The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1860-01-03 00:00:00

BLANDFORD.

LECTI:I4E ON CAN ADA. —ll. DAM" Seymour,
Esq., M. P., gave his lecture on Wednesday even-
ing last, to a tolerably numerous audience, composed .
of a few of the nobility from the neighbourhood, !
but principally of the respectable inhabitants of the '
town. After the lecturer had briefly detailed the
leading facts connected with the history of Canada
to the time when Wolfe defeated Niontaalin on the
plains of Abraham, he confined himself to extracts
read from his diary. The matter furnished the
audience was thus of a discursive character—the
evident gleanings of a traveller who had rapidly
pissed from one Jr:Ant of interest to another. Mr.
Seymour is no blindfolded traveller. He keeps his
eyes open, and knows Low to use them; and, there-
fore, we presume his Parliamentary duties at home,
and his unexpected recall to secure Lis return fur
Poole, so hunted Lis time as to prevent him from
picking up in his tour the statistical information
relative to trade, agriculture. emigration, lac., that
would have proved acceptable to an English audience.
Canada, principally colonized by Scotch and English
emigrants, continues, not only to attract the tide of
emigration from both countries, but English capital
to a large extent finds profitable employment in its
great iailway and other companies; therefore, prac-
tical information on these points obtained on the
spot by one of us, would be as likely to interest a
tolerably well•read English audience as geographical
and historical facts simplified and abridged. The
practical bias of Mr. Seymour's mind is fully recog-
nized at home, and his business habits as a railway
director are especially appreciated in thin neighbour-
hood ; therefore we hope if Le makes a second tour
through Canada that time will permit hini to gather
up that practical information he is so well qualified
to acquire and impart. The lion W. H. B. Portman,
M.P., presided. Moms Portman. Faq., has mar-
ried an English lady in Canada, and has taken up
his permanent abode on or near the banks of the St.
Lawrence.
Ibmscr CENTRAL I{ A I —No shareholders
could have inure patiently, yet hopefully, waited the
cocummation of their wishes, than those pecuniarily
and commercially interested in that portion of the
through line extending from Wimborne to Bland-
ford. The land-slip which obliged the course of the
river to be turned, Las not only delayed the progress
of the general works by absorbing the TIE:
employed on the line, but has likewise involved great
additional expense. We are, however, glad to in-
form the shareholders that the mishap is nearly
rectified—that the expense will fall on the contrac-
tor, and not on the company; and that this first
section of the line will assuredly be opened early in
the ensuing spring. We have heard it whispered
that the South-Western Company are giving indubit-
able signs of the importance they attach to a railway
connecting the two Channels ; and it may be that
the responsibility of conducting this important under-
taking may change hands at no very distant period.
The attention now given by Government to the best
means for defending this country in case of invasion
must give to this great link, connecting the two
Channels, more than ordinary importance in a military
point of view.
Rivas Coicrs.—At the adjourned meeting of the
Committee, bold at the Townhall, on Thursday even-
ing last, a goodl7 number of promising young men
assenibled—wany of them for the purpose of innue•
diately giving in their names as effectives, and others
to obtain the information the Committee had an-
nounced as their intention of giving. There were
many young respectable mechanics present, and the
offer made by many of them partly to meet the ex-
pense of their outfits, evinced a laudable spirit of con-
sistent liberality, and proved that they were desirous
of joining the corps as real effeetives, and not merely
to wear the uniform at the expense of others. To
stand shoulder to shoulder with such men will
neither deteriorate respectability nor lessen the esprd
du corps Forty-four have already given in their
names, and on Friday, when the Conimittee sat again,
the names of many more were added. On Thursday
next the Committee will approve or otherwise of
those who have signified their intention of joining,
and we trust due regard will be then given to the
permanency of the corps, and those only accepted
who are likely to remain residents in the town or
neighbourhood.