ROYAL AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, CIRENCESTER. 513 
the romantic. At least, he could only attribute to poetic licence what the 
chairman had been kind enough to say of him, but while he was far too 
modest to think that he had deserved the kindness that had been shown 
to him, he believed there had been no lack of sincerity either on the part 
of the chairman or of the company (cheers). An Englishman has a pro¬ 
verbial attachment for his roof-tree, be it never so humble, and would 
feel great sorrow in leaving it. What must it be then, as in his case, 
when to use a scriptural expression, his lines had fallen in pleasant places 
(cheers). There was also great uncertainty about the future, which was 
another subject of regret. He therefore felt that their kindness this 
evening, which was but an example of the kindness he had received ever 
since he had been here, would be a most soothing balm for all the troubles 
and sorrows which he had felt and expected to feel. He saw around him 
a great number of his fellow-townsmen and a very large circle of his 
brother farmers, and he could not sit down without expressing to them 
his heartfelt thanks for the kind way in which, on all occasions, they had 
received him. Whatever progress he had been permitted to achieve in 
his position had been due in a great degree to the open hand that had 
always been extended to him, to the open heart and to the open hand, if 
he might use the expression. He had never found his brother farmers 
saying, “ We won’t tell him anything: he is come to teach us.” That 
had not been the feeling, and he had felt that he could teach them any¬ 
thing ; but in relation to practical agriculture, he was the pupil and they 
the teachers in this partieular district. But he endorsed all that had 
been said by his brother professors in relation to the immense value of 
the Agricultural College. It was not true that he had been wrapt up in 
practice, and had not appreciated the noble sciences taught in the insti¬ 
tution. He owed to the instruction he received there, partly under Pro¬ 
fessor Buckman, that teaching which had enabled him to occupy the posi¬ 
tion which he had for the last seven years. He maintained that the 
farmers of this district recognised the importance of scientific knowledge 
in agriculture. The recollection of this evening would be a lasting 
solace to his mind, and he should look back with regret upon the change 
he was about to go through (loud cheers). 
The Chairman said they had now accomplished the list of toasts pecu¬ 
liar to their meeting, and notwithstanding that they had a very pleasant 
company, and were greatly enjoying themselves, he thought, considering 
the lateness of the hour, they should now close the proceedings, with a 
hearty wish for the long life, happiness, and prosperity of their guests, 
the professors (cheers). 
Mr. Vaisey said, before they parted, he wished to propose the health of 
their worthy chairman, with thanks to him for his kindness (loud cheers). 
He had had many occasions lately of meeting him, and a more worthy 
upright man they could not find (cheers). 
The Chairman said he was very much obliged to them. The position 
he had held that evening had not been sought for by him, but there was 
some little difficulty in finding a chairman, and he could not refuse, and 
he had been very glad to meet them (cheers). He had another motive 
for accepting the invitation, and that was that in his person they might 
remember his lamented brother, who, if it had pleased God to preserve 
him, would have been their fitting chairman on such an occasion as the 
present. His brother loved the farmers and loved the science, and did 
while he lived what he could. He accepted the post in the place of one 
whom they all loved (loud cheers). 
The company shortly afterwards broke up. 
