The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1870-08-02 00:00:00

FORESTERS' FETE AT CERNE ABBAS.

On Thursday the members of Court St. Austin, in
combination with brethren from other courts, carried
into effect the grand demonstration for which arrange-
ments had been mode fog some little time, under the
able superintendence of Mr. John Marley, the secre-
tary. All in the ancient town of Cerne had evidently
made up their minds that the day was one wherein to
rejoice and be glad, and on all sides aligns of holiday
and recreation fret the eye. Pasting into the atreet
from the Dorchester•road, the nicelyierected arch span•
niag the .aaA.ay horn tha litaphant aod to
the oppooite side, wee very sonopirnous. Bearing the
cheering word., " Welcome, sons of the green woods,'
was • motto suspended from the arch. The whole of
the streets were planted with shrubs, ke., giving quite
• sylvan appearance to the soene, whilst the display of
bunting wee prolate. Just before the Red Lion hotel
was an arch composed of evergreens bearing the motto
"Good will to all" on the one side, and on the racer.e,
" Be ear-eat," At the entrance to Abbey-street, Mr.
Clatk bad enlivened the aspect of affairs by • neatly.
esecuted arch, with • banneret inscribed " Welcome."
A stung of flags of brilliant hues and various d. vices
a•ratelied across the roadway ; and Mr. Barnwell, at
the Nag's Head, di.played some fine colour., and at
this point another arch mu ereeted. Facing the Abbey
was hoisted a flag with the motto " Foresters for ever,"
end "Perseverance," whilst the Donisb ensign was
con.picuons; with its cross-pieces of white on a crimson
surface.

Quite early the visitors began to assemble rapidly,
and evinced much interest in the objecta of attraction
in and around the town. The churvhyari and church
of St. Mary's afforded an hour's pleasant employment
in inspecting its antiquated relics and the general
objects of the structure. The " Druid's Pillar, in the
charchyard, was a point of speculation with many. In
the gamed building the improvements recently made
were conspicuous in contraat with the few remaining
parts of the church of former days. The stained win•
down on the Past and south sides were much admired,
and tie many tablets upon the walls attracted much
attention, e.pecially that of Major Thomas Davis, who
formerly belonged to the 95th Regiment, and died
before Sebaatopol, of fever. Another memorial to the
Hen. John Davis, for 30 years incumbent of the parish,
and his wife and family, wu mush admired.
_

Shortly after nine ;he-band ol the 3rd D.H.V.,
under Mr. H. Wellspring, arrived at Cern., and
immediately commeneed playing • °bolos selection of
lively airs. The brethren from "Court Progreea,"
Dorchester, Genie in soon after, and prooeed.d to the
fill just outside the town. This piece of ground,
called "Locks Close," was kindly lent by Mr. E.
Norman, and was admirably adapted to the require-
ments of the Order. At twelve o'clock the brethren
formed in procession, and, headed by the band. Paraded
the streets to St. Mary's Church, in the following
order :

in-e-Trusteer,. District Treasurer, Chief Ranger. Court Treanirer,
and Secretary, In open carriage.
Mounted Foresters —(lour).
Ban, of 3rd D. V K.
Benner of Court Pr-grew (Dorchester).
Vldting linthern.
Flag.
durt Diapensation, carried by two members.
Flag.
Members of Court St. Austin.
Visiting members of other Courts.
natico Juvenile Foreetere in ratcd Waggon.

The service was conducted by the it.,. F. J. Brown, of
; Sydling, in the absence of Mr. Bull, the rector. Mr.
;Serwill presided at the organ, and the choir performed
very creditably Jackson's Cantate, Jackson's Misereatur,
acid an anthem from the 133rd I'.alm" Behold, how
good and joyful • thing it is, brethren, to dwell to-
gether in unity." The text was selected Dom John ii,
1 and 2, description of Christ's miracle at the marriage
, feast at Cana of Galilee. The preacher dwelt very
seriously upon the discriminatory prescience displayed
by our Lord in the working of his reireelee. the great
went of gool wine just at that place at that precise
moment, arid the prompt action of Christ in 000ttnand-
ing the servants to fiil the water-pots with water, which
He immediately transformed into wine. The lesson he
, wished to impress upon them was that every blueing
bestowed upon them by God wu given in • miraculous
manner, and it behoved them to make a good and
moderste use of them, in order that it inialit not prove
to their dieadvantsge.
From the @hutch they reformed in processional order,
and walked through the streets, to the field. Here •
tlutMUal lous awning had been erected by Host Elswortb,
of the Court-house, under which the tables were spread.
About 9) eat down to dinner; the chair being taken by
J. Holiest, Fag., supported on the right by the Rev.
J. Brown. and on the left by Mr. Clerk. The dinner
was all that could be desired.
On the cloth being removed, the CHAIRMAN said the
first toast was one which ought to find a hearty response
from evety Hoglishman. They had now most reason
to be loyal, when, on amount of the state of affair, on
the Continent, the aspect of politiael matters looked
dark. He propued "The gasen"—(loud cheers).
Band: National Anthem.
The next toast, said the CH AIRMAN, was nearly allied
to the first, "The health of the Prince and Princes/ of
Wales, and the rest of the Royal Family."— (cheers),
Band: "God bless the Prince of W•les."
The CHAIRMAN next gave "The Bishop and Clergy
of the Diocese," coupled with the name of the Rev. F.
J. Brows, of Hydling—(applause).
Tha Rev. F. J. Baows rom amid a hearty round of
applause, and said in responding he could not but re &lit
upon the time when he was a little boy and Dr.
Moberley was a little boy too at Winchester, and he
never oreemed that he should ever have the honour of
replyin.; on his behalf, as Bishop of the Diocese. Ho
(Mr. Brown) trusted, however, that his Lee Istpip would
be more gentle in the mint ttttt i•do of his Olio and the
exercise of his judgments that he used to be in years
gone by with his hands—(laughter). The Bishop in
his younger days, he could recollect, had • particularly
hard argumentative which he frequently brought into
play ; but, doubtless in biz present exalted Position
they would feel the beneficiel influrneskof Dr. llobetley
as Lord Bishop of the diocese. Ile was afraid Mr.
Bull had but a poor substitute in himself to.day—(no,
no)—but he had done his best,and only hoped satisfaction
would be the result—(spplause).
The CHAIRMAN next proposed the "Army, Navy,
and Volunte.mo combined with which he would mention
the names of Mr. Boatswain and Bro. Northover as
volunteers, and Bergeent Dominy, as • member of the
Q. a R.Y.C.--(sheers).
Band; Hunk hunk tor England