The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1863-01-13 00:00:00

DORSET COUNTY EXPRESS
WIRCHLTFER. TUESDAY, JAICUARt 13. 1863.

TIM NEW HIGHWAY ACT.

At the time the late Sir Robert Peel brought
forward his Bill for the Repeal of the Corn
Laws, he promised the farmers the introduction
of three measures as an equivalent to any loss
they might sustain from the importation of
Foreign grails. One of these measures, singu-
larly enongli, was • new Highway Bill—similar
to that introduced during the past 'elision by
the Home Secretary, and which received the
sanction of both Houses of Parliameht ; but
which, in this part of the country at least, is
looked upon by the majority of those whom it
wu intended to benefit, as • great evil. At
the time this Bill was passing through the
House, we freely repressed our opinion on the
subject, ner do see any cause, after all that has
lately been expressed in reference to the matter,
to alter our opinion in the slightest degree. The
local roads which connect village with village, and
small town with small town, are a comparatively
modern necessity. Up to within the last 200
years and even Liter, every one rode as he
listed over wide commonp, or trudged through
wastes and footpaths. It was not till after
the 0001131013 e, in spite of • hundred petty
insurrections, had been to a great extent
enclosed, that a parish road was even • con-
venience. 'l% hen 2,000 Enclosure Acts had
passed in two-reigns, and carts and coaches came
to be familiar things, we might expect that our
ancestors would provide for the general public
some substitute for the liberty of wandering at
large which they had cut off. So they did. The
Enclosure Acta provided for the setting out of
ways, and Acts of 'Parliament and the Common
Law as made by the judges, required the
parishes to keep them in order. How that
duty has been accomplished has been
seen in our own times. How the way-
warden becomes reluctant to make repairs
to which he himself must contribute;
how one parish thinks it useless to make a way
into another from which there is no possible
, exit ; and how things throughout • whole
, district fall from had to worse, every one can
but too well tell who has had to travel through
the picturesque byeways of this country, the
lanes were charming to look at, and they
abounded in adventure. In Summer they were
more fragrant than the gardens of the East, but
a shower—and we have rains sometimes in Eng-
land made them impracticable to wheels,
difficult to horsemen, and impassable on foot.
In our fathers' time, perhaps this was of less
consequence. In their leisurely lives time was
of little value, and they had not to run these
breathless competition races. But now the easy
and the picturesque are disappearing. The
fine old hedges are going down, the margins
of the old roads are being speedily cut off,
and ruts and quagmires have ceased to
be looked' upon with indulgence. The two
Houses of Parliament have even cast aside their
old rural sentimentalities, and found hardness
of heart enough to declare that • road is a thing
aloag which carriages and horsemen ought to
be able to pass, and that even a pariah road
ought not to be an Miceptiou to that severe
definition.

For many years past the same law which is
now made permissive in England has been com-
pulsorily carried out in Wales. In South Wales
especially, while it was left to the wayvrardens
of each parish to act as they hated, the roads—
if roads they could be called—were indescribably
bad. Except on private tramways, laid down
for the conveyance of iron and coal to the sea-
ports, the use of wheels was almost unknown.
Corn was conveyed to market either on the
backs of mules, or on sleighs similar to those in
me in Russia in winter fee travelling over the
snow. When, however, the parishes were
thrown into districts, and paid surveyors ap-
pointed, sinew order of things sprang into exist-
ence. The sleigh for travelling over the mud
speedily disappeared, and now, go where one
will, as good roads will be seen as can be found
in the most favoured and carefully looked after
districts in England. But the system met with
much opposition at first. The farmers declared
that their way-rates would ruin them, and that
it would be impossible for them to make both
ends meet. They could scarcely pay for bad
roads—if good roads were made agriculture
would go to rack and ruin. They now see how
groundless were their fears. Not only are they
now able to do with lees horse power on their
roads, but their way-rates have been reduced
nearly one-half. And why should net a system
that has worked so well for Wales work equally
well for England I In South Wales the general
average of the rates—including establishment
expenses—is about Rh 6e Bd. per mile; in
North Wales, where the soil is drier, and the
material better and nearer at hand, the cost is
about £4 per mile; while in England the general
average coat is about £lO per mile. We are not
aware what the average per mile is for our own
county—doubtless it is much less (from various
causes) than the average of England: but we
are quite convinced that the post ought to be
very far less than the average of South Wales
Of this anyone at all acquainted with the land of
the Cyairi will fully bear us out Miles f their
roads have had to be constructed through bogs,
and we have ourselves witnessed after a heavy
thunderstorm—and thunderstorms are there
much more frequent and severe than they are in
Dorset—miles of a road's surface washed away,
in souls places to a great depth, by the torrents
Wing dorsi frosathe mottateito, ostryitag

