19 JULY 1856, Page 2

• The festivities of the season are no bad passing

illustrations of our political and social state. The great political event of the week is the Ministerial dinner at Greenwich, today. This ought to be the prelude to the close of the session in the course of next week ; but the functionaries who are learned in such things differ as to the probability of effecting a finish, and the state of some of the bills in Parliament confirms the doubt.

It is at a Reform Club banquet that Sir William Williams of Kars makes the important announcement respecting his intended Parliamentary course. He promises to stick to the subjects of Army-organization and Turkey—subjects upon which he must be well-informed. If Sir William shall adhere to-this purpose, he will be that extraordinary novelty in Parliament, a man who fulfils his first promise and talks only about what he understands.

Men and beasts have been participating in the luxury of plenty at Chelmsford ; where the agriculturists have been holding their show, with a very fair progress in everything but poultry, and a novelty, the exhibition of foreign beasts as the winners of prizes. The Continent is said to be looking up in the rearing of stock ; a fact perhaps not uninfluenced by the free importation into this country. Some English agriculttuists look blank at the prospect of larger importations ; for there are men who still turn pale at the idea of food coming to their country men unless they receive the money for it.

While the Ministers are enjoying their white-bait dinner, Mr. Mechi and his friends are enjoying the annual exhibition and banquet at Tiptree Farm, and no doubt discussing the address which he has issued to the electors of Malden; for Mr. Mechi is ambitious to be Member of Parliament, as well as model farmer and volunteer Sheriff.