THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



499 



well remember, eleven years ago, in the time of fever, the par- 

 ticular attentioa he paid to the comforts of those suffering 

 from that dire disease. The widow's grief has been assuaged, 

 and the widower's affliction relieved by the kindness of his 

 heart, and with the bounty of his hands ; and now that the 

 tide seems to be against him, it is no wonder that the warmest 

 sympathy should be felt towards their benefactor. I believe 

 Mr. Everard only needs to be informed of a case of need, or a 

 suitable object of benevolence, and he is ready with assistance > 

 and because he has been thus ready, we also are ready with 

 this expression of our gratitude and love. As one who has 

 taken an active part in this movement, I have the pleasing 

 task to inform you of its origin and success. Your circum- 

 stances, Mr. Everard, disturbed our rest at night, and occupied 

 our thoughts by day ; we were afraid the name of Groby 

 would be an obnoxious sound, and we reflected upon what 

 would make that good old name pleasant still, and retain the 

 best part of you with tis (that is your affection). The answer 

 was, " Give him a Bible, and that will do it". The plan was 

 named to a friend, and it met with a hearty response. I can 

 assure you no begging was resorted to ; we visited most of the 

 working class, saying, " We are sympathisers with Mr.Everard> 

 and wish to give him a Bible as a token of esteem ; we are 

 not come to beg, but to catch honey drops." And drop after 

 drop came in such abundance that our highest expectations 

 were more than realized. Yes, and of some poor widows, whom 

 we thought were too poor to spare a drop of honey in the 

 shape of cash, we passed the doors ; and some of those sent 

 after us, and others let us know they were not pleased with 

 our passing by. Thus have the hard-handed but tender-hearted 

 working classes given expression to their feelings towards 

 you, I can assure you that you live and shall live in their 

 affections. 



Another of the deputation spoke as follows : Gentlemen, 

 it is with great emotion that I rise to perform my duty 

 on this occasion. I am sure that the circumstances in 

 which our worthy friend and benefactor is placed call 

 forth the sympathy of every true Englishman and every 

 Christian ; for although he may have been dealt with legally, 

 we feel sure that he has not been dealt with justly. But we 

 have not come here to-night merely to sympathise with Mr. 

 Everard, but to give a token of respect to him who has acted as 

 a father and a philanthropist to the sick and needy. Sir, we 

 have met to-aight to give you a copy of the Holy Scriptures 

 as a token of respect from the working-men of Groby for your 

 kindness to them for a number of years ; and I am sure, sir, 

 that I do not only feel a pleasure, but proud to be able, in the 

 name of the working-men, to offer to you such a present, not 

 because of its external beauty, but because of its inestimable 

 value. Having made these few remarks, I must now com- 

 mend it to your perusal, praying that the streams of divine 

 love which run through epery page may enrich your noble 

 mind and the miuds of your beloved partner and children, 

 and your children's children, to the third and fourth genera- 

 tion. 



Several others of the deputation delivered addresses highly 

 complimentary to Mr. and Mrs. Everard. 



One aged man attempted to address the company, but his 

 words were choked in sobs and tears. When the feelings of 

 the party had become more composed. 



The Chairman commenced reading the address to Mr. 

 Everard : 



"THE WORKING CLASSES OP GROBY TO MR. BREEDON 

 EVERARD. 



." Deeply regretting the circumstances in which you are 

 placed, we have felt a desire to express the gratitude we feel 



in our hearts towards you, not only for the respect you have 

 manifested to the working classes generally, but especially to 

 the sick and poor. We fixed upon the bible as the most ap- 

 propriate token we could offer to you, because we believe you 

 have been influenced by the principles of that book in looking 

 after cases of need, and helping them — the bible, in which you 

 read what the divine Author of that book says, ' I was an hun- 

 gered, and ye gave me meat ; thirsty, and ye gave me drink ; 

 naked, and ye clothed me ; I was sick, and ye visited me,' 

 Now, see how Christ regards it — ' Inasmuch as ye have done 

 it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it 

 unto me.' The bible, that its doctrines may be embraced and 

 its grace ever adorn your whole life — that its consolations 

 may be richly enjoyed in sickness— that its divine truths may 

 be your staff, its Author your comforter in the hour of death, 

 and that the future glories it reveals may be your eternal por- 

 tion. It is our prayer, that wherever your future lot may be 

 cast, the cloud of divine Providence may go before you — the 

 light of his countenance may rest upon you, so that ' when the 

 earthly house of your tabernacle is dissolved you may have a 

 building of God — a house not made with hands, eternal in the 

 heavenia.' " 



The presentation then took place. The book contains this 

 inscription : — " 'Blessed is he that considereth the poor : the 

 Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.' — Psalm xli. 1. 

 Presented by the working classes of Groby, Oct. 29th, 1857, 

 to Mr. Breedon Everard, expressive of the sympathy for the 

 circumstances in which he was then placed, also as a token of 

 the highest esteem for the tender regard manifested toward 

 the sick and poor whilst amongst them." 



Mr. EvERAKD replied as follows : My dear friends and 

 neighbours, — The warmness of your hearts has prompted you 

 to speak far too approvingly of me. I blush when I compare 

 my own short-comings with your honest highest praise. You 

 have taken me so much by surprise iu all you have said and 

 done, that you have found me ill prepared indeed to offer a 

 reply. These ' drops of honey,' as you term this courteous 

 gift, will afford me consolation when the separation comes. 

 The poor man's offering and the widow's mite are represented 

 here. The poor man's offering is my highest honour ; the 

 widow's mite received a special blessing long ago, nor has it 

 lost its efficacy yet. Be pleased to convey to those whom you 

 represent the warmest expressions of my gratitude for all 

 their numerous acts of kindness to me and mine, and more 

 especially for this crowning act of all, which forms the key- 

 stone to the arch. I see amongst you men my seniors by 

 many years, born in this same village, who have known me 

 from the dawn of my existence, who are now come to offer me 

 the choicest portion of their treasures — their sympathy and 

 love. I never am unnerved except when amongst you ; but 

 when I meet a stalwart labourer with his eyes bedimmed with 

 tears, or his honest wife with a prayer and a blessing on her 

 lips, I confess it is more than my weak nature can endure. I 

 and my forefathers were born and have lived amidst you and 

 your forefathers, and we have learned to value and respect 

 each other — I as the employer, you as the employed. The 

 ties which have bound us together for so many years are 

 about to be severed, and you prescribe this medicine to 

 heal the wound. If my Lord Stamford has felt himself 

 injured by me, how grieved I am he should have kept the secret 

 cause concealed within his own breast ! I am assured that 

 had an interview been granted me, one minute's explanation 

 would have banished his imaginary wrongs. My Lord would 

 thus have been spared much annoyance, and I am sure 

 much distress, and one hereditary family of tenants more 

 would have been left upon the estate. I should have con- 



