The Sun.
London, England, 1848-07-15 00:00:00

S Ny JULY 15, 1848.

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lish ambassador wrote a treatise which was translated
into Flemish and French, and is still a manuel of agri-
culture in our country.—(Cheers.) I wish I could re
turn this compliment, and expose to my countrymen the
wonders which I have seen this day.—(Cheers.) The
links which united Belgium to this country were inter-
rupted by long and disastrous wars. Foreign countries
—foreign armies overran our country; but even
under the yoke of foreign countries there was
something among us which kept hope at home
and respect abroad— we kept up a knowledge
of these two arts, the one which sustains life, the
other which embellishes it—we preserved Flemish hus-
bandry and Flemish art.—(Cheers.) So soon as our
national independence was obtained by those strong
hands that had previously held the plough, we returned
again and looked to England for experience.—(Cheers.)
We found that practical agriculture was a good thing,
but that it was not to be separated from scientific agri-
culture, and thus we were induced to bring from Eng-
land every improvement which had been made success-
fully in this country. I well remember the first English
bulls that landed on our shores. It was not the enter
prise of private individuals, but of the King himself,
who having personal knowledge of what he had seen
himself, introduced them from England. The arrival of
these bulls was a public fete—they were announced in
the public Gazette of Brussels—they were sent into the
provinces under the care of Government officers, and
visited as public functionaries.—(Cheers, and laughter.)
There is another institution which I am happy
to say we have adopted from you, viz , a society the
rules of which are identical with those of the
Royal Agricultural Society. After being a witness
of the advantages which flow from this society, which
unites in its members the Royal Princes, the land-
lord, and the tenant; when we see how it communicates
to them ideas, enlightens their minds, and warms their
hearts, it was impossible for a practical people, and,
allow me to add, for a loyal people—(Cheers)—not to
follow such an example.—(Continued cheers.) I have
the satisfaction of announcing that within six weeks we
shall have the first meeting of the agriculturists of
Belgium. I hope we soon shall have international meet-
ings, and that all the nations of Europe will be well
convinced that it is much more advantageous for them
and for the progress of civilization to compete in cattle
than in battle—(Loud cheers)—tbat in showing to each
other the fields of which they are most proud they shall
prefer to show, not to the number of brave men that can
be slain on them, but the quantity of bushels of wheat
that can be raised on them.—(Continued cheering.) We,
as diplomatists, are not useless implements in achieving
this. It was said formerly that an Ambassador was sent
to lie abroad for the good of his country; but we have
now a better and a nobler task to fulfil—we are sent to
cultivate friendship and amicable relations with foreign
states, to sow the seeds of good feeling, so that nations
may reap the harvest of ;peace with security.—(Loud
cheers.) I did not intend to make anything like a
speech, but you have cheered me on, and we all know
the influence which cheers have over the loquaciousness
of man.—(Laughter.) I find, however, that it is high
time that on the part of my colleagues and myself I
should return thanks for the honour conferred on us.
The Chevalier BUNSEN, who was called for by the
company after resuming his seat, rose and said—My
honoured senior colleague has expressed so eloquently
and forcibly those feelings of grateful acknowledgment
which animate my colleagues and myself in consequence
of the kind invitation with which we were honoured, and
the kind and encouraging reception which we have met
with here, that I have nothing to add to his expression
of feeling, in my own name and in that of my country.
But still, as I have been kindly called on to add a few
words to the expressions of my hon. colleague, I will say
that I look back with pride to the moment, nine years
ago, when, under this pavilion, I was invited to speak to
you at this meeting. lam satisfied that the vows which
I then expressed for your society and for the prosperity
of its members have been richly fulfilled. I took the
liberty then to say that I was convinced in looking around
the society and seeing the feeling of loyalty and of union
between the landlord and tenant, that therein lay the
great and solid basis of the prosperity and power of this
empire, and—l added it at the time, and I now say it
again—the greatest guarantee for the peace of the world.
(Cheers.) I have always considered that the peace of the
world depended most essentially on the power, the'great-
ness, and the tranquillity of this country.—(Cheers.) It
gives me the greatest gratification to be able to say that
the Prussian and German nations in our common father-
land feel and perceive the fundamental importance of
agriculture in the present state of the world in particu-
lar. Let me show you an instance of this in what hap-
pened in our agricultural meeting. We have had for
many years practical agricultural societies in different
parts of the country. Last year one society was estab-
lished for the purpose of agricultural improvement, at
which men from all parts of Germany met each other.
That was in Austria, and who was appointed the presi-
dent of it? It was a prince who, not being satisfied with
the politics of the time, retired and made himself a far-
mer.—(Cheers.) Thus, having improved the state of
agriculture, he was chosen president of that great as-
sembly of farmers. He was the same man who has been
called by the universal voice of 45,000,000 of his fellow-
coun:rymen, with the consent of the 35 governments of
Germany, to be Regent and Lieutenant of the Empire
of the Germanic country.—(Cheers.) But, as we wish
to be second to none in the progress of agricultui e, we
must be second to none in our love for peace, for it is
only in peace that agriculture can flourish.—(Cheers.)
Thus you see that by the influence of the illustrious
Prince Archduke John of Austria we wish to tread in
your footsteps. And this recalls to my mind words
which I have noticed in this ancient city. I saw a ban-
ner floating in the air, and bearing words in allusion to
her Majesty, and expressing a wish that she might long
reign over a free and happy nation.—(Loud cheers.)
Well, then, I feel assured that so long as this happy
union exists between all the classes which are occupied
in agriculture, between the landlord and the tenant, and
the tenant and yeoman—so long as that exists, and so-
cieties like yours flourish, so long will this be a free and
happy nation, and I am sure that you will remain so as
long as you feel and are thankful for being so.—(Cheers.)
There were here loud calls for Mr. Bancroft to rise;
but the President interposed, and silence was restored.
Earl FORTESCUE then proposed " Agriculture, Manu-
factures, and Commerce," in a short speech, which was
much applauded.
Lord FEVERSEIAM gave as a toast, " The Lord Mayor
and Corporation of the city of York;" to which
The LORD MAYOR responded briefly and in very good
taste.

