The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1863-09-29 00:00:00

Somersetshirt.

Y EON" I L. —The T 11111111 was literally cro w deo
on Tuesday evening, to hear, aecordiug to an
announcement. the Gospel preached. The gentlemen
who expounded the Scriptures, confining their re-
marks principally to " Personal Salvation," were
Dr. Bell, of Lymnouth, Devon ; Mr. Alfred G.
Gondridge, ..1 Bath; and Mr. T. G. D. Bell, of
Amliabam, Bucks. The proceedings opened with
Biasing and prayer, and • hymn was occasionally
sung during the meeting. The apeakers severally
treated upon man in his fallen condition by nature,
and the position to which he was raised, morally and
spiritually, through embracing the blessed Gospel of
the Grace of God. The proceedings were brought
to a conclusion with prayer. There was no collec-
tion at the cloae of the meeting, the idea of the
preachers being that no appeal ought to be made
to the public in bearing the Truth proclaimed.
CAUTION ro Bove. On Tuesday, before G
Harbin, EN , and Captain Messiter. George Sale
of Coat Mattock, was charged with throwing stones
at a goods train, on the Bristol and Exeter line. A
guard,natnedßerwick,stated thathe wastravellingny ,
express train on the day in question on the above
line, and when near the Coat Bridge he heard some-
thing, apparent/y stones, rattle against the windows
of the carriages. He accordingly on his arrival at
blartook station reported it to the station-master.
Thomas Stork (a porter) said he was sent to the
spot by the station-master, and pl iced himself be-
hind a tree near the hedge, defendant and several
.other boys being on the bridge at the time. On the
goods train peeving he observed the boy throw some-
thing, apparently a stone, on one of the wagons.
Be went from behind the tree under the arch, and
there be sew the boy crossing the rails at no great
distance from him. The defendant pleaded guilty,
but said he had been advised to commit the act by
another boy, with whom he was in company. The
Bench reprimanded theyoungoffender,butdiecharged
him on his father promising to chastise him in a
proper manner, and paying the costs, 7..
A 1{014•W•Y A PPKWITICL On Wednesday,
before the Mayor (E. Whitby, EN.) and It. F.
Mayo, Esq., James Lorder, a lad, was brought up in
custody by P.S. Keats*, charged with absoonding
from his mester'sservicte,to whom he had been bound
to serve asap apprentice for the term of three years.
David Lawton, baker, of Wellington-street, pro-
duced the indentures, and stated that the boy had
previously been confined in • Reformatory School,
He also produced letters, written by the chaplain of
the school, from which it would appear that the boy
was • deserter, and that that gentleman requested
him, in case of any complaint, to communicate to
him on the subject. The boy, since he had left com-
plainant's service, has wended his say to Southamp
ton and other towns., and subsequently returned to
Yeovil, where he was apprehended by the police.
sergeant. The mother of the boy stated that he left
Mr. Langdon's in consequence of ill-treatment which
he had received from him, he having ruptured the
youth by a kick. This, however, the complainant
denial, and said he would take his oath that defen-
dant had received no ill-treatment at his bands. The
mother of the boy still persisted in her statement,
and and that she could show the bruises inflicted
by the kick. Several words passed between com-
plainant and the mother of the defendant, and the
magistrates ultimately remanded the ease till Satur-
day, in order that the superintendent might corn.
mnnicate to the Chaplain of the Reformatory School.
SOMERTON.— Parry Sesames, M..nday, Sep-
tember 21st.—Before Colonel Pinney and W.
Moedy, Faq.—Jane Culliford, of Pitney, summoned
Mary Ann Clammy, of the same place, for assaulting
her on the 9th inst. It appeared by the rambling
statement mule by both parties, that an ill-feeling
had existed between them for some time past. On
the day in question they met, when very high words
ensued, and which ended by defendant tearing off
complainant's shawl and bonnet. —Mary Tucker
was lled by defendant, but failed to shake com-
plainant's testimony. - Fined Eis. 6d., including
°nets. —John Meech was summoned by James
Lawrence, both of Somerton, for assaulting him on
the night of the 12th inst.—Complainant deposed !
that he was in the Unicorn Inn, drinking, on
Saturday evening, at half-tast eleven o'clock, when !
defendant came in and took up his beer, and handed
It round the room. Complainant asked him what I
he did it for, when defendant struck him in the eye,
which knocked him down, giving him a black eye.
