The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1865-01-03 00:00:00

diem,
Ilted .
102.
II

prisoners,
; expelled
government in

Timms%
614 Pa.

tb change the position of Hood and.
Thomas; the latter, indeed, claims a victory,
but at the same time looks forward to a renewal
of the engagement. His report is that he has
driven Hood from his earth Works, and captured
15 guns and 1,600 Men ; while Hood, on the
other hand, claims to have captured 5,000 of
the Federal troops. The further information of
the position and successes of the belligerents in
Georgia and Tennessee is looked forward to with
the greatest anxiety.
The Loudon Gazette of Friday publishes the
septennial corn averages for regulating the tithe
commutation. The average, per bushel, is—
wheat, 65.; barley, 45. 3d. ; oats, 2s. 10d.
The rumour of a declaration of war between
Spain and the South Americas republics has
reached this country. It is staid that the flag-
ship of the Spanish Admiral, Who has been in
possession of. the Chincha Islands, has been
destroyed. This information is said to have
been brought by the Hansa, on Thursday, and
it was received with credit in Liverpool.
The Pope has issued an encyclical letter, con-
taining 80 propositions Condemnatory of what
he terms the principal modern errors. Pan-
theism, rationalism, and religious indifference
are eondeinned. Civil liberty and the freedom
of the press are declared to be conducive to the
corruption of morals; and the Ecclesiastical
power is stated to be, by Divine right, distinct
from, and irdependent of, the civil power.
Liberty of worship in any form but that
sanctioned by the Roman Catholic Church, any
interference of Governments either with the
clergy or in clerical matters, and societies having
for their objects the distribution of the
Scripture', are condemned as pernicious and
detestable. The letter, it appears, has been
submitted to the most erudite Romiah prelates
for their opinions, and has subsequently been re-
discussed by the Pope and the Cardinals, and is
I to be taken as the essence of Roman Catholic
policy throughout the world in the second half
of the present eentury:
A decred is about to be issued at Turin, re-
organising the War Department, and diminish-
ing the staff officials. We prdeume this is the
first step towards the promised reductions in
the arnty and military arrangements of the
Italian kingdom.

oulattia

The Ov;rland mail from India and China
brings news of a serious accident in the huning
field to Sir Hugh Rose, the C/ommiander-in-Chief
of the Indian army. He was thrown from his
horse and severely injured. The occurrence
would probably prevent his Excellency from
quitting Calcutta on his return home so easily 8.6
he anticipsted. The Governor-General had an-
nounced by proclamation the intention of the
Indian Government to annex the Bengal Dooars
of Bhootan to British territory. Something
likes civil war was raging in Bhootan between
the rajahs and natives, which will, probably,
facilitate an early settlement of the dispute,
without necessitating the risks and cost of an
invasion by a British army. From all parts of
India there were reports of injury to the crops,
owing to the want of rain, and a famine was
apprehended in the Deccan. The news from
China is unimportant. In Japan, the treaty
with the foreign powers that recently undertook
the expedition against the Simonasaki was not
signed, but it had been prepared, and stipulated
for the payment of an indemnity for the oast of
the expedition, as well as for the concession of a
port of trade on the inland sea.

