The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1862-03-04 00:00:00

NOTES OF THE WEEK.

The General Committee of the Hartley Relief
Fund have resolved to appropriate the surplus
over what is required for the relief of the
sufferers by the late accident to the formation of
a fund for the purpose of meeting similar cases
of distress occurring in Northumberland and
Durham. The appropriated surplus will, it is
said, be used either "as the basis of a perma-
nent fund or in any other way—consistent with
the character of its present object—that may
hereafter be decided on by the subscribers.'
The committee, however, leave us in doubt as
to whether all the subscribers, or only the local
ones, are to have a voice in the matter. The
common-sense view of the case is that all ought
to be consulted before the money, raised for a
particular purpose, should be diverted from that
object. No doubt there will be a large snrplus,
after amply providing for the Hartley widows
and orphans ; but as the money has flown in
from all parts of the kingdom, the surplus
ought, we think in justice, to form the founda-
tion stone of a permanent relief-fund for sufferers
from colliery and mining accidents in all parts
of the country; and it is to be hoped that the
Hartley committee will, at a future meeting,
reconsider their resolution. At the Mansion
House on Thursday last, the Lord Mayor stated
that upwards of £20,000 had passed through his
hands for the relief of the Hartley sufferers, and
that if any more money were brought in, he
would ask the donors to permit him to send it
to the sufferers by the accident at Merthyr
Tydvil. This is well so far as it goes, but there
are other' mining accidents to single individuals
occurring almost daily, the sufferers from which
are equally deserving of relief.
The scandal caused by the late Windham
case has induced the Lord Chancellor to bring in
a Bill for a revision of the Law of Lunacy. The
' necessity for such a Bill is so obvious that one
may venture to assert that since the Windham
ffair was first brought before the public notice,
there is hardly a village ale-house in the
Kingdom whose politicians and reformers have
not suggested important alterations in the law
as it now stands. In the first place, there is the
fact that a young man, just as he had come
into his property and was master of his own
actions, was called upon to justify all that he had
said or done from the day he was breeched till
the day when the Commission issued, in order
to rebut the presumption of insanity. That
which formed one of the most repulsive features
in the inquiry was the disgraceful raking up of
foibles during a long series of years; and the
law which permits this; is evidently bad. The
Bill of Lord Westbury recognises this evil, and
the remedy he proposes is, to limit the period
during which the accuser may range for proofs
of the insanity of the accused to two years before
the date of the Commission. The next point is
equally important. By the present law, a man's
trunk is raised to a higher dignity, and sur-
rounded by far greater safeguards than his
intellect and his liberty. - Is it not an anomaly—
the most outrageous—that a:question of contract,
I of debt, of detioue, of trespass, can be brought
before the most practised, most learned, and best
regulated tribunals upon the face of the earth,
while the question of sanity—the liberty of an
individual, the control of his own actions, his
right to deal with his own property, his right to
stand before the world in the character of a
rational being—is referred to a tribunal deficient
in dignity, learning, practice, and all those '
guarantees which surrounded the ordinary
1 administration of justice? Lord Westbury
wisely proposes to get rid of this absurdity. His
Bill provides that the writ shall be directed to
one of the Judges of the Courts at Westminster,
and that the question of sanity shall be tried
exactly in the same way as any other question.
In our comments on the Windham case, we
pointed out the blunder of commissions de
lunatic° inquireack in deferring the interview
with a supposed lunatic till the last. By the
Bill of Lord Westbury, it will be in the discretion
of the judge to bring the alleged lunatic to an
interview with himself and the jury at any stage
of the proceedings he may choose. It is also
proposed that gentlemen of the medical
profession shall not be called at all, unless their
evidence is required upon points purely medical.
The great scandal of mad doctors hired by the
petitioner, for the purpose of swearing one way,
and of mad doctors hired by the accused to swear
as lustily the other way, is to be done away with,
there are other provisions in this much-needed
Bill, striking at the root of a vast amount of
humbug, and re-asserting the domain of common
sense ' • and our only hope is that it will not, as is
too often the case with good measures, be
shelved to the close of the session, and at length
be numbered with the "Massacre of Innocents."
A beneficial revolution has taken place in the
manners of statesmen within the last twenty
yeare. The privileges of Parliament were the
same then as now, yet no one could formerly
get up in the House of Commons or elsewhere
and say that the Hon. member opposite was
neither honourable nor gentlemanly, without
running a terrible risk of being called upon to
settle the matter in a duel. This
was considered the only . honourable
mode of settling • dispute. The Duke
of Wellington not only fought with
Lord Winchelsea, but afters ards, when all invi-
tation was at an end, coolly and upon principle
defended what he had done. "I was living," he
said, "in an atmosphere of calumny. I found
every morning some new accusation brought
against me. It was necessary to take some
step. The moment I acted as I did the cloud
cleared away, and I was able to serve the public
in the same manner as usual." He considered
that he had used the only effectual remedy for
a personal grievance, and that he was perfectly
justified in adopting the means he did. And it
may be questioned whether Lord Palmerston,
when he was a young man, would have given
the same advice ha . gave. to Sir Robert
Peel reueLily in referenoe to the O'Donogliu

