The Sun.
London, England, 1845-12-15 00:00:00

~~ ~

THE SMITHFIELD CLUB.

The for anniversary festival of the above
club was celebrated on Friday evening at the Free-
masons' Tavern.

The Duke of Richmond (the newly-elected president)
occupied the chair. His Grace was supported by Sir
Harry Verney, Sir Charles Clarke, Colonel Wood, M.P.;
Mr. Pusey, M.P.; Colonel Sibthorp, M.P.; Capt. Shaw,
and about 140 members of the club, among whom we
observed Mr. Webb, Mr. limbers, Mr. Milward, Mr.
Druce, Mr. W. F. Hobbs, Mr. C. T. Towers, Mr. Tat-
tersall, Mr. H. Gibbs, Mr. Trinder, Mr. Stokes, Mr.
Chamberlain, &c.

On the removal of the cloth, and after the usual loyal
toasts,

The Noble CUAIRMAN called on the assembly to drink
to the memory of their late president (the late Earl
Spencer), not only as a distinguished member of the
Smithfield Club, but as a country gentleman, and an
honest, just, and upright man.
The toast was drunk in solemn silence.

The Noble CHAIIINAN next rose to propose a toast,
which he said might justly termed the toast of the
evening—viz. " Success to the Smithfield Cattle Club."
The attendance at the festival that evening was a stis-
factory proof that the Club had lost nothing of its po-
pularity, and be thought there could not be a doubt that
the exhibitions got up under its auspices had tended in
a very great degree to improve the stock of cattle in the
country.—(Hear, hear.) He was free to confess that he
knew but little of cattle himself, but he had understood
from those who were good judges, that although there
were many good beasts in the present show,
there were not so many as there had been on some
former occasions. If he could claim any knowledge of
the respective merits of stock, he thought he knew some-
thing of short-woolled sheep, and he must certainly say,
that in the course of the fifteen years during which he
had been a member of the Club, he had never seen a
better show of that class of animals.— (Hear, hear.)
It might be thought by some that he made this
remark in consequence of having gained the second
prize himself on the present occasion, but he could
assure them that it was not so.—(Hear, hear.) He was
happy to find that the competition in South Down sheep
was extending itself beyond Sussex. They had long had
a formidable competitor in Cambridgeshire, and this
year they had been beaten by a Berkshire man.—
(Cheers.) It was clear to him that the successful can-
didates on the present occasion had profited by what
they had seen at previous exhibitions, and therefore he
thought the Smithfield Club had proved itself of great
service to the agricultural interest.—(Hear.) There
was another point he might mention in commendation
of the Club, and it was this—that it formed a field of
neutral ground, into which party politics could never
enter.—(Cheers.) Each member could there meet his
brother farmer without the slightest fear of any party
strife, entering into a fair competition with the sole view
of carrying out the highest possible degree of improve.
ment in the breeding and rearing of stock ; and when
they returned to their respective counties, he was sure
they could not but feel with him that much good had re-
sulted from the establishment of the Club.—(Hear.) The
Noble Duke concluded by proposing " Prosperity to the
Smithfield Cattle Club." _ _ .

The toast having been responded to with great en-
thusiasm,
The Noble CHAIRMAN proceeded to read the judges'
awards, presenting the prizes to the successful candi-
dates. Having gone through the award, the Noble
Duke gave " The Healths of the Successful Competitors
in the Cattle Classes," expressing a hope that, as they
had proved "so good" in their cattle, they would not,
on a future occasion, be " so bad" as to absent them-
selves from the anniversary festival.
The respective candidates present having returned
thanks, _ _ _