Professor Goldwin South, one of the strongest
Federal advocates in this country, having re.
cently paid a viait to his Northern friends, re-
turned from New York on Sunday. On arriving
in this country, one of the first things he did was
to write to the Daity News, attempting to prove
that the sinking of the Florida was the result of
an accident. The Professor, however, cannot
conceal from himself that the thing looks most
suspicious. In the very outset he remarks,
"The sinking of the Florida seemed by its fatal
opportuneness, to defy a charitable construction;
and it unflartunately eoincided with the wishes
of some who ought to have taken a higher View
of the real interests of their country. Mr.
Sumner, in his pamphlet on the case, says :
" If the American commander, who undertook
this business at Bahia, had done it completely,
there would be little difficulty now. There was
fire and water both at his service. Be might
have burnt the Florida, or scuttled her at once,
and his offence would have been no greater than
now, while his Government would have been
relieved from embarrassment. It is hardly
cynical to say of such an omission, in the words
of Talleyrand, that it was worse than a crime—
it was a blunder. When a senator of the Linited
States and the chairman of the Sedate Conamittee
on FOreign Relations allows himself to suggest
inch a mode of avoiding embarrassment, his
countrymen must not be astonished if, in less
partial quarters, unfavourable impressions are
apt to prevail." We cannot help thinking that
the great majority of people who do not happen 1
to be Americans perfectly agree with Professor '
Smith on this point.
A very striking illustration of the fruits of
concessions to Popery has just been afforded by
proceedings across the Channel, which have
been oitentatiously carried on under the patron-
age of a large batch of Romish prelates and
priests, and a handful of Popish M. P.'s. All
the Romish bishops except one, and that one no
other than the redoubtable "John, Archbishop
of Team," signed a requisition to the Lord
blayor of Dublin, whose loyalty is of a rather
ambiguous character, asking the worthy func-
tionary to convene an aggregate meeting of toe
inhabitants of Dublin and others, to found a
Popish Assoeiation, having a threefold object in
vie* : The requisitionitts desired to alter the
laws bet Ween landlords and tenants; in fact, to
make the tenants their own landlords; secondly,
to abolish the Irish branch of the United Church,
which the sovereign is pledged on oath to main-
tain; and thirdly, to promote "freedom of
education," by which is meant that the annual
educational grants should be under the exclusive
management of Romiah ecclesiastics. The Lord
Mayor aecOrdingly Convened this greet
"patriotic" demonstration for Thursday last, and
a large crowd was present at the Rotunda, but
the proceedings passed off in a tolerably orderly
manner. This happy result was secured by the
, policy of the leaders of the meeting, who stood
at the doors and forcibly prevented all who were
known not to sympathise with its objects from
entering the hall. The Lord Mayor presided,
and explained that he had called the meeting in
compliance with "the most influential requisi-
tion that had ever been presented to the chief
Magistrate of Dublin." The first resolution
was moved by the notorious Archbishop
which was hostile to the Church. Ho read his
speech, which was severe in its tetms, if not
absolutely violent in its spirit. A letter was
read front Mr. Bright, in which the hon. member
avowed his most revolutionary sentiments. He
says :—" The objects you aim at are good, and I
hope you may succeed. On the question of
landlord and tenant I think you should go
further and seek to do more. What you want
in Ireland is to break down the laws of primo-
geniture and entail, so that in course of timei
by a gradual and just probes., the Irish people
may become the possessors of the soil of Ireland.
A. legal security for tenants' improvements will
be of great value, but the true remedy for your
great grievances is to base the laws which affect
the land upon sound principles of political
economy. With regard to the State Church, that
is an institution so evil and so odious, under the
circurcuitances of your country, that it makes
one almost hopeless of Irish freedom from it that
Irishmen have borne it so long. Tile whole
Liberal party in Great Britain will, doubtless,
join with you in demanding the removal of a
wrong which has no equal, in the character of a
national insult, in any other civilised and
Christian country in the world. If the popular
party in Ireland would adopt as its policy 'Free
Land' and 'Free Church,' and would unite with
the popular party in England and Scotland for
the advance of Liberal measures, and especially
for the promotion of an honest amendment of
the representation, I am confident that great and
beneficial changes might be made within a few
years. We have on our side numbers and
opinion, but we want a more distinct poliqy, and
abetter organisation; and these, I hope, to some
extent, your meeting may supply." Most of
the speakers were dignitaries of the Roman
Catholic Church, with whom it is somewhat
curious to find the Quaker members for
Birmingham in snob cordial sympathy. The
lesson which this new Popish agitation teaches
is, that Popery is still as insolent and intolerant
as ever, which even such men as John Bright
would join with to overthrow the Established
Church, and bring about anarchy and confusion.
It is said that the next Parliamentary Session
will reveal secrete. It will testify, not only that
Rome is seeking superior sway ovet this empire,
but also that many of our professed Protestant
M.P.'s are willing to bow the knee to Baal for
the sake of phiee mad power. Among the
measures in contemplation for the approaching
session is one for the introduction of Roman
Clatholic chaplains—at the expense of the rate-
Finto ow workhouses and district schools.
ts:mess otsh.bül will b 9 9b19 to plead the

.t.;i: ii

Mr. Allred Ensorj of ing'a College Hospital, having
passed a suocessfdl (+lamination in the science and
practioe of medicine. has reoeived his certifidate to
practi4e. This gentleman is son of Mr. Ensor, oorn
merchant, of this town.
PRAYER Mstruroe.—Meetings for united prayer will
toke place at the Townhall every evening during the
week.

RINGING THE OLD YEAR OUT AND THE Nsw ONE
IN.—Aocording to annual custom at St. George's
Church, Fordington, the old year was rung out with •
muffled peal. This commenced by ringing out the de-
parting momenta of the old year at half-past 11, the
muffled peal producing • solemn eff,ast upon all who
heard it. At 12 o'clock the knell of the old year was
sounded with 31 strokes on the tenor bell, after which
the muffles were removed and a merry peal ushered in
the birth clf the new ytar. A similar form was also
dbasried at St. Peter's Chtircfb.

QUARTIR SargaioNs. —The financial business Connected
with the Epiphany Court of Quarter Se sions will take
place to-day (Tuesday) at the Shirehall, and the trial of
prisoners on the following day. The criminal business
is very light, there being only 12 prisoners for trial,
charged as follows: Peter Donally, housebreaking at
Broadway; Charles Foot, stealing iron axle, &c, at
Mandou ; James Robinson, killing a pig at Cranborne ;
Edward Player, stealing a pair of boots at Fordington ;
Levi Miller, stealing barley sod s bag at Shroton ;
Thomas Briokell and Henry Brown, obtaining money
by false pretenoes at Stony Provost; Samuel Gillett,
rogue and vagabond at Mansion ; William Ruddy,
stealing an ash pole at dhardsttfok ; Thomas England,
stealing a jacket, kn., at Sturminster. rat —Thomas Rose, stealing cheese at Sturminster Newton;
William Spner, damaging property at Onnington.

WEYMOITTFI.—A Gin wisLL EARN/M.—Mr.
Silas Fowler, of this town, seoond othoer on board the
Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer Bombay,
hie bun presented by the ofßoers and passengers on
board with a very haudaorne and valuable field•glass for
rescuing two seamen who were wuhed overboard in a
gale off the Australian ooast. The glass bears the
following : —" Presented to Biles Fowler, Esq., suoccl
°Moat cif the Fertinsulat aid Orie.,tel Company's
steamer Bombay, by the passengers and officers of the
ship on her passage from Melbourne to Mille, August,
1864, for his bravery in Raving the lives of two Lucius
who were washed overboard.

