The Sun.
London, England, 1851-10-14 00:00:00

ROYAL ASSOCIATION for IMPROVING the
CONDITION of the LABOURING CLASSES.

Wpinson, MONDAY.—The annual meeting of the
Royal Association for Improving the Condition of the
Labouring Classes took place this afternoon, at Clay
Hall Farm, near this town, his Royal Highness Prince
Albert, the president of the association, occupying
the chair, supported by General Wemyss, the Marquis
of Abercorn, Colonel Reid, M.P., and the elite of the
gentry of the south of Buckinghamshire.
A rumour that his Royal Highness would preside
and distribute the prizes with his own hand having
been circulated for some days previously, a vast con-
course of spectators, chiefly of the middle classes,
assembled at the spot. Although the event was fixed
for four o'clock the field was crowded long before
two, the spectators amusing themselves with watching
a ploughing-match, as that agricultural pursuit formed
one of the eight classes to which rewards were distri-
buted. Clay Hall Farm originally belonged to Mr.
C. S. Cantrell, of Windsor, but it was purchased by
his Royal Highness Prince Albert, and a portion of
it added to the Home-park, the remainder being about
to be devoted to agricultural purposes, on the " high-
farming system."

Thee—pla-ce selected was about 400 yards from the
Long Avenue, and the preparations for his Royal
Highness's reception had evidently occupied a good
deal of attention. In the centre of several large tents
was one, the size and construction of which suffi-
ciently denoted the purpose for which it was intended.
It was built partly on framework, and was in the
Turkish style, with a tall cone at each end of an ob-
long hall. These cones were surmounted by two
large half moons, and the edges were fringed with
blue and scarlet cloth, ornamented with gilt crescents
and balls. This erection was formerly the property
of William IV., and had not, it was stated, been used
since last required by that monarch. At either end of
this pavilion were smaller tents, those on the one side
containing the agricultural produce forwarded for in-
spection, and the others containing specimens of cot-
tage handicraft, such as spinning, knitting, needle-
work, carpenters' work, basket making, &c., forming
in fact a kind of exhibition of domestic industry ; no
very formidable rival to the national exposition, but
sufficiently interesting to those who had at heart the
objects of the association, viz., the encouragement of
prudent and economical habits, sobriety, cleanliness,
and industry, among the labouring classes, whether
industrial or agricultural. In order that those on the
ground should not become wearied by waiting for the
promised Royal visit, a military band was posted near
the marquees, and their exertions contributed much
to enliven that most monotonous of occupations, viz.,
awaiting some promised amusement or event of
interest.

The field committee consisted of Major-General
Wemyss, Colonel F. Seymour, W. H. Wrench, Esq.,
the Rev. S. Neville, the Rev. T. T. Carter, Mr. Q. S.
Cantrell, Mr. Hughes, H. Foley, Esq., R. Mangles,
Esq., and the Rev. J. C. Lucena. All these gentle-
men were upon the ground, and were assiduous in
their exertions to provide for the comfort and conve-
nience of those who were fortunate enough to obtain
tickets to enter within the enclosure. Notwithstand-
ing the density of the crowd very good order was
kept, and the police had comparatively a sinecure. A
few bonnets suffered in the melee, but the wearers ap-
parently conscious of the superiority of their own ma-
terial, seemed to fear little for themselves, and to
trouble themselves as much as to their apparel. In
front of the pavilion a semicircle was formed by the
children of the Cumberland Ragged School, to many
of whom prizes were awarded for works of domestic
industry, while small gratuities were promised to
those whose teachers should report most favour-
ably of their application, cleanlines, and general
conduct.

At a few minutes to four his Royal Highness ar-
rived on horseback, and having taken the chair amidst
loud cheers, the report was read by H. Wrench, Esq.,
hon. secretary.

From this document it appeared that the objects
of the association were to make domiciliary visits to
the cottages of the labouring classes, and according
to their merits to recommend them as candidates for
prizes at the annual meeting of the association. The
present condition of the society was very prosperous,
although from the number of candidates the committee
did not feel themselves justified in assigning rewards of
any great amount. The good which had been effected
in the various parishes where this system had been
carried out was sufficiently evident, and they trusted
that when it became more generally known, and its
merits more fully appreciated, the association would
receive the general suppon which its objects and en-
terprise deserved. The report_ recommended also
that the system of domiciliary visitation should he
commenced earlier in the year, and more continu-
ously observed, as by that means the general and uni-
form good conduct of those recommended would be
ensured. At the conclusion of the reading of this do-
cument,

His Royal Highness proceeded to distribute the
prizes in the following order
:•
To the labourers who had brought up their fami-
lies in honest, sober, and industrious habits without
parish relief, except in cases of sickness—to George
Jeanes 1/., to Thomas 01laway 11., to William Hamlet
10s., to John Willis, 10s.

