The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-09-20 00:00:00

Cabbages, brace of—Mr. James Robb, Hale Wood.
Onions, six—Henry Pennington.
Carrots, ditto—Mr. Gandy.
Best tray of Fruit, not less than six distinct varieties—Do.
Best basket of Vegetables, ditto—Do.
Best Stove and Greenhouse Plant, ditto—Richard Allison,
Esq., jun., Woolton.
Best Pan of Dahlias, not less than 12 varieties—Mr. Thos.
Fletcher, West Derby.
Best Pan of Roses, not less than 6 varieties—R. Allison,
Esq., jun.
Best Pan of Pansies, not less than 12 varieties—Mr. Gandy.
Apples (in which there was great competition)—Mr. Thos.
Houghton, Hale Bank.
About five o'clock the worthy patron of the society (J. I.
Blackburne, Esq.) took his station at one of the windows of
Mrs. Dunn's house, opposite the tent, to deliver the prizes
to the successful individuals, and prefaced the task by a feel-
ing and appropriate address to the assembled multitude out-
side. Ile stated that he had been deputed to deliver the
prizes, which had been awarded by gentlemen of the highest
respectability and competency to decide. He had the greatest
pleasure in doing so, inasmuch as it was undeniable that the
society had worked well, and had given a stimulus to the
cottagers and their families, in the cultivation of their
grounds, and the cleanliness of their homes, which had con-
duced to their greater comfort and respectability. The
society had originally been intended for Hale alone ; but it
was afterwards thought desirable to extend it, and to ob-
serve the strictest impartiality to all competitors within the
boundaries, which were three miles round it ; and he hoped
that its influence would for the future thereby be increased
arid consolidated. He desired to call the attention of the
meeting, in an especial manner, to the great labours of the
committee in its behalf. For himself lie heartily awarded to
1 them his best thanks, and he trusted he should be joined in
that feeling of approbation by all who were present. Those
' who were present at the exhibition last year would, he felt
assured, observe with him great improvements, particularly
amongst the cottagers, many of the articles produced by
whom would do credit to much larger establishments. The
farmers, too, who had competed, deserved great praise. The
turnips and some other articles they had brought up would
do credit to any part of the country. The principle of the
institution was admirable, but he thought some improve-
ments might be introduced, which he should submit to the
committee, in the hope of their approval, 40 amongst
others, that the prizes should be confined as regarded cot-
tagers, to those who cultivated only garden ground—those
who had other land attached to their holdings having
evidently a considerable advantage over them. He expressed
a hope that the stimulus given by the society would tend to
the diffusion of the prizes awarded at future meetings amongst
a greater number of competitors. He then distributed the
prizes (as above) seriatim to the successful competitors,
complimenting each in a kindly and encouraging manner,
and making some facetious remarks as he proceeded. He
was listened to with the greatest attention and respect—the
candidates expressing their thanks in homely but heartfelt
terms, and the assemblage giving evident demonstration of
their good humour and satisfaction.
After the distribution of the prizes, Mr. Gandy, of Walton,
passed a high compliment on the patron of the society, in
whose observations all must concur, and proposed the thanks
of the meeting to that gentleman with three times three
cheers, which was carried by acclamation.
Mr. Blackburn expressed his grateful thanks. More, he
said, was due to others who had originated the society, and
devoted their active exertions to ensure its success than to
him ; but he should do his utmost in its behalf, and believed
he should be joined by every one of his family. He begged
to propose the thanks of the meeting to the committee, and
particularly to Mr. Nickson, to whom they were mainly in-
debted for the gratifying result they had witnessed, and who
had been the mainspring in the movements of the day.
This was also carried by acclamation, and Mr. Nickson
expressed his thanks in neat and grateful terms.
Thanks were then given in a similar manner to the Rev.
Wm. Stewart, the president.
Mr. S., in making his acknowledgments, congratulated
the meeting on the success of this their second anniversary.
He said the great object of his life for the thirty years he
had resided in the place, had been to contribute to the hap-
piness of all around him, and the society had seconded his
wishes in every respect. He invariably found that the man
who took a pleasure in cultivating his garden and ornament-
ing his cottage, and the careful wife who kept all comfortable
and neat within, were also exemplary in other relations of
life. Such persons were always more constant in, their
attendance at church on the Sunday, and more attentive to
their respective duties on the week days afterwards. He
congratulated the society also on the encouragement and
countenance given to it by the highly-respectable attendance
that day of strangers and visitors ; and he felt assured that
the presence and favour of so many distinguished individuals
would prove a stimulus to further exertions amongst the
cottagers, to secure their approbation for future years. He
could not avoid paying due respect to the ladies who had
graced the meeting with their presence and support. Man-
kind well knew the influence of the fair sex on all charitable
and benevolent occasions. The married ladies exercised a
laudable influence over their husbands; and the unmarried,
" looking forward with hope to to-morrow," had no less in-
fluence over those whom they wished might in due time
become their " lords and masters." Everything, therefore,
would prosper if they had the ladies on their side. Besides,
Lancashire had always stood pre-eminent for the beauty and
attractions of the gentler sex, who had deservedly entitled
themselves to their peculiar appellation of " Lancashire
witches." He therefore proposed, from every one interested
in the welfare of the society, a hearty cheer for their best
friends, " the Lancashire witches." _ _

This was cordially acceded to, and the proceedings termi-
nated. The band afterwards played a number of airs, and
the village festivities were prolonged until the shades of
evening closed upon the scene.