PORTLAND. —PRZaaNT•TiOff TO • CLIELGTMAN.
In consequenee if the Rev. T. H. Gregg having resigned
the curacy of St George's, Fortune's Well, the con-
gregation and parishioners presented him, on Friiay
evening, with a testimonial in token of the high esteem
in w,hloh lie is held as an able and efficient manaser and
teacher of Sunday-tohoois, and, abatis all, as • faithful
and zealous minister of Christ, during his stay amongst
them. The testimonial having been presented, Mr.
Gregg replied so follows:—
Mx DIAS CHRIeITLid FRIVIDII,—It is truly gratifying
to me to find that my labours amongst you have
been appreciated so folly as to induce you to present me
with so liberal a gift. I regard it, not merely for its
intrinsic value, but especially as expressive of the kind
feelings which you entertain towards me; and, in re-
turning to you my sincere thanks for your testimonial,
permit me to make a few remarks upon my brief
miniltry in Portland. I have been amongst you little
more than fourteen months. I have endessoured,
daring that period, to preach Christ. I have met,
es you are all aware, with great opposition. At first,
I may a, to than stood with me, notaithstanding
the Isird stood with nit and strengthened me. I have
learned by sad, though blasted experience, the truth of
God's Word—" They shall fight against thee; but they
shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee,
saith the Lord, to deliver thee." You all know what
my life and conversation have been; you all know
what my teaching has been. The seed has been sown;
the seed has been watered; God alone can ghe the
increase; and we may rest assured that His word shall
not return void, it shall accomplish that which He
pleases, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto He
has sent it. If my preaching and teaching have been
blessed to your souls, then remember I am but the
earthen Ceded that the excellency of the power may be
Of God and not of me; and though the broken cistern
is now taken away, nevertheless the fountain of living
waters can never be exhausted The same Jesus who
has been our Rbeneser hitherto will never leave us nor
forsake us. Though I may be removed far from you,
and although you may Bea my face no incrre, yet re-
member the truth still remains with you, Jesus still
remains with you, and the Holy Ghost is the Comforter
who will abide with you for ever. I have preached to you
• oovenant—" Salvation"—a finished salvation—salva-
tion for the lost—salvation for the ungodly—salvation
free, full, present, complete, and eternal through the
work of Christ— a salvation proceeding from the love of
the Father—• salvation made sure by the blood of
Jesus—ll salvation brought home by the power of the
Holy Ghost to sinners who were by nature the children
of wrath even as others—sinners who neither bad, nor
could have by nature, a will to turn to God—sinners
who were dead in trespasses and sins—sinners of every
olaas—sinners of every clime—a great multitude which
no man isould number. My object has been to keep
back nothing that was profitable unto you, but to speak
all that the Lord ,ommanded me—to preach the Word ,
knowing that by the foolishness of preaching it pleased
God to save them that believe. I have sought to edify
the body of Christ—to feed the sheep and lambs of the
Church of God which He has purchased with His own
blood,. I have endeavoured to bring out the unadulter-
ated milk and strong meat of the Word that ye might
grow thereby; and I call you to record this day that I
am pure from the blood of all men, for I have not
shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
And now my parting words to you are, whether your
race here be long or short, remember it is set. Run
it with patience, looking unto Jesus. Your course
should be one of progress; forgetting those things
whioh are behind, reach forth unto the things which are
before. Christ in all—Christ is worth living for—Christ
is worth dying for—Christ has done all for you. Ye
are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Therefore let your one endeavour be to win Christ, and
to be found in Him; and though we shall now be
separated in body, yet who shall separate us from the
love of Christ? " Neither death, nor life, nor angels,
nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor
things to tome, nor height, nor depth, nor any other
creature shall be able to separate us from the love of
God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Finally,
brethren, farewell I Be perfect, be of good comfort, be
of one mind, live in peace, and the God of love and
peace shall be with you. The Lord bless you and keep
you. The Lord make his farm shine upon you, and be
ItTwadol unto you. The Lord lift up his countensnoe
upon you and give you pesos, it the heartfelt desire and
prayer of lour you faithful friend, Taos. FL Oates.

CERNE ABBAS.—Parrt Snaross, December 28.
Before Lord Digby, J. K. Bridge, Esq , and the Rev.
J. T. Hinds.—Robert Bullock, beer-hou.e keeper of
Flolwell, was summoned by Superintendent Brown for
allowing three cows to stray on the highways at the
parish of Pulhatn. The base was proved by P.C.
Dibben, and the defendant wan fined h. and 8. cost.
—Thomas Christopher, of Puldletrenthide, was
summoned by Major Astell, for stealing • quantity
of dead fence.- The defendant did not appear,
and was fined E 1 and cost, or in default two
months' hard labour.—David Burt and George
Bellinger, of Piddletrenthide, was summoned by
Superintendent Brown for being drank and riotous at
the parish of Pidilletrenthide.—The case was proved by
P.C. Ffart.—Bellinger was fined 7,6 d. and cost, and
Burt bs. and cost.--Robert Lock, of Buokland
Newton, was sentenced to seven days' hard labour for
being drunk and riotous at that place on Christmas-
eve.

CORPS MIILLEN.—Fins.—On Thursday, the 29th
ult., a chimney belonging to the Cock and Wheatsheaf
Inn, caught fire, owing to a woman throwing some
spirituous liquor on the fire in order that hr husband
might not drink it. Owing to the active exertions of
P.S. Hitch the fire was soon extinguished.
swANAGE.—Punio TrA.—On Tuesday, the 27th
ult., the annual congregational tea was held in the
public school-rooni, when upwards of two hundred
persons partook of the social cup, After tea a public
meeting was held, when several addreases were delivered.
PletiNT READINGS.—The fifth of a serial' of reading.
was given in the public school-room on Wednesday, the
28th ult., and the attendance was znuell larger than on
any former occasion. The readers were Mr. F. Farthing,
Mr. J. Smedmore, Mr, H. Benson, and Mr. C. Lamb,
Miss Manwell and Mr. Benson presided at the pianos
Several songs were sung, and one rendered by Mr. II
Seavill, "The Gardener," called forth a rapturous
encore. The evening's entertainment was brought to •
Mose by singing the National Anthem.

