The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1863-03-17 00:00:00

content. Wanes., for exampie, half of Furope
—witness America It is use Queen who has I
cleared Englud of Chaitisin, and lins through- i
out the land raised loyalty to the throne.
Sovereignty, which Owe was admitted to be
nothing letter than a state necessity, to be
maintained with conventional enthusissm, has
been now converted into a sound, genuine, cud
general affection. In the artificial tityle of loyal
adulation none now speak of the Queen, because
there is not a man or woman in England who
does not regard her, honestly and faithfully, with
• reverent affection that disclaims the fulsome
phrases of insinoere. lt sr ;se* withdrawing
herself from party action, it is the Queen herself
who has perfected our constitutional system, and
from the high ground she has taken no future
English sovereign will find it easy to recede
Her prudence, supported by the firm aid of
Prince Albert, has drown close the political
union between the English crown and people.
The prince was misunderstood once when, in •
chance phrase, he said that in England consti-
tutional government was on its trial. How far
he wu from sympathy with petty despotisms his
whole life's labour and its issue prove. Never
until the reign of Queen Victoria was the
sovereign in R free self-governing state defined,
with equal advantage to the dignity of a crown,
and the best interests of a free people. This we
know, when we rejoice in the marriage of
the heir of such. queen. We distinctly remem-
ber when in England clue chafed against class.
We are freth from the noble evidence gireu in
Lancashire of the spirit which now unites all
classes in simple trust and fellowship. We read
daily of civil war beyond our shores here of im-
perial ambition, there, of the feud raised by a
king between himself and his own people, and
again of an oppressed nation forced to bloody
struggle for its rights. Happy then in the sense
of our own national strength and happiness,
what wonder if we became almost extravagant
in the unprecedented zeal with,ehich we seized
the opportunity afforded on -the 10th March,
to show our regard for the Royal Family. But
there was another reason for the warmth of our
enthusiasm. As a religious and home-loving
people, we had been touched very deeply by the
Q•ieen's great grief. The happiness of her domes-
tic life had beeu part of the happiness of England.
Ast would not, when her day of severe trial
came, the very children of each housi hold in the
land have done, if they could, to console her I
But little could be said, and nothing done
While the Queen mourned in her seclusion, the
desire to approach her, were it possible, with
cheering evidence of love and sympathy, has ever
been active. The marriage of her eldest son
afforded her people the first great opportunity of
showing their deep interest in her domestic grief
and joy. Their desire is shown to her in the accla-
mation showered on her son. That the Prince
and Princesses of Wales may set an example to
the nation by following that which has been set
by their sovereign, and that they may go hand
in hand through a long happy life, honoured and
beloved, must over be tbe heartfelt prayer of
her Majesty's devoted subjects.

DORCHESTER. Pircum CORE Ilsoarr,
Satanlay, March I4.—The attendance was exceed•
misty small and trade generally dull wheat being
Spring saleable at late rates,in small qrsantitici only.
corn and seeds maintained Cornice prices.
THE MARRIAOI FgaTIVITIv.—The festivities
consequent upon the marriage of Hia Royal Highness
the Prince of Wales were duly observed in this
teen on Thursday. The weather, that all-important
consideration in all holidays and out-door festivities,
was, unfortunately, ill-adapted for the oceasiom The
whole of the morning the rain came down in
torrents, and this in a great measure checked the
ardour of the loyal inhalitante of the town, but des-
' pit, this serious drawback, the bands paraded the
town, and the bells of the churches of St. Peter and
St. George rang forth merry peals. The chief
! feature in the programme of the day's amusements
was the field-day of the B Battery of the Royal
Horse Artillery, but DU. unfortunately could not
take place owing to the inclemency of the weather,
and that part of the affair is announced for
Wednesday next. The battery will then leave the
Barracks end pass through the town on their way to
Maiden (4witle, at half-past one o'clock, and the
' evolutions will commence at haltpast two. We un-
derstand that several of the amusement committee
are willing to close their establishments' for the half
day, and we hope other tradesmen will follow their
example. The ground will be kept by the 3rd
Dorset Rifle Corps and the Militia, both of whose
bands, will be in attendance. About 12o'cleck, how.