challenge, or whether he would have taken it had
it been offered to himself In times past it was
in accordance with the moral code of "gentle-
men," to average an affront at twelve paoail
from an adversary, but this assassiiplike mode
of bringing matters to a crisis is considered
gentlemanly no longer. Men of the O'Donoghue
stamp look upon the abolition of murder by
duel as a sign of degeneracy both in honour and
courage, but the right-aunded-portion of the
community regard the change that has been
effected as • great advance in public morals.
From the Army and Navy estimates which
have been laid before Parliament, we find that
there is to be a very considerable reduction in
the cost of defence in the approaching year.
The Naval estimates for last year were :—For
the ordinary services £12,276,250. For the
extraordinary, entailed by the apprehended war
with America, £364,338. The Naval estimates
for next year are £11,794,305, showing a
decrease of £846,283. The Army estimates for
last year were: For ' ordinary services,
£14,636,751. For American disturbances
T 609,409. The apparent estimates for next year,
is £15,303,870, being an increase of
£56,710. But although this is the
apparent it is not the real state of things. This
year there haa been a change in the mode of
making up the Army estimates. The Indian
charges now appear in it, and will be repaid by
India according to settled arrangements. These
Indian charges are £985,000 which being
deducted from the apparent estimate for the
Army, reduces the sum to £14,317,870,
or n 28,290 less than last year. And even this
is higher than it would be by some £200,000, on
account of the American dispute, which will notbe
paidtill after Ist April next. The account, there-
fore stands: Net decrease in the Army,£92B, 290 ;
net decrease in the Navy, £846,283; total
decrease for our defences £1,774,573. A great
decrease was, of course, anticipated, because
last year we had to bear the most of the cost
of the wise but expensive policy we adopted in
the case of the Trout; and also, because we
have for some years been augmenting the cost
of our Army and Navy. It is time now the
tide should take a turn.

