The Sun.
London, England, 1831-12-20 00:00:00

SMITHFIELD CLUB MEETING.

The Show-yard Wai crowded all day very much,
and we noticed a much greater attendance of Noble-
men and gentlemen than for many years past. The
Noble President, Viscount Althorp, was there, at-
tended by his numerous party of friends for some
hours. The members held their usual meeting of
business—his Lordship presiding—when the bill of
premiums was finally settled, and we were pleased
to hear from his Lordship that the funds would ad-
mit of considerable increase to the prizes for next
year, and several other gold medals.
The annual dinner of the members and friends of
this Society was held last night at the Crown and
Anchor, Strand. About 200 members were present.
Lord ALTHORP was in the Chair, and was sup.
potted on his right by the Duke of Richmond and
Sir John Sebr;ght, and on his left by Mr. Bennett,
M.P. for Wiltshire, and Mr. Western, M.P. for
Essex. The Chair was taken about half-past five
o'clock, when the company sat down to an excel-
lent dinner. The meeting to decide the prizes for
the best cattle, as described in The Sun of Thurs-
day last, was held yesterday morning, and the prizes
adjudged were awarded in the evening.
On the cloth being removed, and grace said, the
first toast proposed by the Noble CliAmmAN wan,
" The health of the King."
Lord ALTIIORP afterwards said, that the present
meeting did not at all interfere or clash with politics.
He therefore hoped all allusion to political principles
or subjects would be abstained from. The object
of the present meeting was to promote agricultural
interests, and to that alone he trusted their attention
would be directed.

Mr. S. Bennett and Mr. C. Stokes, Stewards,
shortly afterwards advanced, and in the name of the
Smithfield Club presented a very magnificent and
pretty present to Lord Althorp for the interest he
had taken in their concerns, and the protection he
had given them by his name and attention. The
present was an elegant candelabra, or centre-piece,
of the antique tripod foan, near three feet in height,
the pillar of which is supported by three figures, al-
legorical of agriculture. From the centre the
branches spring in rich scroll foliage, encircling a vase
or basket for fruit or flowers. On the base is intro-
duced a group of prize cattle, executed in bold re-
lief, and true to nature. The other sides are occu-
pied by his Lordship's armorial bearings and the in-
scription. The different implements of husbandry
are introduced in a clever and happy style ; so that,
as a whole, it presents an object of admiration, as an
exquisite work of art, usefulness, and ornament.
The work was by Widdowson, of Fleet-street. The
inscription was as follows, viz. :—" To the Right
Hon. John Charles Viscount Althorp, President of
the Smithfield Club, presented by some of its mem-
bers and others, in testimony of their grateful sense
of his Lordship's services to that society, and to agri-
culture in general. December the 19th, 1831."
Mr. Bennett, who w is deputed to present it, expa-
tiated on the attention of Lord Althorp, and the
benefits bestowed by his name and protection and
presidency on the club, and its interests and con-

cerna ; and trusted his Lordship would accept it as
an bumble, yet sineere,:mark of gratitude.
Lord ALTHORP said, he accepted with gratitude
the testimony of approbation thus conferred on him.
The agricultural interests (he said) were blended
with his own pursuits and inclinations. He thank-
fully accepted the magnificent present thus tendered
him, and was aware, when accepting the office of
President of the society, that the office was not
meant, nor intended, nor accepted as a sinecure.—
(Great cheering.) He was always happy to pro-
mote the interests of the club; and he now felt no
small gratification in receiving the approbation of
the club in such a manner. His habits, his occupa-
tion, and his taste were not only in strict conformity
with those of the Smithfield Club, but with those
of the agricultural interests. It was, therefore, to
him a subject of gratification and gratitude to find
himself so honoured by the testimony of approba-
tion now conferred on him; and though he had
formerly endeavoured, to the utmost of his power,
to benefit the club, this mark of approbation, and
the knowledge that his endeavours might not prove
fruitless, would have the effect of increasing his
efforts tenfold.—(Cheers.) lie then begged the
gentlemen who presented the present, and the com-
pany assembled, to accept his sincere thanks for the
high honour conferred on him.—(Great cheering.)
The CHAIRMAN then proposed " The health of
the Queen and the Royal Family ;" " Success to
the Smithfield Club."
Lord ALTHORP then expressed his gratification
at the capital show in the Smithfield yard yesterday
morning, and also at the numerous and respectable
show in the room last night. He was proud to
congratulate the old members of the club, and
pleased to congratulate the new. He then said he
was requested to state, that indisposition alone pre-
vented the attendance of Colonel Sibtliorpe. lie
hoped the support of the club would always be
given to, and, he believed, with the interests of
agriculture. Many persons were able to discern the
difference, from their own experience, between the
different shows annually exhibited at different
times ; and he thought no foregoing show could
at all compete with the present. The club could
not fail, while such a support and such a show were
found, and he trusted that the breed of cattle of the
country would never be lost:sight of amid the dis-
tractions of other excitements.
The Noble CHAIRMAN then assarded and gave
the different premiums as adjudged at the show, and
in awarding the premiums to each, he regularly
gave the health of each successful candidate :—" The
Earl of Brownlow"—" Mr. John White"—" Mr.
Senior"—" Mr. Martleet"—" Mr. Slater"—" Mr.
Smith"—" Richard Kitelee"—" Earl Spencer."
Here

