The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1860-07-03 00:00:00

norsetsbirt.
WEYMOUTH.
ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS.

Thursday last, being the anniversary of Her
Nlajesty's coronation, MAI selected by the Weymouth
court of the Ancient Older of Foresters to make
their first public deinonstmtion. The court, since
ita establishment last year, has been exceedingly
Pr°Brmus' upwards of 90 members having been
core led, and we have no doubt now they have come
out and shown themselves ;mid excited an inquiry as
to their principles, many others will he induced to
join. The brethren met at the Albion Inn, where
their court is held, between 9 awl 10 o'clock in the
morning, and after forming • procession through the
streets, some of them in the ancient forest costume,
and others wearing washes and other insignia of the
order, and headed by • brass band, with llobin
Bond and Little John and their attendants on horse
back, attended divine service at St. Mary's church,
„hero an excellent eermon was preached by the
vicar, the Rev. T. ("relives, front the 53rd chapter
of Isaiah, anti the first three verses. The rev. gen.
tlenian dwelt forcibly on the shortness and uncer.
minty of life, and the importance of living in accord-
ance with those principles which they professed.
After service • procession was again formed in the
same order an before, and after passing up the front
towards Radipole and back through St. Thomas.
street, proceeded to the Towithall,where an excellent
dinner was servml up in first-rate style by tho
worthy lost of the court.house. About 100 sat
down to partake of the good things provided on the
occasion, and the chair was taken by R. N. Howard,
t'lhe CHAIRMAN, in introducing the business of the
der, remarks-if :those who were present were undoubtedly
perfectly aware that the Ancient Order of Foresters had
its branches throughout the whole of Englaud, at least.
It vs; not. however, but till recently a Court had been I
established in Weymouth, but although this town vase
little behind hand in starting, there were nearly 90
members already enrolled. These were nien who had a
purpose in view, namely, to seek good for themselves
and to confer good on others who were members of their
onier. At tirst their progress was slow—rather a gmol
sign than otherwise. for that which had a firm basis
gsuerslly grew slowly ist first. The same principle
might be applied to Ode Society—now they had este-
blislied a good foundation, their progress would be
rapid; and the bass being urns, the superstructure
would not fall. Ile anticipated for this Society a suc-
cessful future, for although it had not been hitherto
geneolly known in this town, after that day's demon.
str.tiou no oils could hereafter be ignorant of its ezist-
cone ; and now it was known it would be spoken of,
and inquiries would be made aa to what were the
principles shich they professed. They would thereby
find that this Society was • most beneficial one. If sick'
were to overtake them—and they had been reminded by
g. Greaves that morning that many a man was
suddenly laid low---a provision was made for him.
When a member was eick he was allowed a sum to
keep him, his wife ad his family, so that be need not
Ise afraid of poverty in the evil day with its hardness
sea its laarshnest. But this was not the only advantage,
for when a member was thrown out of employment, if
able and willing to work, (and they had to go to strange
tows/ to seek for labour), by producing their certificate,
they found, wherever they went, a friend and a brother
who would quipathise with them, and do all they
could to help them in their distress. It was therefore
most beneficial for those who bad to toil for a livelihood
to join this Society. Now that this society bad been
established on a firm basis it had wonderfully progressed,
the reason of which was that the members had each of
them laboured to promulgate the objects and 11112114 of
the Society. So rapidly had it increased, that within
the last three months upwards of 30 new members had
joined. A friend behind hint said upwards of 50—this,
at all events, thowed that he was not overstepping
the mark. He was glad they had celebrated her Majesty's
l'oronstiou day by.a public festival. Their parading the
town had no doubt caused 'luny inquiries to be made as to
who and what they were. The dress which they ware was
nets an ply in teniled for mere sho —it waii to tell the public
that they were connected with Robin Hood of notorious
memory, and that they, while avoiding his evil example,
soucht to emulate him in that, he formed a band who
were hound together in a bond of brotherhood, having
one common puree, and each sworn to aid and assist his
fellow. This was why they were called the Ancient
Older of Foresters, and why they wore these distinctive
dresses. He was gla,l they had chosen Her Majesty's •
coronation day, for this their first anniversary, and as ,
loyal and faithful subjects of the Queen, he called on
them to dna the " Health of the Queen, her Royal
Contort, the Prince of Wales, and the rest of the Royal
family." The toast was.drunk with " Forester's fire."
The CHAIRMAN next proposed "The Bishop and
Clergy of the Diocese." . . . _

Tl7e. I'ILIIRMAS then gave " The Ancient Order of
Fornters," coupled with the name of Dr. Lacey. of
rook.