The half-yearly meeting of the Great Ship
Company was held on Thursday, when it was
announced that the Great Eastern was
nearly ready for sea. She is intended to be
again sent to New York. Some discussion took
place as to whether India was not a more desir-
able destination, but all discussion on the
subject was left to the Directors. A suggestion
was also made as to whether it would not be a
profitable project to take the vessel to London,
on her return from America, for public inspec-
tion during the Great International Exhibition,
but the solution of this question was likewise
left to the judgment of the Directors. The
fact is, how she can be best made to Pay is a
problem not easily to be solved.
The news brought by the Nova Scotia, on
Saturday, shows that the Federal arms continue
to be triumphant. The official account of the
captere of Roanoke Island and Elizabeth City
had been received, and confirmed in all respects
the facts which had previously been made known
respecting these important operations. The
losses sustained in the attack, however, were
greatly exaggerated. They were at first stated
to be 1000 on each side; it now appears that the
Federal loss was 40 killed and 140 wounded;
while the Confederate loss was only 30 killed and
100 wounded. This is pretty good fortune after
three days' hard fighting. The victors, however,
took many prisoners, 3000 stand of arms, and all
the enemy's gun boats, with the exception of
two. General Hallech had telegraphed that he
had got possession of the important city of
Springfield, the Confederates having retreated
after a short engagement, leaving their stores
and camp equipage. The Federala, according
to a report from Port Royal, had cut off the com-
munication between Savannah and Fort Pulaski.
It is also stated that they had destroyed the
water pipes which supply water to the inhabitants,
an act which, if it has really been performed,
will cover them with disgrace. Fort Donnelson,
on the -Cumberland river, was invested and
attacked on the 13th ult., and the firing lasted all
day. At the close of the cannonade, three con-
federate guns were "reported "to be dismounted,
and "it was believed" that the Federals had
captured the left redoubt. This statement is
given on "good authority," but a perusal of the
previous news will serve to throw a doubt upon
it. There were 15,000 Confederates in the Fort,
under the command of four generals, two of
whom are able men. If the place has
really been taken, it will be a severe
reverse for the Southerners, more especially
whim the success is taken in conjunction
with the capture of the Sister Strong-
hold, Fort Henry, of which the news
arrived a few days ago, and which secures the
command of the upper ortion of the Mississippi.
The Confederates a so said to have evacuated
Bowling Green, win pens a way for a descent
upon Nashville an Memphis. In Tenease the
Federal prospects are reported as being most
favourable. The population inclines to the
Federal cause, and even the Southern despatches
mention the enthusiasm excited as the Federal
flag proceeded up Tenesse. The South had agreed
to a general exchange of prisoners, and the
Secretary of War, at Washington, has issued
orders for the release of all political prisoners,
spies excepted, on giving parole that they would
not aid the enemies of the Federal Government.
An amnesty for the past will be accorded to all
who keep their parole. Extraordinary arrests
are to be made in future only by military
authorities. But although the military news is
all in favour of the North, in finance they do not
show to so much advantage. The Treasury Note
Bill, with the legal tender change, has been
passed. The Customs and and revenues will be
pledged for the support of the sinking fund for
tie public debt, and the sinking . fund will receive
annual contributions at the rate of one per cent.
of the whole principle of the debt. This is
burning the candle at both ends. The same
experiments was tried in this country by Mr.
Pitt with the most calamitous results; and the
American Government will find it one of the most
cost,y processes that could possibly be invented
to create a national debt, and a sinking fund for
its extinction at one and the same time. The rate
of exchange has now reached the highest point
at which it has even touched, 114, and gold is
at 4i premium.

DORC HES T E It. Pivextrm CORN MARKET
Saturday. —The attendance at the Corn Exchange
was seasonably large, and there was more dispose.'
tion to get into stock. The wheat trade was very
firm, and in some cases a shilling more was obtained
than last week. There was a demand for seed
barley, and although prices were the same as last
week, the trade for this article may be considered
better, and a rise may be exltected. In oats and
seeds a moderate business was done at late rates.

INTERMENT. —On Monday, the 3rd instant, the
remains of the late Mr. Mark Baker, the well-
known auctioneer, were deposited in their final
restine-place at the Cemetery, at Dorchester. From
the high esteem in which the deceased was held
several of the.. tradesmen closed their shops, and
most of the private residents in South-street had
drawn blinds on the occasion.