Witnesses were called on both sides, but the magistrates
believing complainant had been assaulted, fined the
defendant 10s.. including costa --James Lawrence,
the complainant in the last case, was then charged
by Superintendent Drewett with being drunk on the
night in question. He had been locked up from 1
Saturday until the following Monday, when he was '
brought before Colonel Pinney, and admitted to bail j
till the Petty Sessions, so th..t both cages might be
heard at once.—Fined Bs—David Gibbs and
William Thorne, of Somerton, were summoned for
stealing apples, value 6,1., the property. of Henry
Coruick, of the same place.—Complainant deposed
that on Sunday, the 13th inst., he was informed by
his son that some one was in the garden stealing the
apples, and on his going to the ganlen he found
Thorne holding down the branches, while Gibbs was
picking the apples, and pocketing them.—Superin-
tendent Drewett informed the Bench that Gibbs was
detected by a constable only the week before in the
act of stealing apples from Mr. Jennings, at
Somerton ; but that that gentleman taking • lenient
view of the case, he declined prosecuting. Colonel
Pinney told the defendant Gibbs, that as they had
been informed very properly by the superintendent
that it was not his first offence, they should fine him
15a, including costa.--Thorne was fined 12s. 6d.,
including costa The money was paid in each case.
—Chnstopher Roberta and Herbert Helswortb,
two lads, were summoned for a similar offence at
Puddimore. P.C. Richards caught them in the act
of stealing them from Mr. Brooke of the same place;
but as Mr. Brooke did not wish to press the case,
the magistrates reprimanded and discharged them.
ABBOTS LEIGH.—One of the oldest harvest
borne festivals in the county of Somerset is that
annually celebrated on the estate of Sir Wm. Miles,
Bart., at Abbot's Leigh. For upwards of a quarter
of • century it has been the annual custom of the
owner of the lordly demesne surrounding Leigh
Court to celebrate the ingathering of the harvest
with the time-honoured festival of the harvest home.
The carrying home of the produce of upwards of •
thousand acres, farmed on the Leigh Court estate,
was finished on Saturday week, and it was one of
the most bountiful crops for many years past.
Arrangements had been made for the celebration of
the festival on Tuesday, and though Sir William
was unavoidably absent on duty as Colonel of the
North Somerset Yeomanry, at Bath, the festive
occasion was kept up with all the hearty good will
which haa marked the Leigh Court harvest home for
years past, Sir William having expressed • wish,
that so long as be farmed the estate the good old
custom should be annually celebrated at Leigh Court.
The arrangements were made under the supervision
of Mr. Barnes, the bailiff, and his son, Mr. Charles
Benne, and great were the preparations made for •
subetautial retina. The dinner. which consisted of
the primed joints of old English fare, the plum
puddings being the gift of Lady Miles, was laid out
in one of the spacious outbuildings surrounding
the premises. At 5 o'clock thiwe employed
on the estate, including the farm labourers,
blacksmiths, carpenters, masons, and others,
with their wives and sweethearts, assembled
in the barn, which had been profusely decorated
with evergreens, interspersed with appropriate
mottoes. Between SO and 90 set down to the
repast, the chair being taken by Mr. Barnes, eenr.
The domestics at Leigh Court waited on the guests,
and it was not long before the hot joints, vegetables,
and pastry disappeared from the sell-spread tables.
