The Sun.
London, England, 1853-09-15 00:00:00

I have come to, and, indeed, have always been of
the opinion, that societies like the present have a
tendency to elevate the condition, because they
elevate the feelings, of the labouring classes of the
country. (Cheers.) I have no doubt we might do
more, but it is a great deal to do something con-
tinuously for 21 years. Many societies may be seen
starting with very great and commendable efforts,
and with much greater promises, but where are
they at the end of five, or even of three years ?
(Hear.) When you see a society that has existed
for 21 years under all imaginable circumstances,
and has still continued to bring together so large
an assembly as the present for purposes so pure
and honest and honourable as those that have
brought us together, then I say we have done that
which we may reasonably congratulate ourselves
upon. (Hear, hear.) It may lead to greater con-
sequences. It may be the foundation of certainly
greater efforts to ameliorate the condition of the
working classes of this country, but no one can
deny that the principle which we adopted 21 years
ago was a sound principle, that the results which
have accrued from putting it in practice have been
satisfactory and beneficial, and that the general
effect of this society has been to elevate the feel-
ings and the condition of the labouring classes of
the county of Buckingham. (Cheers.) That is a
subject of considerable interest, and at no time has
it ever been of greater interest than the present.
We know well that very great changes are taking
place, and that the whole tendency of these ap-
pears to be to occasion very great changes in the
condition of the labouring classes of the country
generally. If, for example, it be true that it is
more than probable a very considerable eleva-
tion in the condition of the labouring classes of
this country may occur, upon which I will now
give no opinion, because it is a subject that leads
to great argument, and is one, no doubt, of
considerable controversy, it is something to say,
that before that change has taken place, we have
shown our sympathy with the labouring classes,
and have prepared them for the more elevated po-
sition which, perhaps, they may be called on to
assume. Here is the machinery, and here has
been the machinery now for a considerable num-
ber of years, which has shown to the people about
us that we recognise their claims and the respecta-
bility of their position, and that we have always,
so far as lay in our power, been prepared to reward
them for meritorious conduct and to give them
every inducement to show that they were worthy
of the sympathy of the community. Now, no one
can tell in an age of rapid change like the present
what may be the condition of that particular class
in whose fortunes and condition we are to-day
more immediately interested. Our proceedings
have been stopped for a moment because we have
been told some of the candidates of the day were
not prepared to receive that humble but ever sin-
cere recognition which we are going to make of
their achievements. The ploughmen are not ready
to appear, but we shall soon see them. But how
do we know what will be the
condition of the
ploughman in the course of a year or so ? I have
recently read, and all of you, no doubt, have done
c
the same, on the information of a gentleman of
considerable authority in such matters, that the
plough would be, and is, in fact, completely super-
seded. We have at all times thought that what-
ever revolution occurred, either in circumstances or
even in opinions, it was always safe to nay, " Speed
the plough ;" but now we live in an age, and we
have arrived at a period, when it is very doubtful
whether, in saying " Speed the plough," we may
not be almost as old-fashioned as if we were to say
" Success to the jarvey." (Laughter.) Well,
gentlemen, when these great material changes are
taking place, what I want to impress on you—
though, indeed, the very principle of this associa-
tion that brings us together shows that it is quite
unnecessary for me to impress it on you, because
you are aware of it—l say that whatever are th•
changes in material affairs, let there be no change
in our moral principle—(cheers)—and, though the
plough may be superseded, let us make the English
labourer understand that if he cease to be a plough-
man he still will be a member of a community that
respects his virtues if he shows them, and of a
community that is prepared to recognise and
reward his good qualities, if he proves that he is
entitled to that respect and to those rewards.
(Cheers.) I therefore consider that this society,
which has now, I am glad to say, subsisted for 21
years, is founded on a right principle. What is
that principle ? It is the principle that acknow-
ledges that there is a sympathy of sentiment and
an identity of interest between the employer and
the employed. (Cheers.) That is really the prin-
ciple that brings us together, and that is the senti-
ment which we ought, by our devotion and adhe-
sion, to consecrate, and by our taking every oppor-
tunity of proving that we are faithful to it. (Hear,
hear.) Then you may rely on it, that whatever
changes may occur—and in this age we must b 3
prepared for the greatest, and even ior the wilde3t
changes,—so long as that principle is acknowledged
by us we may look forward to those changes with-
out apprehension, because we shall all of us be
members of a society founded on the principle of
public virtue, and upon au acknowledgment that,
whatever may be the circumstances we have to
meet, we recognise that between all classes of men
the principle of justice and good feeling should be
the governing principle to regulate our conduct.
(Hear, hear.) Gentlemen, with these feelings, I
can only repeat that it is with the greatest gratifi-
cation I find myself again at the side of my excel-
lent friend the chairman as your guest—if, indeed,
I may call myself your guest, who am a member
of your society. There are very few meetings
at which I have, unfortunately, been present
since its formation. I believe my absence has
always been accounted for by reasons, that even
you have considered valid, and you may rely upon.
it that so long as I have the honour of being your
representative, I will never permit any circumstance
but one, over which I have no control, to prevent
nie being present at the annual meetings of your
society, the general effect of which has been most
beneficial to the county of Buckingham. (Cheers.)
The prizes were then distributed to the plough-
men.

