56 
MEMORIAL TO THE LATE JONAS WEBB. 
Mr. J. Clayden, tlie Chairman of the Committee, explained the cir¬ 
cumstances under which tlie meeting was convened. It was thought 
by Prof. Simonds, Mr. Turner, and other gentlemen, that the Smithfield 
Show ought not to be allowed to pass over without an expression of the 
sense of the loss which the agricultural interest had sustained by the 
death of their late lamented friend, ]\lr. Webb. (Hear, hear.) That loss was 
indeed great, for Mr. Webb was one of its highest ornaments, and fewer 
men ever stood higher than he did in the estimation of his class and the 
persons with whom he associated. Pie was renowned for his integrity, 
bis uprightness of character, his honesty of purpose. In fact, his word 
was his bond, and was so regarded by the entire body of farmers 
throughout the country. It was Mr. Webb’s good fortune to have made 
many friends, for he invariably impressed every one with a favorable 
opinion of him. No one could be introduced to him without being 
satisfied that they were making the acquaintance of a man who was him¬ 
self the soul of honour It had been said that an honest man was 
the noblest work of God; and if ever a man existed who was entitled to 
that character, it was certainly their friend Mr. Webb. In him they had 
all lost a friend; but by those who had him for friend and neighbour the 
loss was felt to be still greater. He (IVIr. Clayden) had known him for 
many years, and had pulled together and worked with him ; and never, 
by one act or word, or even thought, he believed, had a shade been cast 
over their intimacy. He felt now that they were bound together by very 
dear ties. But his and their old friend was gone from among them. 
Let them hope, however, that their loss was his gain (Hear, hear). In con¬ 
clusion, Mr. Clayden stated that he had received letters from Lord Berners, 
Mr. Charles Stokes, Mr. Sandy, Mr. Folkes, Mr. Thurnall, and many 
other gentlemen, all approving of the object for which the meeting was 
convened. He then moved that the Hon. Elliot Yorke, M.P., brother of 
the Earl of Hardwicke, should take the chair. 
The motion was agreed to nem. con., and Mr. Yorke assumed the chair 
accordingly. 
The Chairman said the remarks which had been addressed to the 
meeting by Mr. Clayden expressed what every one must feel with regard 
to the private worth of their late much-lamented friend, whose real 
boast might, in few words, be said to have been that they who knew him best 
would love him most. (Hear, hear). The business of that day was con¬ 
fined principally to that of recording, by a memorial, the estimate which 
was so universally entertained of the great public services which Mr. 
Webb had rendered to the agricultural world. There was no question 
that the adoption of such a step was quite a stride in the annals of agri¬ 
culture, and he trusted that they would mark, by the zeal and energy 
they displayed, their sense of the important character of the work. Kings, 
warriors, statesman ; the three black graces—Law, Physic, and Divinity 
—all of these had their idol and their image ; but he did not know that 
there was one instance in which a public testimonial had marked any one 
individual who had distinguished himself in the agricultural world. The 
present, then, was a great opportunity, and it must not be lost. (Hear, 
hear.) He came, therefore, to the practical part of the matter—How could 
they best do this ? If they desired to do that which was worthy of their 
friend, the means must be provided for doing it. The meeting before 
him was one of weight and influence; the individuals of whom it was 
composed might be termed representative men in their several districts ; 
and they would, no doubt, induce many of their friends to combine in the 
f ;ood work. He was ambitious that a large fund should be subscribed, 
ndeed, they could not do what they ought without it. He wished to 