with them not only cattle, sheep, and pigs, but
even large trees torn up by the roots. Such
devastation to the roads as not unfroluently
omen there among the mountains, is never
witnessed here and the amount to put them in
their former here,
of repair, such as the rate-
payers of this county would never be called upon
to pay. It is, thee, obvious that with our many
natural advantages, unless Welshmen possess
greater acumen and superior business habits than
the men of Dorset—which few, we suppose,
will be willing to admit—the parish roads of
this county could be kept in excellent repair
when once made good, at a far less cod than our
neighbours on the opposite aide of the Bristol
Channel. And if this be so, we apprehend one
of the objections urged against the measure—the
expense—must fail to the ground.
But there are other objections against the
Act, some of which, we must confess, are in the
highest degree amusing. There are, for instance,
the old bugbear of centralisation, and the old
argument that people have a right to wage their
own money and mismanage their own affairs as
they please. They see in the plan for mending
our cross-roads decently • grand conspiracy for
de-parechialising the country. Now • pariah is •
most useful division for its original ecclesiastical
purposes; and so are townships, and "Bias, and
hundreds, and manors, and lordships, and
counties, for their respective purposes. But
there is nothing sacred or immutable about
parishes. Their limita were accidental at their
origin, and they have been changed and broken
and re-constituted in every age in our history.
Parishes have no more netural connexion with
the supervision of roads than they have of the
currents of rivers. Those who fear the central-
iiing powers of the new Act should remember
that political liberty, whether personal or
parochial, does not consist in the license to do
what is right in one's own eyes, regardless of
public interests, but in the enjoyment of equal
rights, and in the possession of a voice in all
decisions by which the individual unit is to be
bound. Few, we suppose, even of those Who
profess such horrors of the system, would carry
their passions for individuality so far as to wish
that each property bolder in a parish should
carry out his own whims in road-making, how-
ever likely to break the necks of his neighbours.
Yet, absurd as this sounds, no principle short of
this will boar the weight of the argument
that i* now being used, and which has
been used before, scores of timee, to establish
uniformity of system, without trenching at
all upon Anglo-Saxon independence. All op-
posed to the new scheme, with whom we have
conversed, have assured us that the roads in
their parishes are perfectly good—better no orie
need require; and " why," they gravely ask,
" should I be joined to another pariah where the
roads are miserable had I" Why, for the very
beat of all reasons—that you may raise your
neighbour up to your own standard of excellence.
He has the advantages of your good roads when
he comes into your pariah, why should he
compel you to wade up to your knees in mud
or endanger your neck, when you are obliged to
pass through his. It is nothing but equity that
he should behave with the sane liberality
towards you, when you pan his way, as you do
to him when be comes yours. If England
consisted of a series of happy valleys whose
happiness depended upon their perfect isolation,
and if every happy valley were • parish, there
would be some sense in the parochial system,
and our advice to every waywarden would be,
to seal up his own parish and hold its *the
intact. But, inasmuch its exactly the Siontrary
is the caw% and thh prosperity of every parish
in England depends upon its capacity of easy
communication with the towns around it, and
the railways in its neighbourhood, the roads of
every parish are only so far useful th the parish I
as they form a constituent portion or a general
system of roads etteniling all around. The
nght Of communication and the profit of com-
munication is not either a right or • profit that
can be limited to each parish. These rights
and advantages belong to the whole kingdom,
and can only be enjoyed in proportion as they
are largely enjoyed. To talk of • parish having
• right to its own roads and to do what it likes
with them, whether to turn them into " sloughi
of despond," or to make them in concentric circles,
is as &beend as it would be to claim a parochial
property in the west wind. Rain and sunshine
are not more • common right than is the right
of passing to and fro through reasonable avenues
' of passage.
I But the Highway Board will include the
magistrates as well as the waywardens of the
respective parishes, and this is an insuperable
objection to many minds. There are, perhaps,
• few magistrates who posies' but little property
in the district, but amongst them there are the
chief landowners, and to suppose that they would
increase the risk of oppressive taxation, seems
to us, we must confess, a very strange crochet.
But the parochial champion has a far stronger
objection to his quiver. How, he asks, are
parishes to employ themselves, and where is to
be the vent of their enemy' if they are no longer
to botch their own roads at discretion! We admit
that is a very sad case, and the more so because
the repair of bridges, to which they might
otherwise have applied themselves, has been
under county management for something like a
thousand years. It is like the grievance of a
parish constable when the stocks are pulled
down, or of the clothiers who petitioned against
stage-coaches lest tnprellers should wear odt
fewer clothes thiss before.

DORCHESTER. —wain) CORN Malian,
Saturday, January 10.—Whcat and barley of good
quality commanded late rates; but most of the
wheat on offer being out of condition was inmate.
able.