Several other toasts were given, and the party
separated.

NEW REGULATION ON PROPERTY FOUND IN CABS
AND OMNIBUSES.—There is a new regulation in the
Metropolitan Carriages Act, with respect to property
found in cabs and omnibuses. It is enacted by the 11th
section of the 10th and 17th Vic., cap. 33, t }at the
driver of every hackney carriage wherein any property
may be left, shall, within 24 hours, carry the same, if
not sooner claimed by the owner, in the state is which
he shall find the same, to the nearest police-station, and
deposit the same with the inspector or other officer on
duty, upon pain that every such driver, making any
default, shall be liable to a penalty, not more than
101., or, at the discretion of the magistrate, may be im-
prisoned for auy time not exceeding one month ; and
the officer with whom the property is deposited shall
enter it into a book with particulars, and the property
so entered shall be returned to the person who shall
prove to the satisfaction of the police commissioners
that the same belonged to him, such person previously
paying all expenses incurred, together with such reason.
able sum to the driver who brought the same as the
commissioners shall award. If the property is not
claimed within a year it is to be sold, and the proceeds
paid to the Receiver-General of the Inland Revenue
after the expenses, and the sum awarded to the driver
by the police commissioner. All property found in any
metropolitan carriage is to be deposited in the same
manner, under a similar penalty or imprisonment, and
if not claimed within a year, to be sold, and the money
applied as mentioned in cabs. This is a new provision
on the subject.
THE POOR.LAW BOARD ON THE MEANS OF REMOVING
NUISANCES.—The guardians of the Holborn Union hav-
ing made a communication to the Poor-law Board,
stating that frequent instances had been brought under
their notice of the existence of nuisances, which they
found the provisions of the Nuisances Removal and Dis-
eases Prevention Act quite inadequate to suppress, and
requesting assistance to suppress such evils, the reply of
the Poor-law Board was as follows : " Poor-law
Board, Whitehall. lam directed to state that the board
have had the subject under their consideration, anudthare
of opinion that the guardians have no po
olv3atlhAiets7
e,
tl.
,lieh
rity which will enable them to remedy2tdh- eawnevdeirl3sodvreeaffe‘rr,E
to, except as arising under the statute
toria, c. 71, s. 41, or the Nuisancetshßaeumd
and 12th of Vict., o. 123, and 12
a remedy against
111. The last of these statutes gives_
duly
i certifiedt
io n that to
theb be
dcounl
the occupiers of any house which is
in such a filthy and unwholesome
health of the immediate neighbourhood is thereby affected
or endangered ; but in cues where the occupiers of the
rdians. If, however'
be of very little avail to the gu,
,
premises are very poor, the remedy would, probably
g
householders, or certificates laid before them by the
complaints are made to the i!ardians by two or more
medical or relieving
officers
in conformity
asto the filthy and
latter statutes, which admit of
the provisions of the two
un-
wholesome condition of the premises,with
no reason why a remedy
proceedings being taken againste the owners as well as
the occupiers, the board se
the nuisances referred to.—l
may rot be obtained, sofar to. place the premises in
a good state, by abatingam &c„ COURTNEY, secretary.
"FURTHER DISCOVERIES OF GOLD IN SCOTLAND.—A. few
days ago it was statFd that a gentleman named Calvert
had discovered gold in Westmoreland and Cumberland.
It now appears that he has pursued his re:earches in
Lanarkshire and Dumfriesshire, in both of which dis-
tricts he has been successful in finding gold. In the Vale
of Menuich, at the Glendatan Burn, about four miles
from Wanlock Head, he obtained a piece of gold weigh-
ing 4 dwts. It wag rough, and of a dark colour. At
Lead Hills the gold was of a lighter character. It ap-
peared to be generally diffused on the red soil resting on
the clay slates, chiefly running north and south, inter-
sected with quartz strings running in the same dectieotns:
Mr. Calvert found gold in about 14 burns or di ri valets,
a
mainly tributaries of the Elvin Water and Glengop
n-
Some of the quartz looked at was auriferous, and had a
very fun gold disseraivated through it.