BLANDFORD. COUNTY Firm Sem°xs,
Saturday, December 31.—Present: Lord Portman,
J. J. Farquharson, W. P. Okedou, And G. P.
Manse', Esqrs.
BLANDFORD.—George Baverstock was summoned
for not complying with a notice from the Local
Board to cleanse and repair a slaughter house. —Mr.
W. C. Fincham, clerk to the Board, stated that they
did not wish to press for a fine, but to prevent the
place being again used as a slaughter-house.—Defen•
dant said that since he had received notice from the
lnspector of Nuisances to repave and clean the place,
he had not used it, neither did he inteed to do so
again.—The magistrates then made an order that
the place be not used again As a slaughter•house for
the next two months.

ALLEGED TRESPASS IN PURSUIT OF GAME.
Albert Stickland, Albert Short, Charles Coward,
John Warren, and Henry Neefitt were charged with
committing a trespass in search of game, on lands in
the occupation of W. C. Flower, of France Farm,
on the 21st of November. —Warren denied being at
the place at all, and on the keeper being asked if he
could swear he was one of the party,he said he could
not, consequently he was told there was no charge
against him. —The other defendants said they were
on the Down, but not in search of rabbits. They
also stated that when Cook (the keeper) came
up to them, they were a considerable distance
from Vince and Pitman, who were lately
convicted of poaching. They were on a public
road, and merely out for a walk.—Cook, the
keeper, said that the whole of the party came on the
Down together, but this was denied by the defen-
dants. On being sulked by the Beach who it was
he saw beating the bushes, be said "he could not
exactly say."—Sttckland having a little dog with
him, was fined 10s. and costa, and the others were
dismissed.

CHARLTON MARSHALL.—Jamee Hiscock was
charged with stealing a quantity of wood from the
premises of Henry Huntley, Esq., of Charlton.—
P.C. Pope stated that on the morning of the 16th
December, about six o'clock, he saw the defendant
coming from the back-yard of Mr. Huntley'a house
with a quantity of wood. He crossed the Sold, and
threw the wood over the hedge. To have got into
the yard defendant must have climbed over a hedge
18 feet high. There was a quantity of wood in the
yard. As soon as the defendant came into the road
witneesconfronted him, and asked him what business
he had with it.—The Bench considered the charge
proved, and sentenced Hiscock to one month's im-
prisonment with hard labour.
POINT RIADIRGB.—Among the various methods
which have of late years been devised for the instruc-
tion and amusement of the working classes, none appear
to have been more popular or successful than "Penny
Readings." We believe that the plan was first tried in
Edinburgh by some earnest friends of the temperance
cause, who, deploring the vast amount of misery and
destruction caused through drinking on Saturday nights,
devised this simple plan of winning away their towns-
men from the attractions of the public-house and spirit
shop. In this incivement some of the most distinguished
professors connected with the 'University kindly assisted,
and the success which crowned their efforts
encouraged others connected with Literary Institu-
tions and Working Men's Clubs, both in England
and Scotland, to adopt it. Penny Readings, like
the penny post and penny newspapers, have proved a
decided success, and eepmially so where (as in Bland •
ford, they have been supported by gentlemen of educa-
tion, who have kindly given their assistance in the
work. To those gentlemen, and to the organist and
singers, the inhabitants of the town, and more especially
the working-classes, are under • deep debt of giatitude.
As the Townhall was found too small on previous
occasions' the committee of the Working Men's Club
wisely engaged the Corn Exchange for the entertainment
on Friday evening. The Hon. W. 11. B. Portman,
M.P., kiedly consented to take the chair, and nothing
was wanting to make the Christmas week's entertain-
ment as pleasing as could be desired. Long before the
appointed hour the room began rapidly to all, and at 8
o'clock no' only was every available seat filled but a large
number were forced to be content with standing in
the centre and other parts. Among the company we
noticed T. H. Bastard. Esq , of Charlton; Mrs. and the
Misses Smyth, of the Manor House; Rev. L. Stuart,
and Mils Stuart, Mr. and Mrs. Trail!, Mrs. F. T. Johns,
Rev. J. Penny and Mrs. Penny, Rev. J. R Quirk and
family, Dr. Daniell, Miss Daniell, Irsi. The entranee of
the chairman and readers was the signal for loud and
long continued cheering; on its subsiding, the Chair-
man rose and said, —ladies and Gentlemen, I can assure
you it is with very grest pleasure I appear before you
to-night as chairman of this meeting, and when r re-
ceived a request from the committee of the Working
Men's Clob to preside, it was with considerable satin-
facton lacceded to it. I believe 1. shall most consult
your wiahes, as well as my own feelings, if on the pre-
sent occasion I trespass as little as possible on your
time; bat I cannot but here state how glad I feel to see
such a large assembly, and will now call upon the friends
present to favour us with the first piece on the pro-
gram ine—=" Twelfthmight song." by the choir. (Cheers.)
This wee very nicely given, indeed the singing through-
out reflected great credit on those who took part in it.
The readings were commenced by the Rev, J. Penny,
who first gave Coleridge's beautiful description of
Alpine scenery, in which the writer, in the most glowing
language, c.lls upon snow-capped mountain, glacier,
and luzuriant,vale their Maker's power to proclaim.
—This was followed by • selection from the Ingoldkby
Legends—" The Jackdaw and the Cardinals Ring," in
which some of the superstitions and follies of the Roman
Catholic religion are playfully though sarcastically
treated, and td this was added hfackey'e parody on the
song of Old King Cole—in which the blessings mankind
enjoys by the discovery of coal are vividly pointed oat.
—& song by Mr. Furmage—"The Stirrup Cup" fol-
lowed, and was loudly cheered, The Chairman
then called upon W. H. Atkinson, Esq., who
stated that as he found the pieces he intended
to have read would be too long, he had substituted in
their place an extract or two from a work written come
years am by an old lady who formerly resided in the
Close Ss'i bney. This lady, having but little to do,
amus:d ner-elf by putting into verse any little incident
which occnired, and, finding pnblishing in those days
very expensive she determined to have a limited
number of her 'rook printed, and put up to raffle among
her friends. He (Mr. Atkinson) happened to be the
fortenate winner of one copy, and as the work
but little known and contained several pieces
written in a very quaint style, he thought the
re,cling of one or two would perhaps be even more
interesting than of works better known. Mr.
Atkinson then read, "A scene at Winterelow Hut,"
formerly a road-side Inn near Salisbury, where the
passe- gem by the mail-coach were, on • certain
re cesion, terrified by the sudden appearance of a lioness,
which had escaped from Wombell's menagerie, and which
seized the "leader" and tore it to pieces. He then read
a piece describing how a murder was discovered through
a pack of hounds, and then • very singular account of
the way in which the name of the present reigning
family of England was derived, parts of which caused
considerable amusement, especially to the female portion
of his auditory. Bishop's glee for four voices—' Sleep,
gentle lady"—was then sung by Messrs. Lance,
Skivington, Smith, and Furmage, in capital style.
To this succeeded Hood's "Song of the Shirt,' and the
" Newcastle Apothecary," read by the Rev. J. R.
Quirk, who on retiring was warmly cheered. A very
excellent New Year's song, the solo of which WAB sung
by Mr. W. 141.11110 in his usual pleasing style, followed ;
and then came the gem of the evening—" Paddy Flynn,
or dimming mistakes of an Irishman," capitally read by
the RT. J. Taylor, of Wakefield. During the reading
of this mew, and especially the part where poor Paddy
recounts the trials he underwent at the Mayor's dinner
through the officiousness of the serving men, and his
having nothing to eat but "chopped nettles and could
water, ' the audience were convulsed with laughter,
and at the close expressed their appreciation of the
reader's style and his kindness by longeontinued cheering.
A. flute solo, with variations—" Souvenir de la Danube,"
by Mr. Frank Oakley, with pianoforte accompaniment
by Mrs. Edwards followed, and gave great satisfaction,
and had time permitted an encore, which was called
for, would have been complied with. Bishop's glee,
" The Winds Whistle Cold,' brought the programme to
near its flow—The Chairman then rose and said he
was sure by the way the audience had testified their
pleasure that they would most heartily join with
himself in giving their beak thanks to the gentlemen and
the singers who had so ably fulfilled the task they had
taken upon them • and as Mr. Taylor, whose reading
appeared to give the greatest amusement had come a
considerable distanoe, he would in their name thank
him especially, hoping that should he be spared to
another Christmas he might be induced to give Bland-
another visit and bring Paddy Flinn's brother Tom
with him. (Loud cheers.) T. H. Bastard, Esq., rose
and said that at the request of the secretary and some
of the committee of the Club, he moved a vote of
thanks to Mr. Portman for his kindnees in taking the
chair. (Cheers.) He could not let that opportunity
pass without expressing his unfeigned gratification to
find that the Rlandford Working Men'e Club was in
such • prosperous state, and that so ennobling a kind of
amusement es that enjoyed by them that evening had
brought together so large an audienee. (Cheers.)-
- Stuart, Bal., seconded the motion, which was
carried unaninionely. The Chairman suitably acknow-
ledged the compliment, and stated that any time, if he
were not otherwise unavoidably engage", he should be
most happy to respond to the committee's call, end take
she chair, an announcement which was received with
lend 4444 Ho wbobed thew ell *happy new year,