DOIL9ETSFIIRE HUNT STEEPLE CHASES. —We per-
ceive by refbrence to an advertisement in anot her
column that the Dorsetshire Hunt Steeple Chases
will come off on the 2nd April next, over the
Waddon Vale course. We understand that Capt.
Thresher, the indefatigable secretary and chief
promoter of these races, has obtained promise of
very considerable support.
A CARRIAGE BLOWN AWAY.—On Friday morn-
ing Mr. Manley, of the King's Arms Hotel,
according to some instructions he had received,
sent one of his post-boye, Charles Andrews, with
his best chaise-and-pair to Abbotabury Castle, for a
fare. On arriving at the Castle, Charles placed his
horses in the stable to bait, leaving the carriage in
the yard close by. He had not been in the stable
long, however, before the gardener came to him and
told him his carriage was gone. " Gone !" said
Andrews, "none of your joking, old fellow; no one
has taken it away, and is would'nt run away of its
own accord." "Look, then, said the man, it'll be
in the sea presently." Charles looked, and sure
enough the carriage had been blown a distance of
100 yards, or more, and to within 20 yards of the
beach. One of the wheels, the springs, and other
portions of the carrisge were broken, -and the yiro-
prietor had to send for it in a wagon in the after-
part of the day.

AUDITORS AlfD ASSESSORS.—OR Saturday last
Messrs. George Greening and William Troves were
appointed auditors, and Messrs. Thomas Patch
and James Drake the assessors for the borough of
Dorchester, for the ensuing year.
SACKILSOR.—On Saturday one of the members of
the Baptist chapel discovered that the missionary
box, kept in that place of warship, had been broken
open by the poker belonging to the stove in the
chapel, and the money extracted therefrom. There
were no indications that the chapel had been forcibly
entered.
DORSICTSIIIRS MILITIA..—ODISTS have been issued
for the calling out of the Dorset Militia in April
next; the recruits for 35 days, and the old hands
for 21 days' training.
DORM:U.:MA FARMERS' CLUB..—The Morning
Star says: -We are glad to see the farmers up and
stirring, Their industry is one et all times entitled
to the utmost respect. The progress of society may
Change the proportion between the importance of

of the farmer's worth and that of the
labour of the artisan and manufacturer; but
although this progress Is perhaps further advanced
in England than in any other anninunity of equal
site, we must still bolt upon the fanner as a highly
valuable member of society. Besides, id not his
jolly face the reflection of rude health, and his
robust as well as retound person, the recognised
type of John Bull pereonified I Are the inathifectur-
ing and trading classes to be considered tildre &did
Bullish than he, inasmuch as when, having become
conscious of suffering ander a grievanee,which is also
an injustice, they never cease their efforts until they
have got rid of it? We presume it must be so: or
rather the idea of that peed'sr privilege which has
come to be universally understood to be the
privilege of Englishmen, of grumbling when
oppressed, has arisen from the practice of the
farmer-class, the recognised representatives of John
8011, in grumbling at such things and doing nothing
move : just as if any amount of growling or
grumbling could of itself remove a grievance.
But the farmers are at last stirring.
From the heart of the chief agricultural district of
the country, we have the Dorchester farmers—led
by Mr. Damon of Dorchester—raising their voioes I
with firmness and unambignity in condemnation of
the malt tax. And not only that, but recognising the
necessity of doing something different from raising
their voices. The farmers evidently have profited
by the experience of the last tea or fifteen years.
They have witnessed the achievements of the manu-
facturing and commercial classes in the matter of
getting Obnoxious tiles abolished, and have marked
the manner of proceeding and the moans employed.
They have observed that nothing can be done
against the natural ins inertice of existing arrange-
ments except by the powerful instrumentality of an
organised agitation, acting in every possible
way upon public and Parliamentary opinion.
They have become convinced that they must
take a leaf out of the book of the hitherto
shrewder and more practical mercantile map if they
are to suceeed ; and they are right. As te a
junction of ClMllles to agitate the question, nothing
could be more proper. It is chiefly a farmer's
question; for the tax restricts the farmer's industry;
but it is also a question for the consumers of beer,
or for those who would consume good beer if
they could get it, which the malt tax and licensing
system forbid. We ire, therefore, all interested in
the abatement of this impost ; and if the fanners
generally throughout the country will only
associate earnestly for the purpose, and
call upon their landlords who represent
them in Parliament, to co-operate, let them be sure
they will receive cordial and effective airport from
the industrial and commercial classes.