Ma. ENSOR'S Rtroattoat SALL Saturday.—
About 100 held of cow stock and 400 sheep were sub-
mitted to competition at the New Cattle Repository
and with the exception of a few lots, all were dis-
posed of. There was • very large attendance, and
the following prices were realized Beef (in good
demand) from 11.. to 12e. per score; COWS and
calves, Cl 4 to Xl7 i berrenere CS to £ll 10a
mutton 711 d. to hid. per lb.—The large number of
horses catalogued for ule at the Repository sdjoin•
ing the Plume of Feathers iirew one of the largest
assemblies we ever witnessed I but the majority of
the lots were undisposeal of, in consequence of the
reserve prices being very high.
Sr. Pirria's CUUIt. -On Sunday morning next •
sermon on behalf of the above choir will he preached
by the Rev. James Fisher, rector of Holy Trinity.
CAUTION. —We are given to understand that that
frightful scourge, the small-pox, is raging In variou
parts of the town, and we trust dB parenta and heads
of families will cake care their children and young
people committed to their charge are vaccinated as
soon as possible.
' LaNcAlHial DINTRUIL—Our read.'" will perceive,
by reference to our advertising columns, that an
amateur concert of vocal and instrumental music will
take place at the Town-hall on Wednesday next,
on behalf of the aufferers in Lancashire and Cheehire.
We are given to understand that several ladies and
gentlemen Of first-clams ability are expected to assist,
and we trust that their exertiona will be rewarded by
• large attendance. —For price of admission and time
of performance re advertisement
Doacsearza CouNrr BALL—The annul town
and county ball was held this year It the Townhall
under the able management of Mr. and Mrs.
Yearley, of the Antelope Hotel. It wu one of
the meet suoceedul gatherings that has taken place
for sometime past, there being 103 of the dile of
the county present. The room was tastefully
decorated under the superintendence of the MMus
Yeareley, who displayed great judgment in the
arrangement. The quadrille band of Mr. 11. Stagg,
of Weymouth, with the assistance of one or two
gentleman from London, was engaged for the occa-
sion, and gave great satisfaction. The refreshments
were of the choicest description, served up in the
beet style, and altogether the affair passed off with
the greatest iddi. The patronesses were Lady Digby,
Buenas timbre', hfra Frampton, Mrs. Troy**
Bullock, Mrs. Gundry. Lady -Michel, Mrs. Her
Seymer, Hon. Mrs. Williams, Mrs. Fellowes, and
Mrs. Floyer, ; and the stewards, the High Sheriff
(J. (undry, Esq.), Sir E. B. Baker, Bart., Major
r Frampton, A. B. Foster, Esq., G. Troyte Bullock,
I Esq., Our John Michel, J. C. RaMyffe, Eeq..
James Fellowes, Esq., and Capt. Williams. The
company included Lord High,/ and • large party
from klelbuy, the Hon. Mr. Portman, 111. P., and
Mir Portman, Mr. Her Seymer, M.P.. Mrs. and
Miss Beymer, Colonel Dighy, Sir E B. Baker,
General Shirley, Major Portmaa, Lady Portman,
and Miaow Portman, Mr. and MTS. Skinner, Mr.
and Mir Andrew, Mr. Andrews, Mr., Mrs. and
Miss Okedos, Mr. N. Okedon, Capt. Wateraeld,
Capt. Williams, Mr. Charles Lethbridge, Miss Leth-
bridge, Mr. Elmbirst, Mr. Anchinbeek, Mr. Rad-
clyffe, Mies Radclyes, Mr. and Mrs. Willet Adve,
Mr. and Mrs. C. Hambro', Mimeo St. Quinton, Mr.
Mootagne Guest, Mr. Nugent 13ankee, Mr. Albert
Bankes, Mrs. Floyer, Mr., Mrs., and Miss Digby,
Major Harem, and Mrs. Harem, Mr. Blennerhaasett,
Mr. Foster, Mr. W. Li•thbridp and Mrs. Leth-
bridge, CoL Hankey, Mr. A. Foster and Mies
Foster, Mr. Fyler, Mr. and Mrs. Fetherstonhangh,
Mires Hamilton, Colonel Parke, Mr. Bridge*, fir.
Cambridge, Miss Bryden, Mr. Hairy Ferquhareas,
Miss Farquharson, Captain King and Mrs. Kin_g,
Mr. Henry Long, Mr. Walter Letlihndge, Mr. De
Burgh, Mr. W. Malet, Lieut. Medlyoott, R.N.
Mr. Marker, Col. Digby, Mr. J. Farquharson and
Min Farquharson, Mr. Mills, Mr. and Ara. Fel-
lower Mr. llarwood Teakimu. cap*. Plop.. Mr.
W. O. Labe" Ms., Ma, sad Mils Mars 0614.

Basset, Eint-Cokeitil Flkingtos, Mr. Blair (Bth
Regiment), Mr, lie um, (Royal Hones Artillery),
Capt. Ball, Mr. Percival Hambro', Mr. and Mrs.
Troyte BuAlock, Mr. Fit=Lune% Mr. Francis
Sheridan, Mr. Fane, Mr. Stewart, Mr. R. Ferric.
hereon, Mr. W. Rower, Idr. hooks, Mr. T. Ffooks,
Mr. Loggia, Ac.,
POTATO Srmiusio.—On Monday last Thomas
White and Matthew Slade were eharrd before
the Mayor, J. F. Hodges and J. Davis, Revs_ with
stealing 7711 e of potatoes, the property of Daniel
Shepherd. It appeared that P. C. Keats while on
duty sae the defendanta with the potatoes, and
followed them to near the Queen's Own when he
took them into custody. White was in th• employ
of Mr. Shepherd, end the potatoes were taken from
his masters stable, but it was ascertained that
Slade knew nothing of the felony. He was standing
near the market, when White came along with the
potatoes on his beck, and offered to give him "the
price of • pint" if he would carry ill's load to the
Queen" r Own. To this Slade ocomented, and conse-
quently the charge preferred against him. The
Bench sentenced White to six weeks' hard labour,
and Slade was discharged.
COMMITTED TO TES DORCHESTER GAOL.
A seises : Junes Whetham, stealing canvass, U., at
Bridport ; Job Crabb, receiving stolen canvass, ke.,
at Bridport ; John Wilson, and John Banks., stealing
• coat at Wimborne ; Georg, 11,100 M cutting an'!
wounding at Sherborne. Hard Labour: ark
Fnunpton, poaching at Chilfrome, 14 days; Henry
Dunford, poaching at Chilfrome, 2 calendar months;
Charles Bewsey, misbehaviour in Sherborne Union,
1 calendar month; Edwin Scutt, stealing potatoes
at Cranborne, 1 calendar month; George Critchell,
poaching at Abbotsbury, 5 calendar months ; Joseph
Simon, -poaching at Portishans, 2 calendar months;
Elizabeth Riles, stealing a faggot of wood at
Channinster, 14 days.

