The Sun.
London, England, 1859-12-08 00:00:00

THE SMITHFIELD CLUB DINNER.

The annual dinner of the Smithfield Cattle Club
took place last evening, at the London Coffee-house,
Ludgate-hill, when about 100 gentlemen connected
with the agricultural interest assembled.
Lord Berners, one of the vice-presidents, in the
absence of the noble president, the Duke of Rich-
mond, occupied. the chair, and was supported by
the Earl of Feversham, Lord William Lennox, Mr.
Alderman Mechi, Mr. Upcher, Mr. Milvvard, Mr.
B. E. Bennett, Mr. Fisher Hobbs, Mr. Brandreth
Gibbs, Mr. Jonas Webb, Professor Simmonds, Mr.
Rigdon, Mr. R. W. Baker, Mr. Tuxford, Mr.
Quartly, Mr. C. Stokes, Mr. Corbet, Mr. J. Hud-
son, &c.

The noble CHAIRMAN, in proposing " The Health
of the Queen," expressed his regret at the unavoid-
able absence of the Duke of Richmond, who
was unable to leave the Militia regiment of
which he was colonel, now stationed in Scot-
land. The state of his Grace's health also at this

moment prevented him undertaking the journey.
The health of the Queen was responded to in the

truly loyal style of the English yeo-manry.
The next toast was " His Royal Highness the
Prince Consort, as the Patron of English Agricul-
ture, the Prince of Wales, and the rest of the Royal
Family," which was responded to with great ap-

plane.
Lord BERNERS next proposed " The Army and
Navy," and said this toast was peculiarly interesting
at the present moment, when they were about to
have an addition to their regular army in the shape
of that old constitutional force which he remem

__pored when a boy, the old English volunteers. They
were now establishing volunteer rifle corps through-
out the kingdom. (Hear.) He (the noble chairman)
most cordially approved of that movement, not be-
cause he believed that illustrious man who presided
over the destinies of France had the slightest idea
of his own free will ever to invade this country—
(hear)—but he might be placed in a position which,
to a certain extent, might render him a creature of
circumstances. (Hear, hear.) When, however, it
was recollected that the Emperor of the French had
a standing army of from 500,000 to 700,000 men,
flushed with victory, and that there was a feeling
on the part of some of the officers of that army to
wipe off that which, they had considered as a stain
upon them, hence there might be a war forced upon
our ally. At the same time there were large num-
bers of the French people connected with agricul-
ture and commerce who knew that nothing could
be so detrimental to the interest of their nation as a
war with this country. (Hear, hear.) At all
events it was quite proper that this great country
should not be in a position to be dependent upon
the will or caprice of any single individual will or
nation. (Hear.) The rifle corps movement was,
therefore, most essential, and he believed the same
feeling which animated the breasts of their old
volunteers pervaded the feelings of the people of
England at the present day. He was quite sure
that in that movement the farmers of England
would take a prominent part. Although an inva-
sion of this country might produce much mischief,
still he knew that the farmers of England had
sturdy hearts and strong arms, and that, let the
attempt be made, they would be sure to repel the
invader. (Cheers.) He begged to couple with the
toast the name of Lord William Lennox. (Renewed
applause.)
Lord WILLIAM LENNOX responded to the toast,
and said he did not partake of the panic of the four
merchants of Liverpool. (Laughter.) Ho believed,
as long as the ocean divided us, and so long as the
Englis nation were determined to stand up in de-
fence of our Queen, cur laws, and our homesteads,
so long they had no grounds to fear an invasion of
this country. (Cheers.)
The noble CHAIRMAN next proposed " The Smith-
field Cattle Club," and success to it. It was now
nearly 30 years since he (Lord Berners) had been
a member of the club, and he had paid much
attention to its progress. He was confident, not-
withstanding the cavils which had been raised
at times against the club, that the Smithfield
Club had been of the greatest benefit to the country
at large. (Hear.) Its objects had been carried out in
producing the best animal food in the largest pos-
sible quantity for the people,in producing the greatest
quantity of meat at the smallest cost. (Hear,) The
Smithfield Cattle Club was established in 1798, or
61 years ago. It was then very small in its numbers,
and was held in a very humble position in Goswell-
street. Some 20 years ago, the show of the club
was removed to Baker-street, and at that time the
proprietor of the bazaar gave the club £3OO a-year.
So far as the Smithfield Club was concerned, there
was quite a unique principle introduced, which, in-
stead of making the club pay for its accommo-
dation for the show, the club were themselves
paid for it. Instead, therefore, of receiving
1300, the club now received £7OO. The non-
members of the society who exhibit stock pay £ll5
a year. The implement department paid them
£740, and the steam-engine exhibitors £5O. The divi-
dend on their funded stock produced £56, and the
subscriptions £235. Their invested capital was
£2,009, and at the present time they had 364 mem-
bers. The number of entries for live stock during
the present year were 365. The sums awarded for
prizes for cattle and other stock was £950, and in
medals £ll4, or in rough numbers, £l,lOO. He
mentioned these facts to show the progress of the
club, and when they procured, as he hoped and be-
lieved they should do, a better space for their show,
he had no doubt but it would progress in a far
greater proportion. There could be no doubt that
they ought to have a show yard, which would pre-
vent the public being so crowded as they had been,
and give more room for the implements, which were
a very important department of the show. When
this was accomplished he had no doubt but the
Smithfield Club would advance by rapid stri'.3Les to
further prosperity. (Loud applause, the midst
of which the toast was drunk.)
Mr. Tours, the vice-chairraPLl,
of the noble President k:s proposed the health
Grace the Duke of Rich-
mond," which was enthusiastically received.
Lord Wm. LENNox responded ou behalf of his
noble brother, and assured the company that no-
thing but public duty would have kept him from
=Aug them that day.
The various gold medals were then distributed,
and the healths of the successful competitors pro-
posed and drunk,
Mr. RIGDEN, of Hove, near Brighton, in returning
thanks as the winner of the gold medal in the South-
down classes, said he had that year had the good for-
tune to redeem his promise in beating the Duke of
Richmond's specimen of Southdowns. His Grace
had, however, beaten him for three years in succes-
sion previously, and he hoped it was now his turn to
beat their noble President for the name number of
years. (Cheers and laughter.) It should not be his
fault if he did not do so. (Cheers.)
The healths of the judges, the stewards, and that
of Mr. Brandreth Gibbs, the secretary, were pro-
posed and duly responded to, and the evening's en-
tertainment was enlivened by the singing of the
Misses Wells, Mr. Holmes, Mr. George Genge, and
Mr. Edney.