The Sun.
London, England, 1861-10-31 00:00:00

LORD :NALALESBURY AND ADMIRAL
WALCOTT AT GIIRLSICRURCIL

The South Avon Agricultural Society celebrated
its anniversary on Tuesday at ChriAtchnrch, Hamp-
shire, In the afternoon premiums were distributed
in the Town-hall for proficiency and good conduct
in the various btanches of agricultural labour as
well es to general servants, and also to agricultu-
rists for skill in cultivation. In the evening the
annual dinner took place at the King's Arms Hotel
(Mr. N. S. Newlyn's), where there was a large
assembly. The Earl of Malmesbury, G.C.8., patron
of the society, occupied the chair. The noble earl
was supported by Admiral Walcott, M.P. fcr the
borough, Sir G. E. M. Tapps-Gervis, Sir G. E.
Pocock, Mr. W. W. Farr, Mr. W. Tice, &c.
On the cloth being drawn, and after the loyal
toasts had been honoured,

The Earl of MALMESBURY, in proposing " The
Health of the Army and Navy," said—lt is a toast
which has been reeeived with peculiar favour for the
last eight or ten years. Before that time a long
peace had naturally accustomed us to look, not, I
will say, with indifference, but with something less
of attention to those important services of which
we know the great value. Since that time we have
been almost in a continual state of warfare in some
part or other of the globe; and we have seen with
an universal conviction that it is impossible that
this country, an ancient monarchy, with a consti-
tutional Government, should enjoy its liberty un-
less prepared to defend that liberty, that consti-
tution, and that monarchy against :any attacks
from foreign Powers. It is a just observation to
make if I say that for the last eight or ten
years we have fully appreeiated the national im-
wrtetnce Abases two- great services. With this
feeling, therefore, whenever a meeting of English-
men has taken place this toast has always been re-
ceived with the most heartfelt and grateful senti.
ments, knowing as we do that we are not paying an
empty compliment to men who are only employed
for show, but are paying a tribute of gratitude to
those who have supported the honour of our flag
and have made our name respected abroad and at
home.

Admiral WALCOTT, M.P., in his reply on behalf
of the navy, said—At no time, I believe, was the
popular feeling stronger in respect to the navy than
at this moment. It is undergoing a change in its
architecture, in its equipment, in its armament. The
navy is well aware of its responsibilikie's. It will
never underrate the courage or the capabilities of
the enemy to which it may be opposed.; it will not
despair in any difficulty which courage or enter-
prise may overcome. The days of- Benbow, of
Hawke, of Nelson, and other heroic naval chiefs
have passed away, when the wooden,Walls of old
England were placed alongside the enemy and took
the chance of what might happen. Now the screw
propeller, the iron ships, the iron plates, the Minie
rifles, and last, but not least, Armstrong guns, have
completely altered the tactics of warfaft On the sea,
when the shots from these guns will reaelitO many
miles. We are now engaged in endeavonring to
get ships which will not only be invulnerable, but
will carry. their armaments well, and at the same
time maintain a great rate of speed in case any
emergency should arise at, sea. In this I 'trust we I'
shall-be successful. We are sometimes taunted that
we are not a military nation. The true strength of
a nation lies in its internal means of defence, not in
its externali power of annexation and aggrandise-
ment ; it lies in that spirit which can raise and sup-
port
,a militia; it, lies in that army of volunteers,
every one of-whom is a free man. God forbid that
we should inertly have the pest of war again, with
its waste of human`life and drain of treasure ! It
would bb Much more satisfactory to report an im-
provement in the prosperity of the kingdom ; but,
if the time should arise, be persuaded with the con-
viction that animates myself, that the future will
draw such a page as was never equalled in the past
history of England as regards both our land and
sea forces. (Loud cheers.)
Capt. TANNER replied for the Army.
The toast of “ Sueoeea to the ' South Avon Agri-
cultural Society" was proposed by the Earl of
MALMESBURY, who testified to his experience of the
improvements effected by it and similar associations
in the cultivation of the land during the past 30
years. The agriculturists, he said, have not only
done good to themselves, but they have given an
innate strength to the land in which they were
born. They are adding positive strength to the
national constitution and to its power of asserting
its position on the face of the earth. Agriculture is
the backbone of a country ; and if it be said that
agriculture will not prosper without manufactures
flourish, it is equally true that manufactures cannot
progress without agriculture. Bread is the staff of
life ; it is the first strength of a country; an increase
in the produce of corn is so much gain to a country
—and the country that can produce £1,000,000
worth of food in one year, and next year £2,000,000,
must, as a truism, have doubled its strength, for
good or evil, in that time. (Cheers.) Agriculturists,
then, are following out a great duty and national
work ; and, looking at it in this way, I hope they
will not flag, but continue to use those efforts they
have hitherto done, and I am certain that they will
be crowned with increased success. (Loud cheers.)
Mr. W. TICE, of Topley-park, in returning thanks,
said his lordship's view was one of the soundest
that could be taken of agriculture.
Sir G. GERTIS proposed " The Health of our
noble patron, the Earl of Malmesbury ;" and
His LORDSHIP briefly acknowledged the compli-
ment.

Mr. W. W, FARR gave "The Health of the gal-
lant Admiral the member for Christchurch," and it
was drank amid loud cheers.

Admiral WALCOTT, M.P., in his reply, said he
had always determined, whenever he was able and
wherever he might be, to keep in the open sea, as
he did not wish to run his head against sandbanks,
shoals, or breakers. He could say a few words on
two or three points without incurring these dan-
gers. The first was on the thanksgiving that would
naturally occur to them for the bounteous and
abundant harvest. In the second place they would
all agree in their regret at the unnatural war
now raging in America, and the serious apprehen-
sions that it will cause great sufferings to our manu-
facturing districts in the:course of the coming
winter. He sincerely hoped that the contest would
soon terminate, and that we might see a Southern
Republic with perfect independence and security.
All would agree in heartfelt wishes for the Neapo-
litan kingdom, and in the hope that Italy would
soon be embraced in one constitutional government,
and that it would give civil and religious liberty to
every class within its boundaries. (Cheers.) As
a naval officer he had served his country for a long
period. Asa member of Parliament, he thanked
the constituency of Christchurch for placing him in
that position for nearly the last ten years. He had
endeavoured to carry out that maxim of the poet—
" Love thyself last ; cherish those hearts that hate thee ;
Corruption wins not more than honesty.
Be just, and fear not.
Still in thy right hand carry gentle peace,
To silence
all en
b eee ends
ai tongues.es
at be thy country's,
Thy God's, and truth's." (Cheers.)
st
The Earl of MALMESBURY proposed " The Christ-
church Volunteers," and explained that, as ho had
only just returned from the Continent, he did not,
as captain, take part in the late Hampshire review,
but left the honour to these officers who had in-
structed the men in his absence. The noble earl
then proceeded :—I think that there are two
dangers apparently before
us,and only two.
There is no danger of any caprice in this
the noble movement which has
country, and of
taken place failing in its vigour or its
usefulness. It is quite evident, after two years have
t mass of Volunteers in this
elapsed—and the great
sed rather than diminished—
country have increa
that the characteristic spirit of constancy, so well
exhibited in Englishmen, has ruled; but there are