Among those present were several who had grown
old, and were in receipt of pensions from their
employers, and others had been is the service
from their boyhood. On the removal of the cloth
a stalwart member of the company retie to propose
"The health of Sir William Miles," amidst enthusi-
astic cheers. He remembered that for nearly 30 years,
to the best of his knowledge, Sir William had kept
up the good old English custom of entertaining those
who worked on his estates at each ingathering Of
the beeves-. (Cheers.) Their annual harvest'
home was kept up in the good old English style ;
they . were invited to partake of a rich and sub-
stantial repast, and were liberally supplied with
everything they could wish to enable them to enjoy
themselves. (Cheers.) He would therefore, mill
upon them to drink to the health of Sir William and
his family with three hearty cheers. The toast was
drunk amidst prolonged cheering, and after it had
subsided Mr. Barnes was called upon to respond.
The chairman said the character of their esteemed
employer was too well known to all of them to need
any comment on his part ; and after three more
hearty cheers for Sir William the tables were
cleared tfor dancing, which invariably follows the
harvest home at Leigh Court. During the evening,
Mr. Davey, the son-in-kw of Sir William, visited
the festive mean, and as night drew on, the guests
increased to about 100. There was a bountiful
supply of bome-brewed ale and cider, and the whole
of the company enjoyed themselves to their hearts
content till after the " we ems' hours" hadcome and
gone.
WITHAM FRlARY.—Hmtveirr Fiterrvenza
The annual harvest home of this parish took place
on Thursday week, and was &decided improvement
on those of former years. In the morning a pro-
cession was formed, headed by the juvenile band of
tb•Bhepton Mallet Unii.n, at the parsonage, which
proceeded front thews to the parish church. The
eared edifice was decorated in becoming style, •
ah•af tt! wheat being placed os the altar, and the
East window being oompletely surrounded with fruits
of the earth, flowery, and evergreens. And this
was not all, for the font pulpit, and temporary
1414 etandards were dummied with similar materials.
i.e liturgical portims of the service were performed
by the Rev. J. L. Canick, incumbest, and the
bra,ll were very appropriately selected. A 118111300
appheable for the 000111400 was afterwards priewhed
by the Rey. W. B. Tritten, 'jou of (AAord. who
bowerled ha remarks on Matthew, Asp. st, stews IL
—" Gives@ this day our daily bread." At the coo-
shrimp of the *wren the morel= reformed. and
getweeded to • flekt sew the isonaihest's reedesee,

which had been gratuitously lent for the occasion by
Mr. Crepe A marquee was here erected, wherein a
aiinoer was served up, consisting of cold beef
tot a'.e. Bat this was not all, for hardly hail this
been thole juatimto bet. re the " pudding procession"
was formed, and on looking out into the field,
in the direction of the parsonage, were to
be seen, led by the hand, the monster pudding
(gaily dressed with corn and flowers), conveyed by
four young ladies, and others of small dimensions
carried by farmers' wives and daughters. The
"inner man" having being well satisfied, and thanks
offered to the Giver of all good, the rev, chairman
spoke a few words.. Ile said it afforded him much
happiness to see his pal iahioners so cordially uniting,
and dilated on the good effect* which such gather-
ings as these produoed. Various amusements were
afterwards indulged in in the field, including,
cricket, racing, dancing, Ac. Many visited the
vegetable and flower show in the school-room, which
was got up very creditably, though at a short notice.
The building was very tastefully decorated by the
schoolmaster, for whose indefatigable exertions the
parishioners were duty bound to return their most
sincere thanks. The vegetables and flowers were of
• very good, and many of them of • fine description,
for the best of which prizes were awarded, A. Marsh,
Esq., of Ridgway, acting as jodge. Tea was subse-
quently served up, to which everybody in the parish,
old and young, were made welcome. Divine service
was again performed in the parish church at half'
past seven, when another excellent sermon was
preached on Revelations, chap. :iv, verse 16. —"And
he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the
earth, and the earth was reaped." The attendance
at public worship on both occasions was very good,
the sacred building being literally crammed, and the
whole of the proceedings passed off in a highly satis-
factory manner.
