The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1882-12-05 00:00:00

DEAR MUTTON.

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Groanings, not loud but deep, are being con.
tinually uttered by paterfamilias at the continued
high price of mutton, which ha.: for some time been
almost at a famine figure, and which alas I promises to
continue in its present exalted state for some time.
The Lim Stuck loaarosal is responsible for the follow.
rug somewhat startling paragraph :—" The continued
and prospective scarcity of mutton was emphasised
the other day at a meeting of butchers from various
places in the south of England. The convention, if
the word may be used, was held in Dorchester, and
a resolution was passed to the effect that a shilling a
lb. should be charged henceforward for all the best
joints of a sheep. Mutton is undoubtedly dear, and
farmers are now able to obtain extreme prices for
anything first.class in quality, while second-rate stuff
commands ready sale enough. Meanwhile wc can
afford to sec the butchers smart a little under the
scarcity."

Atrium. FICIPPIR or Tay Rovne.—Thie annual
social gathering takes place at the Junction t
morrow evening. An extra hour was granted at the
Borough Police-court this (Monday) morning.
DEASTH STATISTICS FOS TEI &SOUGH, Norilimbe%
1382.—Blrths, 24 (Fordington 11) ; deaths, 10 (For.
ington 5). Typhoid fever, eclampeis, bronchitis, heart
disease, and remittent fever each caused • death.
With tie exception of the first and last named, this
report Is favourable indeed, for four died of old age,
two having *Utilised more than SO years. Upon the
above data, the annual birth.rate would be 28.4, and
the death-rate 16 per 1,000.—E. J. Day, Medical
Officer of Health.

Timirra•act bliwrirm.—A meeting was hold on
Thursday evening Last at the Infant schoolroom, in
connection with the Holy Trinity Branch of the
Church of England Temperance Society. There was
a large attendance, many present wearing either the
badge of the C.E.T.S., or the Blue Ribbon. The Rev.
H. Everett (rector), took the chair, supported on the
platform by_Mm. Everett and the Rev. Pelham Stokes
(rector of Wareham), the latter being announced to
give • lecture on the great subject of temperance. A
hymn from Sankey's collection having been sung, and
prayer offered, the Chairman intro tumid the lecturer
an one who bad bad • great deal of experienos who
had thrown himself heart and soul into the work, and
had made • real downright revolution in Wareham, u
far an the drink question went. The rev. gentleman
crated some stirring fact, which hat occurred in the
last week or so, and so sad were they, and such hyena.
tible prodl of the evils of drink, that ha bad resolved
to relax DO effort, and to 'gamin what influence be
the cause of temperance, and. particularly
r=sa in
the Sunday clueing of publichousee. He urged
his parishioners to do everything they possibly could
Re save their children from the horrible temptation.
of drink. The Rector expressed his "facts" in such
OULU and unqualified language, that we feel con-
stubbed. for the sake of the parties involved, to with-
hold them.—The Rev. Pelham Stoked, who was loudly
applanded, wee glad the Rector had brought forward his
facts In the plain homely language he had done, for that
eras just what they wanted—simple, plain, 'answer.—
=silitad had too much of the high sounding word.
went right over the people'. heads, like kites.
(Applause.) They wanted a plain language " under.
starided of the people," In paring on to speak nfl the
cuss of temperance, be said they ought to be very
thankful to Almighty God that it was so deer to the
heart of their beloved Queen, who wee a patron of their
society, that the two Archbishops bad accorded their
patronage, and that the Royal Family also took a
warm interest in it. The Duke of Connaughtes
took the hesitant interest in the Army CoffeeKti Tavern,
and he (the .pmluer) happened to be at the tavern of
LI,: Guards Barracks at Knightsbridge, and was eo
niimari to see the officers of the Guards come and see
Low the work Wall going on. It wu • great thinr to
tonporzt• soldiers and sailors. He then spoke
had been enabled to
of the dwo ."1, which they
cam on in warehani, where during the recent Daillioo
1,200 Blue Ribbons war.' and 500 to 600 new
pledges—(applause)—and .7 lothootod they were
point to have a monthly meetn:,e !It that town, with
the beet speakers procurable, a ,no P)M,_..whi,_ those
Ch„they
expected great ta then apps:"ln
present, and first to those who had not yet
way to join; he appealed to their ',ominous@ al:" to
their sympathies in an earnest and eloquent manner.
The time was so short, and there wee so much t. be
dose, and would they not come and help them by put-
ting their hand to the pledge' It was such • joy to
win one soul fr an the path of sin to the ways of God.
Let every man be fully persuaded in hie own mind, and
then coma arid throw in hie lot with them. In this
town of Dorchester there was • great deal more
to be done, as the remarks of the Hector had
shown. Moderation wan really the thing, and
he would give up the pledge that night if there
were no armluirds in Enclosed, but so long as
there were drunkards he mount by God's grace to stick
to his pledge. (Applause.) LA them look at the
question straight in the face and ask themselves
what they were doieg in it, for they were responsible
for the people living in their own houses and their
next-door neighbour as well. He next gave a word to
the total •hatainere. Whether they were Good
Templar@ or Rechabites, let there be unity, let them
go leared.in.hand in their efforts to stay this enormous
evil of intemperance throughout the length and breadth
of the land. They wanted practical sympathy, and
SAM than all they needed gra" and • strong faith in
%Air God. (The rev, gentleman's address was • most
warned one, and interspersed with Interesting
aseeflotes and sketched of his recent experiences in
Arearliso) hire Everett thanked Mr. Stoker in ber
own emu and in the name of the audience for his
address. She Merritt to a great mission in Bath at
which she had assisted, and at which no less than 6.000
=ebad signed the pledge. (Applause.) Mrs.
t used • most clinching argument against the
oecorwitl” Plea. 11 Amu drink were absolutely
Rosemary, them bow did the kOOO,OOO total abstainers
get on? (Haar. bias.) Sho urged her hearer@ to @tick
Ara to Utak *kr endßootreloitolathe work- (Applause.)
—A 'Won miff tho dosed th• mating.
wasaasionaced by the Charism thm it ill• tatimeded
is bold lbw matins fausal,l dada( OW Maw.

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