The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1869-08-31 00:00:00

FORESTERS' FETE.

Tiatt a:mister:tory of the Foresters of Portland was
celebrated on Thursday last, by a demonstration and
fete. The brethren assembled at the Court-house, New
Hotel, about nine o'cloak, and a procession was formed
in the following order :

Fidritenton borieback, ten in number, including Robin
Hood, Litße John. Fnar Tuck, Maid Marian, Jr.
Wdadwards am&

Butner .4 the BOOmentouth Court, wtth the deviee .4 the
Good 811111.1/14•11 on one xhie, and the WM.. and
Orphan on the I otlie r
Bend of the 4th D. V. A. , under Bandma.ter Jonek
Two P.C. Ws caming tattle-axe.
Wadi's with hattlewxnt
_ . _

Brethren fmm Broadwey Court.
Banneret.
Waggon with Shepherd and She
',herd'''.
Brethren trout l'hickerell end Abbotabury.
Banner.
Waggon with Widow and Orphan.
Brethren of Court Penwverapoe." Portland, about 80 in

. --.—
number.
wuriron with Juvenile Ferentem, online banner.
Brethren from the Weyulouth United District.

After precluding to the Hades, Station, and meeting
the brethren who had arrived by the 11 o'clock train,
the assembly passed on through Castleton, Fortune's
Well, Easton, nod Wakehate, whence they went through
Green-street to Weston, under Hill, through Chiswell
cud amass to the Admiralty ground., li.re a large
marquee had been erected, and preperatilas for a suls-
etentisl dinner made by the Cominitte, while other
booths of the ususl kind gave • busy appearance to
Vase The afternoon train brought large numb. (of
visitors, not all for the Forester.. Amon./ them s
three gimp of °unveils, who, under the chars, of warders
were placed in vans, and mcieed off, • sad procession,
pent she ground where all vas preparation for
mirth. Some of them ladghed, and seeined to
jests. they noted the flattering flags and strained
banners over the entrance to the pleuure ground ; but
others hung &see their head, in shame, when some of
the (ego gazers approaahed toe near, and stared at the
vain. Poor fellow.! One could not but deeply pity
them as they passed up to that plum where even the
glorious mun,that helped all freemen to greater cheerful.
nios, would glare down on them like an avenging eye,
and his scorching beam. be reflected from the white
stone, stone. stone, eternal stone, of their fortreu
dungeon. Was ever one of them tempted to crime by
the misfortunes end preesing need littlest whieh he
might have provided by becoming a Forester? Such
things are not impossible, and therefrom we may have
another argument in favour of friendly societivs—that
thee lessen the temptations to grime. But we oesreg
remain gazing after the convict*. Good bye, poor
fallen ones, yet fellow-men. Good-bye, warders, and
remember that the grey-coated slaves under your care
have feelings and affections which may be wrought on
to eivilioe and renew, and passions which may be goaded
to such intensity that a man may prefer the guilt of
destroying one life and losing another to enduring
his heavy punishment on that stormy hill.
The dining booth rapidly filled, and R.N. Howard.
Esq.. took his place an preodent, a chair he is always
willing to 611 at three meetings, with the greatest
' sympathy for his brethren in the Oorder. Them were

also preaent Dr. Nettlefolo. medieal Ilit.wlaat of the
Oonatl Dr. Pridham. Broadway; Paymaster Chinmo,
and Mr. Pattiaos, H.M.S. Boseawen, Mr. A. &driven,
Mr. Bristow, Mr. J. Comhen, Mr. T. Comber' and
friends, Mr. Patten, Mr. Northover, Mr. W. B. P.
Jeffery, Mr. .7. Kerridse, bac., about 150 in all.
A Very substantial, abundant, and well mined hot
dinn. r was plead upon the table, and the air of Port-
land, open on all sides to ihe pen, provided capacious
appetities for the feast. Dinner being over,
The VumilllAN, remaikeil that it would be contrary
to the company's wiabes„ if he kept them lour in the
tent on suith a beautiful day. He therefor. promised
to detain them no longer than was necessary, over the