QUANTOCK.—Tits SOKIMARTSIIIIII COAL FIELD.—
At the resent meeting of the Somerset Archaeological
Society, Mr. W. A. Sanford read • paper on the coal
*from of the county. Hs said that one fact in the
address of Sir William Armstrong, at the late meeting
of the British Asweiation, had caviled genentl Mien-
tion, via, that the supply of coal in this country, which
had been popularly supposed to be practiondly Mean
hanstible, was really very limited in amount, and that
from our known Goal fields no more than from 200 to
308 years' supply (at our present compound interest rate
of consumption) could be peseibly expected, even though
we should go to double the depth we now dig for it.
Then- were two large districts well known to geologhta,
both belonging to our Somerset coal field, which were
not included in this estimate—one extending from the
neighbourhood of Fnitue eastward, under the south-
midland counties towards London, in which there was
• posibility that cool might exist in large quantities,
although the continuity of the field was known to be
broken to the eaetward of Fronts—and the other woe
the great plain between the Mendip and Quantock-hills,
in which a very large deposit of coal might be fairly, if
not confidently expected. After lengthy referencia to
the feneral disposition of the coal strata, Mr. Sanford
continued :—At the close of the coal ieriod we have
evidence of • great convulsion, which crumpled up the
rocks of the South of England, and threw them into
their present position. The height of the waves to
which the rocks were thrown was certainly enormous..
Mendip must have been at least 8,000 to 10,000 feet
high—the Quantocks and Exmoor range prohably far
higher; and there was some evidence that Dartmoor
was raised to the enormous height of from 50,000 to
80,000 feet. Limestone. which was found in horizontal
sheets, was to be seen at Cannington, near Bridg-
water. where it appeared resting iii its proper place
above the Lhvonian rock, with evidence, however, of a
considerable wave between it and the Quantocks proper.
le was conflicted with limestone of the Mendips by a
aeries of knolls of limestone. The old red sandstone
and the limestone, with the owl strata lying upon them,
were crumpled into vast waves of from 2,000 to 10,000
(set high. The Mendips were probably split into pin-
nacles, •nd were thus easily disturbed by atmospheric
infiuenees' as those who had visited the high Alpo could
' readily understand. In thia way strata in exposed situ-
ations must have crumbled away. The sandstone and
coal were probably reduced to amid and sand, and carried
to the depths beneath the ocean. The troughs of great
land waves, in which coal memaerea existed, were pro-
,' tested from the denuding influences which destroyed
I then, at the summit of the mountains by the superim
cumbent limestone, and sandstone which formed the
blue of the mount-ins, and the thickness of the cal-
lfield was probably the greatest, though it was not avail-
" ahle to its full extent, at the point nearest the Mendip,
I via., at Radontek. Coal-beds were found resting on
limestone. containing fossils of the coal period, between
Wellington and Tiverton. As the whole hf the coal
period and the ages preceding it were almost certainly
I a time of quiescent depresition, it was not likely that the
orhal measure. of Raclin.* would end in • wall 7,000
feet high, while there was evidence that the ruck on
which they reposed maintained its horizontal position
for many miles farther. It was far more probable that
the coal-hesis gradually thinned out of those of Hol-
conihe, near Tiverton, as tlicy were invariably elsewhere
found to do. Coal measures, therefore, probably regtcd
in the basio between the Mendips and the Quantocks,
The thickness of the seams would very likely be greatest
towards the Mendip, and he trusted that sooner or later
owil-fields in that district would be found, and added to
the Limited resources of the country. In conclusion, he
warned any one who did not thoroughly understand the
subject Against sinking or even boring for coal, unless
he had consulted men of experience, for in such a case
his exertions would be almost sure to end in failure, and
would only dispirit others instead of conferring • great,
though not very lasting, benefit ou the country.
GLASTONBURY. Tux Au...rufous. —We
(Sherowne Journal) understand that theproceedings
instituted sometime since in the Court of Chancery
by our worthy mayor, J. L Bulleid, Esq., on be-
half of the Rev. Lewis Price, of tilastonbury,
against the defendant, Mr. Prince, of the Agapemone,
for the recovery of a considerable amount of money,
have been brought to a very succerefal termination.
