The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1858-02-02 00:00:00

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STEEPLE ASHTON.—Sheep Stealing—On the night
of Wednesday week a ewe sheep was killed in the
fold of Mr. Joseph Hooper, near the cemetery, on
the London road, Salisbury. The thieves did not
stay to skin the animal, but cut off the shoulders and
one leg with the skin attached, and then made off,
leaving the remainder of the carcase on the ground.
The depredators have, as yet, escaped detection.

INAUGURATION OF A RUSSIAN GUN—The Rus-
sian gun presented to Salisbury by Lord Panraure as
a trophy of the late campaign in the Crimea, was
placed in front of the Council-chamber on Monday
morning week. It is a 32-pounder, and one or two
sharp indentions on the muzzle afford an indication
that it has seen hard service. The carriage on
which it is mounted is the gift of the ex-Mayor,
Mr. Thomas Pain. It was gaily decorated with
evergreens, and was escorted from the South-
Western Station by the police, headed by a band,
and the recruiting party now stationed in Salisbury,
a sergeant of the 17th Foot, bearing the national
colours. The gun was received at the entrance to
the Council-house by the Mayor aud Corporation,
where his Worship delivered a spirited address.
The gun, which was immediately spiked, formed a
prominent feature of attraction to the citizens, and a
turbulent crowd, headed by a drum and fifes, per-
ambulated the streets throughout the day. In the
evening there was a serious disturbance in the
Market-place, and on Tuesday morning one or two
persons were taken before the magistrates on a
charge of assaulting the police.

VALI 07 WYI:YI AUNT BALL-A ball took
place at the Townhall, Warminster, on Wednesday
evening week, under the patronage of the members
of this hunt. There were about 130 persons present,
including many of the principal families of the town
and neighbourhood, with parties from Oodford,
Sutton Veney, Berwick St. James, and other ad-
jacent places. Dancing commenced about half•put
nine o'clock, and wee kept up with much spirit to
the strains of Reynolds's quadrille band (from Bath)
until 12 o'clock, when the company partook of a
most recherche supper, which was provided by that
excellent caterer, Mr. Moos, of the Bath Hotel. This
elegant repast included almost every imaginable
delicacy, the boar's-head not being forgotten, while
an enormous twelfth cake, beautifully decorated,
stood in the centre of the table. The champagne.
and other wines were of first-rate quality, and on the
whole we do not believe a better or more sumptuous
entertainment was ever furnished in the provinces.
After supper dancing wee again resumed, and was
maintained with great spirit until the morning. On
i the whole this s one of the most sucousful balls
which has ever taken place in Warminster. Mr. Fin-
ley, of Salisbury, officiated with his usual ability as
master of the ceremonies.

Parry $7B/00NS.—Present: the Rev. R. Crawley
(clerk), and R. P. Long, Pa3,—A BRUTZ 07 A
MOTHER•IN•LAW.—Rosanna Bigrood appeared to
answer a charge of assaulting Mary Bigwood, 12
years of age, her atop-daughter, at Coon. It
appeared that for some trifling offence, defendant
took the child to her bedroom, stripped her, tied
her hands and feet, and then with a rod of three
twigs beat her as long as she thought proper. Upon
the child being released she immediately ran to a
neighbour'. house, and told how she had been
treated. She was then taken to the Rev. Mr.
Clapp's, and, upon examination, nearly 40 stripes,
some five or six inches long, were found on different
parts of her person. Blood was flowing from most
of them. The ease was submitted to the Rev. It.
Crawley, who issued a summons for the defendant's
appearance. It appeared, however, that consider-
able influence had been exercised over the child in
the meantime, as she refused to be sworn, and said
she had been naughty, and that her mother did not
hurt her much. The whole facts of the case, how-
ever, were elicited from other witnesses, and at the
conclusion of the case, the Bench said that this was
the third or fourth time that defendant had been
brought there for the same sort of thing. They
should now send her to the New Prison at Devizes
for one calendar month.

