The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1876-01-04 00:00:00

DINNER TO THE AdllD POOR.

Again Mr. 11. Edwards, M.P., with his ever-fresh kind-
ness entertained the aged poor at the National Schoolroom
on Thursday afternoon last The weather, though rather
depressing, was favourable for the old people's excursions
from home, and only a few had the dinners sent to their
houses. The room was decorated with evergreens, mottoes,
and flags, and the band played cheerfully at intervals,
being accommodated in the side wing.
Mr. and Mrs. Page, who had so many years laboured
collecting funds, as well as providing and cooking the
feed, this year again helped by conducting the cooking
and other arrangements ; and 25 of the professional gentle-
men and tradesmen, including ministers, the Mayor, and
some of the aldermen and councillors, carved for the
poor. It was indeed a cheerful party, and the consump-
tion showed that old age by no means takes away the
appetite. They commenced precisely at two, and were
comfortably feasted within the hour, roast beef and
mutton, vegetables, pudding, and beer disappearing with
remarkable swiftness, so that the usual speaking began
earlier than usual, and took some of us by surprise, for in
this instance the "usual quarter of an hour' was not a
source of delay.
The Mayor and the Rector (Rev. T. (sreaves) were very
cordial in their good wishes to the poor people as they
had been active in waiting on them, and the Rector took
occasion also to express his wishes that all were like him.
self, teetotalers; if they were so for the coming twelve-
month they would be able at this time next year to invite
Mr. Edwards to a sumptuous banquet lie also at some
length spoke of the importance and benefits of English
independence, which he hoped they would never lose
(hear, and applause).
The Rev. W. Lawn; was glad to see so many living in a
green *ld age, there was nothing for that like a cheerful
heart, and a spirit filled with love. To see so many grand-
mothers and grandfathers beaming with some Christmas
joy, made those who were younger expect the same or
similar joy. The might not, very likely would not, be
here next year. The Mayor had said he did not miss many
faces: but the fact was that we do not miss the faces that
were gone, and if the chairs of those passed away were
left vacant, they would feel very near to death's door. In
conclusion he urged them to remember that " To-day is
the day of salvation," and they might all meet. with Mr.
Edwards, at the right hand of God, there to praise Him
for ever,

....Tie-6v. J. STEPHICKSON expressed his pleasure at
seeing so many there and so well.supplied, thanks to our
friend, Mr. Edwards, and no doubt many would bless him
with grateful hearts. He hoped what Mr. Greaves said
about English independence would be remembered by
them all, for the very easiest and shortest way to bring
them down to poverty would be to rob them of their
independence of feeling. But the word " independence"
might be wrongly used, and he reminded thew of their
dependence upon (sod. Let them depend upon their Lord
and Saviour, and remember that He will never leave them
nor .forsake them.

