The Sun.
London, England, 1849-07-24 00:00:00

beaten back he would not show the white feather.

(Cheers.) He felt that he ought not to trespass on so
large a meeting at greater length; but it was impos-
sible for him to resume his seat without expressing
his thanks at the kind manner in which the meeting had
received him that evening.—(Cheers.) He had been in
the habit of attending these meetings, because he felt
the importance of that great branch of industry—the
agriculture of the country, and that it was worthy his
best exertions.—(Loud cheers.) He never felt more at
home than when he was surrounded by the tenant-
farmers of the country, to whom he owed a deep debt of
obligation, which no words of his could ,express, and
' which no exertions of his could ever repay. He had
been in many of the counties ,of England—he had at-
tended many agricultural meetings, and at all times he
had received acts of kindness and affection which to his
dying day he would never forget.—(Loud cheers.) With
every wish for the health of them and theirs, and that
they might enjoy all the happiness which this world
could bestow, he thanked them from his heart, and
asked them to give the mayor and corporation of this
ancient and interesting city, those cheers to which their
reception of the society so well entitled them.—(Pro-
tracted cheering.)
The toast having been drunk,
Mr. S. BIGNALL, the Mayor of Norwich, returned
thanks in a brief but very appropriate manner.
The Bishop of Noßwion then proposed the health of
his Noble Friend the Earl of Chichester, whose Chris-
tian zeal in behalf of many excellent and benevolent
societies in London he warmly eulogised. The Rev.
Prelate, in a highly characteristic speech, traced the
connexion between the Church and the land, and con-
cluded by calling on the company to drink their Chair-
man's health with three times three.

The toast having been very heartily responded to,
The CHAIRMAN returned thanks, and having explained
that business or indisposition had prevented three or
four of the foreign Ministers from being present, he no-
ticed in a complimentary manner that the society was
honoured with the presence of many gentlemen from
other countries. He did not formally propose their
healths as a toast, but he was only expressing the feel-
ings of the farmers of England when he told them that
they were heartily welcome.—(Loud cheers.) Referring
to the next toast on the list, there could be no difference
of opinion as to the value of that class whose
health ho was about to propose. Whatever the
difference of their views might be as to questions
of Government and legislation, no one could
doubt that it was the luty and interest of every one
among them to promote to the utmost of his power the
comfort and wellbeing of the labouring classes.—(Loud
cheers.) It would be too much to say for the Agricul-
tural Society of England that it had attempted by any
important direct means to improve the condition of that
great class—(Hear, hear)—but they had never forgotten
it, they had always drunk their health—(Cheers, and a
laugh)—and on many occasions when the toast had fallen
into better and abler hands than his, sound opinions had
been stated, and many valuable suggestions had been
made, which he trusted had not been without their effect.
--(Cheers.) But, although no direct steps had been
taken to improve the condition of the agricultural la-
bourer, the society conferred on that class a very im-
portant benefit indirectly, by promoting scientific farm •
ing, for, in proportion to the improvement effected in the
science and skill of the farmer, in that very proportion
would the labourer be raised in his position in
society.—(Loud cheers.) Ho said so confidently,
because he knew that many who then heard him
were farmers of that description, and who knew
what he meant. But besides drinking the health of
the labouring classes, and promoting those improvemenis
which were likely to render them more intelligent, su-
perior, and happier men, the society had, on two occa-
sions, offered premiums on subjects likely to conduce to
their comfort.—(Cheers.) At the last meeting a prize
was awarded for the best stove for a cottage, and this
year a prize had been offered for the best essay on cot-
tages. He rejoiced to observe that with the progress of
tho society a growing interest was manifested in the
wants and sufferings, and increased attempts were made
to promote the comfort and moral improvement of their
poorer brethren.—(Cheers.) He did not claim for the
society any share in that movement, but when he saw
that the same men who took a lead therein were also the
warmest and staunchest friends of agricultural improve-
ment, he could not but believe that they were nutter the
same blessing, and that they were likely to grow together
to a measure of success which he anticipated and be-
lieved would be attended with the greatest advantage to
the country at large.—(Cheers.) In proposing the
health of the labouring classes, he need not remind the
company that in the toast were included all the classes
who earned their bread by the sweat of their brow.
Whether labouring in the cellar, in the factory, or at the
plough, they well deserved the care of the society and
goodwill. If they were duly attended to, and received a
moral and religious education, they would become sound
and useful members of the community.—(Cheers.)
The toast was very cordially responded to.
Mr. BURROUGUES, M.P., proposed, " The judges of
stock and the judges of implements."
Mr. TAYLOR returned thanks in a very sensible speech.
The Earl of LEICESTER then rose, and was received
by the company with the greatest enthusiasm. He said,
that the toast he had the honour to propose was, " The
o
Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotflaiarde,laanndd.,!_he
Royal Agricultural Improvement Society
(Cheers.) H
He would not trespass ndthieriarblteimseocbieytidees:
scanting upon the excellence ofthese
and the advantages they conferred on the community,
because he was aware that the nobleman who, as the
on
programme of the proceedings announced, was to re-
spond to the toast (the Duke of Richmond) was far
better able than him to do justice to their merits. But,
as a native of the county of Norfolk, he must express the
great satisfaction which he felt in proposing such a toast
in the city of Norwich.—(Loud cheers.) There could
be no doubt that the present meeting of the Royal
Agricultural Society would confer great benefit on the
district. He was delighted to find that his native
county had been far more successful in the trying com-
petition to which they had been subjected than the
nature and quality of the soil entitled them to expect.—.
(Cheers.) He was confident also that a spur had been
given to the agriculturists surrounding that ancient cit.y