MARLBOROIIGH.—BaII in Honour of the Marriage
of the Princess Royal.—ln common with most other
towns throughout England, a ball was held at the
Townhall, on Monday night, under the patronage of
the Colonel the Marquis of Ailesbury, the officers,
non-commissioned officers, and privates of the Marl-
borough Troop of the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry
Cavalry, and the inhabitants of the town and neigh-
bourhood, in order to celebrate the marriage of Her
Royal Highness the Princess Royal. The occasion
presenting as it did an opportunity for a loyal
demonstration, the bells at the c hurches rang mer-
rily until nearly midnight; the exterior of the Town-
hall was brilliantly illuminated, and the interior
beautifully decorated. The walls were wreathed
with evergreens, the colours of the Wiltshire Regi-
ment of Royal Yeomanry Cavalry surmounted by
crossed swords were placed in various parts of the
room, with the motto, "Our Queen and country"
depending from the orchestra, presenting altogether
a novel and appropriate coup or ail, especially when
graced by the largest assemblage of youth, beauty,
and fashion, ever seen in this town, who not only
met to do honour to the youthful daughter of our
beloved Queen, but evidently with a determination
to enjoy themselves, notwithstanding the difficulties
of crinoline and space. Dancing commenced at
about half-past nine, to the enlivening strains of an
excellent band, and the whole of the arrangements
bespoke the energy of the stewards, who left nothing
undone to ensure the happiness of the company, as
far as lay in their power. The supper and refresh-
ments which were provided by Mr. Hammond, of
the Castle and Ball, were of a superior character, and
gave the utmost satisfaction, every delicacy was to be
found in abundance, and nothing was wanting on
Mr. Hammond's part. A very bountiful supply of
game was presented by the noble Marquis of Ailes-
bury, and a liberal supply of champagne from Lord
Ernest Brace. A very pretty bridecake placed
underneath a triumphal arch occupied the centre of
one of the tables bearing the motto "May they ever
remain united." Amongst the company were Mr.,
Mrs., and the Misses Merriman, Captain and Mrs.
Manders, Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Merriman (Locker.

idge), Mr. and the Misses Ivesm, Mr. and Mrs. R.
E. Price, Mr. and Mrs. Savage, Mr. and Mrs.
Maurice and party, which included the Misses
Maurice, Messrs. 0. and J. Maurice, and Lieutenant
Bullock ; Mr. and Mrs. Gwillim, Mr., Mrs., and
Miss Collins and party, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Reed
and Miss Coddington, Messrs. Robert, Henry, and
Stephen Dixon, Messrs. Platt (3) and Miss Platt, of
Preshute House, Messrs. T. and W. and Miss L.
Westall, Mr. A. M. May and party, Mr. and Mrs.
Featherstone, Mons. Belzoni and Bonabeau, Mr. and
Mrs. Edward May (Hungerford), Mr. W. and Miss
S. Lucy, Mr. S. E. Lawrence and Miss Lawrence,
Mr., Mr. J., and Miss Brooke (Burbage), Mr. and
Mrs. Reynolds and party, of Lye Hill, Mr., Mr. N.,
and Miss Potter (Bedwyn), Mr. Tanner (Rockley
House), Mr. Butler (Stitchcombe House), Mr. (od-
ding (Brimslade), Messrs. J. and I). Russel, and
James Carter, The Marquis and Lord Ernest
each sent letters expressing their regret at being
unable to attend, as, but for the extraordinary occa-
sion requiring their presence in London, they would
certainly have been present.
J Tux LATE MR. OHN BRITTON AND MR. JOHN
AURREY.—A handsome stained glass window has
been erected in the church of Kington St. Michael,
by subcription, as a joint memorial to the late Mr.
John Aubrey and Mr. John Britton, both natives of
the parish. The window consists of three lights, the
centre one of which is filled by a representation of St.
Michael overcoming the evil spirit, and the other
two with angels bearing scrolls and texts. Above
these is a rich canopy. The upper portion of the
window is in the form of a rose of five leaves, with a
circle in the midst. In the leaves are the coats of
arms of persons historically connected with the par-
ish, and in the centre, united by a knot, are the ini-
tials J. A. and J. B. (John Aubrey and John Brit-
ton.) Beneath the window a brass plate has been in-
serted with the names and particulars in full. A
stone of singular construction, and in imitation of
one at Stonehenge, will mark the resting place of
Mr. John Britton, at Norwood Cemetery.
FARlNODON.—Resignation of the Maater of the 0.
B. Hounds.—A meeting of gentlemen connected
with the Old Berkshire Hunt was held at the Crown
Hotel here, on Thursday week, the Right Hon. E. P.
Bouverie, M. P., in the chair, when the intended
resignation, at the close of the present season, of the
highly popular and respected master of the hounds,
James Morrell, Esq., was communicated by E. M.
Atkins, Esq., upon which a resolution expressive of
the great regret of the meeting at the announcement,
and its sense of obligation to him for the manner in
which he has hunted the country for ten years, was
unanimously passed. It was also resolved that a
committee, consisting of E. M. Atkins. Esq., (chair-
man), Sir R. G. T ckmorton, Bart., the Right
Hon. E. P. Bouverie, M.P., T. M. Goodlake, Esq.,
W. Stickland, Esq., D. Bennett, Esq., and G. F.
Crowdy, Esq., be appointed to communicate with
any gentleman who may be desirous of hunting the
Old Berkshire country.