The Sun.
London, England, 1853-12-08 00:00:00

Kelly and Co., 19 and 20, Old Boswell Court, and all Booksellers.

PROFESSOR MAURICE—In the hot discontent of 1848,
a singular assamblage might have been seen collected in
the room of a coffee-house in Holborn. There you
would have encountered men of glib tongue, passionate
in temper tment, of solid or scanty information, well-
meaning and ill-meaning, sheer demagogues or earnest
fellows, painfully struggling to right a world which
seemed too heavy at the top. Presiding over them was
a scholar, fresh from the quiet refined family, or the
choice seats of biblical and classical lore. This was Pro-
fessor Maurice. Determined to satisfy himself as to
what those clamorous thousands really were- - what
their thoughts, their wishes, and their mental and moral
standard—the Professor took a bold step, and with mar-
vellous judgment contrived to bring together all the
leaders who had the confidence of the workshops and
the repute of respectable men. For week after week,
he listened attentively to the expression of their pana-
cea, their wild complaints, and their restless, undecided
scepticism. The plan he adopted was to take notes of
each man's address, and before the evening closed to
read them over, taking every opportunity to put a word
of counsel to set aside a fallacy, and to bring into beau-
tiful relief an unsullied Christianity. Of course, the
mere trading agitators could not stand this, and his
audience grew a little thinner ; but, to the last, it was
of a remarkable description. Then followed lectures of
a directly religious tendency, classes of various kinds,
and attempts to bring the associated principle into prac-
tice, so far as our law of partnership will allow. Pro-
fessor Maurice's labours have rescued hundreds of acute,
well-read, moral working men from the evils of infide-
lity, and the dangers of tempestuous political agitation.
He is beloved, almost adored, by numbers who, in their
turn, influence more ; and the peculiar congregation at
his own church, and the lecture rooms of the establish-
ments of the men themselves, shall be my proofs. All
this, of course, is distasteful to the High Church and
Tory dignitaries of King's College ; and it will take a
great deal of very clever casuistry to induce one to be-
lieve that, if the Professor, in his spare hours, had slept
upon his sofa, assiduously flattered the patrons or gone
out to judicious dinners, and talked of scepticism of the
age over bottles of port, instead of sitting down with
" a set of Chartists, and endeavouring to bring them
to reason and religion, he would not at this moment,
whatever his exact theology, be the most honoured (as
amongst the students he is the most beloved), of all the
teachers of youth at the not very forward educational
institution known as King's College.—Cambridge Inde•
pendent.
PHILANTHROPIC INSTITUTION.—Yesterday the quar-
terly court of the governors of this institution, estab-
lished at Red-hill Farm, Reigate, for the reformation of
juvenile criminals, was held at the offices, Crown-court,
Threadneedle-street ; Mr. William Gladstone, trea-
surer, in the chair. Several cases were considered,
most of which, however, were refused admittance for
want of room, the chairman stating that until the
completion of the new buildings at present in pro-
gress it would be impossible to have at the farm a
Larger number than 170. Mr. Sydney Turner (chap-
lain) read the report for the last quarter, from which
it appeared that during that period 23 pupils had been
admitted and 46 discharged. The 46 discharged were
particularised as follows :-36 emigrated, 1 went to sea
1 obtained service, 0 were provided with employment
by their friends, and 2 deserted, and when apprehended
were sentenced to penal servitude. There were in all
admitted, since January, 108 ; discharged, 149. Of
those at present at the farm 89 are there on account
of government, 35 in part paid for by their friends, and
Bon the free list. The balance on the farm account of
the year was 392/., but that on the average of three years
only 11. 7s. ld., whence it appeared that it only paid its
own expenses. The report was adopted, and after the
disposal of some routine business the proceedings' termi-
nated with a vote of thanks to the chairman.
BELGRAVIA IN DARKNESS.—On Monday evening,
from some unexplained cause, the whole of this district
was suddenly immersed in darkness, owing to the extin-
guishing of the street gas lamps.

The attendance of visitors at the exhibition yesterday
surpassed that of all former years. Large as the num-
bers were on the day of opening, the attendance of yes-
terday was more than double and so crowded was the
bazaar that it was with difficulty people could move
about, and great inconvenience was experienced in the
attempts to see the animals. The sales continue to be
still rather backward. Mr. Stratton's prize ox, for
which he obtained the gold medal, had not found a pur-
chaser last night ; but Prince Albert's pigs, for which
the gold medal was awarded to his Royal' Highness,
have been sold to Mr. Wall, of Jermyn-street, pur-
veyor to her Majesty.

