sell guano cheaper than they were selling it to that mono-
polising firm, but that they should throw it open to the
competition of the shipping interest. The Present system
was opposed to that reciprocity which ought to exist
between England and other countries.
The CHAIRMAN felt great pleasure in stating that the
council on Wednesday last adopted a memorial to Lord
Clarendon, and that his lordship had consented to revive
the Duke of Richmond, Lord Berner!, and himself, to pre-
sent it on the afternoon of that day. The memorial had
re'erence to the throwing open of the trade.

The Duke of Itminima', in moving a vote of thanks to
the chairman, said he was quite sure no ona present, could
be unaware of the great services r'udered t.y Mr. Pusey to
agriculture, more particularly in the discharge of the res-
ponsible duty of editing the society's journal. (Hear,
hear.) The gm stion respecting guano, which hail just
been introduced, was of the greatest importarice to the
farmers of the United Kingdom. The price which they
now paid for guano was a great deal too high; but the
Peruvian government was one which it was not so easy to
treat with as it was with 631111) others. The meeting was

probably aware that Lord Malmesbary, when secretary of
state for foreign affairs, having obtained analyses of dif.
ferent manures, sent the papers to the governors of the
colonies. The name papers were transmitted by the
Admiralty to oil our consols, and to the rapt: ins of our men
of-war, with un intimation that it any island could be
found where guano or any other manure existed, the sur-
geons and assist ,iit-surgerins who might have taken part in
the discovery, and have aided by their scientific researches,
would be regarded as hiving a claim upon the Admiralty
on that account. He believed that in more than one in-
stance a rose had been despatched front men-of war which
were cruising, with instruction, to call at different islands
and endeavour to gain information ; one great object being
to chow the PrftTiall overnment that it wo3 their duty to
deal fairly with them, and not to demand too high a prilit.
He had no doubt that the present government, at il any
other which might exist, would pursue a similar course. If
the price were reduced to Gl. per ton, there was scarcely a
practical farmer in England who would not lay out 2001.
where he nuw expended KIM; while a great many farmers
would begin to use it who were now prevent( d frem doing
se by the price. One great objection to the high pries was
that it tended very much to increase the amount
of adulteration. On the whole, be thonaht there was no
question on which it was since important that farmers
sanulti sit the present vr.-nt rat pull will to/ether. It was
net fa:r tat b ..1111)q to e4y ‘..11. 10• t
for wla, :,1• I Chelea W::‘,;(1 ~N a
1 prt or 7 /
Every one mews:, he thought, would agree with Lim that
they ought to cell open the farmers to rouse themselves to
get what was cow a:most an article of necessity at a lower
rate. ((Tear, hear.)
Loral Ft Itillme tectonic& the

Cul..nel BLANCHARD said the Means. Gibbs haying been
spoken of as a "monopolising firm," he wished to °mervr
that he was under a strong conviction that they did cot sell
in any way on their own account, but merely on commie-
silt' for the Peruvian government. (Hear, bear.) Conse•
quently, whether guano came into the hands of one, two, or
a dozen firms, did not signify much as rezarded
price; and he did not know whether its ali
coming to a firm of such high respectability
who gave the purchaaer an order to take it tut of neck,
was not a better security for quality than could be had it
the trade were open. Still, that did not affect the gist of
the qurstiou, which was that the Peruvian government
could afford to sell guano cheaper. (Hear, hear.)
Sir J. V. SHELLEY, M.P., did not know that farmers
had any right to complain of Mews. Gibbs fur anything
they did us the agents of the Peruvian government; but
there could be no doubt that the per centage which they
received was much larger than that which they could
obtain if the agencies were multiplied. The Peruvian
government as well as the farmers would gain by there
being more agents.
The motion %CU then put by the Duke of Richmond, and
carried by acclamation.
The CHAIHNLAN, in responding, said he felt it a high
honour once more to be president of that society, I
and was delighted to find the society in the flourish-
ing state in which it was twelve years ag',
when they me: at Liverpool. (Hear.) Next year they
would meet at the centre of one of the most interesting
agricultural districts in England—he meant the City of
Lincoln, where he was sure the members who might attend
would find a great deal to interest them. He was happy in
the belief that the prosperity of the country meetings did
not depend on the talents of the president, but on the
hearty support which they had• hitherto always received
from the farmers of England, and which he knew the
farmers of Lincolnshire were prepared to give them.
The meeting then separated.

