The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1876-01-04 00:00:00

brat ennuttl expreog.

TURSDA.Y. JANUARY 4. le&

NOTES OF THE WEEK.

The old year with its—to many—long list of
unrealised hopes, disappointed projects, good
intentions resolved upon and never carried.out,
is enrolled among the records of past. The
review of & year that is gone can never be
unattended, even to the most happily circum-
stanced of individuals without some regrets and
feelings of winces. It is always far more
pleasant to turn to the future, to indulge in
aspirations for oneself and good wishes towards
our fellows. We will pursue the more tempting
path. Honestly and heartily we wish our
readers the compliments of the season. May
they as far as the possibilities of this life will
allow, enter upon the year which lies before
them with bright and happy prospects destined
to be realised to the full ere the season of good
will again comes round. We sincerely trust
renewed activity may remove much of the dull-
ness which has affected the trade of the country
during the past, and that there may be an
increased national prosperity which may per-
meate the very humblest ranks of society. So
that when in due course '76 shill have come to
an end, a review of the past will enable
one and all to feel that it has been, as we wish it
them "A Happy New. Year." For ourselves
we have but to tender our thanks for the past,
looking trustfully to the future and with the
determination to continue to merit the appre-
ciation of our readers.

The parliamentary changes during the past
year have been few in number and unimportant
in charicter. The balance of parties remains
the same as it was at the opening of the year,
the Conservatives having gained two seats and
lost two. Three Radicals and one Conservative
have been unseated on petition. Vacancies
exist at the present moment at Norwich, Ips-
wich, Wilts (S.), Shropshire (N.), Dorsetshire,
and Suffolk (E.).
The year 1876, certainly, from a financial
point of view, was not a very prosperous one in
this country. It was marked by several very
serious failures which involved numerous other
minor disasters; the stock and shares of a great
many companies suffered serious deterioration ;
trade in many departments fell off; employers
and employed had numerous disputes ; and on
the whole the wages of the working classes have
fallen off. Altogether the year closed somewhat
gloomily, but it must be forgotten that we had
previously been very prosperous, commerce and
trade had been very active and employment was
general, so that, after all dullness and failure
are but comparative. The lesson taught us by
.the financial history of the year is one of
prudence and caution, and especially is this
lesson important for the working classes. Times
are now very unfavourable for demands for
increased wages, and the best thing that working
men can do is to husband those they have.

The Revenue Returns for the nizie months of
the financial year ending on Friday night are
far more satisfactory than the most sanguine
believer in the normal growth of the national
income ventured to expect. In his Budget
statement last April the Chancellor of the
Exchequer estimated the growth of the revenue
in the current year at HO more than £763,127 ;
only three-quarters of the year have yet elapsed,
and the increase upon the income of the corres-
ponding period of last year amounts actually to
as much as £1,453,320. In nine months, there-
fore, the estimated increase of the whole twelve-
month has been very nearly doubled.
The Town Council of Leeds have done what
every one will probably think to be very proper,
that is if they have any reverence for the time
honoured tradition that an Englishman's house
is his castle—they have refused by a very large
majority to appoint inspectors of public houses.
These inspectors would probably either have
been gentlemen who were followers of the
teetotal baronet, and consequently no end of ill-
feeling would have been engendered ; or they
would haue been persons who sympathised with
the publicans and in the discharge of their
duties would have had what they would
call a good time of it. The Council of Leeds
therefore have very wisely decided neither to
inflict a needless system of espionage upon a
class already, whilst compelled to pay heavily
for permission to carry on their trade subjected
to the severest restrictions; or to create a num-
ber of sinecure offices for which there are always
plenty of a certain class on the look out.
The Bank of England has raised its rate of
discount from 3 to 4 per cent. This is the
necessary consequence of the demand for gold
for exportation, which has been in progress for
some weeks. Besides the demand for gold for
Germany for coinage, there has been a demand
for France, which arises from different causes.
But the stock of bullion in the Bank of France
has risen to £67,000,000, an amount without
precedent, and while this is the case it is not
likely that very much will he taken from hence.
And this drain differs altogether from that to
Germany, from which we have so long been
suffering at intervals. The gold which went to
Germany for coinage could not be got back for
a long interval, for it was not till then in the
hands of the public. But the gold whieh goes
to France is not in the hands of a Government,
and can easily be attracted back when required.
We hope that 4 per cent. may be enough to
bring it back, and if not a moderate further rise
would doubtless do so.
The Times of India says that "a sporting
native gentleman of the Kistna district, the
Zemindar of Walloor, is about to present to the
Prince of Wales 'a very pretty and unique
present,' namely, a four-in-hand of antelopes
which have been perfectly broken to harness,
and are as handy on the roads as the best team
of horses." Will the novelty become popular,
and shall we see the horned teams becoina the
fashion! Who knows I Nothing is too absurd
or too bizarre for fashion to patronise and adopt.
In any case, the Royal team of antelopes will
be one of the "sights of the season," and will
add a piquant flavour of the circus to the
humours of the Park.