BOROUGH Poucx.—On Monday, Frederick Nor-
man was charged with ringing the door bell of Mr.
Samuel Slade, at about 20 minutes past 12 o'clock on
Sunday morning. P.C. Keats proved the case. Ile
was standing opposite to Mr. Slade's house, when
defendant came donn the street with three or four
other boys.—The magistrates' clerk said that there
were a large number of boys in the
habit of ringing the door bells about the
town. He only wished he could catch
some of them pulling his bell—he would make work
for the doctors, for he would break their heads. He
would give anybody ss. to catch any offender at his
doors.—Fined 10s. and 6s. &I. costs, or to be im-
prisoned for 14 days. The money was paid.—The
Mayor said the whole of the party ought to have
been summoned.
COMMITTED TO THE DORCHESTER (hot.—Hard
Labour: Joseph Morris, breaking windows at
Blandford, one calendar mouth; John Cook, poach-
ing af;Thorncombe, six weeks' hard labour; Emanuel
Kerley, breaking windows at Fordington, one
calendar month; John Hood, poaching at Cone
Castle, seven days ; Silas Hunt, misbehaviour at
Shaftesbury Union, twenty-one days; Penance
Rawlings, Elizabeth Mary Paul, Elizabeth Jane
Green, and Sarah Sealey, vagrancy at Wyke Regis,
three calendar mouths • Richard Paull, leaving
family chargeable at Beaminster, two calendar
month; Jane Seller, stealing a petticoat, handker-
chief, and calico at Kinson, six calendar months;
Harold Sampson, stealing hay at Buokland Newton,
one calendar month ; Sarah Rayner,- stealing •
Guernsey frock at Weymouth, two calendar months.

DORCHESTER POST 0171CIL— Letters may be
posted at this office to the undermentioned places as
follows :
Without With Ad- Letters
Kota ditional Registered
Stamp. Stamp. until
London (Southamp-
ton) Day Mail o2o A.M. 825 A.m. 750 A.M.
Yeovil, Bath' Bristol 112 45 P.M. 12 55 r.m. 12 15 P.M.
(North Mail)
Wey mouth lO 15 A.M. 9 45 sat,
Ditto
Bath, West of Bug.
land, and Great 545 p.m. 550 P.M. 515 P.M.
Western Line
London and South
Western Line 930 P.M. 958 P.m. 9 0 r.m,
Yeovil, Lyme. Brid-
port & Weymouth

DiLIVIRT.

DeDray by Delivery to
Letter (-Sir. Callers
. . .

;lei; iyierins begins
London, Southampton, Wev
730 a.m. 750 A. 14
mouth, and Bridport.. .....
Weymouth 11 0 A.l/1 855 a.m.
North Mail—Wales, Scotland, 11 0 A.M. II 0 a.m.
and Yeovil
London (Day Mail), Eastern and 430 rat. 430 rx.
South'. Eastern Counties
We hear, from good authority, that the Yeomanry
will visit Dorchester, instead of Weymouth, this
year, unless they can obtain better accommodation
than before, in the shape of good practice ground.
WEYMOUTH.—Poucc—On Friday last Sarah
Rayner, who stood remanded from the previous
day, was brought before the Mayor and W.
Symonds, Esq., charged with stealing a Guernsey
frock, the property of Elizabeth Samways. She
was sentenced to 2 months' hard labour.—Matthew
Beverton, charged with stealing a watch, was
handed over to the authorities of Jersey.
LEcroac.—On Wednesday evening Mr. W. Gray,
D.E., of Portland, delivered his lecture on Geology
before the members of the Scientific and Literary
Institution. Having noticed the lecture at some
length on previous occasions, when delivered before
audiences at Portland and elsewhere, any extended
remarks by us on the present occasion would be
superfluous. The lecture was well received by the
audience.

ARRIVALS AT TRZ BURDON Horn..—Mr. and
Mrs. Gurney and family; Mr. and Mrs. Palmer;
Miss Stye, Mr. Donnish, Captain Murray, and the
Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis.