and many reiurne of thern.—The National Anthem was
then sung, and the meeting separated.
TARRANT MONCKTON.—Mtievoacrr
INCCN-
DIARY Fires.—Late on Wednesday night a tire
broke out on the premises of Mr. Lilley, boot and
shoemaker, of this village, which totally destroyed
his dwelling-house. There appears every reason to
conclude that the house was wilfully set tire to in
three place, from the outside. Suspicion rests on a
young man residing in the village, who, it is stated,
owed Mrs. Lille, some money for grocery goods, and
who on the previous Saturday night went into the
shop and wanted to be supplied with more, but was
refused till he had paid the old debt. This man, on
being examined, gave very contradictory statements
as to his conduct on the night of the fire; but as up
to the present time there is no reliable evidence to
connect him with the crime he still remains at
large.
SHERBORNE.---WATER SUPPLY.—Mr. John
Lawson, the engineer employed by the Sherborne
Board of Health,to examine into the works connected
with the water supply, has presented hie report.
After entering at some length into the defects of
the works, he expresses an opinion that the reservoir
is neither safe nor watentight. He estimates that
a saving of EGO a-year is effected by using water-
power instead of ateam•power in pumping, and
therefore advises a continuance of its use. He urges
the board to make the following alterations :—" The
first work to be done is to put in a new conduit for
the outfall. This, in my opinion, should be
of not less than 2ft. ain. diameter. A good
foundation shouM be secured for this work,either by
excavating to the solid ground; by piling and
concrete; or by forming a complete ' cradle' for the
reception of the conduit. In any case the work will
Ibe wetly. The bottom of the reservoir or pond
should be puddled ; and the puddle should also be
continued up the slopes of the embankments. The
puddle should be protected from the action of the
sun by suitable material, and a layer of broken stone.
Provision should also be made for the flow of the
• springs' said to exist in this reservoir in it., present
state. Taking all probable contingencies into con-
sideration, I do not think that the necessary works
in connection with the outfall and the reservoir can
be executed at a cost of less than £800." This will
greatly add to the serious expense that has been
already incurred, and it is not certain that even in
the end the desired result %ill be obtained.