The Duke of RICHMOND, who stood on the table to
speak, and was received with immense cheering, in pro-
posin " Prosperity to the Yorkshire Agricultural So-
ciety," asked permission of the company, in their name
and
in the name of the farmers of
England, to assure
his Royal Highness that they felt the high compliment
of his presence, and that they felt it to be a high com-
pliment that he had gone through the show yard when
the farmers were assembled there. Ho was happy that
his Royal Highness had had an opportunity of visiting
the show yard, but he was more happy in showing him
there
present a sample of the English farmer.—(Loud
cheers.)., After touching on the immediate subject of
the toast proposed, his Grace said great improvements
had been made in agriculture, and thousands and thou-
sands, he might say millions, of acres had been drained
—the foundation, he would say, of all agricultural im-
provements. Great prejudices had also been swept away,
but still much remained to be done.—(Cheers.) He
thought that the fields ought to bo made much larger
than they were. He thought their hedge-row timber
should be diminished, and that irrigation should be
more extensively supplied. He believed, also, that
they ought to prevent so much of their manure
being wasted as hitherto.—(Cheers.) Surely, in ad-
dressing a body of farmers, he might ask them to join
with those who, he was happy to say, were only too
eager to join with them in persevering to promote im
provement in agriculture. He knew that they were a
body who, if they put their shoulders to the wheel, could
improve agriculture; and this he wished because they
would improve thereby a great branch of the national
industry, upon which the weal or woe, the peace, con-
tentment, and welfare of millions of their fellow-subjects
depended. Perhaps now they would think he ought to
resume his place; but he could not do so without ex-
pressing the feelings of a grateful heart for the manner
in which they received him when he arose.—(Applause.)
It must be gratifying to every man to receive marks of
approbation from any respectable body of men; but how
much more must he feel it when the compliment was
made by so large and influential a meeting, composed of
brother landlords and honest, straightforward tenant-
farmers—(Cheers)---that class for which he as an indi-
vidual had ever entertained feelings of the greatest re-
spect and regard, in whose ranks he could number many
personal friends! He thanked them from his heart for
the reception which they had given him upon the
present occasion, and he wished them and theirs every
blessing which this world could bestow.—(Loud cheers.)
Lord WHARNCLIFFE next rose, and said—Gentlemen,
I have the honour of being allowed to submit to you a
toast, which I believe will not be the least important or
least acceptable to this great assembly of this evening. I
stand, and I feel it no small distinction to do so, before a
great assembly, comprising all the interests connected
with the essential brandh of the public industry of this
country. I stand before landlords and tenants, capitalists
and extensive agriculturists—before men of science and
of long practice and experieece; but what would they all
be, what would be tie value of the efforts of the society
itself, and how could t obtain the great objects to which
its exertions are directed, if they bad not the command
of the activity and energy of those whose industry,
whose intelligent industry, will enable them to carry out
these objects?—(Cheers.) I feel convinced that there is
not one member of this great society who will not sym-
pathise when I call on him to express his interest in the
prosperity of the labouring classes of this great country.
—(Cheers.) We all feel not only that they are essential
to the pursuits which we are here to promote, but that
they constitute the great bulk of the population of this
country, and that they are those whose interests should be
our pride and high concern.—(Cheers.) But when I
say this I don't mean to flatter the labouring classes.--
(Loud (Loud cheers.) I won't flatter them ,y telling thru ht
their interests are paramount to all others, and ought
alone to be considered. I don't think it !Vieeicineowri);ot:
make any such assertions.—(Cheers.) . w
to appreciate the value of the working classes without
the utterance of such exaggerated sentiments. We don't