giving it to sign their order book, as without it they
could not obtain their commission for getting the
order—it was not called an order till the coutruct was
signed. The tirst part was not paid for at the time
but a few days afterwards. Tho address given by
defendant was " Post-office, Radio.le," whereat he
lived on the Chapelry. \Vheu Reed called to deliver
the tork, a month afterwards, the defendant's
mother refused to take them. He left two parts,
but had left none since, as it was of no use leaving
the books without the money. This order was fur •
Comprehensive History of England, published in
monthly parts, at 2s. per part, sod two parts had
been left, but not paid for. —For the defence it was
contended that the orckl. Was obtained by a (Oise re-
presentation. The defendant said that when neatly
came to him he was delivering • cargo, and was
busily engaged in making up his book. When he
moved from one part of the deck to another, Priestly
kept following him about like • dog. After • while,
to get rid of him, he agreed to take the first part to
look at it, to see if he liked it. Priestly then asked
him to sign his book,saying it was usually done as
a mere matter of form. He told Priestly at the
time he would sign the book upon the understanding
that be should take no more numbers if he did not
like the work, but Priestly made no answer. A few
days after, when he paid Pnestiy,beroldbim he should
take no more numbers, and that he bad deceived
him in saying there were only 32 numbers, whereas
It was mentioned in the book there were 36. —in
croesexareination he mad be was 22, and was nnt
easily persuaded. As an officer under Government
he did not sign documents without first residing
them and understanding their purport, as they were
of consequence. He understood that the signing of
the subeeribere' book was simply a matter of form.
He now saw it was a trap laid for him, into which
be fell. When he told Priestly he should take no
more numbers, the other laughed, and said he must
take the whole of the numbers now, as lie had signed
his book.—George Dench was called, and said that
he recollected Priestly presenting his subscribers'
book to dirfendaot on board the Aquila and asking
him to sign it. lial heard defender t tell Priestly
that he would have that part, and if he liked it be
would take the work in. Priestly then said "just
sign this. it is usually done mei a mere matter of
form, that we may know where to leave the pgrts."
Mr. Howard then replied to the defence, and quoted
several cases to show that a written agreement could
not be wit aside by oral evidence, and said that in
various county coartr: wbere the question had been
tried, the Judges had given verdieti in flavour of the
plaintifia—The Judge asked Mr. Howard if he °meld
give him the cases !—Mr. Howard replied he had
only a reprint of the cases issued by Messrs. Blackie.
—His Honor laid they might have priuted just so
much of the caeca al suited their purpose. If Mr.
Howard had any cases in the Isw books he would
, look at them.—Mr. Howard said he cmuidered he
had fully made out his cue in favour of his clients,
and that the defendants having signed the contracts,
mast abide by them. The contracts were so plain
that they could not be mietaken, and as no evidence
had been adduced to establish the plea of fraud, no
oral evidence, was audicient to vitiate the nritten
agreement. In the case of Charles, however, there
, did appear& cam of fraud in his signatuje, gibe signed
his address as at the Radipole Post-office, whereae he
• lived on the Chapelry.—His Honor then gemmed up
' thecae's and delivered his judgment, taking the case
. of defendant Plankett first. In this case, the plea
of fraud bad been set up, but had it been established'
Let them look at the ease. The contract was partly
, printed and partly written, and the whole of the
writing was the defendant's. But the defendant said
that be signed it with this proviso, that if bellied
the book he would take it. There wØ no proviso
in the document before him. It was as fair and resale-
able a contract as could possibly have been penned.
Then came the question, could the condition on
which the defendant said he signed this contract be
now added to it He was clearly of opinion that it
could not, for if it could, it would be productive of
the greatest evil. The very ezietenee of written
°entracte was to guard against fraud or disputes, but
if they were to be overridden by oral evidence
• wide door would be open to fraud and dill-.
mites in all contracts where either party became
dissatisfied. The drfeadant urged that the docu-
ment was a "mere form," and so were all con-
' tracts-1 mere form that whatever Was agreed on at
the time of signing it should be carried out in all
its integrity. At the time of signing it, the defen-
dant had the whole of the document before him,
and he could not set up the plea of an uneducated or
ignorant person, who did not know what he was
signing. The very fact of the defendant holding
the potation he did in Her Majesty's Customs,
proved that he was an intelligent end educated
young man. The document was as fair • one as
could be framed, and the plea of freed °mild not be
made out. He must therefore give judgment for
2s. M., the price of the part that had hue delivered,
but not paid for. it would teach defendant and
others to be more careful, he hoped, what docu-
ments they signed in future. In the second ease
the blanks were also filled up in the handlwriting of
defendant. Charles. too, set up the case of fraud,
and he had brought forward evidence of a stronger
nature in rupporf ot his plea, than was introduced
1, into the former case. The question to consider was,
whether it was sufficient to vitiate the contract. '
, Now he Mated that whaii he took the first part he '
mid he would take it to see if he liked it, and if he
did not he would not take any more, and that '
Priestly asked him to sign as a mere matter of '
form, that he might known where future numbers
, were to be left. Was, then, this representation ;
such a one as would amount to fraud! He too, was '
&person of education, and as he filled up the blanks '
in his owe handwriting he must have seen that it
was an agreement to take the whole of the work, '
land not merely an addresi . at which the '
numbers were to be left if he liked it. With respect
to this address, he did not regard it as being a false
representation, as nothing was more natural than !
that be should desire the work to be left at his
mother's boned, rather than with parties with whom
he was at present lodging. Then it had been uied
that the canvasser praised up the book beyond -its '
merits, but would a Mere puffery of an article con-
stitute a eye of fraud Purchasers every day had '
to keep their eyes opts, and if praising up an artitde '
beyond its Metita were to be regarded sea fraud, he I
was afraid there would be no cud or litigation in re.
pect of fraudulent transaction& Those were timidly
considered by employers the best shopmen who conld !
best puff off their erticles • but would it be just to
my that a shopman, because he had what was '
vulgarly called "a good gift of the gab" induced • ;
person to purchase an article, for the purchaser to go '
back and say he had altered his mind and demanded !
the return of the money. He wis clearly o opinion,
that in neither of the allegations that had been set
up, had any 10(01 fraud been, and the verdict would !
therefore be for ea , the value of the two numbers
that had been left at the address, but not paid for. '
He should not, however, give costs, and therefore all '
parties would pay their own expenses. He would
now ask the agents of Messrs. Black's, would they '
press their agraemehtd for the compulsory purchame
of the other numbers? He woad trivia* them not •
to do so, as be believed that if they did it would do
them no good, but on the contrary it would be a
eerious injury to their trade if they did. —Mr.
Howard said that one of the witnesses had had to
come from Reading to prove these cases, and trusted '
his Honor would alter his decision in regard to costs.
His Honor said he would not give one farthing. A
very suitable rule had been laid down by the County
Courtpudges, no plaint below 3e. should secure costs.
A FINALS A DvitaTi/a/M. —Scime three weeks
since, we gave a report of the proceed-
ings of a young woman in the neighbourhood
of Wareham, calling hermit Constance West-
wood, and representing herself to be the
daughter of • clergyman. When before the Ware-
ham magistrates, she stated that 'he wished to
visit her friends at Weymouth, and as she had no
funds at her dispose!, and her luggage had not
arrived by rail, their gallantry overcame their dis-
cretion, and induced them to eubecribe a small sum
among them to help her on her journey. She
accordingly arrived in Weymouth on the Tuesday
before Christmas, and neat day obtained comfort-
able lodgings at the house of Mr. Pigeon, No. 11,
Wellington•terrace. Here, of course, she required
attendance, as well as board and lodging, till her
servant arrived, when she would be able to dis-
pense with the former, and when her money arrived,
why she would prefer keeping herself. But an.
fortunately her money was locked up in her boxes,
and they, being two numerous and heavy to be
brought by the passenger train, had been left behind
to be forwarded per goods train, and had miscarried.
In support of this she produced a letter, purporting
to have been written to her by Mr. Archibald Scott,
traffic manager on the South Western line, offering
her CS° to compromise the affair, and to prevent an
action at law. During her stay she obtainal the
medical assistaros of Mr. Tigard, as she was con.
sumptive, and fearing her days might be few on
earth, applied for spiritual direction and advice
from the incumbent of St. John's. As, however,
she did not approve of his teaching be was dis-
missed, and another minister was called in. In the
meantime Superintendent Fele., of Wareham,
knowing whither she had come, wrote to
of this
..osea
itBl;ue le: e rl
tu different
potsh arictaont gentleman
bocaue
e tradesmen tdhury e
sioint:a.l
their
emowf exerted t
ox inform
guard
i s
also
should
hg and a atlghothu
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ht the
latter 00. eetrf
her favours. Things thus went on. She did not
appetite was good; and her landlord, having a barrel ,
of excellent Wont in his house, she one day managed
to quaff no less than seven half pints of that
rating beverage. Having remained indoors for 10
or 11 days, she no doubt thought that by that time,
even if the police had been informed of her arrival,
they would suppose that she had again departed, or
that she was deporting herself properly, and accord.
ingly on Friday week she borrowed 10e. of the
servant, promising to repay her neat day when the
had changed a bill, and hired • fly. While out she
paid a visit to a couple of tradesmen in St. Miry's-
street. Of one she purchased dainties in wines,
oranges, cakes, ac., and of the other materials for •
couple of dresses, with something to match a dram
she wore •hich had been so accurately described by
Supichnsodest Lidbujj kim the hair hi bid