In spite of the sneers of the critics and the
croaking. of the envious Mr. Irving's " Mac-
beth " at the Lyceum theatre has proved a
success. It has " run "80 nights, and the

manageress of the theatre has anotl;er £5,000
added to the right side of her bank-book.
A farewell dinner is to be given at Willis's
Rooms next Saturday to Mr. Senior, who leaves
for Queensland on the following Saturday to
take the management of the reporting staff of
the Queensland legislature. He has long been
known in this country as an able magazine
writer, and as one of the special correspondents
of the Daily News. His colleagues on the prom
intend, therefore, to "speed the parting guest."
Mr. Edmund Yates will be in th 3 chair and a
good muster of friends is expected. Mr. Senior
is a native of Sherborne.
Very probably if those good people who are
so clamorous for a Permissive Bill in regard to
the sale of drink were told that there was to be
a Permissive Bill affecting the sale of meat they
would be the first to exclaim against what they
would call an infringement of the liberty of the
subject. And yet upon the rules of simple
logic vegetarians have as much right to say you
shan't eat meat as Good Templar' to say you
shan't drink beer; for while the latter put
down every evil under the sun to the use of
strong drinks, the former ascribe them all to
the use of meat as food. And it would almost
seem there was some reason for their assertion,
for it is a notorious fact that since the wages
have become so high in tho North and meat
makes its appearance on the collier's table two
or three times a day crimes of brutal violence
have been on the increase. It is not, however,
likely vegetarians will over be enabled to enforce
their pet theory any more than teetotallers, for
although the system has now been in vogue
over 30 years their muster roll does not contain
2,000 names. We see by their organ they
intend to make a grand effort, and their rallying
cry and argument to overthrow all objections is
to be the cattle disease.

Song
Trio

A marriage ie arranged to take place between Mr. IL F.
YeStolllll, of Stock Rome, late commander R.N., and
Wee Charlotte Temple, daughter of the late kir. William
Temple, of Blshopstowe, Wiltshire, and will take place
early In February.
WEEK OF PILAT KR. —A prayer meeting's being conducted
every evening this week from eight to nine o'clock at the
Wesleyan Schoolroom, being in compliance with a request
from the Evangelical Alliance, London, and to which all
I hristiatui of whatever denomination are earnestly
invited. .