Cutufrrataa Amossmarrrs.—The Christmas &mule-
mental in connection with the National Schools of
this town were given by the members of the Abbey
Church choir and the Guild, on Monday, Tuesday,
and Thursday evenings. Monday was set apart
for the school children, and Tuesday for the parents,
and Thursday for the subscribers to the school. On
each evening the centre room in which the enter-
tainment took place was crammed. The programme
was as follows first, "State Secret& or the
Tailor of Tamworth ;" second, "Little Toddlekins;"
third, " The Spoiled Child ;" and lastly, "Paul
Pry." The first and third pieces were perf 'rimed by
the choir boys, and the second and fourth by young
men, members of the choir and the Guild. We
cannot refrain from noticing one or two of the
characters in the second and fourth pieces--that of
Mr. Jones Robinson Brownsmith, a widower,
represented by Mr. J. White, in " Little Toddle-
king," was exceedingly well sustained, and deserves
especial mention. Mr. Parsons made a capital
step-daughter to Brownsinith ; and the characters
of Susan (maid to Amanthis) by Mr. Way, and Mr.
B. Babicombe by Mr. Crump, in the same piece,
were also extremely good. Paul Pry in the
piece of that name, represented by Mr. W.
Croad, was by far the best represented character
of the evening : his grotesque appearance, his
natural acting, and his facetious character were the
theme of general admiration. The other noticeable
characters in this play were Billy, the waiter, by Mr.
G. Minifia, and Crimp, maidservant to Laura, both of
which were well rendered. At the conclusion of
each piece a song was given—one by Mr. Cox was
warmly encored. The scenery, we are informed.
was kindly painted by Mr. Bain and Miss Ball
The thanks of all are due to the Rev. E. tlarston,
the promoter of these entertainments, and to Mr.
nerbert, Mr. Jelfa, and others for their musical
aasistance.

CHRISTCHURCH. —Stumm CHANG' AGAINST A
Pouoa CONSTABLIL—CharIee Knight, a member of the
Hants Constabulary, was charged on Monday, before
the Christchurch Bench of magistrates, with havaig on
the morning of the 20th December, assaulted • man
named Bagshot. The prosecutor deposed that he was
with • number of others in Church-street during the
fire on Monday, the 19th. Re was standing on the
pavement. Between 10 and 11 he heard the de-
fendant and a man named Butler wrangling. He
went towards them and saw Butler in the road,
with two policemen holding him down. Defendant
was one of the policemen, and prosecutor saw him strike
the prostrate man twice with his fist under the ear.
Prosecutor remarked that he considered such treatment
unmanly. About ten minutes afterwards the constable
went up to him, and said that if he was not • constable
he should knock him against the wall. About an hour
and a half afterwards, without provocation, the
constable struck the prosecutor twice with his
fist on the shoulder. The prosecutor called witnesses
to prove the assault. In defence, the constable said
that • crowd had assembled in the yard adjoining the
burning inn, and orders were given to the police to clear
them out. There was beer in the yard, and the crowd
resisted the expulsion, and they were compelled to use
force, but used no more than was necessary. He
called to support this version of the affair three other
members of the constabulary and the superintendents
of the fire brigade. The Bench considered the case net
proved, and dismissed it. The constable then *eked
for costs, which were disallowed, but prosecutor was
mulcted in the sum of 12s. Id., being Is. for each
witness in the case, and 2.. Od., for the service of the
summons.
ArtDovga. —ANDOVER AND RiDDRIDGII RAILWAY.
—During the last fortnight rapid progress has been
made towards completing the line of rails to Redbridge.
The statinn house, which' is formed principally of corru-
gated iron, is nearly finished, and the rails are just about
to be laid soros, the turnpike in Bridge-street. A short
time since it was rumoured that the line would be open
for traffic on the 2nd of January nett ; this statement
may be looked on as incorrect, but, judging from the
present appearances, the line will probably be opened
in the course of a month.

MHDFORD. —EXTRAORDINARY CASE OF
HazititztlNG. —An inquest was held on Saturday,
before T. Wybranta, Esq., county coroner, on the
body of an infant eon, not named, of Mr. William
Rowsell, a farmer at Mudford Sock.—Ann Pinkett
said that the child was about three weeks old. She
had washed and dressed it every day since its birth,
up to Friday last. On the morning of that day she
went up to do so, but not seeing it she called to Mrs.
Roweell,down stairs, asking her where the child was.
Mn. Roweell said it was in bed. Witness lifted the
clothes, but not seeing it she went round the bed,
and found the child with its head and one
arm in the chamber utensil, which was half full of
water. It appeaied to have slidden from the Led
head foremost into the utensil and was drowned.
When she lifted it up the body was stiff and cold.
No one was in the room.—Mrs. Ann Elizabeth
Rowsell, mother of the deceased, said that when she
arose on Friday morning she left the infant in
bed, snout six inches from the outside. She had
been down stairs about an hour and a half, when
Mrs. Pinkett went up to dress it. No one could
have gone up stairs without her knowledge. Her
husband was out on the farm. She had had three
children besides the deceased. The jury returned a
verdict of "Found drowned."