received from Wareham. While at thee, lodgings.
on learning that her landlord and lawßrady were fond
of game, she said the would write to a friend of here
who was about to visit Weymouth and who had
large preserves, to bring a bathed of game with him.
It was then decided that be could stay in the house
where she resided, add accordingly a room was pre-
pared for his receptiott, mid • sponge bath obtained
for his refreshment on his arrival, and every pre.
paranoia that could be devised for Ida reception. We
need hardly say, her game friend has not yet strived.
Ou Saturday eveniug, however, the tradesmen in
question, supposing all was not right, went to her
Lidgiugs, and despite her protestations eucceecled in
obtainiug the dresses and the other articles she had
not used. Fearing now that things would not go on
so smoothly as before she decided upon leaving, and
to accomplish her ablaut without suspicion, ordered
a conveyance to take her to St. Mary's Church,
where she intended to partake of the Sacrament.
She WHO set down opposite St. Mary's Church, and
went in, and immediately afterwards (imperil'.
tendent Lidbury learning where she was, deter.
mined to welcome her exit from the sacred edifice.
He saw the others leave, but she was not among
them. Her Landlady did not expect her return till
four o'clock, as when she left for church she intended
calling upon friends—but before that hour arrived,
the was snugly eairoonoed at the King's Anna
Hotel, Dorchester, the having walked there in
little better than two home Superintendent
ruderwood, seeing her lAMB the station, went
into the town to pUt Superintendent Feeney on the
alert, and the two found her at tea. They informed
the landlord of the character of his customer, and
she was promoted with • shilling and desired to de-
part. As she had nowhere now to go. the two
superintendents having no 'politic charge against
her, provided her a bed for the pight at the Royal
Oak, and communicated with Mr. Lidbirry. The
parties, however, declined to incur any expense to •
have her brought back for prosecution. But Super-
intendent Lidbury had no idea of her slipping
through his lingers in this manner, and resolved upon
taking the whole responsibility of expense on him-
self, and accordingly, be at midday started for Dor-
chester where his bird had 600,11. Oue of the polies
constables had witnessed her departure on the
Bridport road, mod the afternoon was spent in
fruitless search. It has been subsequently ascer-
tained, that before Superintendent Lidbury started
for Dorchester on Monday, ?dew Wedgwood had re-
turned to Wayroontia and taken lodgings at No. 1,
Gloucester Row. Orders were given to a grocer,
and she was very anxious to secure the services of a
lady's maid. She would, she mid, be shortly joined
by a cien brother. A surgeon was also needed, and
Mr. Tizard was spin called in, but from IMO
questions he put to her id raped to mangy matters,
her ladyship began to feel soiriowheit uneasy in her
mind, and determined to again leave the town.
What, no doubt, added to this resolve was, that
during the night her landlord was aroused by a
policeman, in ouneepience of the front door having
been left open. Sometime about midday she went
out for a walk, and about an lour after her depar-
ture Snperinteudent Lidbury &pie heard of her. He
was told that she would soon be back, bet he el•
ger:ehis doubts, d instituted inquiries in every
tt an
ii, but no one had seen her. Early on
Wednesday morning, however, she was taken into
custody by a county policeman while smartly
walking through Wareham, so that it is evident she
must have walked during a great part of the night.
• She wag there transferred to the care of Superinten-
eendent Lidbury, and co Friday brought before the
1 Mayor and It. Griffin, Esq., charged with hwriug
doles a chemise from No. 11, Wellington Terrace.—
Elisabeth Pigeon said she knew the prisoner. She came
Ito lodge with them the day before Christmas-day.
Prisoner inquired for apartments for herself and
servant, and dbe told her that she could accommo-
date them. The prisoner represented herself as the
daughter of a clergyman, and the agreement was
I for a guinea • week. There was a chemise on the
wardrobe while the prisoner was in the home, and
she misled it on Sunday last. On Sunday morn,
ing prisoner left without notice, saying she wag
going to church. The only persons residing in the
hoe& were herself, her husband, and servant.
Sarah (din said she was servant to the last witness,
and corroborated her mistress's statement with
respect to the lost garment, and denied having
herself taken it. On Sunday morning previous to
the prisoner going out to church she asked her what
she would have for dinner, and prisoner replied
that she should not waist dinner, as she was
going to call on some friends after sacrament to
luncheon, and should not return till 4 o'clock.
When prisoner first came sbe had no luggage, but
said it would follow. She borrowed 10s. uf witness,
promising to repay her next day after she had gone
down into His town and changed a bill. She had
not, however, repaid her yet. The landlord was
tiled melted. He said the prisoner represented to
him that her father was • clergyman in Shropshire,
having an income of £2,800 a year. She accounted
for her luggage not coming with her by saying that
the South Western Company woad not allow her to
bnng it by the passenger train bemuse it was over-
weight, and added that the nation manor
at Waterloo was Yee, saucy to her. Witness
thought it was strange that the luggage was
detained on account of being overweight, but
it did not raise his suspicion. Supterintendent
Lidbury here applied for a remand, when prioner
asked to make a statement —The Mayor You had
better reserve it till the 1311110 is completed.—Pri-
sonar As you please. She was then removed.
Since her oonfinement ie the police cell, two letters
have been left for her at 11, Wellington.terrace—
one from the Dead Letter OfSce, rdreseed to a
Mime Hill, to whom Miss Westwood had written re-
questing • box of linen to be sent her, Inn who
could not be found—the other from the South
Western Railway Company, stating that the alleged
missing luggage could not be heard of. We under-
stand that. the prisoner now calling herself Edith
Westweed, is not as was supplied, the same person
who represented her name to be Young and Rabbits
sixes two years since, and IPIDI 0011t01300d to 18
months' imprisonment for swindling at Ringwood.
SHIP STR•NDII.D. —OD Friday night ODD of the
most remarkable circumstances occurred is respect
to a derilect vessel that we ever heard of. It ap-
pears the brig Challenger of Garmouth, port of
Banff, about 200 tons burden, and laden with rail-
way iron and coal, from London to Marseilles, sprung
a leak when between Portland Race and the Isle of
Portland. The water was filling rapidly, and the
crew took to the boats in haste, fearing that every
moment she would go down. They oonesquently
left her to her fate with her sails standing • said on
the following morning she was (maid stranded on
Newton Cove, just beyond the Netbe at Weymouth,
perfectly erect; she having drifted with the tide
round Portland and the Breakwater, to the plane
where she was found. Several persons saw her,
among whom ease pilot in 13111 yacht looking out for
•job, but seeing her mils set, he supposed her crew
were on board, and consequently dici not go to her
assistance. Had he done so, he would have made a
tolerable good night's work, as the vessel, inde-
pendent of her cargo was said to be worth £1,500.
ABBOTSBURY.—George Critchell waSems-
moped before Captain Kindersley and M. Williams,
Esq.' on Saturday, for trespassing on the land of
Lord Ilchester, in search of game. Charles Bartlett,
a keeper, on seeing a wire set up in a hare rue, lay
by it, and saw the defendant come and Oka it up.
Oefendant received a mouth's hard labour last year
for poaching, and the magistrates therefore on this
occasion, fined him ft% and in default senteneed him
to three months' imprisonment with hard labour.
While the prisoner was being conveyed to gaol, be
tan away up street as fast as he could go, hotly
pursued by about • dozen policemen, and was
speedily caught and brought back. His reason, he
mid, for going off in this manner was, that his bees
had swarmed, and that the, was no one at home to
shake them into the hive.