PORTLAND.—On Saturday last a sailor, be.
longing to the Martha and Mary, from Androssan to
Caen, at anchor in the Portland Roads, while at
work on deck fell down and btoke his leg. He was
conveyed to the Dorset County Hospital.
AN ARTFUL DODGR.—Four petitions have been
lodged against the proposed broad-gauge railway to
Portland. One of these is by the Portland fisher-
men, who send all their fish by the South-Western
line, and who would not, therefore, be benefitted
by the railway, unless a narrow gauge were laid
down as well as a broad gauge. But the laughable
part of the matter is, the Great Western Railway,
who are alleged to be the promoters of the scheme,
have lodged a petition against the extension to Port-
land. Of course everybody is aware that it is a
mere dodge to ward off suspicion, and to endeavour
to frustrate the other petitions against the broad
gauge, which the Great Western Company hope to

BINCOMBE.—On Tuesday John Thorne, a
native of this place, while on his passage from
Guernsey to London, in the Galway, fell from the
jibboom, and was unfortunately drowned. The
whole of the hands were on deck at the time, and
ropes were thrown to him, but he was not able to
catch hold of them owing to the boisterous state of
the sea.

ABBOTSBURY:--We rejoice to learn that the
Earl of Hcbester has so far recovered from his illness
as to be able- to return to bis marine residence at
Abbotsbnry, where he arrived on Wednesday.
C ERNE. —Pirrry SIUMBIONS, February 26.—Before
J. J. Farquharson, and J. E. Bridge, Esqrs., and
Colonel Biugham.—George Curme, of Cerise Abbas,
was summoned by Mr. John Fooka of the same
parish, for cutting and damaging a fence.—The Case
was proved by P.C. Kimber, and the defendant was
lined 9a., including costx.--Samuel Magg, of
Alton, was summoned, and fined Is., and 4e. costs, '
for stealing turnips, the property of Mr. John Kent,
of Alton.—George Pike, of Holuest, was sum-
moned by Henry Hann, of the same place, for
assaulting him at the White Horse Inn, Middle.
marsh, on the 19th February.—Fined .61, including
pmts.—Charlotte Churchill, of Piddletrenthide,
was summoned by Mr. Samuel Symes, of Doles Ash
Farm, for stealing portion of a fence.—Case dis-
missed.— Harold Sampson, of Buckland Newton,
was brought up in custody of Superintendent
Brown, charged with stealing a quantity of hay, the
property of Mr. Thomas Kingsbury, of Henley, in
the parish of Buckland Newton, on the 17th ult.
The ease was proved by P.C. Kimber, and prisoner
WU sentenced to one months' hard labour.—Charles
Critchell, of Sydling St. Nicholas, was also brought
up in custody of Superintendent Brown, charged
with stealing four rabbit traps, the property of
Mr. Robeit Hole, of the Same parish, on the 20th
of February.—Mr. Hole not wishing to press the
case, on account of the prisoner's previous good
character, the defendant was reprimanded and dis-
charged.
STURhiINSTER NEWTON. TZMPIRA.NCI
Soctrrv.—On Tuesday the advantages of Temper-
ance was most ably and earnestly advocated to a
large audience, by Mr. haw Phelps, the Bristol
Society's Missionary; and on the following evening
Mr. David Vincent, of Shaftesbury, delivered a very
striking address on the same subject. About a
dozen signatures were added to the pledge-book.
A CeIDENT. —We regret to state that a somewhat
serious accident occurred to T. B. Hanham, Esq., of
Manston House, on Monday. It appears that that
gentleman was returning from Blandford to his
residence, accompanied by a friend; by some means'
the lamp of the carriage became extinguished, and it '
being a dark night, when near Hanford, one of the
wheals took the bank, and the vehicle was over
; Mr. Benham sustaining several pesters eon-
tusions, and the gentleman who warn with him had
his arm broken.
_

