The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1865-06-27 00:00:00

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DE.tEITNER Og BOARD H DEFENCR.

A nick eleseint 'and et6liftrflid dijnoter was given on
Thursday by the officers of H.M.S. Defeat*, to about 20
ladies.. and gentlemen from Weymouth and the
negiilyourboo I, amongst whom we noticed Captain
Ball and Mrs. Ball. Miss Synies, (Weymouth) W. J.
Hill, Esq., jun., Mrs. Hill, Mrs. John Tigard, J.
Andrews, Lel_ Miss Andrews, Mr. Andrews, jun.,
Miss Wallace Fyfe, Dr N. Tuptuan, Mrs. Arthur
Hewkins, Mies Emma Hawkins, the Misses Spew,
(Nether Cstfiej) lexantier Topmast, Esq., Captain
Younge and Miss Yet:lnge, Stli, tee.
The various pa, ta of this mist besiiiif dlly fonefirno'4l4
iron-clad ship were thoroughly examined and ex-
plained to the visitors by the officer*, whose unwearied
kindness and constant exertions to entertain and
amuse their visitors, cannot pose without notice and
thanks.
After triewlng the deck, guns, &c., the party proceeded
to the sailor.' Innis rdam, a long convenient apartment
occupied by a moat intelligent set of men. Some were
engaged in painting, and most artistically they were
perfortding their wink, others were employitig their
leisure hours In *irking, in elk, gold twist, and wool,
pne Urea of the D. hems on coarse linen—no lady would
h‘se been ashamed of the work. he larger portion of the
men were making and repaifing their clothes, and sing-
ing, moat light-I,ollltedly,tree and happy see:songs. Shoe-
niakino or mending was with oarpentry another Amu, e
of employment. The engine-rooins and machinery
having been minutely explained, the guests proceeded to
the hospital, a nice c.ml, airy room. Everything was in
eplen .id order, and some poor fellows, who were slightly
indisposed, looked condonable and well cared-for in
their eat hannaocks.
The dejeuneo wee is every way complete; not &delicacy
of the season was wanting, and the magnificent manner in
which it WAS laid out, and mingled teith bouquets of fine
r,,se,, pinks, esenatioes, geraniums, and light ferns in
filigree silver vases, elicited the admirs-
tint of every visitor.
During the Afternoon the band played selections from
various operas, and at four o'clock dancing commenced.
M .ny a hairy foot tripped fig tly, and many a young
heart best joyously as they joined in one of the uimt
graeleful and innocent of amusements. The band
deserve a full measure of compliment for their ad-
mirable performance. About half-last eight tie
vieitors 1.-ft fur Weymouth after farming a moot de-
lightful day, the bona playing "God gave the Queen."
Nor was the sail to Weymouth the least pleasant
portion of the day's enjoyment. Many of the ladies
kindly favoured the party with well executed eonga,
solos, and Miens. The scene was most dreamlike—the
glorious golden sunset—the soft ripple of the Waves,
that sends the full . .

Clear note abroad
Or winds its softness through the flood;
ruhoes through groves with core gay.
And dies on spongy bank away.
The swretly-tened voices of the ladies, the full, rich
voices of the gentlemen who joined in the melodies, all
rendered it must fairy-like, sod a scene that will not
soon be forgotten by those who were fortunate enough
to be invited. W