PROPOSED INCORPORATION OF
MAR I LEBON E.
- • -

On Saturday, at the meeting of the Maryleboae
vestry,
Mr. D'lrra:eccit, jun., brought forward a resolution
of which he bad given notice : " That the committee
appointed to welt on the royal commission be empowered
to co-operate with the other pariabes of the borough in con-
sidering the best means of obtaining municipal rights." In
urging the adoption of the motion' Mr. D'lllaxger said—lf
we had a municinality we should have some c introl over
the expenditure fur the police, and should pay only our
fair share. Wu should also have a voice in the manage-
ment of the sewers, against the expenditure and misma-
nagem:nt of which every parish in London is now justly
complaining. if we had • municipality, it is quite certain
we should have had no tax upon coals, or tolls upon carts,
unless some portion of the proceeds were expended upon
our own locality. The money saved upon the pohce-
rats could be applied to educational purposes; or, if we
were incorporated, we could make an educational rate,
the necessity for which every aces admits; also a small
rate for • public library, because when you have
given education, you should provide proper books for
the peon to prevent their becoming contaminated by the
poison which is issued every week, in the shape of low
periodicals. A municipality would give us the power of
checking the prices ehargA by gas and water companies,
because that which is done in Manchester and other pl.ces
could be accomplished by Maryhdione, as it is inferior
neither in intellect, wealth, nor business habits, and equal
in revenue and population to many foreign states. It is
admitted by all who take an interest in public proceedings
that the government incline toward, centralisation ; i: is
necessary, therefore, in order to be able to ward oil' any
encroachment on our privileges, to be armed with powers
greater than those which we now have, and be thus enabled
to keep certain commissioners from interfering in the
management of our affairs.
Mr. HOUGIES seconded the resolution.

Mr. CLEMENT GEORGE was prepared to contend that if
the parish of Ala lebone were to obtain representative
rights with regard to the sewers anal police, that was all
they required, anal he repudiated the notion of dragging
them into a cluster with other parishes as a municipal bo-
rough, when the two points he had mentioned were the
onlrtwo required to render their total management perfect.
(" Hear, hear," and Oh.) If the other parishes of the me-
tropolis were not indifferent to their rights, lot them apply
for Ilohhouse's Act, and with the two exceptions he had
mentioned they need not require further local poser.
Lord John Hassell, when applied to fcr a municipality, s
the Municipal Act was only made for little dirty corpora-
tions in the country, and not for great parishes like Mary •
lebone in the metropolis. Why then did tt.ey want to
Frenchify themselves, and have ten or twelve mayors, and
as many arroadissernvits as there were in Paris. (Hear.)
Vestries or their Witenagemot in parishes was of Saxon
origin, and much more ancient and equally respectable than
the corporations, and therefore he called upon that board
not to entertain such foolish matters.

Mr. Row supported the motion, and Mr. SODEN Op-
posed it.
Mr. MITCHELL was astonished to hear the objections
which had been raised to the extension of the municipal
principle, bound up as it was with the constitution and
time-honoured institutions of the land. Corporations had
invariably enabled the citizens to resist the encroachments
of the crown and the nobles, and to maintain the liberties
or the people. Mr. Mitchell further contended that it was
a farce to talk of carrying out efficient and sound sanitary
improvements with the present limited powers to local
authorities, and that early moral culture was better adapted
fur the suppression of crime than any criminal code which
could be invented. Re said certain persons who had been
examined before the royal commission, who had dubbed
themselves merchants, made an onslaught on to the City
corporation as being vu'ltar. It was well known that the
merchants, as a body, n ver did anything except to benefit
themselves; and even t; e Great Exhibition had au zupport
irons that class. Whilst they desired to purify the present
corporation of London, they had no desire to destroy it, but
they also desired to have equal powers for themselves.
Mr. RINGLET moved Si an amendment :—" That a com-
mittee be appointed to inquire what advantages would re-
sult from the attainment of municipal rights, and to report
to the vestry."
Mr. WINGFIELD seconded, and Mr. RUSSELL supported
the amendment. _ _ _

Mr. JACOB BELL thought that these corporations were
proverbial fur having great pickings to be looked after, and
it was mostly those people who made such an outcry for
reform who looked after the pickings.
Mr. NICHOLAY here moved and Mr. HODOF.3 seconded
the adjournment of the debate, but the motion was put and
lint by a large majority.
Mr. Honors and Mr. D'ltTarsean sail they had no ob-
jection to a committee, but, on the amendment being put to
a show of hands, it was declared to be lost, and on a divi-
sion the aumbera were—for the amendment 13 ; against it,
23—majority against the amendment, 8. Oa the original
motion being put it was negatived by a larger majority,
but in consequence of the lateness of the hour the majority
of the vestry bad left, there having been seventy-seven
members pre ;cot during the day ; the vestry shortly after
separated.