want to ape the outward show of a working man to
make himlashionable, nor do we want to do that to con.
vince him that we are prepared to do him justice. The
working classes themselves do not want to have a pre-
tended Albert ouvrier among our rulers in order to de-
ceive them into the belief that they should have a more
direct share in the government than by possibility they
can secure.—(Cheers.) That class does not look to
visionary commissioners for the impracticable organiza-
tion of labo—a theory which springs from confusion
and fear, midis the parent of gross and cruel delusion, of
autrage and exasp, ration. That is not the way to show an
interest in the working classes. We do feel a strong in
terest in their welfare; but I believe there is not a man

in this room, whether he be landlord or tenant, whether
he be a man of science or a man of practice, who will
not feel the force of what I say from the value of the
,entiment which it contains, that it is incumbent on all
who wish to promote the successful pursuit of industry
to help those who are engaged in the active labours of
agriculture.--(Cheers.) I have hitherto spoken of the
labouring classes, and it is natural that the term should
be taken to mean the agricultural labourer; but it has
been already remarked by one of my predecessors that
we stand in a country where there are other labourers
than the agricultural, and who are to be found here in
your near neighbourhood. My lot has been cast with
that class of labourers most occupied with manufac-
turers, and therefore I feel that I shall not be incurring
your blame if I turn to them for one moment, We must
look at them as placed in a different condition of life
from the agricultural labourer, not breathing the air of
the healthy field, but that of the heated factory—not
livkg in the cheerful hamlet, but in the dark
and murky lane of a manufacturing town. We feel how
diflerent that lot must be, and I cannot forbear on this
occasion, as I have an opportunity of saying what I be-
lieve will meet with the sympathy of all who hear me—l
can't help expressing my admiration of the conduct of
the working classes of this district.—(Cheers.) When
we look to the present aspect of the world, to the confu-
sion which prevails in foreign parts, and to the doctrines
which have been placed before these men—when we re-
-1 member that they have been taught to think that they
I had only to upset existing Governments in order to se-
cure a positive right to existence and employment—and
when we recollect that at this moment there lies on them
a severe pressure of distress, which would be likely
enough to open their ears to any such insinuations or
instigations, I say it is a matter of great admiration to
all those who like myself and you have had our atten-
tion turned to this to observe the steady loyalty and
good sense with which these classes have conducted
themselves. This may be ascribed by some to one cause
and by some to another, but for my part I ascribe it in
a great measure to the sensible, calm, and reflective cha-
racter, and the good sense instilled into him by the in-
stitutions under which he lives, which characterises the
British workman everywhere, and which, in spite of high
wages, make him on the whole the cheapest workman, as
I believe, in the world. I trust that in making these
remarks I may not be considered to have trespassed
beyond my province. I will not detain you any longer,
but you recollect that though this society has been es-
tablished for the improvement of agriculture, its objects
are not to be limited thereto, but that an essential part
of them is the welfare of the labouring classes, and I
trust that this society, and those of its members who are
present, will never cease to recollect that this is one of
the first interests, as it was one of the highest duties, of
every man connected with the land in this country.—
(Cheers.) I beg leave now to propose, as a toast, "The
labouring classes."
The toast having been drunk,
Mr. PUSEY proposed " The health of the Earl of
Yarborough, the ['resident of the Society."
The PRESIDFNT, in returning thanks, expressed the
deep interest which he took in the progress of agricul-
tural improvement. He had done so from no selfish
motive, but because he considered that the welfare of
the State required the well-being of the farmer. Ile
