The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1878-01-08 00:00:00

MR. H. EDWARDS'S_ DINNER TO THE AGED

POOR.

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Seldom has this most interesting annual feast come off
wader more favourable circumstances as Is weather and
warmth. The temperature was mild and genial. almost
like May, and indeed warmer than we occasionally bad It
last Jun., while the entire abeam* of rain gave • capital
opportunity for all who could at all venture from their
house, to make the journey to the National Schoolroom,
and it was quite • joyful even • merry, procession that
passed up St. Thomas-street, in the bright rays of our
midwinter sun. Most marvellously has this Institution
sin it was started by the kindly forethoughtofPrr.rdff. since
. Page, who did a noble work when he wa•
thls
to gather together eighty poor old gouts in the shady room
on the other aide of the water. Shady as was tbe kindly
affair in those days, • =all matter compared
with what it now 14 it was but the germ of
the heat which has now so developed, sad
which, fostered by Kr. H. E lwarda, spore:
Water termed "The Father of w.y.c.t .
.-.verg
mrown up into the sweetness and light
appeared on Wednesday last About 130 tickets; were
issued, and, a• always, they were very eagerly sought;
and although so liberal was the supply still there were
some who, either from inattention or asblenem. had not
obtained the "open sesame but this was not fatal to
their chances of enjoyment: for as them few presented
themselves they were, it found worthy, sent on up to the
higher table, where they were received like the rest, until
about 450 were actual gathered ist the tables Mean-
time Mrs. INVe and her assistants had seen to the proper
roasting of 31 Joints of capital beef, in weighing in the
whole Mlle., and had also boiled 40(Ilb5 of first-rate
plum pudding of the real Christmas quality, while of the
et-cetera we note two each, of potatoes, • good supply
parsnips, 18 loaves of bread and 15 gallons of
brewed beer. Pleasure was also arranged for the eye. for
Mr. W. T. Pus, jun., had beautifully decorated the
National Schoolroom, evens. the end of the wing, which,
of course, it wee nammary to throw open, and which
was a• full as the main part. The banner "Edwards for
Ever," in blue and white, Mr. lideards's colours, hung
conspicuously over the " chair," and behind it was the
red ensign witlithe "bridge" arms of Weymouth, which
sometimes goats from the GuildhalL Such legends as
"Honour the Aged" appeared in silver and red, and on
the emit well were two fine &crone kindly sent her Mr.
Scott, of London "Edward. said Weymouth for liven"
and "May Weymouth nourish.' between the two being
"ELI " entwi oed and encircled with • wreath. "fl
and " J.L" (the Mayor's initials) in gold and blue shone
from soother well, and as you looked round there met
your eye " • Happy New Yost," "A friend in
need is a friend indeed, "Be marry sad wise,"
"He Booth long who booth well,' tc.„ while
abundance of flags, great and an, among which
the Turkish was frequent, made the piece y, and
festoons of evergreen wreaths added a seel,faapect
to the whom, Kr. W. Page tamedf wee continuing his
earnest labour% wet voting all who came, rich or , fore
very good sprinkling of our substantial peopse took a
pleasure in seeing and helping the guests enjoy them-
selves. Among those who were present, and most of the
gentlemen assisted In the carving (no light matter) were
—The Mayor (Mr. Lentils), the Meyerson( Kra leindie).
Mr G. X Eliot, Mrs Eliot. Kr R. Thomas, Mr J. Lund*
Inn, and Yrs Lundin Mr T. H. Williamar C. J. Free-
man, Mr T. S. Wallis, Mr W. T. Aylesbury, Mr X 0.
Hallett, Mr J. A. Marren, Rev J. Stephenson Bev H.
Bolton Rev W. H. Lewis. RevE. lar T. A.
Falknor, Bee W. Lewis, Mr J. 'Vi mmons
ncent. Mr W. Vincent.
Mr A. Bolt, Mr J. E. Robes; ifr J. G. Robson Mr J. G.
Rowe, Dr. Wtook Surgeon- or Striven Mr in!
Roberts, Mr J. egteen. Mrs filr Peter
Bart, Lady Pols, Le to the poor 'people them-
selves. their ages my be judged of by the fact that al
were Waved to be over 80, and in a seen* for the eldest,
we were costumed among • multiplicity of 77,79 S 9,
and after supposing we should have to &side the
of being the eldest between John Green and JllOllllll
each 84, at last we perceived Jahn Lava, 85,yearsel=
none older had we time to find.
The Rey. T. Frdagga asked a blaming befog* meat, sad
the old folka certainly seemed to enjoy their feast Mod thoroughly, and managed to make out about three
quarters of an hour with great satisfaction a good malty
tying up their two great platen one for the meet course
and the ofaer for the pudding, is if certain of that com-
mendation spoken of—" Men will praise them when thou
doss well to thYself." • WV Proportion were &WIN/
and all, no doubt, inwardly, thankt ul to the kind Doug
of the foist, who would have been delighted could he
have been pregent, unless the noise of the hearty cheers
had overpowered the worthy gentleman who en sym-
=tiewith the seniors, for does he not reoice in this
"The Senior Member r j
After the Rev. Jou Rizeuzesos had returned thanks,
Packets of tobacco were served out, and the room woo
soon dim with the fragrant cloud.
Mr. G. ELIOT maid be was glad to be aide to he konIS
41/, and to cal • great of those when as sew
_wound hint—" old Meads:
MRS 164 be had Mews ow boa

