The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1860-02-07 00:00:00

BLANDFORD.

Team Socirry.—The operations of this society,
and many correlative facts, were detailed by Mr.
Saffrey to a larger audience on Tuesday last than had
ever met him before in the Townhall of this place.
Public interest was, no doubt, more than ordinarily
excited on account of the unenviable notoriety given
by S. G. 0., in his letters in the Times to the finan-
cial showings of many of our large religious societies.
Mr. Saffrey stated, in reference to the subject, that,
long before public attention bad been celled to it,
the account books of the Tract Society had been
left with a professional accountant for investigation,
and that the result had proved highly satisfactory.
His statement' as to the extent and usefulness of the
society's operations in relation to other countries
were of the most encouraging character; and it ar
paired, large as the fund now is at the society's dis-
posal, exhaustion characterises it, and the largest '
increase of public liberality can be satisfactorily
disposed of. This appeal for additional aid is al-
ways an essential part of the proceedings, and there.
fore was looked upon by ourselves, and no doubt the
audience, as a formal notice to give. Still, on reflec-
tion, we could not satisfactorily explain to ourselves
why such a society should be in such needy circum-
stances. The ready and extensive sale of its publi-
cations, the manner in which its funds have ever
been fed by bequests, donations, and subscriptions,
would be reasonably supposed to have caused it.
financial prospects to have become bripter and
brighter as year succeeded year. But this does not
appear to be the case—the more money supplied, and
the more business done by this popular bookselling
firm, the further it seems from being safely landed as
to its financial affairs. Extension of business would
appear, at first sight, to solve the riddle, but if the
past is to be taken am a criterion of the future, a
more prosperous business will only bring about
greater financial difficulty. If a society, with the
means of buying in the cheapest market, having an
all but absolute monopoly in the sale of its produc-
tions, and enabled by voluntary pecuniary aid to be
indifferent to the commercial code of profit and loss,
can scarcely make both ends meet, how must the
private publisher fare, who is more or lea brought
into competition with the thus cheapened publica-
tions of the society, but who has to contend with his
giant rival, minus his rival's advantages, and who
soon finds his way into the Gazette if he is indif-
ferent to the credit and debit sides of his ledger.
Mr. Saffrey's observations on revivals, especially in
London, were singularly opportune. They were
certainly not of a character likely to tall up, in the
minds of many present, pleasing reflections, rather
the opposite—to remind good men of duty neglected
and opportunity lost. —A Correspondent.
Bin.' Co RIPS. —The funds are rapidly augmenting,
Baron Hambro, of Milton Abbey, has sent the
munificent donation of £5O, and we believe the total
of annual subscriptions and donations now exceeds
the large sum of £6OO. The acceptance by Govern-
ment of the volunteered services of this corps has
not yet been received, but, as the official intimation
is daily expected, the enrolment of the members
cannot be much longer delayed. The drilling is
making favourable progress. The effectives from age
and physical adaptation, evidently taking greater
interest and delight in the exercise as discipline
developes greater precision and Tacit ty of movement.
We trust that, when enrolled, this fine body of men
now numbering more than 80, with the certain pros.
peat of reaching 100, will be efficiently officered,
and that the influence of social status and social
emaciation& will not be allowed to over-ride real fit-
ness. G. Mensal, Esq., captain, pro tent, is no doubt
the right man for his place, but who will be his
subordinates in command ?
BURIAL BOR.-1t appears that all certificates
of burials taking place under the New Cemeteries
Acts must be certified by the registrars appointed by
Burial Boards, otherwise they will not be admitted
as evidence in the courts of law. Interments taking
plice in old burial grounds can be certified by
ministers as heretofore, but the law renders them
liable to • severe penalty should they grant certifi-
cates of burials taking place in our new cemeteries.

THE BLANDFORD wFARMKILS. Cm:B.—The follow-
ing is the programme of subjects for discussion by
this club during the year Ib6o:—
March 3rd, "On the Preparation for, and General
Management of, the Mangold Wurtzel Crop," Mr.
George Keynes.
March 31st, "(hi the Management of Young

Stock, Mr. J. Forrester.
May 6th, "On the Diseases affecting Root Crops,"
Mr. T. Fry.
September 29th, "on Agricultural Labourer,:
their Wages, Cottages, Advantages, and Position,"
Mr. R. Fowler.
October 27th, "On Botany," Mr. Wellington
Groves.