The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1869-07-24 00:00:00

[tit citoviltibqt 045tviar.

SATURIMY, JULY 114, 105.

EMI WIMBLEDON REV/EW.
We all C0L116146.11y not CCP itPtt ity
the French or the Pees)Lois ; We tire not Indeed
Bo lend of military displays as either ; and we
fear thst our military and tolunteer reviews, as
a re le, have been marred by a good many lilnri-
ders. But the fortniglit':, encampment at Wim-
bledon and the re‘iew that worthily brought that
fortnight's work and holiday combined to a ter-
mination, have indubitably raised our reputir•
Ron, and have conferred new honour on our citi-
zen soldiers. Whether we look at this review
as a holiday spectacle or as a volunteer review in
the strict sense, we have reason to congratulate
the volueteert on their bearing, and to be proud
af a volueteer army of which they formed but
a small OA.
It is generally agreed that the Wimbledon re-
view was is great success. We have had larger !
volunteer reviews ; but, on the whole, we have I
never hod any more compactly, More firmly
managed, and certainly none that has given
more pleasure to the spectators. Military, vo-
lunteer, or naval reviews are affairs that are
usually very little understood by the spectators,
but this review was an exception. •• 'roe veriest
tyro could comprehend," says a correspondent,
" that one horde of armed men wished to force
their way where a accond horde were de;erinitied
to prevent thein ; and the galloping of horses,
the cracking of musketry, the lond thunder of
the field-pieces, the WitVitl,l of banners, the
shouts, the cries, the trumpet blasts, the dust,
the fuss, the s inares receiving cavalry, the
charging and connter-chargims, the advances
and the retreats, all fused themselves into u
comprehensive and sufficiently intelligible
whole." This must have added great chturn to
the scene, looked at as a mere holiday spectacle.
And the volunteers who played so prominent a
rt in the alay'a proceedings played that part
before an iminenee body of spectators. We are The third annual exhibition of this associa-
told that it seemed as if everybody who had read tion took place on Tuesday in the groitieLs of
of the doings of the last fortnight at Winible- C thinel W. Keight, M.P., Wolverley House.
don had been determined to be present at their The two previous meetings were held at Lea
triumphant close. There were nearly two miles Cestle, the seat of Mr. .J. P. Brown Westheud,
of carriages round the ground, and all the well M.P., but a change of scene being thought des-
knowu characteristics of a large holiday open- irablc. the above grounds were kindly placed at
air crowd in tine weather contributed to the site. the disposal of the association by Mr. Knight.
COSI RBA the brilliancy of the spectacle. And The horticultural display was not equal to any
the working classes, as well as the classes poorer of its predecssors, but the display ot fruits was
than they, took evident interest in the scene, certainly superior. In looking round the exiii-
and all niust have been delighted that the re- bition of plants, the first thing noticeable was a
view went off so well. very nice miscellaneous collection, composed of
The presentation of prizes was in itself rather geraniums, etc., The nit that struck our at-
• tame affair, as such all sirs always are, except tentiou were some Ci oi e begonias, balsams,
to the persona more immediately interested ; archimenes, coxcomba, pelargoniums, adrian-
we must just note in passing a few memorable tun] cuneattun, fuchsh a Marginata, Shiller,
items in this distribution. Private Ingram, of Wiltshire Lass, Hugh Mollin, Killiecrankie, and
the Ist Lanark, who takes a silver claret jug, Roderick Dhui ; collecti me of ferns, carnations,
made seven bull's eyes successively. Captain pansies, and a fine colle, tou of cut flowers; the
Fenton 's I24th Lancashire) shooting was so cut geraniums were very fair, the roses good,
good that Lord Echo could not refrain from and a small but excellent collection of vegeta-
praising hiin as the prize was handed to him. Ides concluded the exhibition in Class A. The
Qaartenuester Sergeant Niebos of the loth judges were Mr. Falconer, of Spring Grove, Kid-
Stafford, took two prises. The Wimbledon cup, derminster ; Mr. Roberts, Aily Castle ; and Mr.
value £lOO, fell is Sergeant Fergusson, of the Gould, of Wollescote House, near Stourbridge.
let Inverness. The renowned Captain Ross, Class B, for amateurs, brought but a scanty
now an old man, but whose eye is still trne and show, as also did Class C, for cottagers. In
whose hand has not forgotten its cunning. Class B. the geraniums exhibited by Mr. Bald•
claimed the Flelin elilllenve shield for " self and win, id 111,1441saters, and the fruits by 'Mr. S.
partners," 1,;nall, Corporal A.,.gos Caine rot', B. Palmer, were very tine. Mr. Ilsldwin's prin.
of the tith ft venoms, t .kes the Q teen'slWi f cipal phi! ts met still, ax accident on their way
rstrios who it tlo- gold mad ci of to ti, , vx!tilation, whieti iourrrd his cnatice of
the lotorestin t Lice 'as. The lir:llCipal priZetat rs in Clues A
facie are related in connection iv.th the crack werd Mr. Le., 11. e., Alr. brown, Me. Rousem,