ever, the rain ceased, and " old Sol" came out in
all its glory, aunt with the risiug of the sun so also
rose the spirits of the inhabitants. The scene in the
streets was now one of activity and commotion,
houses being decorated and liege being hoisted, and
the town seemed ruddenly transformed from gnm
melancholy to that of joy and gladness. The ap-
pearance of the main street was pretty in the ex-
treme. Ladies, and their beaus too, ducked out in
holiday attire, the majority "sporting favours," also
made the scene fuller life and gaity. Shortly before
one o'clock the vicinity of the Townhall and
Ilarket•hense was crowded by ticket holders teethe
dinner which b.. 1 been provided for the poor and
others. The Cons-exchange and Assembly-room
furnished accommodation for a large number. ausl
the vegetable market of the Market-house bad been
converted with great tact and taste into a dining
saloon. Eaeh place was (lacerated with flags and
evergreen., and a good substantial warm dinner was
filmed !afore the various companies, under whore
koeu appetites large joints very quickly assumed
small proportions. The dinner gave great satiefac•
tion. and the company appeared to be in meet jovial
spirits. Band, were in attendance, and plajeil at
intervals during the "feed." A large number of
visitors frequented the various dining halls during
the dinner, all of whom seemed satisfied with the
effective arrangements made by the committee for
the old people's cotufort and happiness. At two
"clock • stag hunt was minounced to take place at
Poundhury, and thousand of eight-seers wended their
way thither through a perfect sea of mud, regardless
of all ot.staeles so long as they were enabled to see
the stag unesrted It is computed that there must
have been from 8,000 to 9,000 spectators present.
There was a very large " field," from 300 to 400
horsemen being present, representieg all the hunts
in the county. Several of the fair an were also
mounted to take part in the excitiog chase. Horses,
we should think, were at a premium for every
available hack seemed to have been brought into
requisition. About half-past two the stag arrived.
It was a very line foue-year-eld one, and its
appearance seemed to denote that it would (MUM a
good run. It was then uncarted, and immediately
went oft at a fine pace in the direction of Martine.
town. About a quarter of an hour after the stag
had been uncarted the new pack of ileer hound, be.
loeging to Charles Radcl)ffe, pm., Esq.. were put on
the track, and in a few minutes found scent, and
proceeded towards Martiordown. Here the stag was
headed, and then made fee Came. Hie career here
was unfortunately brought to a closely a man mis-
chievously throe ing • stick at him which no
doubt struck him in one of his foreleg., as be
immediately fell down with a broken leg. The deer
thus gave a capital run of about Rix miles, and was
giving pr 'miss of • very long ran, when it unfor-
tunately met with the mishap described, and use
obliged to be killed. Fur this part of the day's
atnuseinent the public are indebted to the exertions
of Mr. E. Longman, who, locked op by a few sporting
friends, purchased the stag, en that this attractive
part of the clay's iloceetlans. did not come out of the
general fund mired hi the inhabitants, but from the
pockets of a few individuals. With such a 'qua
assemblage it was remarked liy sporting men, that
they never witnessed a "start" where the people
conducted themselves in a more decorous and
seemly manner than on the present occasion.
About half-peat three the variant reboot children in
the town assembled in the South Walk, where each
of them •as preeet.ted with a rosette and a neat
model, commemorative of the marriage of the Prince
of Wake, which was suspended to the childrea's
dresses Ivy a ribbon. Here al*, a very large number
of flags were distributed to them. The walk was
worded with children, and it afforded no small
degree of surprise to know abets all the rising
generation could have poesitily sprung (rem. After
consolerable time Lad been spent in getting them in
ordelthe procession starteri,headed by the Dorchester
Hale corps band, accompanied by the town and
drum and fife bands, The line of march was from
the Meath Walk, to Fonlington Green, Foediugton
Hit), High Street South Street, Lc. The proceseien
was eta) to great advantage in coming up the High
Street, and *smelled nearly the whets' extant of the
street. Crowds of people also accompanied it, and
there was hardly walkutg room, the pressure being
a. greet. After perambulating the town the children
were pecked closely together in Cornhill, and there
sang the " National Anthem." They then entered
tbe Cofll Eichange where • balf.ponnd of cake was
given each, and the youngsters returned home highly
eatteded with the treat they had received As the
hoar approached fir the illuminations to take place
the etreets were thronged with spectators, all eager
for Om sight. Shortly after seven o'clock the
illuniinstions couiteeuoed, and had a capital effect
The Towuhall presented a very gay appearance,
being gaily decorated with Sags and evergreens, lu
Gm centre of the building was • crown, in au jets,
a star at each end, and the letters "A. A." The
County Hall was very brilliantly illuminated, having
an immense circle of liteutiful gas jets, with a star
in the centre, and also one at each end of the build.
log. The Mayor's house presented a very pretty
appairaooe, there heiag a large star, in the centre of
which were the letters "P W." and at each end
two beautifully executed " A's A's." Several of
the tradesmen also illuniinated. Mr. Leaver, reach-
builder, as usard ranked A I, his estahliehment being
lessittifaily decorated with flags. evergreen., and
appropriate mottos, arid an illunnuatiou on an
extant,* soak Mr. Worland, dr•Pli, elsowed •