The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1883-12-25 00:00:00

WIMBORNI.

1.0.G.T.-0a Monday evening lest a fraternei
visit WM paid the members of the " Star of Win:a-
bove*" Lodge, No. 1,511, by sever 41 members of the
" Lighthouse " Lodge, No. 377, from Poole. A very
pleoing end profitable hour was spent, the visiting
members contributing several interesting readings,
addressee, and soege—a paper by Sis. E. J. Spriggs.
an address by Bro. P. Norman. W.D.T. ; a
reading by Si.. C. Norman; song by Bro. W Hats-
good, reading
; a paper by Bro Spriggs ; also a
reading by Bro. Sullivan. Bro. W. J. Randall, L.D.,
most efficiently presided over the saseeion.
CHRISTMAS CHIMR.—At the present time many are
very apt to let loose and get into • grumbling mood
about the variety of extravagances and foolkh matt-
mentalism that oPen run riot during the Christmas.
tide. The hold which Yuletide has lly on
English heeds, whether the sentiment be false or
otherwise, is much too firm to be materially affected
by any ridicule, and in the happiness which prevails
In the greater portion of our Earallsa homes aft the

joyous time, they cut well afford to be made the butt
of • few s or old maids and bachelors, who might
well be designatel" Ceroing pliiimorlo. urniodgeons,"
who scarm ever me but very little pleasure in any.
thisg this this if the grave. Bit let oar Minster
bells pool forth from our grand Id tower; let our
band• lay;i let carol, by eon,; let us keep high bob
day; let us freely hide's* i a wh i.tev ir softness there
may be in our composition once a yes; let charity
open her hsnli awl freely disp.inse her benefits ti those
who are sick, needy and heluless, ; let all or
phila•Ahropic baneractoni willin.ly loosen their purse
strings a little more, and if Old Father Christmas
doer no other go it, at the very least we may be able
to say that daring his happy reign limey a home sad
I heart In outland bris bees made • t•ifle brighter, and
in some came the burden al 'docking hunger, combined
with miserable poverty, very much ltened with
the masoetabie gilts whir& we know ere so freely
diaperunel by many warm hearts. Prompted by the
tre,y extraordin ,ry wan s of humanity in general,
which, on ju Age from the provision made. one woult
presume ware almost b iandleas, our local tradesmen
have been doing to their very utmost to meet the
rensirements of thb neighbourhood. The bu
IMP usual, hare an abundant and splendid disZerlA
meat. The pork end poultry establishments ar•
extremely well furnished with prorlaioas a. ovules
AL this season of the year. Our grooyrs are not • wit
behind, their displays being unmistakeably good sod
tempting with Christmas nicietie., those linked
11116•Ultillei, bon-lx.na, fancy biscuits, fancy baits,
muscatels, unseen', ka, being all arrayed in the most
fanciful manner. The fancy and toy bazaars have,
besiles, a bewildering display of Mitigates mil
New Year cards, albums of various descriptions
and all the novelties of the season, the supply
of which appears to be absolutely endless. In
the refreshment and confectionery line we find the
windows Sr. well laid oat with most inviting goods, acd
iusile the attractions are numbarleas, there being
quantities of niceties ii suit the most fastidious.
Even the hardware dealers acid ironmongers are doing
their beet to keep paos with the reason, and the
musical Instrument depot is showing • host of
Instruments to make merry with, from the humble fife
to the American organ and pianoforte. Our
tobacconists' eat thlishmeat is well stored with the
precious wood. We must not omit to notice the wetly
and brilliant display of workmanship exhibited by the
various watch, olook, and jewellery shops, which ore
of every conceivablr design and finish. The drapers
sal outfitter. are also well prepared t add to the corn.
turbot the occasion, and the boot depOte are septets
with every conceivable size, shape, and quality that
citutlolo/11 may require, from the light satin slipper for
the ballroom to the massive boot for the workman,