WINTERBOURNE STICKLAND. CHURCM
IMPROVEMINT.—The Baron Ham brO bee given
order that certain cottages near the church shill bie
pulled down, in order that the charchy aril may be
eulargat_land the church Unproved.
SHAi_FTESBURY. FARMERS' CLUB AND
AGItICULYUKAL 800iirtY. —A large and influential
meeting of gentleman connected with agriculture,
met together at the Towuhall, for the purpose of
establialling a Farmers' Club.— Mr. J. C. Thomas,
in the alumnae of G. G. Glyn, Esq., M.P., took the
chair, and pointed out NOM Ce the many "advantages
of such associations; and recommended that the
club should be at once formed, calling on tlre
honorary secretary, Mr. Buckland, to read the rules
3151 regulations,: after Which the officers for the pre-
sent year dere chose*. This club commences under
the most favourable atieviCes, 110 gentlemen having
subscribed their names as members, and we doubt
not, if they avoid that rock against Which others
have struck, and nearly capsized—closed doors—
they will eventually succeed.
MONOKTON-UP.WIMBORNE. —lt is our pain-
, ful duty to record the occurrence of a large and de-
structive fire at the farm of Mrs. Emma Godearn,
on Wednesday evening, by which a considerable
amount of property, valued at £2,000, was totally
destroyed. The alarm was first given by one of the
female servants, oho observeta wheat rick near the
house on fire, which qtbekly extended to the barn
adjoining, and thence to the stable, containing ten
valuable horses, and from thence to the other out-
buildings, containing farming stock. In a very
short time, the flames being observed by the labour-
ers and others in the vicinity, many arrived at the
wens of the catastrophe ; and several police-con-
stables of the Wimborne division, who were return-
ing from Horton, were also soon on the spot, and by
the active co-operation of all parties, the live stock
were rescued, but the harness in the stables was
obliged to be left as a prey to the devouring element.
The powerful engine belonging to the Earl of Shaftes-
bury, arrived in good time, and there being a good
supply of water, the dwelling-house, granary, and
barley ricks were saved, but the buildings recently
erected, and covering about two acres of ground,
a great number of sacks of grain, and the straw and
fodder in the barn was totally destroyed. It was,
indeed, fortunarethat there were so many willing
and helping bandse as the wind was very high at the
time, and the firs threatened the destruction of the
whole. It was at first supposed that the fire was
the act of some person, either wilfully or accident-
ally, but an investigation led to the belief that the
fire originated from sparks from the chimney of a
house used for drying bacon, which was situated
near the wheat rick. The buildings, we understand,
are insured in the West of England, and the stock
in the Hants and Sussex Offices. Sergeant Andrews,
of the county constabulary, in his endeavours to
rescue the horses, narrowly escaped a serious
accident, one of them falling on him. Too much
praise cannot be given to the police and others, who
exerted themselves in the most praiseworthy
manner to save as much as possible from the devour-
ing element.
BLANDFORD.--On Monday afternoon a public
meeting was held at tho Townhall to promote the
cause of the Colonial and Continental Church
Missionary Society, when a very interesting address
was delivered by the Rev. J. Hamilton, association
secretary. The chair was taken by Sir John D'Oyley,
Bart. On the previous day two sermons were
preached at the Church by Mr. Hamilton, and the
sum of £ll collected on behalf of the society.
CONCERT.—IS gives us much pleasure to report
that the concert under the able presidency of Mrs.
Edwards, on Thursday last, was, in every respect, a
very successful one, and we heartily congratulate
that acoomplised lady upon the good fortune which
she attained in her praiseworthy endeavours to revive
a taste for the highest class of mcsic. The atten-
dance was large, the Corn Exchonge being filled
with the Rile of the town and neighbourhood,
among whom we noticed :—The Rev. Lord Sidney
and the Hon. Miss Osborne, the Rev. Wm., and Mrs.
Herta, the Rev. R., Mrs., and Miss Farquharson,
the Rev. H. B. Vizard, Miss Shakespear, Mrs.
Torkington, Miss Stuart, James Stuart, Esq., the
Rev. A. Littlewood, the Rev. J. Mansfield, K T.
JEslohn,s,anEsq., d
Miss Atkinson,
Mrs. Johns,
Atkinson,l,i W.
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andtkso
inmit
Spooner, Mrs. J. B. and Miss Roe, Mrs. Fripp,
J. S. Daniell, Esq., Mrs. Gaskell, Misses Danieills,
Mr. T. Bennett, Miss Green, Miss Randall, Misses
Fords, Mr. William and the Misses Rogers, &c.
&c. Among the pieces selected for the occasion the
duet, "Rest for the Weary," sung by Masters Brine
and Lance deserve honorable mention, being
rendered with excellent taste, and calling forth an
enthusiastic encore, which was responded to by the
substitution of Lee's " He wipes the tear," given
with admirable effect by the youthful songsters.
This was followed by Mozart's "Gloria," by the
full choir, which was rendered in a masterly style
and with great credit to this provincial
company, who worthily vied with those of more
pretentious note. "God Bless our Widow d
Queen," by Wrighten, was most feelingly given by
Mr. Lanee.—The second part was secular music, and
commenced with Spofforth's glee, "Marked you her
Eyes' to this succeeded Mornington's "Here in
cool Grot," which deservedly called forth an encore.
A solo on the cornet by Mr. Skivington, accom-
panied by Mrs. Edwards on the pianoforte, was then
given in first-rate style, both artistes showing their
thorough acquaintance with, hod perfect mastery
over, their instruments; this also was encored.
f•Nil Desperandnm," sung by Mr. Sturrnoy in
capital style, and encored, was followed by that
gentleman sioging " The Cottage by the Sea.' Mr.
Lance well acquitted himself in Perrin's "The
Maids of Merry England," and "England is
England still.' Masters Brine and Lance, in the
beautiful duett of Geyer, 'Music and her Sister
Song," again acquitted themselves to perfection, and
gave the audience a treat of no slight degree.
" Sleep, gentle Lady," and Hine's chorus, "I see
them on their winding way," by the whole company,
and the National Anthem, composed by the Rev.
Newman Hall, concluded one of the most suocessful
musical ,entertainments ever given in Blandford,
and the company separated, all expressing the great
pleasure they had deiived, combined with a hope
that they would ere long be favoured with a tope-
tition of the same.

