The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1870-11-29 00:00:00

MELCORIIE REGIS WORKING KEN'S
SUPPER.

The members of the Ilebombe Regis Working Men's
Reading Room and Library were entertained at sapper
on Friday evening last, by their excellent hon. secretary,
Mr. Siday MiHedge. A substantial repast was spread
in the workshop of Mr. Inn's nett George-street, wbiob
bad been cleared and decorated for the occasion. About
GO of the members sat down, the chair being taken by
the Worshipful the Mayor (James Millodp, Esq.), sup-
ported by Mr. James Robertson. Mr. S. Mlhedge, Capt.
Montgomery, Dr. Lush, Mr. Z. Hedge, Mr. W. S.
Mallet, Mr. John Miller, (Middle School) and Mr.
Andrew, (H.M.S. AchiMei), Mr. lanes presided at the
end of one of the tables, and Mr. England at the other.
The supper gave the greatest satidaction.
After the removal of the cloth,
The Hon. Secretary Mr. SIDSIY MILLKDOZ, mid
there was an old saying whieh his father made use of
frequently "Never begin • thing of which you have not
well considered the end "—(bear hear.) If he had
thought of that saying perhaps he should not have been
there this evening, for speech-making wan not his
fork, lie held in his hand letters from the Rector
and Rev. Mr. Cliasold, also the Ex• Mayor Mr. Howard,
regretting that they were unable to be present this
evening. He then gave the Queen, which was loyally
received.

The HON. HNC. nest pve the Prince and Princ.aa of
Wales and the rest of tbe Royal Family. He meutioord
the Princess Louise, whose union with the Marquis G I
Lorne they hoped would lead to every happluee, (A
loyal guest hors gave "God Mesa the Prince of Wales"
to a novel tune.) . . .

The tiON• SIC followed with the "Army, Navy. and
Reserve forces." representatives from each of which
force he was happy to see present. lie had no doubt
that if called upon they would go forth by God's bles-
sing conquering and to conquer. With the tovt he
coupled the names of Captain Montgomery for the army,
Mr. Penny for the navy, and Mr. Crabb for the gallant
sth Derset—(applause).
Mr. PENNY responded, saying that the navy would
be in a better position to defend the country than the
army, for they could man more ships than send soldiers
into the field—(applause).
Captain Mcisvuouggv returned thanks and remarked
it was arid that

When wan arti on, and danger. nigh,
'God end the soldier" In the cry,
When vier if over end thing. ere righted,
God is forgotten, end tho soldier slighted.

Ho did not think that danger was so nigh that he oould
attribute the warmth with which they had received the
toast to that cause. The hest way to keep peace was
to have a strong body of men ready to coneentrate on
any part, and yet they ought not to keep a number of
men unemployed, for when a man was out of solely, he
was thrown on his own relearn's, and only found bad
people to take him by the band. He hoped they
would restive • soldier as one of themselves, not think
that he was • worthies' fellow because he wore • red
coat. At Aldenbot a lady bad • large mission hall,
whore many both of red and blue ooats were learning to
be soldiers., not only of the country, bat of our Lord
and Saviour Jesus Christ. A man fights better becalm
ha has the fear of God before his eyes. Lord Gough
would say " Turn out Havelock and his mem, his men
are never drunk.land his officers are always ready"—
(applause).
Mr. CR•1113 responded for the volunteers.
The How. Elmmane then gave "The Bishop and
Clergy of the Dioesee end Ministers of all Denomina-
tions." Ile was sorry the dery were not present and
were gene/111y oommieumn by their absence. Those
whom he had invited ova him good and euillaient
reason, end their absence would not deter the oompany
from doing justice to the toast--(Heartily drunk.)
Captain MONTOOKRIT felt highly honoured by being
asked to propose this lomat of the evening, "Success to
the Institute"—(Laimease applause.) His experience
had been pertly sweet and pertly bitter. He felt It
was sweet to be asked to Wenn ; but it was rather
bitter to find he had not the gift of the gab, but it was
main sweet to find many present, end that people said
they were seliefied. It was sweet to be at this nipper
this evening, but rather bitter to be called on his legs
again. He was pleased to find that the Institute ae-
knowledged God, and that His book was found in the
reeding-room. Without taking sides in the war, be
noticed that the King of Prussia always acknowledged
God and thanked him for the victor!.,; but the French
do not. He thought if the French, now they were so
tremendously linked, would bumble themselves. God
would give them more prosperity. He coupled with
the toast the name of the hon. secretary, Mr. B.
Milledge of whose tact and energy be could not speak
too highly, and they had an instance in the excellent
way in which he had got up this sapper—(ulu/iced
honours—two or throe times repeated.)
Mr. 8. Mil.cenoe returned thanks. No one more
more than himself wished the instituteevery success. He
bad beea soaaected with it ever sines its fonnation. They
started it in connection with the Temperance Society,
but they bad now left the question open. They had
since that rolled almost from Dan to Beersheba, but
it was not true that • "rolling stone gathers no moss."
The committee kindly gave way to his (Mr. Itilledge's)
and he was sorry for It. The membeis were admitted
free, and thougn last year they had large numbers, yet
they were not the class of fellows who earns to improve
themselves. They had about 145 members, and of late
ineressed about two of a night, and he was pleased to
find that the tradesmen encouraged the institute, some
of them by paying for their nice. He hoped tho,
would go on prospering and to prosper—(epplause.)
Mr. ENGLAND proposed the health of tlic hon.
members. The institution was not self-supportiag at
14. per week, and was to some extent dependent on eh.,
hon. members, coupled with the health of Dr. Lush—
(alSolonve).
Dr. Loin responded. The hon. members were pleased
to have the power. moans, and opportunity of doing
something for the members' good. i'hey were pleas.xl
, to see the way in which their efforts were met, and
were thankful for the way in which they had recnived
the toest—(applattes). Dr. Lush then gave what he
considered the most important toast, the working
members without whom they would have had no
institution and no supper. The toast wts coupled with
the name of Mr. Herder —(applause).
Mr. HORNER responded, and said his name was first
on the list of members, he had derived great benefit
from the institute, and should recommenl every
working man to join—(applatue).
song, Mr. CRABB "The modern thorough-bred."
Mr. James ROIRRISON was about to propost a health
they could receive with very great enthusiasm. They
had the presume of the chief magistrate of the borough,
a gentleman born in the town and raised to the past
of chief magistrate. The oboiee of the Council would
be onifirmed by them to-night Mr. Milledge had been
mixed with the principal events of the town, and would
well fill the principal poet in the boroagh—(nusical
honours).
The CHAIRMAN returned thank,. He felt great
In associating with his brother townsmen, and
kam
holding out the right hand of fellowship to those who
perhaps were in eiretimstasose below him, but whom
be treated with the respect he felt. Being an aged man
be took the poet of Chief Magistrate with fear acid
trembling, but he hoped they would never have cause
to regret the eleatioa of 1870. Ile should endeavour to
walk in the straight path of integrity which was the
tbe only way for a man to succeed in the world. On
the magisterial benah he would do justice, but tempered
with mercy. This institute originated with Ma son and
partner, and he was pleased to find so many young men
meeting toned the periodicals in • quiet room, and im-
proving their mind; and 'etas( aequainted with the
again d their country laded of 'Mk lab Looms