MILBORNE PORT.--A fire broke out Sunday
at the residence of Mr. Thomas Ryall, wool-dealer.
It appears that a piece of timber in the chimney,
just above the grate caught fire, and communicated
dames to adjoining wood work and the flooring
above. A number of persons were soon on the spot
alter the alarm had been given, and as there WM a
plentiful supply of water the fire was speedily
extinguished.
EVERCREECH.—MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.
—The first lecture, under the auspices of this society,
was recently given by the Rev. H. F. Gray, rector of
Pilton, who took as his subject "Unity." The chair
was take n by the Hon. and Rev. E. P. A. Talbot, who,
after a few introductory remarks, introduced the
talented lecturer. The reverend gentleman then pro-
ceeded to his subject. It was listened to with marked
attention, and from the continued applause of the
audience was highly appreciated. The thanks of the
meeting, proposed by the Hon. and Rev. E Talbot, and
seconded by the Rev. W. Arnold, were worded to the
rev, lecturer, and duly acknowledged.
SALISBURT.—SaciesuItY PENNY BANC—Daring
the month of December, 526 depositors attended,
£2l sa. 4d. was deposited, and £2B Ba. 10.1. withdrawn.
Balance at the bank, £437 13s. sd. Managers for
January, Mr. Alexander and Mr. F. Roe.
The vote of thanks by the Corporation to the late
bfayor has been very beautifully engrossed on vellum.
by Mr. Highman, of Ca.tle-street. The characters are
in old English, and the illuminated capitals, which are
executed with much taste, are in the style of the 14th
and 16th centuries. . . . .

hiII.YORD-BTRUT CUAPiL.—We are gratified in being
able to state that the sum realised by the tea, and sale
of fancy and useful articles. on behalf of the United
Methodist Free Church Schools (upwards of £25,) is
more than sufficent to pay off the remaining chbt on the
school premiees.
The death of Mr. Edward White, of Marlborough-
, street, head of the eminent volicitors' firm of White,
Broughton, and White, took place on Friday. Mr.
White was articled to the late Mr. Winch, clerk to the
Lieutenancy ih this city, and was well known to many
gentlemen now hying here. On leaving Salisbury he
, entered the firm of Messrs. Brnughton, of which in time
he became senior partner. The Morninp Post has the
! following :—" Mr. White, throughout a long pro-
fewdonal career, was mixed up with the aristocracy,
political affairs, and the Royal family in the most
delicate manner. He was the Queen's private solicitor,
and also the Prince Consort's, and u such conducted the
prosecution of the publisher, Strange, for printing the
royal drawing.. He conducted the prosecution of the
Prince Cutelcicala in the affair in the Vectis, with
which Captain Waghorn was mixed up, in the revolu-
tionary attempts .in Naples. He wa.s alm solicitor to
such families as the Earl of Lichfield, Lord Suffield,
and Lord Vernon, and conducted his business with the
highest discretion and respect, dike among the aristo-
cracy and among his professional brethren.
FONTHILL GIFFORD.--Courtoit To 'OTHERS.—
Last week R. M. Wilson, Esq., held an inquest on the
body of Jane Mould, an infant aged 10 weeks. It
appeared that the mother took the child to Hindon on
the previous Monday, wrapped in two shawls. During
a mill at a friend's house ohe suckled the child twice,
and then called at another friend's image, returning
home about h.lf.past seven o'clock, the child was then
dead. She sucklecl the infant on her way home, but
afterward' found it stiff in her arms—Mr. Young,
surgeon, ot Modal, eve it to his opiaion that death

resultei from exposure to eold.—Vetdist--.." Died by the •
ViAtation of God."
RINGWOOD —The directors of the Ringivond anal
South Hants Building and I vestment Soci•-ty, No. 2.
held a me,tin? on Thureday, for the purpose of paying -
off the Investing eh •ret in Clas A, hich Wlire t! en
fully complete at £6O each. and rl,-livering sip th • dreda
of the properties on which shares in the same class had'
been advanced. The shareholders generally attend's',
ant cheques were draw's for upwards of £5,000, to in
the depositor'. shares. Properties also on whioh SOO
11.1:1 been advanced became free from further payment'.
The payment of a few shares, flie leolders of whirl, had
mislaid their certificates, was pcstpursed until Monday,
January 9th: :

A row, which might have been stten4e4 with serious
consequences, occurred on Monday evening, amongat
• band of hristmas mummers, Two' atheist° settle
their differences appealed to the swords with which
they were decorated, which, though not ves7 sharp,
were certainly very nasty looking weepeet,
indicted some smart cuts before the bystandees mold
interfere.
SUDDEN DsaTli.—Another instance of the uncertainly
of life oecurred on Wednesday, at Harbridge, near this.
town. Miss Ann ale', an elderly maiden lady, arose.
on Wednesday morning at her usual time, and.hoviedl
her-elf in the usual work of the house. The berventt
went out about seven o'clock to milk the cowa, leaving her
(Distr. ss in apparently good health, revering the.
bre.kfast. On her return soon afterwardre pike foundt
her mistress lying dead on the f1.,0r, near the fireplace.
It is supposed that the cause of her death, was an
attack of spasms, to which she has been subject 3hee
was in her 74th year. Her brother, Mr. John Biles, an
old and respected farmer, died the previous &turfs', st.;
the advanced age of 77 'ears.

FOXITAM.—San END TO • CEIRDIITUAS CAROL'.
SINGER. —A short time since Mr. Whitmarsh held an
inquest on the body of a boy nanp.d Reeves, aged 12.
It appeared that deceased hsA been singing Chriatmu:
carols, w th other boys, at the farm hoes in the neigh.,
hourhood, when, after passing over the lock-gate of the
Wilts and Berke Canal, he was missed. On sea'-eh
being made, his body was found in the water. Verdict,
" Accidentally prowned "

AMESBURY —HUTH FROM STARVATION AND
I.
TvIIPICRANCR.•-On Wedneaday,th., 28th ult.,K hi. Wibou
Beg , coroner, holden inquest at the Union-bonse, on the
body of John Martin, 75 yeate of age. Deceased had been
in the employ. of Mr. Harris, of Gombledon. On Sunday
he won in bed in a very filthy 'Rafe, and refused to take
food, but on the following day he think • little tea and
ate a mall piece of toast. An order having been
obtained he was removed in the afternoon of fire sass
day to the Union. He was then insensible. He was
washed and.rmt to bed Mr. Pyle, surgeon, attended,
and found the deces,ed very cold, his puli.e hardly per-
ceptible, but without any symptom of paralysis: He
died the next day. The jury returned s 9 their verdict,
"that the deceased's death was occasioned by cant off
food, and the inclemency of the weather acting upon •
body enfeebled by intemperance."