To the widow of a labourer who had brought up
his family in honest, sober, and industrious habits,
whether with or without parish relief—Susannah
Perrin 1/.

To families distinguished for cleanliness and tidiness
in house and person—Tiudal, Mayne, Parsons, Bean,
Pierse, Curtis, Elkington, Bartlett, Puddle, Hart,
Bosker, Cripps, Drake, and Shee, sums of 1/., 158.,
and 10s., according to their respective merits.
To well-conducted servants, male or female, who
have lived for the longest period of service in the
same situation—Howard, Exall, Kingston, Kudick,
Hunt, Lane, Stockbridge, Ing, Quelcb, Eades,
NVoodison, Cane, Foster, and Duly, sums of 1/. and.
15s. Of the persons who received prizes in this de-
partment some had been in service as many as 50
years, while it was a common thing to find many of
them extending over periods of from 30 to 40 years.
Two of the recipients had worked on the royal farms
25 and 30 years respectively.
To the best cultivators of gardens or allotments,
being also persons of honest, sober, and good moral
character—Spong, Pratt, Green, Bateman, and Little-
wood, sums of 1/., 155., and 10s.

Prizes were also given to the ploughmen who had
most creditably acquitted themselves in the per-
formances of the day, and to labourers, for the best
collection of vegetables, approved specimens of handi-
craft, and needlework. One of the principal prizes
for needlework was, curiously enough, awarded to a
drummer of one of the infantry regiments stationed
at Windsor ; and rewards were granted to nearly all
the children of the ragged schools of the town, for the
ability they had displayed in various branches of in-
dustry. The prizes to the ploughmen were of the
most valuablo character, ranging from 2/. 55. to ss.
In the majority of cases the recipients of prizes
were aged persons ; some of them very feeble, and
hardly abled to reach the table at which his Royal
Highness was sitting. They appeared to receive the
awards with gratitude, and those who exhibited
article had the additional gratification of being in-
formed that the Prince would inspect their handi-
work at the close of the distribution.
It was generally expected that as soon as the distri-
bution of prizes ceased his Royal Highness would
offer some observations on the objects of the associa-
tion, and the results which had been brought about.
Instead of doing so he rose hastily from his seat and
proceeded to the marquee, where the articles of the
exhibition were placed. He inspected the whole of
them with great minuteness and apparent interest, and
spoke in the highest terms of praise of the ingenuity
and skill which they had exhibited. His Royal High-
ness then remounted his horse and returned to the
Castle amidst the enthusiastic cheering of the
assembly.
In the evening the members of the society dined
together at the White Hart Hotel, Major-General
Wemyss presiding. The speakers confined them-
selves to the discussion of matters connected with
agriculture and the industrial arts, and made no re-
ference whatever to party politics.
At this meeting the healths of her Majesty and
Prince Albert (the patron of the society) were drunk
in the most cordial manner.

RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS.
BRISTOL, Ocr. 13.
STOCK EXCHANGE.— Prices were, if anything, firmer to-day,
but no business of any importance was transacted. Midland
Stock was done at 49—Vale of Neath, db.—Taff Vale,
New, P.
LIVERPOOL, Ocr. 13.
STOCK EXCHANGE.—The share market was lower to-day,
with very little business doing. Tho transactions were as
follow :—Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cheshire (late Cheshire
and Birkenhead), 15%—East Lancashire, 14A—Lancashire
and Yorkshire, 5554—Lancaster and Carlisle. Thirds, 8 p.—
London and North-Western, New Quarters, 3 p.—Midland
4814—South-Eastern and Dover, 191;;;, ,
MANCHESTER, OCT. 13.
STOCK EXCHANGE.—There has been but a trifling business
done in our share market to-day, and prices are about the
same as last quotations. The transactions were as follow:
Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cheshire 1214 dis.—Lancashire
and Yorkshire, 55% —South-Eastern and Dover, 19 —Man-
chester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire, New Preference, 7-16 p.-
-North Stafforshire, 81A dis.—London and North-Western,
116—Ditto, New Quarters, 3 p.—Midland Stock, 48%.
BIRMINGHAM, OCT. 13.
STOCK EXCHANGL—The share market continues quiet,
and prices generally pretty steady. The only sale reported
on 'Change to-day was—South Staffordshire, 31. lls. 3d. dis.

STATISTICS OF VEHICLES IN NEW YORIC..--.lt 15
said that there are now about 500 omnibuses owned and
employed in this city, also 400 hacks and cabs, 600 carts,
and 580 waggons. The average number of horses used with
these vehicles, and for other purposes, is estimated at 8,000,
The amount of fares collected by the stage drivers is com-
puted to be 3,000 dollars a day; and about 6,000 dollars are
supposed to be daily expended in the hire of hacks,
044 &c.