It appears that the case was originally placed in the
hands of another solicitor in the neighbourhood, who
failed to accomplish anything satisfactory to his
client, and obliged the Rev. Lewis Price to dis.
pense with his services, and plane the case in the
hands of Mr. Bulleid, his present solicitor. Where-
upon the necessary stepe were at once taken, and a
bill of complaint was filed against the defendant,
which compelled him to abandon his defence, come
to terms, and restore the whole of the property,
with the exception of a certain amount of interest
which had accrued upon it since the plaintiff had
left the Agapemone, a claim which he relinquished
in consideration of compensating advantages aa Ming
from an immediate compliance with his demands.
A satisfactory settlement of the property has since
been executed by the Court of Chancery, in pur-
suance ef application to that effect made in the
plaintiff's bill. It is credibly reported that these
and other proceedings of the plaintiff have told with
disastrous effect upon Prince's system of religious
tyranny and imposture, and given it ths most
serious check it has received.

FROMB.—Priseeedinp of an interesting character
took place at Trinity Church on Monday last. That day
was the 25th anniversary of the creation of the church, snd
also of the Iteir. Alfred Daniels' ministry therein. For
some time previously the congregation had resolved that
the occasion ahould he celebrated in a becoming manner;
and aoeordingly after partaking of tea, and subsequently
attending Divine service, • large number of lune,. and
gentlemen r. meembled in the •chool-room, which had
been tastefully decorated. The rev, incumbent sup-
posed that the evening would be spent in congratula-
tions and friendly addresses, and great was his !surprise
when Mr. B. W Shepherd amended the little platform,
and, addressing him personally,offered for his sceepteum
the spien.lid testimonial which, till then, had been eon-
sealed by • curtain. The principal part of the pro-set
was a magnificent Raver centre-piece, aupplied by Mr.
Payne, of Bath, and bearing an appropriate inscription.
There were in addition a fine carpet, an elegant dinner
service of Minton, a lounge chair, and other useful and
ornamental articles, the whole of the value of Oa
The Rev. Mr. Daniels, in acknowledging this unexpected
testimonial of their affection and respect, was visibly
affected. Several gentlemen subsequently delivered
addresses, and the meeting was 'pest in a manner lung
to he remembered by all present.
. . .

The name Volunteers were on Tuesday last inspected
by Lieut.-Colonel HUM!, at Welk There were upwards
of 100 present, who had fulfilled the conditions to entitle
thens to the thoitation grant.
Fauna MA•IIrT. WRDIMDAY.—We bad • large sup-
ply of awn to-day, bat • wrest portion of it was out of
condition. Wheat sold slowly, its reduction of Is. to
20. per quarter, quotation. varying between 40e. and 48e.
for middling and good qualities, and lower for others.
Barley inaintaioed previous value-30a. to 40s. ; nes,
21s. to 28.. ; beans, 401. to 48s. ; sod peed, 38a. 044..
Vetches were cheaper, prices varying between ss. and
the bushel In the cattle market there we. a fair
supply, and an &setup we. done at previous rates.
CASTLE CARY.—CauTtos To FAHMIR2L—As
the shepherd of Mr. James Longman of Dimmer
Farm, Cutle Cary, went into the sheepfold on Satur-
day morning, he found SiXteCin tine lambs dead,
and seven more have since died. it appears that
the sheep had been folded over a piece of wheat
stubble that bad not been gleaned, and in °owe-
quence of their eating too much wheat inflammation
ensued, and wee speedily followed by death.
WELLS. —The fellow who has been swindling
in two or three towns in Somereetshire under the
aristocratic name of "Sir Henry Seymour," was
brought up at the Westminster Police-court, on
Tuuday,for a forgery on the West of England Bank;
but as the offence was committed at Wells, the ma-
gistrate decided that he had no jurisdiction, and the
case wee dropped. The rascal has, however, been
committed on several other charges of a similar
nature.