flirsiore °Paid truly call thew "old friendm" Ilia ant
duo wa, to read a letter from their friend, Kr ',wards.
"&L Berkeley-Htuare. 31et Docember.
Thor Yr. Lowrie.- I hots/ my invitation to the poor old
_ok h.n b...g joyf-illy and cheerfully receirod and.
botigh I do not "'LW Minn shoutd WI any poor in Way.
mouth, unfortunately we know there nui.t be, and my
moire is to administer to their comfort. I hope
you will in my name give them • hearty welv.me. I
*nog you much for your kind cooperation, for I am tore
you wig have done much to tend to their comfort. I
War you will also Winder my thank• to tlo• committee.,
and hotting to he able to enliot your an I Oen' ,rn°4
service. for the future. %%Wog you al • Teri ..91'y
new Yew-4411111n we. TOWS sincerely,
HIXIIT ED WOODS.
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John Luedie, lee."
(APPlau-e.,)
Mr. Woe's next duty we. to offer an alvdogr or en-
planation why be should le occurcring the chair trusteed
of our worthy Mayor. Mr. ll.undie MN only allowed by
his medical men to be present among them no the con-
dition that he should not open his on tuth in Public- and
whoever the medical man was, he bad a most obedient
Tvtivet, for Mr. Lundie had motet religiously refused to
open him mouth, even to acmpt the temptation of some of
that excellent pudding whilt had bven before them—
(laiurhter)—and bad asked him (Mr. Kit) to say a few
thingn to them. It was some years since this annual
dinner was originated. and it hal now become one of the
old institutions in Weymouth. and if it were to he dropped
a good number of old Weymouth would miss it grievously.
When it began, they would rememher, it was by their
good friend Mr. Page, and a very touch smaller affair
It was than Illy. Mil inn very mock onslier room. and
darker room than this bright one, into which the sun is
now shining no brightly, and making everything look m
Although it was so small then, It brought them
closely tog,: her —Omar. heart—and he c told rem-sober
some very hot hours at the Christmas dinner ; hot now
it had gone on expanding. keeping pace with the generosity
of our kind friend, Mr. Edwards, and where it was to
stop he ad SOL know; hot be hoped it would continue
mane teem longer. (Applause.) A duty it was to
remember with gratitude and thankfulness the very kind
and sincere friend of us all, whom name was so moon-
inentle hef .re on here, anti his initials at the other end—
Mr Edward., the member for this Men. (Great ap-
pleura) Nobody ran he here without having their imsrta
cheered by the sight presented, that of 450 people, and
especially remembering the remote why they are here is
because they are old. It would do anyone • heart goed
to MN them enjoying this eery excelleat hospitality—it
had given them pleaeure ii he there, and he we. sure,
knowing the character of the roan, th it it had given
him tan times an much pleasure to provide the dinner for
them. :Applause.) Ile had a message to give them—
that his kindness and generosity would not stop there—
he Ind directed the klayor to tell them he wished to gee
awvy rime itiank-ta. Any person eh, bail received a
blanket would bs able to receive another, and any ;tenon
who had not received one would he entitled to do an : het
U anv pern nt had received two, they most he content.
lir. Kiwanis hoped that nobsly aho hal nrolved two
blank Os would make an application main this winter,
for he only wished to give two each, so that no person
who hail received two should make application for any
further supply. If any person should unfortunately
apply who we not entitled. Mr. Elwardv wellss it to i.e
understood that he will cause a black mark to he put
again 4 that person's name, and he will not enjoy this
hospitality again. (liese beer) They wished the gouda
to he thoroughly at their ease; hut one remark he
wished to niske—While they were receiving this hospi-
tality, and enjoying all the pleasures sad bounty of this
good season, do not let us forget why this season Is so
cheery, why all those who bestow bounty are ai eilling
to timilemee howitality and bounty. It was in eon:opera-
Lion of Ove who bas done far more for on than we can
do for Him—of that Christ who came down to do good,
to speed Its life for or: do not let us forget that at this
Christmea ...Tn._ (Applause.)