Mr. PITSIEY, M.P., rose and said—lt falls to my lot to
propose "The Health of the Duke of Richmond and the
other successful Competitors in the Short-wool Sheep
Classes."—(Lond cheers.) Although the Noble Duke
is our new President, his Grace is no new acquaintance
to many of you, and, therefore, it is not for me to in-
troduce him on this occasion. There can be no doubt
that it is a great advantage to have at our head a
Nobleman of the highest rank in the country, and one
who unites to that rank a character which endears him
to all who approach him. Such a Nobleman is your
newly-elected President.—(Cheers,) In my opinion, the
Duke of Richmond sets a bri;.;ht example to his com-
peers. There was au old monkish saying which ran to
this effect, "To work is to pray." I think the aristo-
cracy of the country should follow the example of the
Duke of Richmond, and set their heads to work to for-
ward the interests of agriculture.—(Cheers.) There is
one more observation I wish to make, although I fear
that in doing so I shall be in some degree betra) ing
private confidence. I have been informed, that when
our Noble President is residing on his property in the
Highlands, he is always to be found at any hour from
seven in the morning until seven at night, riding about
and looking over his farms, not for the purpo e of finding
fault, but with the view of discovering how money may
profitably be expended, and the condition of his tenantry
improved.—(Cheers.) Deeds are better than words ;
and, therefore, I shall not trouble you with further pre-
face, but at once propose " The Health of him whom we
are proud to call our President, his Grace the Duke of
Richmond."—(Cheers.)
Tile toast having been drunk with every mark of en-

thilsiastic feeling,
The Noble CHAIRMAN rose and said--Gentlemen, I
can assure you that nothing in this life gives me greater
pleasure than to be surrounded by a body of the farmers
of this country ; and that pleasure must ever especially
be dear to me, when, as now, they take occasion to
honour me with the expression of their confidence.—
(Hear.) Gentlemen—l have attended the festival of
this Club (with one exception, when I was prevented by
a domestic affliction) every year since my election as a
member. I joined the Club because I thought it calcu-
lated to be of great service to the country. I need
seal cely remind you that it was from opinions expressed
in this room that the Royal Agricultural Society of
England took its formation.—(Hear, hear.) I have on
some occasions been fortunate enough to obtain the first
prize, and sometimes the second, and sometimes my
stock have been only commended by the judges. I have,
however, always recommended perseverance, and I am
sure I may appeal to you all as to whether I have not
invariably been satisfied with the awards.—(Hear).
This year I have been beaten by Mr. Webb, of Cam-
bridgeshire, and also by a Berkshire friend. I shall do
my best next year, and I think I may venture to say that
if my competitors do not produce some very good sheep
indeed, I shall carry off the gold medal for 1646.
(Cheers and laughter.) I assure you I feel very deeply
the great honour you have conferred on me, by electing
me to succeed your late esteemed president, and I can-
not adequately express the debt of gratitude I owe you
for the distinction.—(Hear, hear.) Gentlemen, in refer-
ence to what my excellent friend, Mr. Pusey, has said,
I certainly am in the habit of taking every opportunity
of meeting my tenantry. I take no credit to myself for
such a course ; I consider it my duty to do so • but, at
the same time it would be wrong in me to say ;hat I do
so on the ground of duty, for it gives me the greatest
possible pleasure to meet my tenantry at any and every
time.—(Loud cheers.) Gentlemen, I fear I shall
not be of any great service to the Club in the office
you have been pleased to place me, but if I can
show younger landlords than myself how they ought
to live—that it is to their advantage that they should
co-operate with their tenantry, and converse with them
as a part of their own iamily, and that if they do so
they may attend every agricultural meeting and market
in the country, and always be well received, perhaps
this will be something.—(Cheers.) I need not further
enlarge on the great importance of the landlord and the
occupier being on good terms. They both row in the
same boat, but the tenant cannot improve his farm un-
less he is backed up by the landlord : nor can the land-
lord get on unless supported by his tenant.—(Hear.)
The Noble Duke, in conclusion, said no language could
express the debt of gratitude he owed to the agricultural
interest, and, thanking the company very sincerely for
the manner in which they had received his name, his
Grace sat down amid loud applause.
Mr. Webb and Mr. Harris made appropriate acknow-
ledgments ; and the other portions of the prize list hav-
ing been gone through, the healths of the " Stewards,"
the " Honorary Secretary," Mr. T. B. Gibbs ; Mr.
Gibbs, " the Father of the Club," and other routine
toasts, were subsequently proposed, and duly acknow-
ledged.
The Duke of Richmond and several other gentlemen
retired shortly after eight o'clock, but the general party
did not separate until a much later hour.
At the adjourned Committee meeting held at the
bazaar yesterday morning, the Duke of Richmond occu-
pied the chair, supported by Earl Ducie, Mr. Pusey,
M.P., and several other influential members of the club.
On the motion of Mr. H. Gibbs, it was agreed that at
all future " shows," a prize of 101. (money or plate)
should be awarded to the feeder of the best Scotch,
Welsh, or Kerry ox or steer; that the second prize for
the best long or short woolled sheep should be increased
from 51. to 10/.; and that a gold medal should be offered
for the best pen of pigs in the exhibition, the reason for
the latter being, that the Committee were of opinion
pork was of the same importance to the poorer classes
as beef to the richer members of the community.
•

