THE FARMERS. 149 



\'. A. King lecoids, under date Satuida)-, 29111 March, 1851 — 



'I'lir annual dinner ti) our worthy .muid friends, the farmers of W'irral, was 

 j^ivcn this day at Upton. At half ])ast four we sat down to diinier, to the 

 number of about one hundred and ei^^hty, the larj;est muster we have ever had 

 on this joyous occasion. There were a lari;e nunihtr of uiembers, numerous 

 strangers, and an excellent muster of om- friends the farmers. Mr. V. A. King, 

 chairman of the K.R.B., presided. A truly delightful evening was spent ; every 

 one present appeared to enjoy himself completely. Speeches wei'e made, toasts 

 were drunk, songs were sung, and, lastl}-, ample justice was done to the good 

 punch. But one feeling appeared to pervade the whole party, and this was 

 perfect happiness. The farmers expressed their pleasure at seeing the R.K.B. 

 in the field, and their delight at being able to give us such good sport, by freely 

 allowing us to run over their land. Nothing can be more cordial and excellent 

 than the feeling of the farmers towards us. Their health was drank with the 

 enthusiasm, and accompanied with the cheers, which they so well deserved. 

 Amongst the many excellent displays of vocal talent \\\\.\\ which we were 

 charmed during the evening, it is not invidious to say that Mr. Robert Tinley 

 delighted all by two most excellent songs. Thus ends the season, the sixth we 

 have had, and the most successful, both in the number of hares killed (47) and 

 in the sport we have had. The fine open winter has enabled us to keep all our 

 fixtures, and we ha\e not had a single blank day. 



From 1852 the dinners were held at tlie Rock Ferr\' Hotel, and during 

 the Mastership of A\ A. King were kept up till 1882 ; but in the later years 

 they ceased to be annual affairs. Some of the present members of the 

 R.R.B. can remember these dinners and the songs suitable for the occasion : 

 "John Peel,'"'" '"The Derby Ram," "To be a Farmer's Boy," &c., &c. 



" You are welcome, gentlemen ! Come, musicians, play. 

 A hall ! a hall I give room, and foot it, girls. 

 More light, ye knaves ; and turn the tables up, 

 And quench the file ; the room is grown too hot. — . 

 Ah, sirrah, this unlook'd for sport comes well. 

 Nay, sit, nay. sit, good cousin Capulet ; 

 For you and I are past our dancing days " 



Romeo and yitliet, act i, scene 5. 



In 1886 it was considered preferable to invite tlie farmers, with their 

 wives, sons and daughters, to a ball, as by that means our hospitality could 

 embrace a wider circle ; instead of entertaining eiglity or ninety at dinner, 

 we could invite three or four hundred to a ball and supper. Accordingly 

 this great event took place 28tli April, 1886, in the Music Hall, Claugliton, 

 under the presidency of our good Master, L. R. Stevenson, and Mrs. Steven- 

 son. It went off with great trhif, and was much enjoyed both by the farmers 

 and the beaglers. Tliere were good company, splendid music, a good floor, 

 and a good supper; dancing for the young and active, and a smoke room 

 with a quiet game of cards for the older farmers. Towards the end of the 

 evening the air in this smoke-room became almost solid, and it was necessary 

 to cut one's way in and fan the accumulated smoke into circulation if it was 

 desired to find anyone therein. !Mr. Gatehouse relates that he struggled in 



