Star.
London, England, 1821-07-10 00:00:00

HOLKHAM SHEEP SHEARING.

MONDAY, JULY S.—FIRST DAY.
The company assembled on the lean about half:
past ten ; soon after Mr. COKE appeare 1, accompa-
nied by his Royal Highness the D.ske of Sussex, and
proceeded to inspect the different gradations of pre-
paring flax by machinery from the rough state until
it is spun into yarn. The work was done chiefly by
children. who performed the labour with consider
ble a _tivity and adroitness. The machine for the
breaking of the flax stalks is very simide ; it consists
of two rolls, ar►ned with bars of iron, through which
the flax is pullJd by the children. The upper roll is
constructed so as to lift it up, which is performed by
a foot-board, to which is attached a spring commu-
nicating with the upper ioli. The instant the foot is
raised from the board the roil flies up, and the flax
is quickly placed between the teeth. This work has
been introduced by Mr. COKE since the Meeting last
year, at which one of these machines was exhibited,
and speedily adopted by Mr. COKE, as it afforded a
means of employing the children of the adjacent vil-
lages. The company, after this pleasing spectacle,
rode to Longlands Farm. In the progress to the
farm, Mr. COKE pointed nut a piece of sainfoin
mowing, which had been laid down for thirteen years.
In the proper course he stated this land should have
been ploughed seven years since ; but in consequence
of Mr. Hommel-is recommendation, it had been
manured with gypsum, which had so completely re-
stored it to its original vigour, that it this year bears
a luxuriant crop, and upon the average had pro-
duced last year one ton per acre more than it would
otherwise have done. The cavalcade next arrived at
Longlands, where the prize stock and implements
were exhibited. The implements consisted of a drill
roll for light lands, invented by Mr. JOHNSON, of
Hempton; it consisted of a roll with the usual ap-
paratus for sowing. The machine was provided with
small Wheels with buckets, which received a certain
quantity of seed for distribution, and apportioned it
egularly through the conductors to the ground. The
principal object►on to this implement appeared to be
its size and weight. A plough with a drill attached
to its side was also shewn ; the scuppers were adapted
to any grain. It was calculated for ploughing and
drilling at the same instant. Mr. COKE then led the
way over the Quarles, Waterden, and Egmore Farms.
The state of cultivation and fine crops of these farms
drew from the visitors frequent expressions of admi-
ration. The company returned to dinner about four
o'clock., When the cloth was drawn, Mr. Corte rose
to express his acknowledgments to the Royal Duke,
to the many Noblemen, illustrious Foreigners, and
celebated Agriculturists, who had done hi.n the ho-
nour to attend the Meeting. This Meeting, Mr.
Once said, had been originally held for the benefit
of Agriculture, and for the benefit of the county of
Norfolk. This Meeting had extended itself; and he
hoped it had also extended its benefits all over the
world. He then expressly stated, that although at
this Meeting politics were not discussed, yet, on the
present occasion, Agriculture and the Country had
arrived at such a state, that he should not, as there
were so many Gentlemen "so eminently qualified to
speak on such subjects; so entirely prohibit the intro-
duction of political sentiments as heretofore. Mr.
COKE said that he had always had an opinion that a
Committee on Agriculture could do no good. He,
however, as the Representative•of Norfolk, the first
corn county in England—the garden of England--
supposed that, in all probability, he might be placed
on the Committee. Such being his supposition, he
had gone to Mr. Goocrt and requested to know the
Gentlemen on the Committee, and to beg that his
name might be struck out. Mr. Goocu said that he
should appoint only one Member in a county, and
that his Colleague's name had been inserted. " Of
course," said Mr. Corm, "my Honourable Colleague
is much better qualified than I am !"

Mr. COKE then gave—
" Constitution and King."
" The Queen."—(.l laud burst of applause.)
" His Royal Highness the buke of Sussex," and thanks for
the honour he has done me in coming to Holkham.
After loud cheering the Royal Duke expressed hit
thanks, and in doing so said he Was perfectly aware
the country laboured under great difficulties, but he
placed the firmest reliance on its resources; "for,"
said the Royal Duke, " there is still stuffleft with us
to bring us out of all our difficulties; and sure J am
that meetings such as these are well calculated to
produce union and good understanding both at home
and abroad." His Royal Highness then gave—
" Live and let live !" which was drank with three times three.

The Duke of Sussex again rose, and after advert-
ing, in the warmest terms of approbation, to the obli-
gations due to Mr. CoKE, gave his health, when it
was received with that simultaneous shout of feeling
which proved that it emanated from the heal t. After
this applause had ceased,
Mr. COKE rose to express his thanks for the kind-
ness the company had manifested to him. The worthy
host alluded to the late Report of the Committee on
Agriculture ; it was a delusion, a system which had
been carried on for years : the Report had been de-
ceitfully drawn up. Mr. Coke had never expected
any good to arise from it; and the farmer would be
disappointed of any assistance, so long as the present
system was continued. Mr. Cote then complimented
Mr. Hume on his extraordinary exertions in the House,
which had laid bare the extravagance and patronage
posses' ed by the Government, which, if continued,
precluded relief. So long as taxation existed, patron-
' age would remain; and while patronage remained, the
present system would continue. Acting on his (Mr.
' Hume's) principle,all the prc>ent supporterswc aid soon
desert the Ministry ; for it was not from principle they
supported the Government, but from selfish motives.
He should wish to have forborne to enter upon poli-
tics, but it was impossible, in such times as these, for
men to conceal their feelings and opinions. It was
time to tell the farmer, that the system which had
been carried on, t,n lit. was what they had teen kng
before told, was a system of delusion. Mr. Coke
then alluded to the Hon. Member for Kent (Mr. Ho-
nywood), from whom some knowledge might be
gained, whose County is called the Garden of Eng-
land; and truly it might be called so, since it grows.
very fine gooseberries. He thought the Honourable
Gentleman would give some credit to Norfolk for its
agriculture.• Mr. Coke, in allusion to the late repeal
of the Agricultural Horse Tax, said, that Mir, st-rs
had forced it upon them,. for they could not gt t t :err
creatures to vote for it, and theiefo .e they gave it
up. • H: was soli y that Mr. Cut wen, after the e•ser-