RAILWAYS AND A DISSOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT.
—The change of Ministry which has taken place within the
last few days is likely, in the opinion of mans., to result in a
dissolution of Parliament. We would fain hope not. The
delay which would thus be interposed in the consideration of
the multitudinous railways now awaiting the fiat of the legis-
lature must in many, very many, instances prove fatal. Our
pages are not political, and therefore we need not go into the
cause or causes which may render a dissolution expedient.
Perhaps, however, we may venture to say that the postpone-
ment, for a few months, of the settlement of the great com-
mercial question would be more than counterbalanced by the
results of an early and a satisfactory adjustment of the rail.
way or industrial question. We trustAtherefore, that Mem
hers of all parties. should the present House be again con-
vened, will agree in expediting, as much as Possible, the pro-
gress of railway business; and be content to postpone to a
future day those contests for power which, ender the altered
aspect of atleirs, are certain to be neither few nor feeble.
Railway Record.
THE RIVER PLATE.---LIVERPOOL, FRIDAY.—The
following was posted in the Underwriters' Rooms to-day:—
" Buenos Ayres, Oct. 4._The operations of the English and
French squadrons are continued. They have taken Pay-
sander. Soriano., and Mercedeo, and the expedition is pro-
ceeding up the river to Salto, where it wiil have no diffi-
culty in opening a communication with General Paz, who is
supplied with arms, ammunition, and money, and will, it is
supposed, immediately commence operations. Some vessels
from up the river came in sight yesterday, and, in attempt-
ing to elude the blockade, were taken by the boats of the
blockading squadron. It is reported that the English troops
brought to 'Monte Video by her Majesty's ship Resistance
have landed at the Buseo."

The storm in the Channel on Thursday was very
severe, and must have caused much damage, The Calais
steamer, with the mail for Dover, left at the usual time, but
was driven ashore soen after leaving the harbour, and be-
cause a complete week in a few hours.

MESMERISM.
MR. SPENCER T. lIALL'S LECTURES.

On Wednesday and Thursday evenings, in the last
week, Mr. Hall delivered lectures at the Court-house,
in Warwick. On Leal of these occasions the audiences
here large and highly respectable, although it had been
anticipated that experiments in mesmerism would at-
tract but very litttle or no attention in this place :
but Mr. Hall had announced that he should operate
upon several inhabitants of the town, and this fact,
we apprehend, might have been the cause of
many being in attendance, to witness his expert-
meats. At all events there were many, and it was
evident that the majority came as unbelievers. On
the lecturer commencing his address, explanatory to
the subjet, the utmost attention was paid to all his ob-
servations, and at the close he was greeted with much
applause.—On Wednesday evening, the chairman was
the Rev. Dr. Meeson (who a few years ago practised as a
physician in London), and on Thursday evening that
respected physician and eminent man of science, Dr.
Lloyd, presided. Thus, our frequently-expressed wish
that respectable medical men would preside, and see fair
"play," was fully realised. With respect to the experi-
ments, on each occasion, we are in every way justified
in saying they were unusually satisfactory, for Mr. Hall
first operated upon a most respectable youth, residing
in the town, whose integrity is beyond all possible
doubt ; next upon a little boy in the service of Mr.
Cooke, the bookseller,—a boy whom he had never seen
until the very evening of his lecture ; and next upon
another lad, who came forward from among the audience
unexpectedly,—and who had never before heard a
lecture, or seen a mesmeric operation. In each case the
integrity of the party was wholly undisputed, and there-
fore the audience watched the effects produced by the
mesmerist with great attention and interest. Those effects
were astouishieg to every one, and we really do believe
that many sceptics were amazed, if not convinced. To
say this, is bat speaking the plain truth, even though it
may be doubted or ridiculed. Our very limited
space will not allow us to detail the ext eriments, and we
must therefore be content to give the simple outline of the
fact that they created universal astonishment among the
audience. Of course no attempt was made at that won-
der of all wonders, clairvoyance. Mr. Hall, however,
avowed his perfect conviction of its practicability.
We may claim some excuse if we appear to be satisfied,
more than previously, with Mr. Halt's oporations in our
town ; for the fact is, that two of the three cases of
strangers being operated upon by him here, were par-
ties from the Advertiser establishment. At the dote
of the two lectures Mr. Hall expressed a de-
sire that a few gentlemen in Warwick would
form themselves into a committee, for the pur-
pose of investigating the subject of mesmerism, and de-
clared his readiness to aid them, at any time, by making
experiments in their presence. On Thursday even-
ing, after the lecture, Dr. Lleyd, in a very brief ad-
dress, observed that he had attended many lectures on
the subject, and had, after attentively observing all his
various experiments—occupying together about four
hours—he must say, he had never been more entertained,
or listened to a more fair and candid explanation of the
lecturer's objects, feelings, and conscientious convictions,
than on that occasion ; and he thought Mr. Hall justly
entitled to the thanks of the audience for the lecture he
had delivered, and for the interesting experiments he
had brought before them.—(Great applause.)
Thanks were then voted to the respected Chairman,
and thus closed the evening.— Warwick Advertiser.

RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS.
LIVERPOOL, DEC. 12.
STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—Birkenhead, Lanca-
shire, and Cheshire, 3% p.—Buckinghamshire, % dis.—Ches-
ter and Birkenhead, 45—Ditto, New 201. Shares, 3/4 p.
—Derby and Crewe, 2% p.—Edinburgh and Glas-
gow , Half Shares, 81% p.—Edinburgh and Perth, 1 p.—
Grand Junction, New Quarter Shares, 13/4—Ditto, 404,
Shares (L.M.), 524—Great Western, Half Shares, 851/2—
Goole and Doncaster, par—Huddersfield Canal and Railway,
4% p.—Liverpool and Leeds Direct, 1 dis—Liverpool, Man-
chester, and Newcastle Junction, 1% p.—Liverpool, Orms-
kirk, and Preston, 1% p.—London and Birmingham, Fifth
Shares, 193/4 p.—London and Manchester (Remington's), 1
dis.—London and York, 114 p.—Leeds and Thirsk, p.—
Manchester, Midland, and Great Grimsby, 36 p.—Manches-
ter and Leeds, Fifth Shares, BS% p.—Manchester and South-
ampton, j 8 p.—Matlock and Midland, 1 "vs p.—Midland,
20/. Shares, 12% p.—Newcastle and Berwick, 6 p.—North
Staffordshire, 535. p.—Sheffield and Manchester, Quarter
Shares, 63/4 p.—Ditto, ditto, No. 2,5% p.—Ditto, ditto
No. 3 (scrip), 34 p.—Trent Valley, 14% p.—West Riding
Union, 4%—Belfast and Ballymena, par.—Dublin and
Galway, 4 dis.—Dutch Rhenish, 2 p.—Paris and Lyons.
(Lafiltte), Is. lid. p.
MANCHESTER, DEC. 12.
STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—Blackburn, Darwen,
and Bolton, 7—Dudley, Iron Bridge, and Shrewsbury, 1
East Lancashire, No. 2, 10—Exeter, Yeovil, and Dorchester,
23/4—Fleetwood, Preston, and West Riding Junction, 235. 3d.
—Leeds and Thirsk, 10%—Manchester, Buxton, and Mat-
lock, 725. —Manchester and Birmingham, 70—Ditto, New
Quarters, 83/4—Manchester and Bury Atmospheric, 18s. 6d.
—Manchester and Leeds, Fifths, 11%—North Staffordshire,
995. 6d.—Nottingham and Mansfield, 2%—Preston and Wyre
Extension, I—Sheffield and Manchester, Quarters, No. 3, 6
—South Eastern and Dover, 35.
YORK, DEC. 12.
STocit- ExcnANtar.—The sales are—York and North Mid-
land Extension, 233/4—Newcastle and Berwick, 10—North
British, Dalkeith, s%—Ditto, ditto, New, s%—Ditto, New
Carlisle Branch, 2%—London and York, 37,4—Grand Union,
14—Manchester, Buxton, Matlock, and Midland, 3%—
North Staffordshire, 47(3.
SHEFFIELD, Dac. 12.
_

STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—Midland, 40/. Shares,
173/4—Preston and Wyre, 32—Grimsby Railway and Deck
Extension, 514—Boston, Newark, and Stittlield, 2%—London
and York, 4—Sheffield and Lincolnshire, 3%—York and
Carlisle, 2 %.

