The Sun.
London, England, 1870-02-10 00:00:00

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The annual general meeting of the members of
this society was held on Tuesday, at the Council
Room, South Kensington—Mr. James Bateman,
F.R.S., in the chair.
The report of the council, read by Mr. Richards,
the assistant secretary, stated that for some years
past the council had seen the necessity of changing
their experimental garden from Chiswick to some
locality better suited for their of erations ; as the
results of the cultivation there, owing to its low,
cold, damp position, combined with the gradual in-
crease of smoke and houses mound it, were yearly
becoming less satisfactory, whilst the expenditure
entailed by the establishment was constantly in-
creased. Moreover, the termination of the lease
would of itself necessitate a change in a few years.
A garden conveniently situated in pure air, and
with good soil, would enable the council to carry
out their horticultural operations with increased
efficiency, and at reduced cost. An obstacle
which would have hampered them in carry-
ing out this change,—viz., the expense of estab-
lishing a new garden, had been, as they believed,
opportunely removed by a valuable bequest to
the society by their late fellow, Mr. Alfred Davis,
which would enable the council to effect this im-
provement, and at the same time preserve the
memory of the bequest, and of Mr. Davis's inte-
rest in the society in a permanent shape. The
success of the fortnightly fruit and floral meet-
ings, hitherto held on Tuesday, but latterly on
Wednesday, had been so marked, and the attend-
ance so numerous, that the council had thought
it best to combine the general exhibition with
them. This arrangement would have the effect of
adding to the number of exhibitions specially at-
tractive to the fellows and the general public.
The council referred with great satisfaction to
the working of the fruit and floral committee
and the scientific committee. A collection of insects
injurious to vegetation was being formed in the
South Kensington Museum, towards the com-
pletion of which contributions were solicited. A
new orchid house had been erected for the recep-
tion of a fine collection of cool orchids, presented
to the society by Mr. Bateman. The financial
statement showed that the receipts, including
£7,193 10s. Bd. in annual subscriptions, and
£1,230 ls. 6d., proceeds of exhibitions and fetes,
amounted to £10,774 16s. Bd., and the expenditure
to £12,106 15s. 7d.
The CHAIRMAN having briefly referred to the
principal points iu the report, congratulated the
fellows upon- the progress which the society had
made.

The debate on the Address is usually of no
great moment, unless a "No confidence" vote be
threatened. But on Tuesday a great question, suffi-
ciently important to sustain attention without the ex-
citement of a party fight, came under discussion. It
must be confessed, however, that the most note-
worthy feature of the debate on the state of Ireland,
was the inordinate amount of laughter which
Lord CAIRNS and Mr. DISRAELI contrived
to raise. No doubt both Houses like to be
jocular, and as their jokers are few, they may natu-
rally be tempted to perform on every available oppor-
tunity. But most people out of Parliament will agree
that the suspension of law in Ireland is a national
plague and humiliation of no laughable type. It
HE would perhaps be unfair to infer that the Peers and iEALTH OF Mn. BRIGHT. —The condition of Mr.
Commoners are affected by the distinction which the l3rights
which was 'to have taken place on Monday night,
' health rendeqed it desirable that his departure for
mind is prone to make between evils that oppress Scotland,
should be delayed. The right hon. gentleman has there-
one's self and evils that are remote ; yet it is certain fore remained, down to the present time, at his town
that the Fenian murders in England excited none residence. Last night he was saa to have derived un-
of the fun enjoyed by both Houses on Tuesday, doubted
sot!:
wphearftecbt,
UT: though which
has boon
in a
It is not to be denied that the Ministerial policy of.
prescribed,
the Government was a proper object for attack. T low state.
present ,
The Bishop of St..Asaph sent ;"..n pia official resigna-
present state of the country is deplorable; it is a
Hon to the Bishop of Canterbury last wee lc.
reasonable question whether the promises and the per-
The Suffragan Bishop of Doverwi ;1 be consecrated
formances of the Ministry have not led to the disturb- at Lambeth Chapel on Lady-day.
anc_is and outrages now so frequent. It is only to be I By a boiler explosion at Oughtibi idge, near Slid
-
regretted that the result of the inquiry is so unsatis- &hi, a man was yesterday killed, and iela :cal others severely
factory. Neither Lord CAIRNS nor Mr. DISRAELI injured.
had anything to suggest; and though no blame is to The Church. Herald understane is 3t is proposed to
be imputed to the policy of conciliation, it is hold very silently, in London, a mreti Pg ,of those who desire
unfortunately evident that the Government, to 'in any way the reunion of Christend• )m.
some degree, despairs of Ireland. At Cambridge University it i 0 proposed to confer
The difficulty is certainly of the most dishearten.- 'an honorary degree on the Archbisl, op of Syra, Tenos, and
ing character. Neither wise legislation, repressive ' Melos, who is expected shortly to v eit Gambfidge.
measures, nor any precautions whatsoever, I At a meeting of the Oxf( and University Boat
can induce the Irish people to give evidence when !club, held last night, the challen- ,o of Cambridge was an-
crime has been committed. This is the prime diffi- Icepted, and the race will be row od on Sattn .day, April 9.
culty of the Irish question. It is of old standing, I Appartments for the ( queen of :Rolland were
for at every period within the range almost of , yesterday securedat Torquay9s*he tehermal estyisexpectod
history the name of "inforinex" haB been shortly. , ~:

A discussion then took place with reference
to the advisability of abandoning the garden at
Chiswick.

The report was ultimately adopted, and after the
election of officers and of three members to serve
on the council, the proceedings terminated with a
vote of thz,nks to the chairman.