The Worcestershire and Bedfordshire Agricultural Societies met on the 3d

instant, and each furnished something curious in the history of party and agriculture.

The Worcestershire Society met at the capital of the county ; and it was admitted to be one of the most successful meetings in the Society's annals. At the dinner in the evening, the Chairman, Mr. Dent of Sude- ley Castle, was supported by one Peer, Earl Beauchamp, and five Mem- bers of •the Lower House—Lord F-1m17 Mr. Foley, Sir Thomas Win- nington, Mr. Holland, and Sir John iikington. The Mayor of Wor- cester, in reply to an early toast, said lie was sure the tenantry only want dqe encouragement from the landlords, and those facilities required by the new system of cultivation, to " attain groat skill in agriculture," and produce sufficient to feed England. Lord Flmley declared warmly in favour of the collection of agricultural statistics; and he began a regular inquiry, by asking if agricultural statistics would be of advantage to the farmer ? A few cried Yes," but the " Noes" speedily overwhelmed

them. He then went on to show how absurd it was to object to the col- lection of these statistics. Sir Thomas Winningto'n did not expect much

from them, but he thought they should be tried. Sir John Pakington, referring to the observations of the Mayor, said he was glad to hear the representative of the commercial and manufacturing interests speak as he did : he was willing to believe that they rejoice heartily in. the prosperity of the agricultural interest.

When he spoke of the prosperity of the farmers, he wished to guard against being supposed to allude simply to those high prices which, un doubtedly, had been in some degree caused by the circumstances of the war, but which, he was happy to think, would to a certain extent survive the

war. He believed those prices had been for some time higher than was

consistent with the interest of any class. He did not believe that the occu- piers of the land would desire—and, if prudent men, could not desire —that the prices of agricultural produce should remain so high as they had been during the last two or three years ; but, on the other hand, they had a rig. ht to hope—and they must hope—that prices would not relapse to any lowness of range which could not be borne by the farmer in a manner consistent with that prosperity which was'in a great degree to be attributed to his own energy, spirit, and skill, but in some degree also to the circumstances of the times in which he lived. They must all recollect the time when, if they met a farmer in the street and wanted to put him in a good humour, all they had to do was to tell him he was hopelessly and ir-

retrievably ruined. (Laughter.) He remembered that at an agricultural

meeting he was rash enough to endeavour to offer consolation, and, among other things, ventured to say that the recent discoveries of gold in Australia must tend to moderate the badoffeet of the legislative changes. He be- lieved that every man in the-room thought the idea most absurd, and that the prospect walks° dark and gloomy that to think anything in Australia or Califorma would bring relief was to the highest extent visionary. But he believed that that wonderful discovery of gold had been neither more nor less than a merciful interposition of Providence to meet the circumstances of the times, the requirements of an increasing population, and to promote the advance of civilization.

Mr. Hudson, "a celebrated agriculturalist of the Vale of Evesham," said that agriculturists " should be content and let well alone ; and when they went to market it should be to buy or sell at the market-price, without making speculations as to what quantity of any particular ar- ticle remained in the country. A much less healthy state of things than the present would exist under a system of statistics which would foster speculation, and unduly raise or depress the markets." The Bedfordshire show was held in Woburn Park, and the dinner at the Bedford Arms in Woburn. There were present Lord Charles Rus- sell, in the chair, Colonel Gilpin, and Mr. Hastings Russell. The Chair- man set himself to show how agricultural societies have thriven in spite of the "fun-poking" newspapers ; how the deodorizing of sewage for farm purposes is "a course of proceeding which ought not to be recom- mended to practical agriculturalists " ; how farmers should use the manure they have at hand ; and how they should use liquid manure. He also gave his voice for agricultural statistics- " If agriculturists are really in earnest, and really desirous to cast off the certain stigma under which they will labour as long as people are under the impression that they want to keep back something, they will collect the opinions of all persons interested in the question, and then, either through their representatives in Parliament or by means of a deputation to the Home Secretary, make known their views and wishes to the Government of the country. I say this because I am anxious that the agriculturists should as a body stand as well in the social scale as it is possible for them to do. They stand at the present moment almost as high as any body of men can, and no human being has a right to complain of them or to throw at them the charge that they profess what they do not practise ; and if some are a

little dissatisfied and sneer at the agriculturists, while at the same time they expose their own ignorance, it is owing to the fact that the farmers have opposed the collection of agricultural statistics. Let them, then, put their shoulders to the wheel and remove that stigma, and then they, will occupy as high a position as any industrial community in the universe. '