CHA RMINSTER. —Eliza Biles was on Saturday
last charged before the county magistrates at Dor-
chester with stealing a faggot from the woodbouise
of Richard Greening. —Mr. Lock appeared for the
defence.—P.C. Bishop said that Mr. Greening com-
plained that he had had wood stolen on several
occasions, and be watched the woodhonse. On the
morning of the 7th inst. he heard the dtfendant go
there and take a faggot. He caught her taking it
away, and she said she did not call it stealing the
wood as Mr. Manfield allowed them fueL She said
nothing about Mrs. Greening taking fuel from her
woodhouse. He went and called Mr. Greening, and
when he returned, some one had taken the faggot
away. —Richard Greening said he was Mr. Man field's
bailiff. The agreement with her husband was for 9s. a
week, cottage, potato groend, and fueL There was
' no special agreement as to the amount of feel to be
allowed—that depended upon what there was on
hand. Mr. llantield left it to him what he should
give. Biles had • ton of coal on the 10th Decem-
ber. Six weeks ago she had 50 faggots. Could not
say what was • fair and reasonable quantity of fuel.
Besides the faggots defendant's son had been grubb-
ing roots an carried home a bundle every night.
He had lost • great deal of wood, but could not say
who stole it. His wife had gone to defendant's
woodhouse on one occasion by permiasion. The
wood in his woodhonse was his Own and was
allowed by Mr. Manfield. He had what he liked.
He did not recollect that he ewer heard that Biles
was going to leave till after this affair took place.
He had also lost potatoes from his woodlionse. —Mr.
Lock addreased the Bench for the defence, and said
that his client took the wood believing she had a
right to it, acaccording to the agreement, 400 faggots
was to be allowed, as diuing the first 9 months only
200 had been received. —The complainant denied
that 400 faggots were agreed to be given, and the
Clerk said that if such had been the case the defen-
dant had no right to go and take the wood belong.
Mg to another person.—The Bench said they
regretted to find that this was the second time
defendant had been before the magistrates, and
committed her for a fortnight, with hard labour.
FR AMPTON.—At the County Petty Sessions at
Dorchester on Saturday, Samuel Short* appeared in
answer to a summons for assaulting Samuel Salle
bury, It appeared that the complainant, in •
,i
' state of beer" at the Royal Oak, Grimatone, on
New Year's-eve, told defendant he would light him
or any rum in Frampton for £5, and that on Friday
last he sent a massage to him stating he would fight
him with one hand, that if Short* struck him Snit,
hi 1F9514 peasewbsr• Om. Delseidail