Sr. Pergn's CIIIIICIL—On Sunday evening the rector of
St. Peters, the Rev. E. W. Pears, preached a special
sermon to the members of the Young Men's Christim
Association, nearly the whole of whom were present. The
rev, gentleman selected as his text the 15th verse of the
last chapter of the Acts, on which he founded= excellent
practical discourse, especially urging young men to r-m.
secrate themselves to Christ service, so that they inight
be prepared for His coining, illustrating the uncertainity
of life by telling of • young mite who that evening fort-
night sat in the same church in robust health, but who
had since been suddenly taken away.
THE OLD AND New YEAR.—The year 1875 is now DIOR.
honed with the past, the veil of time having enshrouded
It. The last hour was marked at All Saint's Church by •
solemn religious service, conducted •by the Rev. H.
Everett, rector of Holy Trinity. The sacred edifice was
crowded. The bells of St. Peter's and; St. George's
Church, Fordington rang merry peals about 11.30, at
quarter to le the bells were muffle° and the" deith knell"
of the old year was rung. At 12 i"clock the new year
was hailed with • joyous peal. • The Town Band also
paraded the streets enlivening the air with their sweet
strains, and • company.of carol singers sang hymns and
carols, and the small hours of the morning were upon us
before many had finished their rejoicings.
THE DIME OF RAIN.—ThO following table may be
interesting as showing the depth of rain at Dorchester
during each month of 1674 and 1875 :-
1674 1675.
3.7:i inches ... 525 inches
3.31 .. 3.76 „
1.46 „
2.53 „ 1.3.5 „
0.86 „ 2,48
1.48 2.45
1.15 .....4.74 „
3.30 „ 3,16 „
4.12 „ ... 2.73 „
6.30 „ 8.90 „
November . 3t2 „ ... 5.00 „
December - 7.00 ~„
Th. total depths of rain for the last six years, were:-
1870 1871 1672 1873 1671 1875
27.76 3 7.00 50.17 33.03 39.01 42.99.
WESLEYAN WATCH•NIOHT HILRYIML—The usual watch.
night service was held on New Year's Eve in the
Wesleyan schoolroom. There was a larger attendance
than has been known for many years, the room being
nicely tilied, and the service throughout was one of great
heartiness. The Rev. W. Allen conducted the service,
and, after singing and prayer, gave a short address, in
which he reviewed the spiritual work of the past twelve
months, and gave gime excellent advice for the future.
Mr. G. Crocker, sear., followed with a brief address, and
then the Rev. J. Harrington spoke, followed by an
address from Mr. G. Wright, junr. Between each
address a hymn was sung and prayer offered by members
of the congregation. At five minutes to twelve the Rev.
W. Allen said there were various ways of seeing the old
year out. Some were in the public-houses drinking it
out—others were singing the devil's songs—others were
engaged in the belfries ringing It out—others were found
in the ball rooms dancing it out—some were to be found al
the card table playing it out. But they were not no
situated, and he would ask them to spend the last
moments of the old year on their knees in silent Prayer.
This was done, and as soon as the midnight hour had
struck, the new year was ushered in by singing the hymn
"Come let us anew our honey pursue,
Roil round with the year,
And never eland still till the master appear."
After which the Rev. W. Allen offered prayer, and the
congregation, after or changing mutual greetings, dispersed.
PRINITIYE METHODISI URAPOL-.The second service in
connection with the opening of this edifice in Durngate-
street was held on Sunday, when two sermons were
preached by the Rev. W. Williams, of Soutbsnipton. In
the course of an interesting sermon on the words—" And
to know the love of God which pameth knowledge," the
preacher remarked that the love of Christ passed know-
ledge in its depth, as illustrated in Christ leaving his
Father's house in heaven to be cradled in a manger, and
afterwards to die an ignominious death on the cross; in
Its breadth es comprehending the whole of the human
race, from Adam the first limn that was created to the last
man who shall live on the earth; in its length as being
from everlasting to everlasting, and in its height as to its
purity and justness God being ust and yet the justifier of
him that beiieveth in Jesus. In concluding the preacher
exhorted those who had not yet done sate get the love of
GA shed abroad in their hearts, and those who hail felt a
little of that love, to get it more abundantly, so that they
might be happy in time and happy through all eternity.—
In the evening the minister selected as his text ACO xxvii,
95, "Sirs, be of good cheer,. for I believe God, that it shall
be ever as it was told Inc,' on which he founded an able
and eloquent address, exhorting his hearers to make Christ
the ground of their belief as St. Paul did. A collection
was made at the close of each service on behalf of the
chapel building fund.
11.11.A.-4)n Wednesday and Thursday evenings a
dramatic entertainment was given in the recreation room
at the barracks under the auspices of Colonel Wilkinson
and the °liken' of the battery. The room was capitally
fitted as a theatre by the amateur dramatic and glee
club, who were the performers in the representations
given, and their efforts were cordially appreciated by full
houses, The popular drama of "The Mistletoe Rough"
was the first piece, the cast being as follows :—baron de
Clifford, Querterrnaster-iiergsant Swanson, K. A,; Sir
Henry ',oval, Staff-Sergeant Dement, 39,h Brigade,- Sir
Reginald de Courcy, Sergeant Pakenham ; Koh°
(his goblin page), Gunner Johnston; Carolus Crotchet
(music master to Lady Agnes), Corporal Lee; Quick and
Slow (domestics to the Baron), Corporal Foxon and Stall.
Sergeant Shaward ; Lady Agnes, Miss Carlotta Addison;
'Dame Winifred (her nurse), Mrs. Huntley; Maud (maid
to Lady Agnes), Miss Julia Lyttleton. Also huntsmen,
domestics, and vassals. All the characters were creditably
pourtrayed, and the appreciation of the audience was in-
dicated by frequent applause. The glee club then sang
" When Winds whistle Cold," which was encored, and the
singers responded with " the Canadian Lloat Song," This
was followed by the amusing farce "Raising the Wind,"
which kept the audience in roars of laughter. On both
evenings the success of the players was complete.
HOLY TRINITY CHI:RCM—The second of the aeries of
entertainments on behalf of the building fund of Holy
Trinity church took place oil Thursday evening at the
Town-ball, and the change of cells. from the National
sihool-room was more than justified by the overflowing
audience that crowded the room, and some even who
sought admission could not be accomodated. A pleasing
programme was gone through, by some of the favourites
at the first concert and new &enamors to the litit of amateur
performers, and complete success was achieved. The
following was the selecUeu :
Concertina and piano "La Piens del Regglmcuto," C.
T. Atkins and Mrs Patten.
Quartet .. "Farewell to the forest," .. Maseru C. J. Curtis,
T. IL Morgan, H. W. Hodges, and J. F Hodges.
Reading of Hemet poem! by the Rev. W. Heroes, of Came.
Bong Laura," Mr C. J. Curtis
Pianoforte duet " Masaniello," .. Messrs W. Gregory and
F. Did*.
Estee Mrs gbaw.
.. "Memory," .. Mrs Tudor, Mies K. Parmlter, and
Song • •
Duet

