The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1883-05-15 00:00:00

EXTRAORDINARY CHARGE OF BWINDLIND BY AN
ARTILLERYMAN.

One of the most elaborate and intricate schemes af
fraud that could possibly occupy the fertile brain of
tbe swindler has just been brought to light in Dor-
chester. At Use Royal Artillery Barracks is • private
named Charles William Blake, who, it would seem, is
blessed (or coned) with • superior education and
knowledee of the world and its business to most of
his ocsarades, and for some time he has been carrying
on the most extensive course of swindlinr, which hae
been the omens of considerable profit to him. Re has
exercieed his skill and ingenuity in • variety of ways,
one of his ventures being that he publicly announosd
himself by circular as Secretary and Goners' Manager
of an Amateur Authors' Society, under Government
security, for lb* encouragement of sassteur literary
work, end the following formed the "Honorary
Council" of the said society :—L J. H. Gurney, Beg,
Rev.lr. C. Morgan, LL.D., Viaoomteess Du Smelted,
"Award SYdrsol. Zen., Hon. P. Herniltoss, 8r...-
Major Marshall, Richard H. Swine, Req., Frank R.
Moncer,_ R. A. • treasurer and honorary secretary,
Cbm. W. Ras (Her Majesty's R.H.A.) A pros-
nears was duly led, and stated the moiety was
formed for the purpose of "relieving amateurs and
others of the trouble and humiliation of offering their
MS& from offios to office, and of having their mode°.
tione—diecdined with thanks. Amateur Author., no
nudger who tholY may be, experience greet difficulty in
getting their writings inserted in the pablicsUcce of
the day. This arises from a variety of muses, the
principal being that sathon offer thek_productioas
where they aro totally unsuitable for the Milton' clam
of trader, or where the buyer is full of similar works.
Members of the A.A.B. are saved such pain and
annoyance, it being the business of the society to gala
every Information necessary for the sal. of MSS. of
It. member'; and all MS3. soot In by member., and
approved by Um moiety. are announced (unless written
to order) to nearly 3,080 editors, buyers of MS.. and
all who may have any powibl• interest in such matters.
It is well-known that MSS. ars often rejected for
slight causes, which may be easily rem b an
experienced critic • advice upon such matter will be
given when required. All accepted contributions for
magasinre will be paid for within seven days by the
society (if members wig it). at the rate of halls-
guinea per piloted page. Advsotageous arrangements
are made on resosboe' behalf, for the publication of
their MRS., either in volume, aria', or novelette form.
First clam MSS. for volumes are worth from L'loo to
2380 ,• novelettes from II to CZ, and aerials from 00
to EV. During the year 1881, Use Council will offer
for competition various prima for the best written
novel, serial, or translation. Particulate of this maw
petition will be duly announced to members, who
edam will be eligible to compete. No entrails*, fee
to the society Is required, but all contributors must be
members. The regulation is osouseary to help pay for
the time and labour occupied in reading, classing, and
selecting the matter sent in for publication. The
oubsoription entitling members to the advantages
offered by the society is half-a-guinea per annum,
payable in advance. Authoes wishing to send in prose,
poetry, and music, moot pay the
CBfell
subscription of
one guinea. A =bead of 10s constituter •
life-member. Applications for membership mist be
stooostiminsd by the subr.iption, which may be paid
by p,0.G., • certificste of membership will than he
forwarded. Should this application not be entsrtained
the mossy will be returned In full. No liability,
or otherwise, is incurred by members."
=t wi else principal inducements of this extraordinary
Imaginary organisation was that the members could
eery the honour and the privilege of appending the
"deems" hy,.d.A.B. to their names. It is needless to
y Nat the treasurer and hon. sec. stipulated that
all remittance. end Post-oilloe Orders should be sent
to and made payable to ' Charles W. Blake, R.R.L.
Dorabesur,” It was further stiss4 application eitotdd
be mg& at MO*, as it was intended shortly to aloes
the Ilet, the members being MOW. Among the
primmer Biske's personal property when apprehended
were found piles of MSS. of novels and tales, soot
by wsilere l'mgbout the country. Among the cos-
chime were the following :—Rach competition must
be ori&ek alrildt the following exceptions, translations
from the Preach are allowed, but must he adapted to
• pule llsb etyle of literature; subject: Love
=sparely Reglish in toss, and treating of
elms society ; the four following anNeebt
ere id fiffiewed r—Deeihs from "humming, Wm,