-.l67ltoseNs reCollected being there last year. Be hoped
the oldest would be able to infuse a degree of happiness
and cheerfulness into their meeting. Very much depended
upon ourselves whether the new year should be a happy
one, and let us spread around an atmosphere of comfort
and peace, then the new year will be more happy than if
we indulged in any selfish pursuit lie endorsed what was
said about the necessity of keeping aloof from that great
evil whichseenied to be spreading Its wings over us, and he
wished them all • happy New Year.
The Rev. W. Reim also wished them a happy new
year, and he hoped they would have the crown of
righteousness. The grandest things in the world were the
oldest things—(hear).
Mr. Councillor Arbsseunir had reflected what vicissi-
toet of feelings, of joys and pleasures those present
must have gene through'. He humorously described
young Mises setting their cape at a favourite young man,
and other scenes in life, mules much laughter. He
hoped the Lord would bleu them all, and all their
children -(applause).
hir. C. F. FREMILAN said it had been a great pleasure to
him to carve, and he took credit for being a good carver,
for there was nothing left on the bone—Haughterb
Mr. HOWARD said all were in search of happiness, and
if we don't get what we want we are disatiatied. But
happiness depends upon ourselves as much as on others,
under Providence, and there is as much happiness in those
who give as those who receive. Many of those present
might not be able to give anything, but they might be
able to do or say sorneWng that might cheer some weary
hearte--(hesx). A young Scotch woman in London,
instead of making herself lonely and miserable, gave to
certain parts in the neighbourhood that names of those
places where she had been wont to roam when It home,
and she was happy on going among them and being
young again. Mr. Edwards's desire was not only to give
them a dinner; but to bring them all together to meet
each other, and see each others' faces, which they would
not have room for in their cottages. Although many '
good speeches had been made, and others would-be made,
wee sure they would consider hie, the best, ter he
e letter iii read whkh would melte the best of whet I
y would bees tpday. Hr. Howard then reed a tenor
front the kind donor of tile feast, in which Mr. Edwards
said:--" I am anxious to give to every married coub lukaieti
also to each single person present at the dinner, •
and I shall feel much obliged if the committee will carry
this out for me. By wee of letegeehioe, knowild thai the
tradesmen are always willing and anxious to P in any
good work, and ro prevent anything like disappointment.
"4
the committee would have, say, tan or twelve
pairs"r
wa, various drapers, of quality suitable and good.
I—nn, on, it will be • pleasure to them, aa it is to to me,
feel !something has been done to relieve the sufferings
of the aged poor, during the winter. I hope the dinner
will be&sucoess,Ud although I shall.not he present In
body, I shall in. spirit "—(great hilidelles). The
fipplaisaa having liabaida Mr. IlownrdipOponsfan4an:d that ,
debt of gratiMde was due tdMr. Page—ise and he
moved a vote of thanks to Ma and his lady for the
way in which the &mar had beat carried oat—capplaumo.

Mr. Pun wee received with immense &polo,"
returned thanks, and said that the getting
dinner had always been • labour of love. A gaer, this
this kind, notso much for the dinner, but for the
of old friends with old friends, be had thought onzwet
much good, and be commenced with diffidenra, bo—roLle
soon wore away, when he got a contribution gentleman always ready for every good wor k. k„, ,1
never expected it would grow to an affair es
magnitude. He acknowledged the great kin o
dne.v7
Edwards, and hoped for every (deeming on him nod
Mr. HOWARD read a summary of the ago,
present, as follows :-60 to 70 years old, 100 ; 70 to ou7e,
old, 80 ; 80 to 90 Years old, 20; Flit 4 ib Years old, 2; t,ti
The Rev. T. °BRAVES proposed • vote of dunks to
evagror.of tlithempeoweparele woinuldwb:imopubitsuthhed,.
stroaaKiclit
worthy Mayor for taking the chair on this oecogiou":
(applause). He hoped they would always have ka yon
placed over them who would be able with. a wise ham g.l
• strong reign to direct the counsels of this borough.
hihtealowPwiilrace, and he hoped we should be a Geddeno4
applause).
The Marcia acknowledged the compliment? and
premed thanks to all who had so kindly asiusted. H.
wished all • happy new Year.
The band played the National Anthem, and tho 41
people separated early and happily.

BLEST.
CHURCH DECOILATIOIC-14 (.Iw.istrase Fleet Church was
very tastefully decorated. illuminated scrolls with text,
were on the wells, and on either side of the channel arch
were large medallions of red and gold bearing the
emblems of the Evangelists. Round the nave above the
seats was a dark blue border with gold Maltese creasy
The prayer desks were trimmed with holly, the leder*
with ferns and flowers, the font with Incas and white
Camellias, banners hung each side of the communing
table, and in the altar vases were bouquets of cut flowers.
CHRISTMAS GIFTS TO THS POOL—Mr. Tumor, of Fleet
House, Mr. Goodden, and the Rev. G. Rideout, view
liberally distributed five or six tons of coals among the
poor people here at the rate of five bushels to eseh
family. Mrs. Ridout sent out articles of warm clothing
to the pour, and Mrs. Tumor's Christine, box was a
pound of tea to each family. Mr. Marsh, of fleet Farm,
also gave away 150 lb. of beef to the poor.