HULL, DEC. 12.
STOCK Excirallow. —The sales arc—Great Gritnsby and
Sheffield, Quarter Shares, 4—North British, Carlisle;l7i-
-4xholme, 25'—Dudley, Madeley, and Iron Bridge, 1/. 11s.
6d.—Grand Union, 28s.—Hull and Barnsley Junction, 38s.
—London and Birmingham Extension, I!—London and
York, 375—North Staffordshire, 41. 12s.— South Midland,
41. 9s. 6d.

HUDDERSFIELD, DEC. 12.
STOCK EXCCIANGE.—The sales are—London and York, 4
—Sheffield and Lincolnshire, 314—Glasgow and Dumfries,
2/. 2s.—West Riding Union, 6—Essex and Suffolk, 235.
Grand Union, 1/. 9s.—Leicester and Bedford, 7s. 6d. p.—
Wexford, Waterford, and Valentia, 1%.
LEEDS, DEC. 12.
STOCK EXCHANGE. —The sales are—Eastern Counties, 19.14
—Manchester and Leeds, Fifth Shares, 10% p.—Sheffield
and Manchester, Quarter Shares, No. 3, 53,4—East Lanca-
shire, No. 2 (late Accrington), 914—Great Grimsby and
Sheffield, 10—Huddersfield and Sheffield, 17—Leeds and
Bradford, 49—Leeds and Dewsbury, 1614 ex n.—Leeds and
Thirsk, 91,41—North British, New Carlisle Branch, 2;i—
Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton, 1314—London and
York, 4—Direct Northern, 14—West Riding Union, 534—
Manchester, Buxton, Matlock, and Midland, 30s. p.—Man-
chester and Southampton, 234—North Western, 21/4
South Midlands, 2% p.—Wakefield and Bradford, 10 Ws,—
Wakefield and Harrogate, Rs. p.—Yorkshire and Glasgow
Union, 214.
EDINBURGH, DEC. 10.
STOCK EXCITANGE.—The sales are—British and Irish
Union, 69s.—Caledonian, ex new, 121%—Caledonian Exten-
sion, 60s.—Cambridge and Lincoln, 4—Edinburgh, Glasgow,
and Dumbarton, 18s. —Edinburgh and Northern, 755. —Ditto,
Lochgelly, 315.—Edinburgh and Peebles, 41s. 6d.—Glasgow
and Dundee Junction, 50s.—Glasgow and Lesmahagow, 645.
—Lanark and Galloway, 455.—Lanark and Lothians, 61s.
—North British, Extension to Carlisle, 45s.—Ditto, Exten-
sion to Dalkeith, 6%—Perth and Inverness, 40s.—Scottish
Central, 1314—Scottish Central and Caledonian Junction,
345. 6d.

GLASGOW, DEC. 11.
STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—Aberdeen, 5 4—Airdrio
and Bathgate, 525. 6d.—Ayr and Galloway, 425. 6d.—Bri-
tish and Irish Union, 69s.—Caledonian, 13—Ditto, Exten-
sion, 60s.—Caledonian Direct Northern, 50s.—Clydes-
dale Junction, 18/. Dundee and Perth, 8/.—East
Indian Railway, 21s. Edinburgh, Glasgow, and
Dumbarton, 17s. 6d.—Forth and Clyde Junction, 458.
—Glasgow General Terminus, 81.—Glasgow and Belfast
Union, 45s.—Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ayr, New, 18/.
Glasgow and Greenock, Preference, 58s.—Lanark and Lo-
thians, 575. 6d—Lesmahagow, 60s.—Renfrew and Ayr, 255.
—Scottish Central, 131,i—Scottish Southern, 38s.—Scottish
South Midland Junction, 42s.—South Midland, 4%—Stir-
ling and Dunfermline, 475. 6d.