The Duke of RICHMOND arose, and though (as he
said) a junior member of the club, and therefore ap-
parently presumption in him, he would beg leave to
propose the health of the nobleman to whom the
last prize was adjudged, as it was rather delicate for
the Worthy Chairman to propose it. He would
therefore propose the health of " Lord Althorp."
This was cordially drank with three times three.
Lord ALTIIORP returned thanks for the honour
done him, and was sorry it had not been in his
power to make a more effectual competition against
his agricultural friends, which he trusted hereafter
he would be better enabled to do, and which he felt
confident he would try to do.—(Cheers.) It always
gave him pleasure to make competitions of that kind
with his friends.
Sir JOHN SEBRIGIIT then proposed, after an ani-
mated eulogium, " The health of Earl Spencer."—
(Drunk with three times three.")
Lord ALTIIORP felt grateful for the honour done
his father. It was the first time lie had been en-
abled to come among them ; and though he was an
old man lie was a young breeder. He felt particu-
larly grateful for the manner in which the health had
been proposed and drunk ; because it coupled the
character of his father with his competition.
" The health of Mr. Charles Stokes."
Lord ALTHORP, in giving the next prize, stated,
that it originated from a suggestion or proposal of
Mr. Richard Kitelee, to award a Gold Medal, &c.,
which his Lordship said had been adopted by the
Committee of the Association, and that the Medal
for the present season had been awarded to the Earl
of Brownlow.
The next prizes adjudged were for Sheep—arid
the health of each successful candidate was given
seriatim by the CHAIRMAN :—" Mr. Wm. Pawlett,"
" Lord Althorp," " Mr. Stokes," " Sir Percival
Dyke," " Mr. T. Elman, of Lewes,"" Mr. Stephen
Grantham."
Lord Auritoßo here commented on the difference
between the South Down and Leicester breed of
sheep, and said he was not at all displeased that the
Leicester breed had had the success at the show—
that the Leicester breed might thus be brought into
honourable competition. •
Afterwards prizes were adjudged to, and the
healths were drunk of—" Thos. French, Esq.," (of
Essex) ; " Messrs. G. Borrowdale, and W. W.
Taylor," " Wm. Smith, Esq.," " Mr. John Frees-
ton," " Mr. Stephen Grantham," " Mr. Bogue."
Mr. Cam's was here permitted by the consent of
the Chairman to propose the health of a gentleman
to whom the Society, as well as the country, was
under a debt of gratitude : a Nobleman respected as
friend, a neighbour, a Magistrate, and a Legislator—
one who had identified himself with the interests of
his country, and the promotion of the club—one
who, lie was confident, would not be an unsuccessful
candida'e for their approbation, nor an unworthy
member of their Society. He then proposed "the
health of the Duke of Richmond."
The Duke of RICHMOND said it was at all times
to him a source of gratification to earn the approba-
tion of his countrymen ; but it was particularly so
on the present occasion—for the tendency and ob-
jects of the Smithfield .Club were congenial to his
inclinations as well as interests. He felt convinced
that the permanent prosperity of this or any country
depended on the prosperity of the agriculturalinte-
rests of that country ; arid lie hoped those interests
would be promoted in order to promote that prospe-
rity. He, therefore, humbly returned thanks ; and
though an un worthy and a new member of their So-
ciety, he would endeavour, like his Noble Friend on
his left (Lord Althorp), to merit their attention and
approbation. He would then conclude with drink-
ing a good health to all.—(Cheers.)
Lord ALTHORP, in giving the health of the 1
Judges, said they had not only a troublesome, but a
disagreeable office. There was not only a difficulty
in deciding, but it required much skill and probity ;
and it was evident that such a society as theirs could
not exist without such competent and faithful Judges.
Mr. CHAPMAN, on behalf of the Judges, said that
meeting their approbation was a sufficient reward.
He commented rather satirically on the remarks
made by many on the decisions of the Judges, who
had been asked, when they this time adjudged the
prize to the Leicester instead of the South-Down
sheep, whether they had found a change in their
fingers, or pockets, or judgments, or in the breed—
but lie said it would always be his greatest pleasure
on such occasions to disappoint his friends for the
sake of the general interest, and to preserve his own
integrity. When men act honestly and spiritedly,
they may defy any cavil or censure—arid though
ridiculous observations were made, and not too co-
vertly, concerning the long wool and short wool
sheep, and the long horn and short horn cattle, he
was not dissatisfied with the judgments he and his
friends had given—for they were given for honour
and experience. After making some pleasant re-
marks on the unsuccess of Mr. I3uckley's ox, lie pro-
posed his health.
A GENTLEMAN here said Mr. Buckley was not a
breeder of oxen, but a grazier.
Mr. BUCKLEY was satisfied to be noticed as a
breeder, though he did not wish to be signalized as
a breeder of Hertford oxen.
Lord ALTIIORP then proposed " The health of
the Stewards," and said Mr. Griffin would be one
of their new Stewards for the year ensuing.
The SENIOR STEWARD then returned thanks.
Lord ALTHORP, after reading a note from Sir