"The health of Her Majesty wee then drunk.
The bend of the 4th D.V.A. under Bandmaster G.
W. Pars Jones, followed the toast with the National
Atli. m.
In raving "The Prins. end Prinwas of Wales and ell
the kmei family." the Casaumax r-marked tbat we
proud of our Prince and Princes+, rind the country be Is
one day to iovern.
Bind : "Gol bless the Prince of Wales."
The CHAIeMAN said there wan torthing in Forestry
opposed to 'filch., and he world proixim " The
thsliop and Clergy, and Ministers of all Denominations."
The late bishop it'd departed this life after a severe
dines; gni as his aueceoror had beau so recently
appointed, they would drink the toast in silence.
Appropriate pis ce by the band.
If ever there was • pia". said the Cuaremze, where
" The Army, Navy, and Volunteers," could be appro-
priately proposed, it was in the We of Portland. The
*fibers of the army entertained the inhabitants by
allowing their band to play in public, and the naval
oflioors did their utmost to be reepeeted, and highly
respected they are—(bee.). He coupled the name of
Kr. Chimmo with the navy, and as to the volunteers.
he saw arour.d him marts, belonging to that foto-, Nome
of whom he hoped pool,! respond.
, "British Grezadiers.
Payneeter CHIMIIo, H.M.S. Boseawen, returned
thank,' for the toast for the army and navy, no ably
item and cheerfully reeponded to—(applause).
Mr. W. It. P. J fith D.lt.V., returned thanks.
He belonged to an old family of yeamteera. Lis grand-
father was a voluneer many years ago, arid if the
volunteer, of the pp sontj forge were called upon to
act, they would never be found wanting in readiness to
do their dute—lePPlemeb
The CHAIRHAN sat4l • Foreiter's Fete was different
from other feta li, for the members got it up not, nly
to attract att ntion by the dress, but that those who
are not Forester* may be induced to, in. The more
they examined the principles of the Order the no re
they would be pleased and delighted. It was formed
and carried out for the beneht of its members, on prin-
ciples that were good, it had become • large society, and
had c outs in all parts of the known civilized world.
That game about not from the power and ir4fluenco of
those who jolted it, hut because the prinerplos of the
order spoke for themselves. Its members do not look
up to others to support them in the time of need, tsit
with independence and forethought they ere determined
to provide for theurrelveY (Voice: "And the doctor
free.") They ought to be more aseknoeledged by all
&mere of society, not that they wanted their money,
but their countenarree. He proposed "Sucesea to
Forestry," remarking that the more they knew of it
the better they would be pleased.
Raid: "Bold Robin Hood."
Bro. 110UNBILL responded. Tne Order had about
400,000 members and • capital of £300:000 provided
againet death. They not only provided for the relief of
'irk members, but endeavoured to assist those who were
buffeted by the winds and waves around these lairs,
and the Foresters had purolniserl and presented to the
Lifeboat Institution two magnificent lifeboats. The
branch with which be was oonnected numbered 200
me r.bers with • capital of C4OO and they had expended
tB2 for sick pay, end £l4 for a death. He trusted
Forestry would go on and weeper till every one in the
Unsterl Kingdom and throughout the civilised world
would become members of .some benefit a eiety
(applause.)
The CHAIRMAN said Forestry had a great advantage
over men ly local societies, because when a min who
had j. lord one of the latter lef t the county, the ad-
vantages were lost. Forestry is like on army,. not com-
posed of ore corps or court, it ham many regrmenta or
districts. He gave "The Weymouth United District,"
coupled with the name of Br". Wilmot.
Wu. WILMor ••irl the di.trict was eatelilkhed its
ISH3, not the first financial return numbered 228 mem-
bers. The return in June loot numbered 425 (h sir.)
Tars ir last balance was £B2 ii.. bid. At the lest delegate
me, ting it wasdetermined to raise the nick pay to 14s. per
week for the first six months, and further terms in pro-
portion. He went into figure to show that, though
the Weymouth Metric was not so large as the South'
Weeterii, with which Portland is connected, yet their
yearly I. vies were wry much less.
The CtiolsMANOi ntinuing his X. marks upon the good
of Foreetry said they wauld not say a farmer's sheep
were all black beeaum there was one black one among
them, so it would be wrong to blame • body because
there might be one or two bad member. He gave
"Success to times courts who have joined in the De-
monatration," coupling therewith the health of Bro.
Creal—(applerase.)
lire. S. Cr' tary CLIAL Said they hoped the visitors
were esti.fird with the fee. There was som thing
mor in Forestry than salting about it. fine cloth,
and disolaysnr gay c dome, for On ir Court bad hot
year among Sli members ap et Er 4 for sick pay—(lper.)
After th nolde way in which the brethren of the Wry-
mouth di-trice had supports I them, he thought there
was 001110 chance of being united in district erah them.
The CHAIRMAN. after remarking on the importance of
baviorg a good medical man, said a member of • yoring