THE DINNER.
The annual dinner of the club took place last night at
the Freemasons' Tavern ; the Duke of Richmond, pre-
sident, in the chair. On his right were Lord Berners,
Lord Portman, Sir John Shelley, Bart., M.P., &c. ; on
his left, Mr. Pusey, Admiral Saumarez, Mr. Barrow,
M.P., Mr. Raymond Barker, Mr. Fisher Hobbs, &c.
Among the company were Mr. Brandreth, Mr. Barrett,
Mr. Baker, Mr. Hudson, Professor Symonds, Mr.
Brandreth Gibbs, the hon. secretary ; Mr. Druce, Mr.
Turner, Mr. Chamberlain, Mr. Moore, Mr. Wilson,
Mr. Greetham, Mr. Farthing, &c.
The CHAIRMAN proposed the first toast of the evening,
"The Queen," which was received with every demon-
stration of loyalty.
His GRACE, on proposing " Prince Albert, the Prince
of Wales, and the rest of the Royal Family," stated that
he had forwarded a communication to her Majesty and.
to his Royal Highness, intimating that arrangements
would be made for them to have a private view of the
show on Monday last, and that he had received an
answer, stating that nothing would have prevented her
Majesty and. his 'Royal Highness from availing them-
selves of this offer but the fact that they were out of
town. (Hear, hear.) He' must add that he was ex-
tremely glad his Royal Highness had won the *gold
medal on the present occasion in the elms he had done,
as it had been won against formidable competition ;
for it was the general opinion that there never
was such a show of pigs as on the present occa-
sion. They were much indebted to his Royal Highness,
for, by his becoming a member of the club, and by his
constantly exhibiting at their shows, he had done much
to render it fashionable. (Hear.) With regard to the
Prince of Wales, it was a matter of great importance,
not, perhaps, to one so old as he was, but to future gene-
rations, that the Prince of Wales should be educated as
an English gentleman, devoted to the land of his birth,
and that he should tread in the footsteps of his royal
parents. (Cheers.) He concluded by proposing "The
Health of Prince Albert, Albert Prince of Wales, and
the other members of the Royal Family," which was
drunk with all the honours.

The CHAIRMAN then proposed " Success to the Smith-
field Cattle Club." He believed every individual pre-
sent was aware that this association was established many,
years ago for the purpose of improving the breed of cat-
tle, sheep, and pigs in this country. The object of the as-
sociation was, not to produce monster animals, such as
they had seen in the exhibition from the county of Buck-
ingham, hut to produce animals that would come to early
maturity, and be wholesome, cheap food to the consumers
of this country. Now, he.was authorised by the judges to
state that they considered the present show to be better
than an average one, that the pigs and sheep had seldom, if
ever, been exceeded, and that the show altogether was
exceedingly creditable to the exhibitors of the country.
It was not only as numerous a show as they had ever
seen, but it contained a number of very superior ani-
mals. Only a few years ago it was predicted that the
Smithfield Cattle Club would no longer exhibit such
splendid shows in the metropolis as they had been ac-
customed to do, for the Birmingham and other shows
would tread on their heels, and Smithfield would not be
able to compete with them. Now, he hoped there
never would be any rivalry between the Smithfield
Club, the Birmingham one, the great one in Yorkshire,
and others in the country that might be mentioned, ex-
cept the honourable emulation of doing the best they
could for the agriculturists and for the consumers at
large. (Cheers.) It appeared to him that the field was
open, and wide enough to contain many more societies
that there were at the present moment. But if those
societies were flourishing, to whom was the credit due ?
Why, originally, the Smithfield Cattle Club, which set the
example that had been followed in every other part of
the country. (Cheers.) And they would permit him to
say that that was an answer to those who said that
these associations were.ef no service to the country. if
they were of no service to the country, would they find
them, as they, did, existing in every, country ? . The fact
was that they had been of the very greatest service, and
he wished them every prosperity. If there was no other
reason, they would find one in visiting the show and
seeing the throngs of people who went to see the exhi-
bition. Was it not something in their favour that while
they promoted their own interest, and that great interest
which was paramount to all others—the agricultural in-
terest of the country—was it not gratifying that they
were able to please so many of their fellow-country-
`men, who, but for this show, -you'd never see a sheep
except in Smithfield-market ? (Laughter and applause.)
He asked them, then, to drink prosperity to the Smith-
field Cattle Club, and might every other association fol-
low its example. As to the finances of the club, which
had a great deal to do with its prosperity, he begged to
tell them that there was at present a large marginal sur-
plus in the hands of their Chancellor of the Exchequer,
and that, after paying all demands, they had a clear an-
nual
income in hand to meet the liabilities of next year.
He begged to drnk " prosperity to the Smithfield Cattle
Club,' and he believed it would prosper as long as the
exhibitors continued to send such specimens of cattle,
sheep, and pigs as they had seen in the present show.