Droning zeroes Bann= Fay, Eau., CORONZIL
—At ktulsomer Norton, on the body of Mr. Wm.
Rogers, aged 68 yaws, a farmer of that place. It
appeared that deceased was driving his cart, and had
taken up two little boys to ride; some thorns from
the hedge were likely to injure the children, and
whilst cautioning them against the danger it
appeared the wheel of the cart went over a tank of
emth and upset it, the shaft of the ven,cds, and like-
wise the horse, falling on and crumbing the demented.
It i/ oosijectured that he received some internal
injury. He died some days afterwards, although
attended by three mediae) gentlemen. Verdiet,
"Accidental Death. At Blakeway, Wedmore, 012
the body of Win. Bawler, a labourer_, aged 61 years.
It appeared that deceased, who had heen a great
drinker from early youth, went to the beerborree of
George Widoombe, in the Turfbeeth, where be had
three pints of cider, he was wet and
cared, and was allowed by Mr. Widcombe to sleep on
the beards. lt is supposed that an ember from the
are, or some sparks from his pipe, must bare ignited
his clothes, for he was beard by Widoornbe and hie
wih to cry out, and on their coming to hini. be was
in dames. He was hada/ burnt on ons lade, but

walked home Vouch it may be cilled) afterwards.
Dec,ased was attended hy Dr. Hancock, but diod
from Ins injuries, the sufferings of the man for many
days lining beyond deketiption, lying on • bed .4
straw, and not Ode earthly comfort. Too frequently,
Si the Coroner observed, is this the result of intem-
perance; and baring cautioned the beerbouse•
keeper, the jury returned a verdict of " Accidental
Death."

TENTH (WELLS) SOMERSET RIFLE CORP% COM•
PETITION FOR CAPT. LOVELL'S ell•LLICNO1 Cur
—The handsome challenge cap, of the value of 25
guineas. given by Captain Lovell, to his company,
was competed for on Wednesday, by 19 members
of the corps. The competition was of a very novel
character, as Captain Lovell decided that the follow-
ing should be the conditions, viz : —That the cup
should be shot for at unknown ranges, 10 shots, and,
accordingly the members went to Glastonbury,
where the range was unknown to them. Colonel
Luttrell, of the 3rd battalion, took the command,
and marched the members in all directions. Ensign
Berryman was in charge of the squad, and Captain
Tbeloall, adjutant of the 3rd battalion. The follow-
ing are the highest scores :—Private Wickendon,
16 (winner); Sergeant Hippialey, IS; Private
Grooves, 15; Private Barnes, 15; Private Lucas,
14; Private Tomkins, 14. The oompotitors on their
return home bad • very narrow escape from an acci-
dent, owing to one of them very timely seeing that
one of the wheels of the conveyance was nearly oft
Other vehicles were sent for, and the party arrived
all safe.

TAUNTON.—SII4I, PRACTIC ff. —A respectable
' young woman from the country' was in Taunton
on Monday evening, and on her return home she had
occasion to call at the Compass Inn, kept by Mr.
Sharp, for a parcel which had been left there during
the day. She was asked into the bar parlour by
Mrs. :Sharp, and at that time happened to be the
only person in the room. Mrs. Sharp was called
into another room to serve some beer to her
customers, for which the received a shilling. On
going to the bar to give change she found her money
and cash'box was gone from the place she supposed
she hail last placed it. Without giving any time to
consider its whereabouts, or looking for it, in
moment she accused the young person for stealing it,
and without delay sent her husband for a policeman.
In • few minutes Sergeant Williams was at hand to
find the missing money. The young person who
still persisted in her innocence, was subjected to a
strict search by the sergeant, who could find nothing
of the missing money. Search was now made about
the house, when her husband. Mr. Sharp. all at
mum found the cash.l3o: and money in the place
where Mrs. Sharp had left it. The young person
was then liberated, and the landlady, repnmanded
by the sergeant for such hasty conduct and act of
sharpness.