504 HIGHLAND AND AGRTCUT.TURAL SOCIETY. 



holds a place superior to the noble Marquis, and, I believe, 

 to any one in the country ; because I believe that no estate 

 has been so thoroughly improved as that of the Duke of 

 Bucclcuch, and certainly there is no estate in which such 

 enormous sums have been spent for the improvement of 

 agriculture. With regard to the noble Duke's conduct 

 since he has been Chairman of this Society, I have only to 

 remind you of the extreme judgment, good sense, discretion, 

 and kindness with which he has conducted himself upon 

 every occasion, and to every member of the Society, 

 whether in public or in private. He moved ' That the 

 Duke of Buccleuch and Oueensberry, K.G., having now 

 retired from the office of President, the best thanks of the 

 Society are eminently due to His Grace for the zeal ex- 

 hibited by him in promoting its welfare and efficiency. 

 That the special thanks of the Society are also due to his 

 Grace for having accepted office for a second period when 

 a change in the secretaryship was to take place, and when 

 his knowledge of the constitution and regulations of the 

 Society, and his ability and capacity for business, enabled 

 him to render it great service.' Sir William Stirling-Max- 

 well seconded the motion. The Duke of Buccleuch, in re- 

 turning thanks, said — I was perfectly astonished, and I felt 

 a great amount of gratification when it was proposed to me 

 a second time to hold the office of President of this Society 

 — an honour which I believe was never conferred upon any 

 one before. But when I was told that my acceptance of 

 the office would be a benefit to the Society, I felt that I was 

 bound to undertake the duties of the office. Whatever 

 assistance I can give to my noble friend the President, or 

 to any of the officers of this Society, or to the Society itself, 

 I shall be as ready to give now when out of office as I was 

 formerly when in office — and in any way that you can 

 command my services I shall always be ready to give them 

 as far as it is in my power. 



\Wi President, 1 869-1 873. 



George, eighth Marquis of Tweeddale, K.T., was elected 

 President 20th January 1869. 