Johu Sebright, proposing a Gold Medal, value .5/.,
for the best pen of sheep, two years old, passed a
very pretty encomium on him, and proposed his health.
Sir JOHN SEBRIGIIT, in returning thanks, com-
mented on his formerly having been Chairman of the
Club, and his promise to vacate it on finding a
worthy person to act as President and Chairman—
and he felt gratified he did not deceive and was not
deceived.

Lord ALTIIORP then read the names of many new
members (thirty in all) that had been proposed, and
proposed their healths on their names being added
to the Society.
Lord ALTHORP then proposed the health of a
Nobleman, to whose family the Club owed its
origin—" The health of his Grace the Duke of Bed-
ford." Drunk with three times three, and applause.
Then were drunk, " Success to Farming"—
" Success to the Manufactures and Commerce of the
country ;" and
The CHAIRMAN, in proposing the next toast, said
he would give "Prosperity to the labouring classes
of the country ;" and said, without the labouring
classes we cannot have any wealth or success in
farming, manufactures, or commerce.
Afterwards were drunk the health of Mr.
Hilliard and the unsuccessful candidates."

The CHAIRMAN then proposed the health of " Sir
Gerard Noel," who had that evening honoured them
with his presence.
Sir G. NOEL said he was an unprofitable though
old Member of the Society, yet he hoped his future
exertions would atone for his past negligence. He
asserted that the prosperity of the country W9S
mutually blended with the prosperity of ,the labour-
ing classes, and that he would endeavour to effect
the amelioration of the labourers and dependents
around him.
The health of the " Vice-Presidents." Drunk
with three times three.

Afterwards were proposed the healthy of " Mr.
Bennett, M.Y. for 'Wiltshire," and " Mr. Western,
M.P. for Essex," who separately returned thanks in
an animated manner.

The CHAIRMAN then proposed the healthy of
" The Butchers who buy their cattle; and may they
always give us a good price for them."
About half-past nine Lord Althorp, his Grace the
Duke of Richmond, and Messrs. Western, Bennett,
Sebright, Noel, &c. left the room ; the other Mem-
bers continuing to enjoy themselves over their prizes
and their wine.

(FROM ♦ CORRESPONDENT.

The award of the Prizes of the Smithfield Club were,
as delivered at the Annual Dinner, by Lord Althorp as
follow :

OXEN,

A prize of 20 sovereigns, in Class 1., to Earl Browillow, for
his 4 year and 7 months old Durham ox ; bred by his Lord-
ship; a silver medal, as the breeder of the same; and a gold
medal, for the best beast shown.
First prize of 20 sovereigns, in Class 11., to Jas. T. Senior,
Esq., for his 4 year and 10 months and a half old Hereford ox ;
bred by Mr. John White ; and a silver medal, as the breeder of
the same, to Mr. John White.
Second prize of 10 sovereigns, in Class 11., to Messrs. Edward
and Charles Martleet, for their 3 year and 11 months old Dur-
ham ox ; bred by them.
. .

First prise of 15 sovereigns, in Class 111., to Mr. John Slater,
for his 4 year and 3 months old Hereford ox ; bred by Mr.
Dodson; and a silver medal, as the breeder of the same, to Mr.
Dodson.

Second prize of 10 sovereigns, in Class 111., to Wm. Smith,
Esq., for his 3 year and 4 months old improved short-horned
ox ; bred by himself.
First prize of 10 sovereigns, in Class IV., to Mr. Ritchard
Kitelee, for his 3 year and 6 months old Hereford ox ; bred by
Mr. Walford; and a silver medal, as the breeder of the same,
to Mr. Walford.

Second prize of five sovereigns in Class IV., to James T.
Senior, Esq., for his 3 year and 2 months Hereford ox ; by Sa-
muel Peploe, Esq.
Prize of 15 sovereigns in Class V. to Lord Viscount Althorp,
for his 7 year and 3 months old Durham cow ; bred by Earl
Spencer ; and silver medal, as the breeder of the same, to Earl
Spencer.
Prize of 10 sovereigns in Class VI., to Charles Stokes, for his
4 year and 2 months improved short horned heifer ; bred by
himself; and a silver medal, as the breeder of the same.