subsequently met complainant on the highway ma
gess him I good thraahing. —Mr. Weston appeared
fur the detendant, and said the complainant had
himself been there several times for drunkenness
and assault —The Bench said that whatever prove-.
cation he might previously had received, there was
no doubt but that he had committed the annultoom.
plained of, he would therefore be hied 15a. inelndint
costa. .

PIDDLBTOWN.—Ann Woodrow was on Sitar-
day summoned, on the information of PC: Rynisci
charged with pulling the hedges of Mr. ',unman.
Mr. Dunman said he had no desire to prosecute, hiw
only objeet being to teach her and others that they
must not commit them depredations, and that it.
warn his intention to bring all cares before the wage.
traces The defendant was kept by the pariah, and
she would sot be able to pay if she were fined.—
The Bench accordingly dismissed the case with
caution.
CHILFROME.—Twe indit, maned Mark Framp.
ton and Henry Dunford, were summoned before the
County Beach, at Dorchester on Saturday, foe being
on some land belonging to Mr. Pope, in search of
conies. They had twa nets and a ferret. The saes
was proved by George Dowell, who sew dam, and
gokyd wksg they were doing, and they said trying
to catch a rabbit they had driven out of the read
He took their nets and ferret away. Dunford had
been previously convicted for a similar offence at
, Cern, ; but Frampton, who came from Cattiatock.
, was not known to the police. Frampton waii fined
104. and costa, or fourteen days,' hard labour; and
Danford was Snail 40a. and costa, or one month's
, hard labour.—Both were committed.
WYNFORD EAGLE—Hobert Bishop, an old
saga, apparently 70 years of age, was summated
before Captain RindenJey, and M. Williams, Eq.
, on Saturday. charged with riesling a Sr tree this;
was blown down about two years since in • pinata-
Um, belonging to Lord Wynford. The awe was
proved by George Mayhew, a keeper, but defendant,
denied that be had removed the tree, and headed
in • note from Mr. Bridge. his master, for whom he
had worked 4* yeare—The magistr;tee idled lam
if h• would be tried at once or at the eseesen, bst be
did not understand the question, as he had borer
beak before themagietrates previously. At lengalidry'
the advice of some 000 in court, he elected to be
tried at onee, and the Bench, on account of the eg.'
cadent character sent in by his master, and his ad-
vanced age, committed him for 000 day only. He
would therefore be redeemed that day.
EVERSHOT.—WiIIiam Rolle was on Saturday
summoned before Captain Kindereley, and M.
Williams, Eq., charged by P.C. Florence, with
being found lying beside the road, asleep sod drunk.
The constable awoke him, but he was abusive and
nimble vralk.—Fined Se.