The annual meeting of the Hinckford Conservative Association at Castle Hedingham took place on Monday. Sir John Tyrell, as is pretty well known, has announced his intention of retiring from Parliament. Mr. Ducane, the candidate for Sir John's seat, appeared as Chairman at Castle Hedingham, and stated his views. He described himself as " one

who has fought and bled in the cause of Conservatism "; and, maintain- ing the same high key, he spoke of the farmer as one who is seen every- where " following out his high mission ; promoting the cause of agri- cultural science, adding another link to the great chain of civilization, ameliorating the'condition of the labourer, and raising him in the social scale of humanity." A great part of his speech consisted of an attack on the Government ; but at the close he stated the needs of his party.

"They need a Minister who would reorganize the Conservative party, and, with the confidence of the country and the support of the majority of the House of Commons, undertake the administrative business of the em- pire, reform the public service, develop the Colonial interest, promote the cause of industry, and take in hand with patient labour those measures of social and administrative reform which the voice of the country and the spirit of the age demand. They require a Minister who would do this and something more—one who would stand by the Queen and constitution, who would protect the Protestant institutions of Church and State, maintain in- tact civil and religious liberty and the Christian character of the Legisla- ture. Above all, they require that the National Church should be protected from aggression and spoliation. The time is not far distant when the people

of England will arise as one man and demand such a Minister ; and he was confident that they would find him, not among the all-talented but all-un-

principled members of the Coalition, or the mediocrity of the Whig party, but where they sought and before found a pilot to weather the storm—m the ranks and among the leaders of a firm, united, Conservative party." Major Beresford made four points in his address. He will vote for Church-rates until a fair and just equivalent is offered : the Dissenters must pay the rates although they disapprove of the Church, because they Purchased property subject to the rates. He is opposed to the admission of the Jews ; and this would appear to have brought him into great straits—.

" I have drawn upon myself a good deal of obloquy, and have been sub- jected to some persecution, on account of any determined opposition to the

attempts to unChristiamze the Legislature of the country. Gentlemen, they may persecute me again ; they may throw obloquy and call me a bigot as much as they like • but while I breathe and live, I will vote in the House of Commons against admission of men to Parliament who will not ac- knowledge our crucified Redeemer."

He is also opposed to the Maynooth grant, and he said some curious things thereupon.

The necessity for referring to the College of Maynooth " is greatly in- creased by what took place during the last session of Parliament, and by the tone taken during this summer by one of the journals professing to be a Conservative journal, to speak the sentiments of the Conservative party, and which is known to be considerably under the guidance of some of its leaders. The organ I particularly, allude to is the newspaper called the Press. That is a journal now established rather more than three years, and is, I must say, conducted with a good deal of talent and ability.; but it now and then takes upon itself to speak to the Conservative party in rather dic- tatorial terms ; and for the last few months it has presumed to censure and assail every man who ventured to oppose the permanent endowment of May- nooth, and to vituperate in no measured terms every attempt to disturb or alter that endowment Unfortunately, it has been the bane of all parties, during the last few years, to blink principles and to make conces- sions, with a view of conciliating the Irish party in the House of Commons." Now these "Irish Papists" are "very shrewd fellows," and "they heartily despise those that think to purchase them by the sacrifice of principle." " R e have lately heard it stated that our party is getting low—some even go the length of saying that the Conservative party is defunct—and that we. have no definite fixed principles upon which a party can be kept together. I am not going at the present time to enter into any discussion upon that point; but I know that as far as I am myself concerned, I am as true a Con- servative now as I ever was in my life. But I must say, it is not extraor- dinary that such an opinion should gain ground, when you see the leaders of our party repudiating so vital a question as the repeal of the endowment of Maynooth. But they may depend upon this, that the feelings of all true- hearted English Protestants are as strong upon this question as they ever were or ever will be. They object to giving their money in support of that of which they do not approve ; and they are determined; at all events, that the whole question shall be dispassionately inquired into, and placed upon a proper and satisfactory footing. I myself should not be sorry if the result of that inquiry should be its actual repeal. I would not go short of that ; but at the same time, I don't pretend to say that the repeal of the Maynoeth en- dowment can of itself be made the basis of a political party cry. Wit --ver thought of making one article the basis of his religious creed ?—and it is possible for any party in England to hold their ground long unless they en- joy the full confidence of the great body of the community, not upon one great question alone, but on the majority of those questions on which all are interested."