society near Weymouth had told him thee lived in suck
• healthy p.rt, and bad such tool medical attendance,
that they scarcely ever had any illness, and it they bad,
it was sure to be rapidly cured. He gave "The health
of Dr. Pridham, of the Broadwey court, aud Dr. Nettle-
foil. of Por land.
Dr. PRIDHAH said he for years had been in the habit of
attending both friendly soc etioa, and the sick in the
unions. The tender mercies of the Poor Law are certainly
not liberal, and the difference between • member of a
benefitseeiety in sickne-s and one whn had to at.ply under
the poor law were that the one WM independent, having
noboaly to thank for his relief but his own ear. fatness,
while the other had to put up with—well, ti e lew raid
about it the better- Ile c insiolreed more of the larger
ratepayers out to hero tiven the fete countenance,
as that • fraterdsation between classes might take Mace
similar to that in the hunting field - (hear). For him'
self, he promised to take rare that their funds were not
galled upon more than could po-sibly b. helped.
Dr. NETTLIFOLD also return+d thank..
The CHAIRMAN gave "The health of the Visitors,"
coupling therewith the names of Mr. A. &riven and
Mr. It. Kerridge.
Rand: "Auld Lang Seim"
Mr. A. SCRIVRN returned thanks for the Portland
Visitors. He said the Foresters put away mon-4, in the
hour of pro-peray to relieve the sick and affieted.
They were well thought rif, every right thinking man
would sympathise with them, and as they were a great ,
ion to the country, they ought to be rearrested whore'
ever they went. He wished them health, prosperity,
and general success— (cheers).
Mr. B. KIRRIDOR returned thanks for the visitors
who bad come itto the Wand.
The CHAIRMAN gave "Success to Kindred Societies,"
and
Mr. C. R. PRANCE responded for the Olifellows.
The CHAIRMAN bumoroualy proposed "Toe Ladies."
If • men was not • Forester before he was married, he
eartainly ought to become one—Owl-0-
Mr. PATTINON responded.
Dr. NiTTLEFOLD proposed "The Chairman's health,"
which was received with musical honorary
The CHAIRMAN ezpreeed the pleasure he felt in pre-
phial on any occasion at meetings of this sort. He
mentioned how mnch they were indebted for their
pleasure to the labour:4 of the Committee, and alluded
to the ear-client wartotg, after which he begged to drink
all their very good healthy, and the company left the
tent for the ground outside, which was covered with
visitors. The gay dresses of the Forester., mingldll
with those of the ladle., and the uniforms of the Army
and Navy made 'up • brilliantlymoloured Prone, tinder
the light of the afternoon sun.
A number of sports were entered into, and the results
were as follows :
Beanie Race, for Foraders only. Silver medal of the
intler. Seven mirk... about a 4itiarter al a mile Inyon 1,
2. Stone 3.
There wax then a funny performance of mingrela
PITT.. rile mom. Meersehaum pipe and Male. Six entrim.
Won by Private Warwick. 514.
moo T.nimiere. lit. entnew Private Kritt,
t.lat. Height 4 feet 2 inch...
lann. Jt Cr. niuiiting. Operaglaaw Six entries. Private Evitt.
61.1. Length Iti feet.
In the lag Junm, Private Freeman had the misfortune to
awaiti hi, knee.
FLIT Sa. SIX entries. Private Ingulan,
5141. Pri, ate Prance, 51,4, I.
FLAT Race. for moldier.. Fallon,, marines. and volunteers.
ca. and to. (Id. Six entries. Private Inman, 51st, I; Private
l'nuree, blot, 2.
Hyman RUA Silver chain. al/entries. Private Inman 1,
Server Little...rod, LE., 2.
By thin time the shades of evening bad fallen, and
it became more and more difficult to make up races.
The band etill played merrily. and dancing to its
skeins was indulged with seat. The confectioners
booths did a lively trade, and so sad the vendors of
liquor. Foreseeing that the last train would be • ills
agreeable one to leave the Island by, the chairman of
the afternoon and • large number of persons left the
, ground, and awarmed into the Railway station, filling
waiting and booking rooms, slid overflowing on the
platform, which was soon crowded by the constant
secessions. The worthy station-master, Mr. Targett,
had enough to do to fled accommodation for the pas-
sengers ; but by dint of good humour, patience, and
exoellent management, an immense train was got off
without any contretemps, and returned to Weymouth.
On the platform for collecting ticket., some
unhappy Individual, who had imbibed too
much, made night hideous by hie prote•tations
against the offloads, who had restrained him
from going at large ; but in spite of his al:Pard
effort., the men, with the tact her which their class
th nerves to be fatuous, kept him from doing what would
probably have contributed a fatal aeohleot to the in-
terlard., of the day. The sight on the Weymouth plat.
form was very etireing, as the train disgorged it.
Forester, and their families, soldiers and sailor., and
civilians of numerous ;credos, who poured along and
through the booking room in • long unbroken stream
till they debouohed in the cool night sir. The moon,
quarter waned from full, was !Mining calmly over %Vey.
mouth Bay, her tight reflected in the water, and all
cited to peace and rest after the excitements of the
Portland Foresters' Fite.