TENANTRY DINNER AT ECCLESVILLE
On Tuesday evening, JOHN S. ECCLES, ESQ., D.L., lord of the soil, entertained the tenantry on the Ecclesville Estate to dinner on the occasion of his marriage with CAROLINE, daughter of THOMAS R. BROWNE, ESQ., D.L., of Aughentaine Castle. The day will long be remembered by the tenantry on the estate, as one on which landlord and tenant acknowledged their obligations, and heartily wished prosperity to each other. The tenants were proud of their landlord, and the landlord proud of his tenantry, and with good reason; for scarce could well be found gathered together either in the north or south of Ireland such specimens of well-to-do, manly and independent tillers of the soil as those on which the eyes of Mr Eccles rested that day. The tree which has borne such goodly fruit was not planted yesterday nor day before. For generations back the landlords of the house of Eccles have resided on the estate amidst their tenantry, sympathising with them in their sorrows and sharing their joys – encouraging enlightenment, progress and improvement – three great causes from which spring a nation’s greatness and prosperity.
A kind and indulgent landlord makes a happy, contented and loyal people; and the landlord who does his duty in the respect may well be termed his country’s benefactor. Let other landlords and tenants who are disunited, who have not one feeling in common – who look upon each other as tyrants and serfs, mark well the results of the opposite feeling predominating on the Ecclesville Estate. Could our Premier induce all landlords and tenants to profit by the example of Ecclesville, a more effective “message of peace” would be sent to our land than any she has yet seen sent from the walls of St. Stephen’s.
The Chair was occupied by JOHN S. ECCLES, ESQ., D.L., represented by his father-in-law, THOMAS R. BROWNE, ESQ., D.L. The vice-chairs were filled by CHARLES, E. ECCLES, ESQ., DR. ROBINSON, J.P., and FINLAY BUCHANAN, ESQ., ROBERT BUCHANAN, ESQ., JAMES JOHNSTON, ESQ., and JAMES HOUSTON, ESQ., acted as croupiers.
About 300 sat down to a substantial dinner, to which every justice was done, in a large tent erected for the purpose in the Ecclesville Demesne. The tables were tastefully decorated with flowers and choice exotics. Behind the host hung a caed mille falthe to all who entered the dining tent, and the guests felt that it hung there in all truth and sincerity. Sitting on either side a Mr. Eccles on the platform and in the body of the tent, we noticed the following gentlemen: -
THOMAS R. BROWNE, ESQ., D.L.
REV. DR. BURNSIDE
HAMILTON STUART, ESQ.
CHARLES ECCLES, ESQ.
W. S. BURNSIDE, ESQ., F.T.C.D.
SAMUEL VESEY, ESQ., D.L.
RAYMOND DICKIE, ESQ.
WM. BROWN, ESQ.
A.H. ROBINSON, ESQ., J.P.
GEORGE W. FORDHAM, ESQ.
REV. JOHN CRAWFORD
REV. JAMES CASSIDY
REV. JONATHAN THORNHILL
REV. WM. REILLY
DR. McAREE, R.N.
T.C. DICKIE, ESQ.
ANDREW ELLIOTT, ESQ.
SAML. LENDRUM, ESQ.
ROBERT BUCHANAN, ESQ.
FINLAY BUCHANAN, ESQ.
JAMES JOHNSTON, ESQ.
JAMES ROBINSON, ESQ.
HUGH ALLEN, ESQ.
ALEXANDER WARNOCK, ESQ.
HUGH WARNOCK, ESQ.
ROBERT SPROULE, ESQ.
JAS. WILSON, ESQ.
NEWBERY WILSON, ESQ.
MICHAEL McMAHON, ESQ.
CLAUDIOUS MARTIN, ESQ.
A. McKISSICK, ESQ.; &c., &c.
The dinner having concluded, a number of ladies entered and were accommodated with seats on the platform – Mr Eccles conducting his young and lovely bride to a seat beside himself amidst a perfect storm of vociferous cheers. Amongst those who entered with MRS. ECCLES were – MRS BROWNE, MRS VESEY, MRS BURNSIDE, MISS ECCLES, the MISSES BROWNE, and the MISSES BURNSIDE, etc., etc.