He also objected to the collection of agricultural statistics on the plan proposed last session.

The Surrey Agricultural Society held its annual meeting at Epsom on Wednesday. At the dinner, the Members, Mr. Alcock, Mr. Evelyn, and Mr. Drummond, duly attended. In the speeches of these gentlemen the question of agricultural statistics held a prominent place. Mr. Al- cock and Mr. Evelyn agreed in denouncing an attempt at compulsory collection ; but there agreement ended. Mr. Alcock thought they would be useful. Mr. Evelyn thought these statistics were intended to enable the foreign merchant and speculative dealer to undersell the farmer. Be- sides, the library-table of the House of Commons is already loaded enough with statistics. Mr. Drummond took a characteristic position-

" Now, gentlemen, with regard to agricultural statistics, I am of opinion that there is a vast deal of humbug in the matter. (Cheers and laughter.) I don't believe it is worth your while either to oppose them or adopt them. If anybody wants to know how many acres of wheat or of turnips or pota- toes I grow, I'll tell him ; but as to its being of the smallest use to any living man, I don't believe one word of it. People go mad, and nations are going mad, after these statistics ; and if you don't furnish them I will tell you what will be the consequence. You will have fellows sent round the country to take them, and then you will have to pay for them pretty smartly. That is the point about this agitation which I dislike. I think the odds are that the gentleman who will be sent round will be the barrister of seven years' standing, and that is a sort of gentleman who I think is getting a vast deal too much employment already. I think it is perfectly absurd to sup- pose that these agricultural statistics will be of the smallest use." Mr. Drummond had much to say in favour of good ale. "And yet, al- though I am so fond of ale, I know, I believe, but one single house in the whole county of Burl where good ale is to be had." [Albury House " by Henry Drummond " ? There are people who say, " Don't drink fieer." "Beer, forsooth ! Why, there's hardly any one in the country who knows what beer is now. If we were to shut up all the brewers in London in a room and give them nothing but malt and hops, I don't suppose that all the malt and hops in the world would enable them to turn out that nasty black stuff they call porter." No ; good ale would do more to reform their morals. than all the trumpery schemes now advocated. To get good ale, the Malt— tax must be abolished. " I fear that we shall never get the Malt-tax off for the benefit of the farmers unless there is a very strong effert made. (Cheers and a cry of "Bravo !") Now, what's the use of crying Bravo, bravo !' unless you come up with petitions and remonstrances and back me in the House ?"

The Hants and Wilts Adult Education Society, now three years old, held its annual meeting on Tuesday, at Basingstoke. The Bishops of Winchester and Salisbury were there, with a contingent of clergymen from their dioceses ; Mr. Edwin Chadwick and Mr. Henry Cole repre- sented in some measure the Society of Practical Art ; and the Dean of Hereford, well known in Hampshire as • the former Vicar of King's Sombre, came over to his old county, and was voted into the chair, on the moving and seconding of the two Bishops. and it would be necessary to allow for.very wide diversities of circumstances and conditions in carrying it out. The very nature of agricultural employ- ment made the matter arduous of adjustment ; for they could not take a ploughboy from his plough to send him a distance, it might be of two or three miles, to a school. Yet he had strong claims on their consideration—quite as strong as the boy employed in a factory. If the child of an operative needed protection as regards his education, and if the Legislature interfered to insure to him a certain amount of schooling, why should not a similar privilege be conferred upon the ploughboy, and on the child who was sent into a field to watch the crows ? A half-time system, which would contem- plate that on every alternate day such young persons should be withdrawn from their occupations for the purpose of attending school, might perhaps be feasible.