&exam. SrevicEs. —The Rev. W. Harte, the
rector, has made the following arrangements for the
Wednesday evening special services, doring the ap-
proaching Lent season : —Ash Wednesday, March 5,
the Rev. James Penny, M.A., rector of Steepleton ;
subject, "The Publican's Prayer." Wednesday,
March 12, the Rev. D. Travers' M.A., rector of
Swanage ; subject, "The Love of God." Wednes-
day, March 19, the Ven. Archdeacon Huxtable,
M.A., rector of Sutton Waldron; subject, "The
Worth of the Soot." Wednesday, March 26, the
Rev. J. Ruddsoh, B.A. ff Woolwich; subject,
"Godly Sorrow." Wednesday, April 2, the Rev. ,
C. Kemble M.A., rector of Bath; subject, "Th.
Burning Bush." Wednesday, April 9, the Rev. J.
Stephenson, M.A., incumbent of St. John's, Wey-
mouth ; subject, "Bearing the Cross." Wednesday,
April 16, the Rev. A. Wilkinson, M.A., St.
James's, Poole; subject, -" Confession precedes For-
giveness." The Litany Will be used instead of the
Evening Prayer.
SHERBORNE. --Tax Exritzsts TaAnos. —We are
glad to be able to state that the directors of the
London and South-Western Railway Company have
intimated to G. D. W. Digby, Esq., that the express
trains will stop at the Sherborne station, and we
have much satisfaction in adding that a new time-
table will be issued by the Dorset and Somerset
Central Railway Companies, which will allow Yeovil,
Sherborne and the down country to participate in
the benidts afforded by the line from Temple
Combe. —8 herborng Journal.
RINGWOOD.—The Rev, B. H. Tuck, Senior
Fellow of King's College, Cambridge, late curate of
Ewerst, Sussex, has been appointed to the vicarage
of Ringwood, vacant by the death of the Rev. C.
H. Maturin.—Patrons, the Provost and Fellows of
King's College, Cambridge.