526 THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY’S 
success of the Society was scattered to the winds. The rapid 
increase of its members — the indissoluble bond by which they 
seemed to be united — the publication of its Journal, all gave 
assurance of its success. There was no excitement at their meet- 
ings, no topics of agitation, no politics ; but they assembled for 
a most benevolent and Christian purpose, — that of increasing 
the means and capabilities of providing food for mankind. The 
artizan and the manufacturer, the soldier and the man of science, 
all were dependent for their daily bread on the cultivator of the 
soil. England was one great farm, the inhabitants of which were 
mutually connected with each other; and, therefore, it was de- 
sirable that those who had the means of carrying out improvement 
should unite with those who had the will and ability to perform it. 
The Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland was then 
proposed, with the health of the Duke of Richmond. He assured 
them that meetings like these afforded him one of the greatest 
pleasures of his life, and he believed them to be of the greatest 
importance to the country at large. He begged to propose a 
toast, to which there was no man who called himself a farmer 
who would not respond, for it was their interest as well as their 
duty to promote the welfare of the class of men to whom he 
alluded, — “ The Labourers of England.” When agriculture pros- 
pered, the agricultural labourer would also prosper. 
The Royal Agricultural Society of Ireland was then proposed, 
and the toast was responded to by the Marquis of Downshire, 
who said that, in speaking of Irish matters, he might seem to 
tread on tender ground, but he had nothing here to do with 
political differences. He wished only to speak of the fertility of 
the soil, its great capabilities, and the blessings which Providence 
had showered upon it ; and he hoped that no public event might 
impede the great national object which the Irish Agricultural 
Society had in view. 
The health of Earl Spencer, the father of the Society and their 
future President, was then drunk with enthusiasm, and the meet- 
ing shortly afterwards broke up. 
The history of the Agricultural Meeting at Derby is given 
somewhat at length, principally on account of the new character 
which that meeting assumed. It was not only the usual show of 