ILANDFORD.—On Friday out a concert inn
behalf of Mr. gyer's brass band will take place at
the Corn Encbange, the decorations of which remain
the sumo se when used for the county ball. The
lady seealiate engager' for the occasion are. Miss Pitt
and Min Walsh, and the musicians are Mr. Radcliffffe,.
florist, and Mr. 11. R. Byers, and Mr. Eyers' quad.
rills band. We treat Mr. Eyers will meet with the,
encouragement be so richly deserves, and have a fulL
Loose. _ _ _

—WiMBORNR—Perrir Siamirs, Friday, Jan. 9.
—Before Rev. C. Glyn, chairman, Rev. J. Austin,
J. T. Bashett, end W. L Adye, Efiqrs.—Ctiarien
Rockford, of Lytehett Minster, was summoned by
W. L Fryer, for cutting rushes and pram on • piece
of turbary ground, withost baring a right to dose.
It appeared that this was. piece of common land,
and that the right did not belong to the wholer
parish, but to 45 houses. —The defendant in answer
to She charge mid he did not know but all the parish;
bad right to cut litter there, or he would not have
done so.—The Bench considered that there was no
malicious intent end dismissed the ease. The bench.
likewise advised Mr. Fryer to have notices placed is,
different parts so that others might be ketafrz
m comitting similar offencee.—Frederick
Daniel Bennett, Samuel Bennett, Job Reek ell, Fanny
Cutler, Daniel Hiscock, and Mary Cutler, seven-
juveniles, whose heads could scarcely be seen above
the rail in front of the prisoner's dock, were sum-
moned by Simeon Huddle, of Woodlands, for matting.
and breaking unclerwced„ on land belonging to him.
It appeared that the seboolmistress being ill the
were at home, and amused themselves.
with committing the odium" with which they
were charged. —The Binh cautioaed the " hope-
i fob" and their parents, and diastrimed them..
—John Coward, Job Chapel, Hobert Shaming,,
George Pain, George Hera, Frederick Handl, and!
. George Fiampton, were charged by P.C. Webb with:
. being drunk and riotous at Hampreeton.—This was:
a party of Christmas mummers, and having indulged,
rather to freely in "John Barleyoorn," got quarrel.
ling among themselves. They all pleaded guilty,.
excepting Frederiek Huron. The polionnan maid
that he went on when requested, but the othero were
abusive. He was accordingly dismissed—Psjn,.
having received a good character was fined be., and.
the rest 10s. including oats. The Bench allowed.
them 14 days to pay.---Thomas Vine, of Long--
fleet, was charged with trespassing in search of gams
et Canford, on land belonging to Sir Ivor Guest, on.
he 4th January.—Fined 20s. including cos,—
Allowed a (week to pay.—Henry Mason, land-
lord of a public house in Polehill-lane, near Wim-
borne, was summoned by P.C. Powell for having.
his house open for the sole of beer daring the hours.
of divine service on Sunday afternoon, the 4th
iastant.—The charge being fully
_livered, and
this beisg the eecond offence, he was fined £2 lla.
including costs.—Charles Wolotead, and Ambrose
Welatead, were charged with 'respiring in search
of conies, at Lower Lytchett, OD the 17th December.,
—Charles was lined 20s. including mete, and.
Ambrose Oa. including costa, or two
mouths' imprisonment. ---George Dowding, of
Longhorn, was summoned for treopaesing in
search of rabbitts, on land belonging to flai-
l. B. Gni* on the 20th December. Mr. Hooper,.
head keeper to Sir Ivor imst, gave
an excellent character, and wished the Beach to deal.
as leniently as possible with }Ann.—Ordered to Ply
the costs, 6a —Charlotte Gallop, of Sturminsteer
Marshall, summoned William James, of Little
Canford, to show cause why he should not contribedei
towards the support of her illegitimate child,.
of which he was the putative father.
Ordered to pay 2s. a week.—John Wilson, and
Jolla Batiks, two tramps, oif Middlesex, were charged_
with stealing a Pilot-coat, value 300., the property
of Mr. Allen draper, of Wimborne.—Mr. Alps•
&
said : On Tuesday the 6th inst., between 5 and 6.
o'clock in the evening, I went to take in my coats.
from the shop door as usual, when I found there wee
One missing. I immediately gave informa-
tion to the police. The coat now produced is my
property. P.C. Hoar stated, that on Tuesday the:
6th, the two prisoner' came to the police-station for
relief. He gave them two tickets to go to the
Workhouse for a night's lodging, but on inquiry
being made, he found that they did not go there.—
Superintendent Underwood, of the Dorset Constabu-
lary said, he saw the two prisoners go into a clotbes.
shop at Dorchester on the 7th and ofter the coat he
now produced for isle. Me took them both into
custody, and charged them with stealing the cont..
The prisoners made no answer to the charge, and.
was oommitted for trial at the next Amine.