Dr. Ltelv acknowledged the compliment, and e pressed
his surprise that his name had been coupled with the
toast. It was only last week that some 30,000 widen-
tort assemble./ in Hyde Park to do homage ti her
Majesty, showing that neither distance, trouble
nor expense ciiuld stem their devotion to
their queen. tin that it was echoed from
mouth to mouth, " This is a great day for England,"
mil be inight my, with regard to the present occasion,
flit, 'vs grout by for Forestry." It was true that the
volunteer movement was a national in•titution, but he
montsined that Forestry was none the less national.
lle oiuld venture to say that wherever a volunteer corps
hal been formed there a Court of Foresters existed.
He might drair the parallel a little closer and without
Aunt tithe volunteers remark, that though they were
formed ti protect everything dear to then' from the
throne to the cottage, yet Foresters had enrolled them-
selves to protect mutually each other in sickness and
adversitv, in times of tribulation, and even at death.
/le need not enlarge on the position and benefits of
Forestry, bat he might mention that during the pest
year upwanls of 20,000 had joined the Order --the
object of whom was to promote the benefit and well-
being of each other, and the spread of brotherly love
and concord. He regretted the absence that day of the
borough menibers and some of the leading gentlemen of
the place, and urged upon the members to cultivate an
aggressive spirit an seeking to win others to join the
Order.

The CHAIIMAN said, in reference to the remark,'
made by Dr. Lacey, that they had none of the gentry
present, the fact was that they had not asked many of
Item. As Foresters they learned to depend upon them-
airs-a—upon their own ezertions for success, and the
fact that they had enrolled upwards of fifty members
within the last three months was • proof that they bad
been acting upon that principle, and he trusted they
would never forget to inculcate this principle.
The Cater RANI:all: "Success to the Weymouth
—' Plume of Feathers'—Court, No. 1,152."
Brother PALMIER returned thanks, and proposed "The
health of the visiting brothers."
Mr. COMMA returned thanks. Hs had been
connected with the Foresters for niany years past, and
had held high and important offices in the Order. At
the prevent time they numbered upwards of 170,000 in
all parts of the country, and all acted in combination
for the promotion of their own and each others' int*.
teats. Their affairs were regulated by an annual move-
able parliament composed of delegates from every dis-
trict who liked to send members to it. At this meet-
ing discussions were held and new rule. were made or
remcslified if it were found necessary, and a committee
appointed for carrying on the business of the Order for
the ensuing year. They had a secretary who was well
up to his duty. The Order was divided into districts,
and the districts were again divided into Courts, and
yet a brother in the Weymouth or any other Court met
with a friend a brother in every other. Having
eulogised the objects and operations of the Society, he
proposed "Success to the kindred Societies, especially
the Manchester Unity of Odd Fellows, and the Order
of Shepherds."
The CHIC, RANGIER gave the health of the hon.
members, and Mr. A. CURTIB, who replied to the com-
pliment, proposed the health of Dr. Conchal, their
medical officer at Weymouth.
Dr. COreltalt briefly replied, and Dr. LAcrr propmed
" The health of the Chairman," highly eulogising the
able and very pleasant way in which he had discharged
the duties of the rimy.
The CHAIRMAN acknowledged the compliment, urging
upon the members to do all they could to promote the
interests of the order, and concluded by wishing them
health, happiness, and every prosperity.
The Company tl.cn separated, and the procession was
reformed, and wended its way to a field on the Wylie
road, which had been placed at their disposal by R. H.
Swaffield, Esq., for out-door amusements. They had
Cot been there, however, more than about two hours
before the rain put • stop to their proceedings, yet
despite this great drawback, the universal exclamation
was that the Foresters had that day afforded the inhabi-
tants • treat of no common order. We regret however
to old, that some of the light.fingered gentry were in
the field, and that they succeeded in picking the pockets
of several females. One young woman's pocket, contain.
tog between £2 and £3, was cat completely out of her
dress