THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



461 



DEATH OF THE DUKE OF 

 RICHMOND. 



Agriculture had no truer friend than the Duke of 

 Richmond. His heart was really in the cause, and it 

 was as no mere stepping-stone to something else that he 

 showed at a rural gathering or shook a farmer by the 

 hand. He was with them, and his justly -earned 

 popularity told how well they appreciated him. 

 Through the varied fortunes that have followed Agri- 

 culture there was no so sure a man to depend upon, nor 

 one who more readily responded to any call made upon 

 his services — and there were many. Until within the 

 last few years, when declining health alone compelled 

 him gradually to withdraw from all excitement, no 

 man was so often before the world as the advocate of 

 Agriculture. In the House of Lords, at meetings of all 

 kinds held in association with the interest, amongst 

 his own tenantry at Goodwood and in the North, he 

 was equally staunch, active, and considerate. The 

 Duke of Richmond was one of the warmest promoters 

 of the Royal Agricultural Society, of which he had 

 twice been President, and of which he died a Trustee. 

 He had for many years been the President of the 

 Smithfield Club, where his absence of late had been a 

 source of general regret. When in gratitude to his 

 exertions the farmers of the Kingdom offered him some 

 testimonial of their thanks and respect, he would hear of 

 this in no other form but in the establishment of an 

 Institution for the benefit of their own order. He 

 coveted no high places for himself, but would rise 

 to speak from his seat in the midst of them, and 

 triumph over his neighbour Rigden, or renew the chal- 

 lenge for the next meeting, as the fortune of the day 

 might have told for or against him. The princely hos- 

 pitalities of Goodwood, and the taste and genuine feel- 

 ing with which they were administered, have long been 

 the theme not merely of Englishmen, but of the worhl. 

 His devotion to his country as a soldier in his earlier 

 life, and as a soldier to his latest breath, are as familiar 

 to most of us. He may have almost been said to have 

 died with harness on his back, for he only left the 

 charge of his regiment when he could no longer get 

 about. He dearly loved his profession, and Mars 

 divided with Ceres his first hopes and aspirations. His 

 Grace was, perhaps, only less keen as a sportsman, hav- 

 ing been, previous to the wound he received at Orthes, 

 a good cricketer, a capital shot, and a forward man 

 with hounds. Then, again, he made the race-meetings 

 in his own park, the best in the kingdom ; but we fancy 

 his own sympathies at Goodwood were more with his 

 old shepherd and the Southdowns, than with Mr. 

 Kent and the training-stable. Agriculture, in fact, was 

 something of a passion with him, while his career will 

 stand as a memorial of liow well he served her. Never 

 was there an honor more justly earned than when the 

 Smithfield Club placed Lord Spencer on the one side of 

 the Gold Medal and the Duke of Richmond on the 

 other. 



expired at twenty rainutej before two on Sunday aftcruoon, 

 October 2lBt, at the family mansion in Portland-place. 

 For some months past the Duke's health had occasioned much 

 anxiety to the members of the family. la August last he 

 proceeded to Gordon Castle, but was unable to participate in 

 the sports of his friends ; and the hopes that were entertained 

 that change of air would prove beneficial were not realized. 

 The lamented Duke returned from Scotlaud, about a fortnight 

 ago, iu a still weaker state, and has since been gradually sink- 

 ing. We believe he died from dropsy, lu politics of late 

 years he was a supporter of the Earl of Derby and the Con- 

 servative party, and opposed to the Repeal of the Corn Laws. 

 His Grace had, however, 16 years bsfore supported the Reform 

 Bill, and held the office of Postmaster-General in Earl Grej'a 

 admiuistration, and formed one of the members of the Cabinet 

 from 1830 to 1834. He also gave his support to Lord Mel- 

 bourne's Government. On the Earl of Derby's accession to 

 oflRce in March, 1852, the Duke of Richmond was solicited to 

 take office, but declined. The late Duke was a most useful 

 member on the committees of the House of Lords, and for 

 many years devoted much of bis time to the public service. 

 Both on his large domains in Sussex and iu Scotlaud he 

 was beloved by his tenants as one of the best of landlords. 

 By his honourable bearing and frank manners on all occasions 

 he had endeared himself to a large circle of friends, who will 

 long cherish his memory. The Duke was born iu London on 

 the 3rd of August, 1791, so that he had completed his sixty- 

 ninth year. He is succeeded by the eldest son of a large 

 family, the Earl of March. 



THE DUKE OP RICHMOND.— It is with great regret 

 that we announce the death of this estimable nobleman. He 



THE UNFAVOURABLE HARVEST.— A CONSI- 

 DERATE LANDLORD.— During the past week ail the 

 tenants on the estate of Richard Benyon, Esq., M.P. for 

 Berks, received a notification that the rent audit would be 

 postponed from January next to the following month of April. 

 Mr. Benyon has been led to adopt this course from the un- 

 seasonable weather for the harvest, and the difficulty which 

 his tenants would have in thrashing their produce so as to 

 realize a return for the capital which they have employed. 

 This is a step in the right direction for promoting the agri- 

 cultural interest ; and Mr. Benyon, by this kind and consi- 

 derate act, has raised himself in the esteem and respect of the 

 constituency which he now so worthily represents. Few 

 landed proprietors have done as much as Mr. Benyon to ad- 

 vance the cause of agriculture. In the trial of new implements 

 he has taken the lead, and afforded to his tenants the oppor- 

 tunity of adopting them. Mr. Beuyon is a specimen of the 

 " old English gentleman," at all times showing a deep sym- 

 pathy for the farmers, and in every possible way seeking to 

 promote their welfare. It is to be hoped that other landlords 

 will show the same consideration to their tenants, and extend 

 the time for tbe payment of their rents. 



Central Farmers Club. — The Session will re- 

 open on Monday next, November 5th, when Mr. 

 Fisher Hobbs will read a paper on the trials of agri- 

 cultural implements, certainly one of the most im- 

 portant and best-timed questions the Club has 

 ever entertained. The Council of the Royal Agricul- 

 tural Society will re-assemble on the Wednesday fol- 

 lowing. 