The Bishop of Winchester, in moving that the report should be printed and circulated, spoke in the warmest terms of the Dean of Hereford ; in whose exertions to extend and to raise the standard of education he was proud to be a cooperator. He said he would take that opportunity of expressing his belief, that clergymen cannot employ any time which they can spare from their spiritual duties—of course, their first care— more profitably than in imparting the riches of their knowledge to those classes for whose especial benefit this Society has been instituted. The sympathy thus shown is in itself a key to the hearts of many which they would not be able to reach by any more formal or didactic method. He was greatly pleased to hear the suggestion respecting half-time. " Ordinarily speaking, it is not of so much importance that a certain number of yards of calico should be manufactured on this day more than any other day ; but you cannot take this liberty with the operations of agri- culture. You cannot deal thus with the productions of the land. You can- not postpone ploughing and sowing. You cannot take the ploughboy from his team nor let the plough lie idle, that he may go to school for a few I

hours. t is clear, then, that the half-time system cannot be applied to the agricultural county in the precise form in which it prevails in the manufac- turing district. You must subject it to certain modifications ; and the sug- gestion that there should be alternate ploughboys—that is to say, that a boy should plough one day and go to school another—is I think, worthy of at- tentive consideration. Assuredly, some such expedient as this might be devised by the benevolent ingenuity, of those who have the interests of the agricultural classes at heart, and who feel that our peasantry have souls as well as bodies."

At a later period this suggestion met with a different treatment. Mr. W. L. Sclater expressed his conviction that the " half-time " system was, as regarded the agricultural districts, purely chimerical— The farmers would never stand it. They would not listen to the idea of an alternate ploughboy. (Laughter.) That notion should be dismissed at once and for ever. But the ploughboy would still have ample opportunities of instruction during the long evenings of autumn and winter. The Reverend Dr. Underwood dissented ; and Mr. Henry Cole made something like a declaration of war—

It was all nonsense for the farmers to say they would not stand it. Whe- ther they liked it or not, they would have to stand it. And why not they as well as the manufacturers ? If the Legislature were to say to the farm- " We are resolved that you shall stand it, and you are to understand that, if you have in your employment young persons of a certain age who are not educated up to a certain point, you shall be subjected to a penalty," the farmers would soon come to their senses and appreciate the force of such an argument. This was a drastic mode of treatment that would not fail to conviction.

. Chadwick stoutly advocated a very extensive adoption of com- petitive examinations ; and the Reverend F. Trench of Reading showed that numbers of adults had acquired in youth the art of reading which they had lost before they reached the age of manhood. In the course of the proceedings, prizes were presented to Mr. G. F. Skinner, of Lymington ; Mr. W. Blake, of Alton ; and Mr. W. Bowden, of Abbotts' Ann ; each of whom had passed a rigorous examination em- bracing the history and theory of the steam-engine, the physical geo- graphy of the British Isles, and English history during the reigns of James the Second and William the Third.

The ceremony of opening the new "Free-trade Hall" at Manchester was performed on Wednesday. As the building has been erected by the joint subscriptions of persons of all kinds of politics, it was deemed improper to connect the proceedings very decidedly with any kind of political views : the utmost that the proprietors would concede was the name. The inaugural performances give a foretaste of the destination of the Minding. Early in the evening there was a meeting of shareholders and their friends. Over this meeting Mr. George Wilson presided ; and gathered around him were Mr. Milner Gibson and six other Lan- cashire Members of Parliament. Mr. Bright, Mr. Cobden, Fox, Mr. Villiers, General Thompson, were absent. Mr. Wilson, in his opening speech, told his audience the story of the place, and explained that it was intended for public purposes of all kinds—meetings for all sects and parties, balls, concerts, lectures and the like. Then Mr. Mil- ner Gibson, restricted to neutral topics, made a speech glancing at the prohibited subjects, and enlarging on the proposition that a free people require large public halls. He did not forget, however, to advocate re- duced establishments and, reduced taxation ; nor did he omit to state that he should press the Chancellor of the Exchequer to repeal the paper-duty. He also contrived to insinuate a hint at nonintervention— It appeared to him that there are persons anxiously looking for some fo- reign entanglement which might enable the Ministry of the day, to urge that the army should be kept up at its present strength ; that it was im- possible to give up any taxes ; that there was danger in the distance ; and that therefore all financial reforms must be delayed. He did not want on this occasion to lay down any doctrine of noninterference in foreign affairs ; but he would take leave to say that he thought there is a very strong ten- dency on the part of the English people to interfere unnecessarily in the affairs of other countries. He could well understand why governments are ready to encourage the direction of public attention to the affairs of other countries. There is no receipt more fully appreciated by the 'Governments of Europe than this—that, in order to keep people-from considering their own affairs, there is nothing like directing their attention to the affairs of others.