had endeavoured, as their president, to act as he thought
their president should do at their anniversary meeting.
He had had no difficulty in doing so, because he had
found most zealous servants of this society—he had
round most active stewards of the different departments,
and active directors of the show.—(Cheers.) There
had been one general wish on the part of thcse con-
nected with the society, to show that they really and
heartily felt that :not only was it important that they
should show, in such a county as York, what a magnifi-
cent society this was, but that they should convince the
farmers from all parts of England that it was to do a
great and universal good.—(Cheers.) That this society
had done good he thought there could not be the least
doubt. Look, for instance, at their first agricultural
meetings, when they had twenty-three implements
entered for the show; they had at this meeting
upwards of 1,500 implements shown.—(Loud cheers.)
They had seen, also, gradually year by year, not only
that the implements had increased in number, but they
had increased in utility—they had been made better for
the use of the farmer.—(Applause.) It required skill
and mechanism to enable the farmers to get through
difficulties, and if they would successfully compete with
their neighbour they must not grudge a few pounds.
They must recollect that nothing was so bad as a cheap
article if it was badly made. He might, however, per•
haps be allowed to tell them (he did so as a friend) that
he thought they would make a mistake if they did not
impress upon the members of the society that the great
object with regard to stock at their exhibitions was not
only to show good animals, but to be enabled to per-
petuate their race. He believed he was perfectly jus•
tified in saying that if they brought the animals too fat
to these shows they might exhibit what would deceive
all but the very knowing; but they would find that in
their endeavours to show a clever animal they had pre-
vented others getting any progeny from it.—(Cheers.)
He mentioned this, because, although it was the duty of
the judges to weigh all those considerations, if they
agreed with him they would not only try to prevent
their animals becoming too fat at the future meetings,
but they would carry to their respective counties the ge-
neral opinion of this society that this error (and error
it was) which was so generally practised should be aban--
doned—that they would endeavour to turn over a new
leaf, and show a wish to have an animal at the future
exhibitions of the society to obtain a premium, and as-
sist those who came after them in keeping up the cha-
racter of England in her breed of cattle.—(Cheers.) He
had only now to assure the meeting that he had felt it a
great honour to have been elected their president. He
hoped they would believe him when he said that he
should consider it his duty to the society, to the farming
public in general, and to the interests of the country, to
attend the society's meetings, to endeavour to induce
other gentlemen to give their time for that purpose, and
to consider the different propositions that might be laid
before the council, to prevent it being said what was very
often well-meant, that it was a more theoretical than
practical society.—(Cheers.)
Sir FRANCIS LAwLEY gave as a toast, " The Judges
of the Show ;" to which
Mr. CAPMAN, of Stoneleigb, responded with much
humour.

The PRESIDENT proposed, "the Highland and Agri•
cultural Society of Scotland, and the Royal Agricultural
Improvement Society of Ireland."
Lord ABEacoati acknowledged the toast on behalf of
the Scotch Society, and
Earl FORTESCUE on behalf of the Irish.

Mr. BANCROFT then rose to propose " The health of
the President Elect." His Excellency said—l esteem it
a distinguished privilege that you have called upon me
on the present occasion to propose a sentiment which
will bo responded to most warmly from the heart of
every one in this numerous assembly.—(Hear, hear.)
Gentlemen, I thank you all for the very cordial manner
in which you have welcomed me to-day.—(Cheers.) I
esteem it not as anything personal to myself, but as an
evidence on the part of the farmers of Yorkshire that
you, too, like the farmers of every other part of Eng-
land which it has been my lot to visit—that you too
cherish the sentiment of friendship and regard for that
other nation beyond the Atlantic—(Loud cheers)—