The Sun.
London, England, 1845-07-21 00:00:00

the country is another point to which I wish to call yet!
attention. The commerce of the country is one of the great
elements of our prosperity. To the commerce of the country
we owe our present naval • superiority, and upon com-
merce that superiority must depend; 'and, in asking you
to drink prosperity to the commerce of the country, I ask
you to drink a toast which I am sure you will all concur in.—
( Hear.) I now come to agriculture, and I address you with
perfect confidence on that subject. Without agriculture our
manufactures could not go en—(Cheers)—without agricul-
tare our commerce would languish—without agriculture out'
people would be miserable.—( Hear, hear.) I have always
been desirous to promote, to the utmost degree, the im-
provement of the agriculture of the country.—( Hear, hear. )
I concurred with my Noble Friend in the chair, and with
my friend Mr. Handley, in establishing this Society—l
think the Society has done a great deal of good, and I
think it will yet do a great deal more good than it has yet
done, in promoting the improvement of agriculture. The
agriculture of the country is of the greatest possible im-
portance. I have already stated what I feel, with regard
to manufactures. I have stated what I feel, with regard to
commerce; but then I feel that this applies to only parts
of the country, while agriculture applies to the whole—
( Cheers )—and, therefore, it is of the greatest importance to
every interest in the country—it is of the highest importance
to every person who is engaged in trade or occupation in
the country, that the agriculture of it should prosper.—( Hear.)
Our prosperity, however, depends upon our own exertions.—
( Hear.) We must improve agriculture in every way we can,
with a view to obtain the greatest amount of produce out of the
smallest amount of outlay. It is impossible to describe the
effect of agriculture upon the happiness of the community. I feel,
as you all know I do, that it is a most agreeable occupation.
I feel that I can pursue its various interests through all
parts of the year. There is no part of the season in which
an agriculturist may not find full and entire employment.
I won't say that it is—at least lately—a profitable occupa-
tion.—(Laughter.) lam too much of a practical farmer to ,
tell you that—(Hear)—but although fit has not been as ;
profitable as I could wish it to be latterly, yet I don't think,
so far as I am concerned, that it has diminished in its in-

terest at all.—(Cheers.) It is also a most agreeable occupa-
tion, and suits every man whatever his disposition may be.
—( A laugh.) If a man likes to look at the dark aide of
things, then there is scarcely any kind of weather which is
not bad for some part of his crop.—( Hear, hear.) I can-
not say that I am fond of looking at the dark side of the
picture. But on the other hand, if a man like to take an
agreeable view of matters, then the same weather which is
injurious to some part of his farm, will, he knows and feels,
be good for another. (Loud cries of hear, hear.) Therefore,
I say that farming suits everybody's taste. Those who like
grumbling, can ind.in it plenty of opportunity for grumbling,
and those who like to be pleased, can always find something in it
to please them. ( Hear and a laugh.) I will not detain you
further, but will propose at once, " Success to the AFL.
culture, Manufactures, and Commerce of the country.
.
(Cheers,)
'fhe Earl of CHICHESTER proposed " the health of the
Mayor and Corporation of Shrewsbury."
The Mayor returned thanks.

Earl TALBOT proposed, in complimentary terms, " the
health of the Noble President," which was drunk amidst loud
cheers.

The CHAIRMAN expressed his gratification at the confi-
dence which the agriculturists of the county had reposed in
him.

I Lord HATHERTON proposed the health of the labouring
dames, not merely of those connected with agriculture, but
the labouring classes in every department of industry in the
United Kingdom.—( Applause.) He called on them to omit
no opportunity of promoting the comfort of the labouring
classes, and in that respect to imitate the example set them by
the Noble Duke in the chair.

The CHAIRMAN proposed, " the Highland and Agricultural
Society of Scotland, and the Royal Agricultural Improvemont
Society of Ireland."

The Earl of 111ArrsFIELo responded to the toast, and said it
was true that this Highland Society was the parent of the Eng-
lish Agricultural Society ; but the effspr:ng had outgrown its
parent.—(Hear.) From the end of England to the end of
Scotland, he declared that all felt the greatest interest for Ire-
land—that they felt that they were all one people, and that
they hd!rd the people of Ireland would become their rivals in
all that could advance the physical or moral interests of man-
kind.—( Cheers.)

Lord CLIVE pro'osed, in complimentary terms, the health
of Lord Portman, the President-elect.--( Hear. )
Lord POMTMAN expressed his acknowledgments. He hoped
that as many of them as could would do him the honour to be
present at the meeting of the Society next year at Newcastle.
The Noble Chairman then retired; and the company sepa-
rated, evidently gratified with the proceedings of the day.
There was a ball in the evening, which was well attended by
a fashionable company.
There is to be an auction of the cattle today, and it is ex-
pected to be well attended.