The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1883-12-25 00:00:00

CHRIBTNAB CHEER!

"A MERRY ULIRIBT MIAS !"

At thia blithesome period of the year, when the
time.honocired greeting is peeling from lip to lip, It is
our usual cuatom to note the manifold preparations of
tradesmen t , supply the mints of their customers.
The reeler has but to glance at our advertising
columns to notice that more than usual efforts ars
being put forward to satisfy the epicurism of the
present 11111111011 ; and certainly the working man and
hiri family (and it is • vast claw comprised under such
• designation) have the right to incline • little towards
this pardonable fault at this happy Yuletide
Without the few extra luxuries which fell to the lot
of the lower climes especially (and for which, alas hit
is t be feared, an extra screw has to he aoplied, both
before awl after Christmas) the jovial 'won would
loos half of that peculiar charm which attaches to the
English Christmastide, perhaps m ire than to toy
other country on the face of the earth. Provisions of
nearly every description but meet are cheaper
than ever, thanks to that keen but healthy oompeti.
tiou so characteristic of the present day, and that
family is indeed to be pitied who cannot find the
wherewithal t gladden the hearts id the members
thereof with throe little etxra toothsome comestibles
which fled their way to the table of the
working man Mewed with only ordinary prosperity.
Let us hope, than, that those bousehol Is who will not
have their Christmas dinner on a rather more luxurious
scale than usual (in Dorchester at least) will be rare
phenomena in the midst of the general feasting and
happiness.
Giving lie due place of honour, then, to the go,d
old English roast bed, we muyt begin by noting the
extraordinary store laid in by the butchers of the
I town. At Mr. Marvin Lock's well-known establish-
meet Is to be found a huge quantity of the primest
quality of best. His stook comwiess Scotch. Devon,
I and Hereford, grazed by the Earl of Dohester, Mr.
James, of Mappowder, and Mr. Elworthy, of Alton
Nacres. Besides these thrice we maiden heifers from
Mr. Young, of Sherborne, and Mr. Burwell Bennett,
of Mappowder. Among the mutton are some Sussex
wethers grazed by Lori Alington, • draft of wethers
from Mr. Ohapman Saunders' °Wheeled Wateroombe
Sock, and some Down wethers from Mr. Kent, of
Dewlish. Mr. Beak of Dewlieh, is the onetributor
of two fat lambs, and Mr. Lack has also • good
supply of Portland and 'lmoor mutton, beeidee •
lar4o quantity of turkeys and geese. A speciality at
this house is the celebrated New Zealand mutton,
which brings good meat within the reach of all. The
shop is gaily decorated with evergreens, and at night is
I
brilliantly Illuminated.
Messrs. Fudge and Sone have &splendid show of beef
and mutton. There are six extraordinary Devon
stee grazed by Ur. J. Croad, of Bridgwater, and •
very superior heifer from the same gentlemen; ten
from Mr. Barba ick, one from Mr. lido,j .611. and
other first quality animals from other well known
graziers. Toe sheep are an exoe tinily good lot,
and comprise • Sorer wither. bred awl fe I by Lord
Alingtop ; Exmoor w there from Mr. J. Croat.), and
some withers of exceedingly good quality from the
wall-known Athelhampton Bock of Mr. Go W. Horner.
The decorations here, too, are exceedingly tasteful.
At Mr, Hayward'a shop are to be seen the wows
of some exceptionally fine beasts. A magnificent
Scotch ox from the Earl of Ilcheeter's estate, at
Melbury, is one of the feature. of the display, and.
bidden • number of animals purchased at local
markets, Mr. Hayward has procured three cool
heifers from Mr. James, of hiappowder. and two
equally excellent from Mr. Foot, of Beauliewwood.
The sheep comprise an extraordinary animal grazed by
L ird Alington, some Exmoor" and others fr on Mr.
Roper's farm, Littlebredy.
Another well-known establishment in the North'
square, Mr. Grove.' is also well supplied with a good
stock of beef, mutton, pork, end general provisions,
which are worthy the attention of buyers.
Leaving the butchers, we must n sail alt•ntion
to the pork denier', whom' ammo Mies form such an
important pert in the careful housewife's bill of fare
at this season. Mr. Reginald I, ck hae a splendid
animal from the dairy of that well-known breeder of
pigs, Mr. Weldon, of Southilown, Weymouth, from
whom, also, • draft of aaaaa smaller porkere has been
obtained. Then Mr. Packett, of West Hell.
fiber-
borne, is the contributor of ten pig.' Mr. Hinman,
of Nord. Mill, Dorchester. of six; hjr. Hathaway, of
Lowell, of five; and Hr. Dibhen, of Burton Dairy.
Wool, of Heron. Besides these flue " piggiee.
Mr. L oak shows • fine stock of chews, butter, hams,
and grammes.
Mesere. J. Phelps and S in, of Northoqoare, have
several important objects of interest in their unusually
fine show, and especially one of the animals of Mr. J.
Saunders' celebrated Smithfield prize Utter, and •
huge animal bred by Mr. J. T. Homer, Hernsworth
(weighing over 30 score.) Besides these two grand
animal', there were some fine specimens sent by
the following :—Mr. Louis Oliver, of Foretop, who sent
15 "pedal, prime awl woll fed animal,; with three
from Mr. C. Strong iHenrille Kiwi Farm), two each
from Mr. T. Lock Cod Dairy). Mr. G. Oliver
(Waidon), and Mr. . Vine (Dowerfield), nine from
Mr. Hardy (Knighton). five from Mr. J. C. F. Vine
(Askerwell), eight from Mr. Pitcher (Wermwell), 18
from Mr. TAW (M•rtinstown), four from Mr. Read
(Bore Regis), and 6 from Mr. Roils (Pudilletreothide.)
Messrs. Phelps' general stock is of the most extensive
and varied character.
lln the Market-home Mr. Mowlem has an extensive
display of everything pertaining to the pork desist's
establbbmsot. .

Meows. Wright end Son have bought no less than
100 pigs tamest a demand which it is expect 41 wil;
be unusually large. Mr. A. Olean end Mr. G. F.
Visoent here oupplied 16 special size, and Mr.
Them:moon and Mr. J. B mditch two very heavy
animals, while amongst the other breeders who have
contributed of their produce ere the following
btr. H. Gillineham, six; Mr. R. Childs, vii;
Mr. Rollaway, eight; Mr. 'LIMO /Lansford, nine;
Mr. J. Lock. twelve; and Mesas. W. Lanka
11"Outd, H. Look, L. Riggs, and W.