Mr. Cheetham, Mr. William Brown, and Mr. J. Heywood, having ad- dressed the meeting, its constituent elements forthwith betook themselves to dancing.

Mr. Joseph Napier delivered a lecture at the Keswick Mechanics' Institution last week, on " Labour and Knowledge in connexion with the Condition and Prospects of the Working Classes." It was somewhat of a sermon. The vexed question the union of the Danubian Principalities has

been taken up by Bri n. On Monday, the Mayor, Mr. Hallett, pre.. sided over a public meeting in the Town-hall. It was attended by Mr. -Scholefield M.P., Signor Bratiano, a Wallachian refugee, Dr. Arnold Ruge, "several other foreigners," and a good number of gentlemen having local weight and influence. Several Members of Parliament sent apologies for absence—Mr. Roebuck among them: he expressed his opin- ion that the Principalities might be made a means of checking the spirit of despotism, which is supported by Russia, Austria, and Turkey. "My only hope of justice to the Principalities is in England. Every other nation that has any influence upon their wellbeing is an enemy to free. dom and liberal institutions. But the Government of England is, I fear, too much controlled by the despotic Governments of Europe to permit the power of England to be employed, as it ought to be employed, in the negotiations which are now taking place with respect to the Principalities. The people of England, however, may compel their Government to act wisely."

The whole tenour of the speaking—chiefly by Mr. Montagu Scott, Mr. A. Dodson, Mr. Scholefield, and Dr. Ruge—went the length of advo- cating the union of the Principalities. Mr. Scholefield said— They did not ask the Government to interfere in the affairs of the Prin. cipalities, or to effect any special reforms, or to lay down a new consti- tution; liut all they desired was that Moldavia and Wallachia should be left free and unfettered to manage their own internalaffairs. No doubt, there might be many difficulties in the way of making them free and unfettered ; but he thought that if the Government of England and those of other countries were honestly disposed they might relieve those difficulties by permitting the exiles now absent from the Principalities to return and ascertain the real opinion of the people of those states. If he understood rightly what their views were, they desired, in the first place, a union between Moldavia and Wallachia, and secondly, that that union should be constituted under an hereditary monarchy. He should rejoice if it were true that such was the wish of the people of the Principslities, because he could not doubt for a moment that the union of Moldavia and Wallachia would increase their strength, so- lidity, and influence ; and he was sure that if- they adopted the form of an hereditary limited monarchy, they would adopt that form of government which is the best that human wisdom has yet devised for conducting the affairs of a free country. But whether the people of the Principalities decided for a union or not—whether they decided for an hereditary mo- narchy or not--he for one only asked that there should be no interference of any kind with their wishes ; that neither Austria, Russia, nor Turkey, nor even France or England, should be permitted to say to them that they should have any other form of government than that which they themselves desire."

The meeting adopted with unanimity the views set before it in a reso- lution and a memorial to the Queen- " That this meeting is in favour of the union of Moldavia and Wallachia, in order to erect the Roumain people into a free, powerful, and self-govern- ing nation, as the. best barrier against Austria and Russia ; and that this meeting exprestes its earnest hope that the Government of England will, in conjunction with France, insist upon the fulfilment of the resolutions of the Paris Conference,in order to satisfy the just expectations of the Roumain i people as to their internal government."

The memorial went farther than the resolution, and explained that the spirit of the Paris Conference would be carried out, "in conformity with the treaties with the Sublime Porte," by the union of the Danubian Principalities, which they prayed, might be insisted on by her Majesty's geivernment. •

Tiwo gentlemen "in the Liberal interest" are wooing the voters of Great Yarmouth—Mr. Torrens M'Cullagh, and Mr. E. W. Watkin, "of the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Railway." They are not opponents, apparently, but allies ; and they both take very " popular " views of things in general.