February ...

„.
April
May
June
July
August ..
September.
October

Mr Curtis.
" When @Fawners WM," .. Mrs HAWN.
sera d'amore,". .. Miss M. Parmiter and

Mr C`i;tle.
Concertina and pfanlt.iii.." L.ttLiamdlri liainna.crmoor," .. Mr C. T.
Th".Staz of thre
omrunmerblgtM,".
Rwrif. ;.Tudokr.Readlmg .. .
Sour " piper of
Faith," .. Mre Hawes.
Pianoforte solo. Invitation ha raise," .. Him Mary W.
Lock.

Song.. .. "The Arab's farewell to bis steed," ..Mr Swett
Duet .." Per viii, per hoschl,".. Mm e Everett and Mrs
Song.. .." Sunshine," .. Mrs Shaw.
Song.. " From rock to reek," .. Mr Curtis.
At the close the Rector wished all a Happy New Year.
Corm .Pwrrr Susie., Saturday.—Before Mr Danko, Mr
Warry, an.l Mr W. R. Bankes
Wm. Green was charged with having been drunk on the
20th December, in the parish of Stration.—Defendant pleaded
guilty.--The Superintendent 1 police stated that there was
nothing known sgaint him, and he was fined ss, but let off the

_
Andrew Gregory, of Piddiehinton, who did not appear, was
charged with riotous conduct. —P.C. Matehainltstated that on
Ctuistma• day, the 25th, the defendant's mother called on him
and embed him to go to her home as they were in fear id their
lives, end it
„was elasigerous to be where the defend-sot was.
He went there 'and sae the defendant, who was threatening
his father in a must disgraceful stay. He further attempted to
strike hie father, but the colsetattie pies ented him. Upon
that he pulled olf hia clothes and wanted to glit the pohne-
man. Eventually be was "quieted."—The Superintendent
said the defendant had never been summoned, but they had
had • deal of trouble with him —He was fined 10, and costs, or
in default to go to prison for 14 days.
Boaotou Perry fissetoss, Thur.day.—Defore Sr 0 Curme.
Henry Waterloo liw wan brought up In custody charged
with being drunk the previous night—l' C. Gould proved the
offense end defendant was fined fis and S. tki oats.

Doiaorom Pinar Sassing', Mornly—l3efoo Mr 0. J. 0.
amrory•
Pear Cook, iwho h.d been out GP WI v.ll clingiest with bang
drunk and incapable —P.C. Dunn on Sam:Mar night about
quarter pass 10, found defendant in North Square lying down
drunk. On being aroused he was unable to stand, and the
policeman very kindly took care of him —The inagistrate gars
him some good advice and lined him 54 and 7s costs.
An application was made on behalf of Mr Henry But/on, of
the Cuti° lon. (intv° Buildings, for an extension of time for
on hour (At the occasion of the harmonic society's supper on
the 6th last.--Orantcd.