which would enable them still more successfully than
heretofore to compete with the more fertile districts of
England.—(Cheers.) The society, it should be remem-
bered, had always done more than encourage the breed-
ing of stock. From the outset it had evinced a great
interest in the cultivation of the soil, and it was to the
high position held by Norfolk in this respect that its in-
habitants were indebted fur the honour of the present
visit.—(Loud cheers.) No doubt, too, that high reputa-
tion had helped to attract many of the visitors who had
come from remote districts, and ho trusted that they
would not leave the county until they had examined the
mode in which the Norfolk farmers cultivated their land.
—(Loud cheers.) They might be assured that they
would derive much benefit from such an inspection; and
if any member of the Royal Agricultural Society found
his way to the neighbourhood of Holkham, he would be
most heartily welcome at Holkham-hall, and he (the
Earl of Leicester) would do all his power to assist him
in an examination of the modes of culture practised in
Norfolk.—(The Noble Earl resumed his seat amidst the
enthusiastic cheers of the company.)
The Duke of RICHMOND responded to the toast, and in
doing so paid a graceful compliment to the memory of
the late Earl of Leicester, to the great encouragement
which he gave to agricultural improvement in Norfolk,
and to his excellent qualities as a landlord.
Colonel CHALLONER proposed the health of the " Mar-
quis of Downshire," the President of the Society for the
ensuing year.
The Marquis of DowNsuIRE shortly returned thanks,
and stated that one of his principal motives in accepting
the office of president was out of respect to the memory
of his revered parent, who had always felt the warmest
interest in the cause of agricultural improvement, and
had looked forward to the honour of one day filling the
office which now devolved upon him. The Noble Mar-
quis concluded by proposing as a toast, " The railway
companies, and thanks to them for the facilities they
have afforded to the society."
This toast was warmly responded to by the company,
who separated immediately afterwards.
This morning at ten o'clock the proceedings of the
society at Norwich terminated with the usual general
meeting of its members in the Guildhall at ten o'clock,
when the formalities customary on similar occasions were
duly complied with.
Some idea may be formed of the numbers attracted to
Norwich during the week, and of the success which has
attended the exhibition, from the fact that upwards of
40,000 persons arrived there by railway between
Slon-
day and Thursday, and that more than 20,000 persons
visited the society's yard on the last day of the show.
The transport of this body of people was effected by the
authorities of the Eastern Counties Railway without the
occurrence of a single accident; undertheir skilful manage •
ment, and the excellent arrangements of the secretary,
Mr. Honey, the fullest accommodation has been af-
forded to this vast accession of travellers, Mr. Betts, the
newly elected chairman of the company, attended by a
party ce the directors, was present in Norwich during
the two days of the show, for the purpose of seeing that
on so important an occasion proper accommodation was
provided for passengers along the main line of the com-
pany and its branches. It would be unfair to terminate this
narrative of the Royal Agricultural meeting at Norwich
without stating that, as on former occasions, its success
has been greatly promoted by the zealous services of its
excellent secretary, Mr. Hudson. The admirable ar-
rangements of the show-yard were under the direction
of Mr. Brandreth Gibbs.