The Town-Council of Derby have unanimously voted an address to Lord Belper on his elevation to the Peerage. They speak of it as a "well-deserved honour" ; they see in it a recognition of the importance of commercial industry ; grateful for local kindness and aid, they remark that "the stranger as well as the inhabitant has long been accustomed to connect the name of Strutt with the modern progress Of Derby" ; and they refer with pleasure to the long time during which the new Peer was a member of their corporation.

A number of subscribers of the Berkshire Reformatory Institution in- spected the premises at &infield, near Reading, on Saturday, and after- wards heard a report on the state and prospects of the enterprise. The school was opened in June 1855. The expense, including the purchase- money of the house and grounds, up to Michaelmas 1856, has been 7191. At present there are twenty-one boys in the school ; but there is accom- modation for thirty -five. The boys have behaved well ; there have been only two instances of attempts to run away.

Some of the officers of the Fourth Light Dragoons, quartered at Brighton, are reported to have misbehaved very grossly towards one or two of the young officers of the regiment—emulating the Windsor pranks of the Forty- sixth. Three of the offenders—Lieutenant Winstanley, Cornet Lord Ernest Vane Tempest, and Cornet Birt—were placed under arrest.

The Reverend George Bird, formerly Rector of Cumberworth, near Hud- dersfield, has started a new " Christian " sect at Whitehaven. One of the doctrines is that a man may beat his wife—that is, "rule his household," and enforce obedience by violence if necessary. One of his disciples, James Scott, acting on this principle, beat his wife because she would notycan Mr. Bird's communion. He was taken before the Magistrates. The wife offered to forgive him if he would promise not to beat her again. He refused to make the promiae—" Am I to obey the laws of God, or the laws of man ?" he asked. The Magistrates sent him to prison for a month. Mr. Bird has delivered a series of lectures on this case, upholding wife-beating.

Mr. Thomas Camplin, for many years actuary of the savings-bank at Bromley in Kent, has absconded, leaving a deficiency of 5001. in his accounts.

A government reward of. 501. is offered for the apprehension of a burglar, who, with some companions, broke into Mrs. Sykes's house at Somerton, and so cruelly beat her that her life is in danger. Mrs. Sykes is eighty years old.

There has been a collision at Preston station : a passenger-train ran into a goods-train which was crossing the line. Fortunately, the speed was not great ; but several passengers were hurt. The " accident " arose from the carelessness of some person.

A fatal accident occurred at the Fisherton station of the Wilts and Somer- set Railway on Mon,dayevening. Two engines were drawing a very heavy cattle-train ; the driver of the first was an experienced man, but the people

in charge of the second were not acquainted with the line. There is a rapid descent from Wilton to Fisherton. From whatsoever cause, the train dashed into Fisherton station at a great rate, broke down the fixed barriers and buffers, carried away the end of the platform, and crushed clear through the station, even the outer wall having been broken down. The driver and stoker of the first engine escaped unhurt by leaping off; the driver and stoker of the second engine were crushed to death in the enormous mass of ruins. There were some dealers and drovers in the train—apparently in the rear—but they escaped with a shaking. About a hundred sheep were Lined. As to the cause of the accident, it seems clear that no blame rests on any one at the station. When Mays the surviving driver was arrested, he stated that he had shut off his steam, and had whistled to the deceased driver, Nicholson, to do the same; he heard Nicholson's locomotive still working, but could not say whether with a backward or forward movement : the rails were slippery, the incline sharp, and the train very heavy. A Coroner's Jury have pronounced a verdict of " Accidental death" ; but they appended these remarks to it—" The Jury are of opinion that the Directors of the Great Western Railway Company are censurable in sending, by night, men as engine-drivers without an accurate knowledge of the line over which they travel. The Jury are also of opinion that this accident would not have occurred if there had been a signal at a greater distance from the station, and they recommend that one be erected accordingly. The Jury regret that the arrangements of the branch line are such as to prevent the possibility of the fortnightly special cattle-trains arriving at the several stations at the times appointed for them in the published time-table."