BOWER CHALKE. —lmanzsd.—An fairest wes•
held in this village before R. M. Wilson, Esq.,.
on the 29th ult., on the body of James'
Trowbridge, who died soddenly on the previous
day. By the evidence it appeared that the de-
ceased, who complained of a pain in his chest, went
into Elizabeth Habgood's house and drank some.
warm beer, and than went out. Ou Mrs. Habgood
going to fetch him back, he laughingly remarked
that he would not sit out there, lest any one should
Ray he was tipsy, and immediately fell down at her
feet, merely saying, "Oh, dear !" A surgeon was
sent for, who gave it as his opinion that death re-
sulted from disease of the heart, and the jury
returned • verdict accordingly.
MA.PLBOROUGFI.—The altered system of discipline
adopted in our gaols, seems to have mad • an impression
on the labouring population. We observe that at the
examination of a man before the magistrates at Marl-
borough a short time since on • charge of ineenefiarism
at East Grafton, it was stated that • labourer mused
Gilbert had told the prisoner to take care be did not got
into gaol, an it was hard times there now : "he'd • sped
in the peepers that 'twere act'l starvation." Pb.
prisoner, however, assured the labourer who had given+
him this friendly warning, that if he did anything at all
he meant to give the go bye to Wiltshire prison discipline..
"If I do anything," he "it shall be something to-
be transported for at once: something for which I cam
get penal servitude. You con get apprenticed there, (he
added,) and have • few pounds when you came away to.
set up in buidness." And the fellow forthwith set fire
ti Mr. Hayword's ricks, and destroyed about • hundred
pounds' worth of property.—nerizes Gazette.
SAD ArCIDINT TO AN IttrAmD.—On ChriAnses-clayi
an accident occurred to a girl name Emma Palmer,
residingiat Cadley. Having been suffering from illness,
she was driven to church, and as she was getting out el,
the conveyance, she accidentally fell and broke both
her legs. It is feared from her weak state that the.:
result will be fatal.

ALDERSHOT. HORRIBLE MunnzitaT,D
SOLDIER.—On Friday morning a horrible murder'
was perpetrate d in the South Camp, Aldershot, by
an artilleryman named Thomas Dumphy, It appears-
that this man has been lately suffering from insanity,,
and was confined in No. 7 hut, hospital wards, Smith
Camp, near the church. He was under the surveil-
lance of two men belonging to F Battery, 9th.
Brigade, Royal Artillery, named Daniel Burns and
Frederick Gray. Just after six o'clock in the morning
Dumphy got out of bed, and seizing hold of a heavy
poker lying at the fire-place, began beating the floor
with it, and making aloud noise, Burns immediately
went over to take it from him, when the madman,
seeing his intention, lifted the deadly instrument,
and, with frenzied rapidity and immense force, dealt
the unfortunate man two blows on the laid, break-
ing his skull and scattering portions of Wed, hair,
and brains in all directions. Seeing his comrade at-
tacked, Gray ran towards the infuriated manias, bat
the latter advanced to meet him, when Gray beimg
unarmed, and with nothing at hand to defend him-
self, jumped through the window of the hat, which
stands about five feet from the ground, and thus,
escaped with his life. He quickly procured assist-
ance, and the mad inmate of the hut was promptly
secured. Assistant Surgeon Symons, of D Battery,.
R.H. A., was almost immediatety after on the spot,.
and attended to Burns, but the poor man only,
ax4sted a few minutes, and died in great agony.,
The man, who had been under the medical treatment ,
of Assistant Surgeon Faught, E Battery, 9th
Brigade, HA., was again placed under that gentle-
man's care, with six soldiers to guard him. Imme-
diately after the affair Dumphy appeared to become
quiet and harmless.

EXETER.—The official assignee (F. Parkyns,
Esq.,) is about to quit our Bankruptcy Court for
' that of London. The hon. gentleman leaves behind
• him a feeling of sincere respect, on the part of all
those who have had occasion to transact business in
his office, or who have come in contact with him in
any way while discharging his duties. He has been
the model of a diligent and faithful public servant.
Acute and accurate in the investigation of all ques-
tions of account, he has been patient and affable to
all. Few would, however, credit the amount ef
time and labour he has given to his work—which
has frequently extended over ten hours a day. Tho
hon. gentleman will be enabled to give his illustrious,
relative some very curious information as te the work-
ing of the bankrupt law, and a case he had before,
him on Wednesday will suffice. Widow Burrow
was a milliner, at Falmouth, who came to bank-
ruptcy through the great fire in that town. Her•
estate produced £lO3. Twenty pounds were de-
ducted for rent. She owed over £3OO. Her case
was adjudicated in Exeter. No creditor opposed;
half of them did not prove. There were £B3 to be
disposed of. Seventy pounds were swallowed up in
the legal expenses of the Court, and there were 11621
pounds only left to be divided among the creditors_
This is a fair sample of the working of the Chart ha
small casee, and we feel assured that the Lord
Chancellor will not consider that the Reform of
the Bankruptcy law is yet completed.— ire-rOrrui
Times.