The SECRETARY then read over the awards of the
judges, and those of the successful competitors who were
present came forward and received their prizes from the
chairman, after which the healths of the winners of the
gold medals were given in succession from the chair.
Lord BERNERS proposed the health of his grace in the
•hair, as the winner of the medal for short-woolled
sheep.
The CHAIRMAN returned thanks. He had attempted
to do his best. He knew that his endeavours had been
but feeble, but he had always attempted to do that which
he thought was for the weal of the whole empire ; and
in promoting the agricultural interest, he believed he
was doing that which would best promote the interests
of all. He bad been a member of the club for many
years, he had often exhibited, and he had often been
called upon to return thanks in that room for the un-
successful candidates. Occasionally he had obtained a
second class prize, but only once before had he cleared
the field in all classes. He would say, for the instruc-
tion of young flock masters and young farmers through-
out the country, that the great reason why they did
not all improve was that it was a long while before
they could be convinced that their flocks needed im-
provement. When he went to a show he always looked
at all the animals that competed against him, and
when he saw in what it was that his animals were de-
ficient, he said to his agent and his shepherd, " Let ma
do our best to correct that, and ere long we shall get
into a better position." Mr. Rigdon, of Hove—than
whom a better and more straightforward Sussex farmer
did not exist, and who had gained the second prize in
one class—told him that ho hoped next year they would
change positions. (Laughter.) He was obliged to Mr.
Rigdon for that wish, as it implied that he (the Duke)
should be second, at any rate ; but he must warn Mr.
Rigdon and the other breeders that if they did not take
care, the Earl of Radnor, who had also gained a second
prize, and who was a most dangerous customer.
—(laughter)—would beat them all. He thanked them
for the compliment they had paid him, and he could as-
sure Mr. Rigdon and everybody else that if they beat
him next year it would not be without a desperate
stuggle. (Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN then proposed " The unsuccessful
competitors," and called upon Sir John Shelley to return
thanks.
Sir JOHN SHELLEY admitted that he had always striven
to avoid false shame, and in such a superb show of sheep
as there was in the yard on this occasion he did not
know that there was anything in his position as an un-
successful competitor to be ashamed of. (Cheers.) He
could only promise, in his own name and in the name of
the other unsuccessful competitors, that they would do
their best to reverse their position, if they were spared
to another year. (Cheers.)

The CHAIRMAN then proposed " The Vice-Presidents
and Trustees of the Club."

Lord PORTMAN returned thanks as the junior trustee,
and he could only wish that his duties were more respon-
sible than they were, by the increase of the funds of the
club. He lamented also that he did not see the same
zeal on the part of the butchers this year as he had
done on former occasions, and he trusted his hon. friend,
Sir John Shelley, who was a vice-president of the
Butchers' Charitable Association, would stir them up in
this respect. (Laughter.)
Lord BERNERS returned thanks on behalf of the vice-
presidents, and reminded the meeting that by a recent
regulation of the Royal Agricultural Society it was the
privilege of its members, on any disease overtaking
their cattle, to call in the assistance of Professor Sy-
monds. He had lately had occasion to do so, and he
spoke in the warmest terms of Professor Symonds's
veterinary
The CIIAIRMAN then proposed the " Royal Agricultu-
ralc.u, Society of England," which emanated from rclicsoulpuie
and which was started in that room.
with it the health of its highly distingnuiseb'::
Mr. Pusey. had
t few Y. ' Mr. PUSEY returned thanks. The
last
with aglrli.
been a very anxious time for all connected
3. had fully
culture, and they might well believe that h '
I that tin!
this
ear
shared in that anxiety.
He
ee
Itrad the honourtt
fory
Agricultural Society, which h
was a high honoursooo of the
upresident,
to represent—and it certainlyt o represenitie
trusted' that
private individual like himselfo__ kingdoitn
degree to relieve
most intelligent farmers We
1; d that the society had
that anxiety ; and he believed
t im ortant class, in
that society had contributedft
nn
igiit innoaw-hrFe(lsaid that they bad
weathered the storm
_on p
conferred no slight:trough the
community suffering
assisting a without the whole
to say that he saw no
could not suffer He was glad
IrlPdifticulties, wh. h they
along W
of the tenant
The society was, in fact, in a
naptolng ,h, society.
ence from
em. ben
farmers withdrawing their con-
s. ith th

measure necessary to the farmers, for, they were -scat.-
tared from Berwick to the Land's 'end and the cafe of
Dover--,-they did not herd together like the manufac-
turers of Manchester, who were so placed that an im-
provement in machinery invented by one was at once
taken 'up by all. The farmers could not do ,so without
the aid of the. Royal Agricultural Society, which diffused,
abroad over the whole country all the irnprolieinents
that took place in /any particular district, and of which
otherwise they would not be aware. This next year they
were going to a- county where the marks of improve-
ment were most recent. They had all heard of the'
drainage of- Holland, in Lincolnshire, where, by dint,,
not of ordinary drains, but of immense canals, 600,000
acres had been recovered from the sea. He hoped when
gentlemen came to the show at Lincoln, they would not
fail to make themselves acquainted with these great
achievements in the art of agriculture.
After some toasts of a routine character, the meeting
adjourned.