-71it;ii,;;.--ETRUteitt;.-suppostall the main thing they were
expected to say to-day was that we are all very happy to
be bore—that we greet each other in the name of our
common Lord and Master, and wish each other a common
blessing on this very happy new year. Reference bad
been made to the Wines,ly generosity of Mr. El wards,, awl
be could understand that If Mr. E I wards were with in.
Ins woothl he the happiest man in the pla e. He read in
Mr. &tweeds'. actions toward. Weymouth people that
he bad learnt the lateen 01 the old 4.314 and the Meter's
life--" It is more loleiwed to give than to receive." (Hear.
and applause.) Therefore be would be more happy here
than any of the reeotivirrs .4 his gift. They bed hal a
good dinner, and he (Mr. Bolton) had enjored it.. muck
In carving for others as if he had partaken, for it is •
pleasure to minister, he was proud to be • minister. and
it is one form of ministry cutting up food anti giving It
out to others. That was hut one of the many thousand
forms in whkh we may he belpere of each other ..nd atek
li, wake the world fetter by our life. (toplause.) The
fact that we are gathered here together at the great
Weymouth Christmas, party reminded him of an eminent
man, who had been dining with some friends after
excitint business. A friend patted him on the hark after
dinner. and eked "How do you feel now r "Why sir,"
the other answered—" I feel happy with all the world."
Nothing brings out good temper in a man like a gool
dinner, and if they were not good-tempered to-day, thy
never would le. This reminded him that many in the
world. sad to say, are at venance are engaged in conflict
eel le dons'', and strife, and it is well in our time of
festivit-es to remetuher those who are not biassed with
peer. (Hear.) He widial we could get our friends the
.. si .as eel our friend. the Turks, altogether, and
give them a goal feed of roast beef an-I plum-pudding
(laughter end applause), an-I he believed that if we
could ‘inly get the prime ministers and members
of tie, li:trio. European governmente together,
and gl%, them • go- sl dinner, then—with • long clay to
calm their sprits--(lauebter)—end a little snug to clear
the brain, they would *eau settle the affair. (Laughter.)
We should then speedily have this (11111,u1ty arranged,
and the earth .ince again would rejoice it. the tAtitam that
there we pee, and g mdciii amongst tip". (lieer.)
,leev..r that might he, he believed there is on Power that
will day and rebuke this war spirit abroad on the earth,
11 are cannot use means to bring tuan to leen, end
pation to naton and compel them to live in brotherhood,
be holed in II in that Ile will on work se to bring the
earth to peace atel pr.riperitr. May God he, pus in peace
and give ots all wee Var Your; may Ile grant to father,
mother, brother. awl ',tatee. among throe bore, that if tit/
are not with us n•-itt year, they may be better on.
(Applause)
Mr. RUDY, remarking that they mimed one old familiar
face—that of Mr. !lowed, who was obliged to be away on
bteeineonea'.leil on . .

Mr. 3 Kosgcc, who said that 450 people over the Age
of OD being gathered inn town of such a pipulation, must
be no inconclusive proof of the place being very healthy,
and quite enough to justify us in saying that It is in an
excellent military state. (Hear, hear.) While he Warn
away last summer • lady asked bun if Weymouth had not
• very relagin4 climate : but those who partook could
prove that no t inics were required on sitting down to •
good dinner, and if the Lady wants anything to confirm
the statement that Weymouth is certainly not relaxing,
the liest thing would be for her to conse to this ricou at the
dinner next year. He Joined in the regret that Mr.
Edwards was not present today : it would have been the
crown of their happiness if he had been, for those who
could look into hi. happy taco without having their
own heart +carioca by it must be pitied. Hr. Robens
was exceedingly pleased to see so many merry faoes of
people between 70 and be, and, beyond that, in such an
excellent state of health, and trusted it might be con-
tinued. . .

Mr. Eliot then called on an old friend who had
preached his first sermon in Weymouth, and who had
seen his own KOII perform serried in hie own church.
(Applamed
Rev. Join STlignltesoll claimed to be an old friend,
and said yesterday he WWI inn friend's house in his perish
awl saw the picture or • very duo young clergyman
sitting by a table eery soberly and properly. He looked
at it anil found it was the photograph of the vicar of
St. John's—(laughter)—but not at all like the present
vicar. There be was aa he came *monist them nearly
30 year. ago, and now he was the grey, baldheaded
old fellow they saw. (Laughter.) He was very happy
to meet here as old friends. After expresaing his
pleasure at resins the guest. enjoy themselves, thanks
to Mr. Edwards, Mr. Smpheusiin hoped to he spared
to meet again; and might the consists year be one of
the greatest happinesa ; and though sorrow must come,
there is One who has told—"Ctst thy burden on the
Lord, and He shall sustain thee. fAtiolamed
The Rev. V. F. Ragliollg did not know why he should
try their patience still further, for they might be tired of
listening to the speakers: hut as two-thirds of Mr.
Edward's guests caine from the other side of the wetter,
he might say a word or two. One ekonent of Mr.
Elwerds's generosity and kindness—(for he I. a father
to Weymorth)—was that, healthy se Weymouth is, there
are always a certain number of persons bedridden, who
are unable to join in the feast and Mr. Edwards
has not forgotten them. Those who are confined to their
rooms, and have not had two blankets already, Mr.
Elwarld intends seen here another to make up two.
(Applause.)
The Hee. E. BOLTON proposed "three cheers for Mr.
Edwards," which were very heartily given Cheers were
also given for the Mayor, for Mr. and Mrs. Page, OA. land
Mr. Puns spoke a few kind word. to the semi&
By this time there was a movement amens those at
the bead tehle, and the assembly broke up after a
pleasant gathering of somewhat lam than two bows,
and, the weather continuing fine, the old fo/ka had an
enjoyable walk haus.
Portions we reserved for the sick who were unable
to attend the Mast, and these were supplied next day.