The Sun.
London, England, 1865-09-28 00:00:00

Huntingdonshire Agricultural Society,

HUNTINGDON, Wednesday.
The annual show of this society took place this
day. The show of stock, although not large, was
exceedingly good in point of quality.
A large number of the members and supporters
of the society dined together in the Corn Exchange,
under the presidency of the Earl of Sandwich.
Amongst the guests were Lord R. Montague, M.P.,
General Peel, M.P., Mr. T. Baring, M.P., Mr.
Fellowes, M.P., Sir Williamson Booth, the Hon. 0.
Montagu, the Messrs. Marshall, Mr. C. Vesey, Mr.
Day, Mr. R. Margetts (the mayor), &c.
" The Health of her Majesty," " The Prince and
Princess of Wales," and the other loyal toasts,
having been given, and duly honoured,
T
N proposed " The Army and Navy,"
couplinghe C 11A I
with R 3
the toast the name of General Peel.
1A
(Loud cheers.)
General PEEL, in responding to the toast, said it

was a matter of congratulation that the only cir-
cumstance connected with the united services since
he last addressed his constituents was that which
had taken place in connection with the exchange of
hospitalities between the French and English fleets,
the effect of which he believed would extend far
beyond the two countries. He would not make use
of the term rivalry in connection with such an
auspicicds meeting, for he believed the exertions
used on that occasion did honour to the Sovereigns
under whose flags the guests of both assembled.
He not only remembered Waterloo, but held a
commission at that time, and trusted that the
hatred which had existed between the two nations,
followed by distrust and jealousy, had entirely
passed away, and that the most friendly rela-
tions would remain between the two countries
to the advantage of both, affording the best
safeguard and security to the peace and glory
of both. (Cheers.) Let him not be misunder-
stoop. He did not wish to see England form
any alliances with any other country beyond those
of friendship. He wished to see her act her own
part, and hoped that the next House of Commons
would lay down as distinctly as the last -had done

that the policy of this country was not to interfere
with others. If he had his own way he would ex-
tend the policy of peace to the pen as well as to
the sword. If England had anything to say rela-
tive to the conduct of other nations he would rather
she expressed her opinions directly than by a kind
of side wind. He wished to point out the advan-
tage to be derived from a good understanding be-
tween this country and France. He had watched
very narrowly indeed the great military and naval
expenditure of the country. This had been founded
upon sudden hot and cold fits—the hot fits generally
arising from some disagreeable panic as to invasion,
and the cold ones from the reaction consequent on
such panics. A very hot fit had been upon us for
the last nine years, and he hoped we should not rush
into reductions, which in the end were very expen-
sive. The great expenditure had been caused by
the rivalry and jealousy of the two countries, render-
ing necessary the extensive production of guns and
ships, which, he was afraid, were only bad speci-
mens, and not equal to those which might have
been produced if we had not been in such a hurry.
He trusted that for the future we should be able to
lay out our money to the best advantage, and that
we should obtain the best models that could be pro-
duced. (Cheers.) We must have the best ships,
the best artillery, and the best rifles that could be
produced. The resources of this country were such
that any quantity of arms could be produced in an
incredibly short time, but our ships and men could
not be produced in such a short time. (Hear.)
With regard to the volunteers he would say that
lie hoped no feelings of temporary security would
induce them for a single moment to give up
those exertions to which the country was so much
indebted. That country was the safest whose
population was determined not only to defend it,
but was prepared to do so. (Cheers.) He would
only just allude for one moment to that contempti-
ble conspiracy which had been properly described
as a kind of bricklayer's and bagman's conspiracy
in Ireland, and felt confident that, although the'
nantirof two or three soldiers had been mentioned,
the Country might, under all circumstances, depend
on the loyalty of the army and navy. (Cheers.)
" The Health of the Duke of Manchester" having
been given,

Mr. FELLOWES proposed " The health of the noble
President." (Loud cheers.)
The Earl of SANDWICH responded, and proposed
" Success to the Society." (Cheers.)
Mr. RUST proposed "The County Members."
(Great cheering.)
Mr. FELLOWES, after acknowledging the compli-
ment, said—Let me say a few words on a subject
to which I have alluded before—to the opinion that
it is desirable to pay attention to the growth of
stock in preference to the growth of great quantities
of corn. I believe there is no land more grateful
for good cultivation than our grass land, and I be-
lieve that at this time, when we cannot expect corn
to reach the high price it reached in former times,
it would be muchmoreto our advantage if we turned
our attention to the growth of stock than to the
growth of wheat, Whether you are to grow stock
or grass or root crops is a matter for your con-
sideration. I believe the two together may be use-
ful to us all, and that, considering the prices of
meat, stock would be most remunerative. (Hear,
hear.) With respect to the unfortunate cattle
plague which is devastating a large portion of the
country, I wish to impress on rny agricultural friends
the absolute necessity of caution and vigilance, not
only in the care of their present stock, but of any
they may he induced to purchase. (Hear, hear.) In
this county we have established an association for
the benefit of holders of stock, but I think it hap
not been attended with that success which is so de-
sirable. I think it would be for the interest of all
the farmers to enter the association for the purpose
the great loss they
m
from
should make its ap-
pearance amongst them. (Cheers.)
Lord ROBERT MONTAGU, who Was received with loud
cheers, said—My lord and gentlemen, it is a great
pleasure to me to receive these repeated assurances of your
confidence. I most heartily return-you thanks for them.
Since we last met at this festive board you have given a
more palpable and substantial expression of the renewal of