The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1862-05-06 00:00:00

EXHIBITION,

OPENING OF THE INTERNATIONAL

London, on Thursday last, put. on a fete-day
look. Flags were floating, bells were pealing,
and even out of Bight of the great centre of
attraction there was a manifest air of holiday.
The "Exhibition" was in every mouth ; the
"Exhibition" was on every cab and omnibus;
the " Exhibition" was forced upon every atten-
tion by placard and handbill. The "Exhibition"
was everything, everywhere, among everybody.
The morning broke somewhat inauspiciously for
a display, but by the time the business of the
openiir, commenced the weather was all that
could b desired. It was a beautiful May-day,
thermometer over 70, and bright as sunshine—
tempered only by the refreshing coolness of the
early gentle showers, which made the foliage
glisten so sweetly in the light, and laid the dust
upon the streets—could make it. The million-
peopled city seemed to pour its throng upon the
westward roads alone. The streets were the
visible highway of nations. The features and
costumes that belong to foreign lands mingled
in welcome plenitude with the sons and daughters
of all quarters of these isles. Westward all
made their way by road and pavement, in every
form of vehicle and locomotive art has yet de-
vised or tolerates, in groups of gay companion-
ship, in hurrying couples, or with the alacrity of
lonely independent eagerness. What a complex
multitude ! What varieties of class and con-
dition—yea, what sharp contrasts —collected
under some indefinable, yet common instinct,
round that centre of the whole world's interest !
Barefooted boys press penny programmes (a very
cheap pennyworth if it contained The Ode), or
sadly faded bouquets, upon the anxious occu-
pants of tardy cate—anxious but to arrive
within the appointed time and in unsoiled attire.
Here a tumbler earns a dinner by affording
entertainment to the maids of a house whose
rulers have gone to the grander show a little
farther west. Thither go the squadron of Horse
Guards destined to escort the representatives of
absent, Borrow-banished royalty; and there is
the gleam of bayonets, carried by the guard of
honour to our civic magnates. It is a motley
scene, worthy of a photographic pencil—food for
moralising not less dainty than will be found
within you Palace of the Industries and Arts.
By twelve o'clock everybody whose credentia's
of admission were sufficient was either within
the Exhibition or in a fair way of arriving
there. Those who were early at the building no
doubt reaped the advantage which is proverbi-
ally said to attend upon "early birds." They
caught their worms in the shape of good seats
along the line of the procession and round the

platform upon which stood the throne. Our
seat was in an excellent position, BO that no part
of the ceremony could possibly escape our notice.
So far as seeing the ceremeny was concerned
the arrangerneuts were probably as good as they
could be. That is to Bay, provision was made so
that everybody might be able at one place or
another to see something of the proceedings.
Under the western dome a platform, occupying
the entire area, was raised, and this was railed
off so as to afford space for those engaged in the
ceremonial. It was covered with crimson cloth,
hich also carpeted the steps of the throne and
up to the throne itself. Behind the throne was
a screen of scarlet velvet sprinkled with small
gold stars, and gold and velvet Maltese crosses.
Nine gilt and crimson chairs were ranged round
the dais on which the throne stood, to mark the
places that the Royal Commissioners would
occupy while the address was being presented.
On the other side of the platform opposite to the
throne a band composed of the various bands of
the Grenadier Guards' Coldstream, and Scots
Fusileers, NOS stationed, and performed several
pieces during the period of waiting prior to the
arrival of the Royal Commissioners. This was
the general arrangement, and by half-past eleven
o'clock every place which could command a view
of the presentation of the address was filled.
Those who secured these places had rather more
entertainment than the majority of them pro-
bably expected. The entrance for the diplo-
metic corps, the Lord Mayor and corporation,
and those who were to occupy reserved seats on
the platform in front of the orchestra was from
the Albert-road immediately behind the throne.
Watching these arrivals was no uninteresting
affair. The varied costunies of the d iplomatic corps,
the (plaint appa rel of some of the functionaries who
appeared in official costume, and the odd aspect
which court dress gave to some of those who
donned it, gave plenty of material for observa-
tion and comment, being vastly different from
anything we ever saw in Dorset. It would
probably be something approaching sacrilege to
say a disrespectful thing of the cap worn by the
sword-bearer who preceded the Lord Mayor ;
but it is to be feared that it was not spoken of
very reverently by the laughing ladies who sat
round the platferin. One of the earliest arrivals
in Court costume was the member for Brighton,
Mr. White, and he was speedily followed by a
heat of others. The American Minister was
closely followed by his secretary of legation and
two coloured gentlemen. Then came the
Japanese Ambassadors, their four attach6s, and
interpreter. It will scarcely be necessary to say
that they attracted a good deal of attention. We
ought perhaps to endeavour to describe their
costume ; but as it was of silk or some kindred
material, and they were closely scrutinised by
some ten thousand fair ladies, who no doubt
know even the number of buttons on their
soutane-like garments, we refrain. Only certain
people rush in where angels fear to tread, and,
mindful of the proverb, we decline any closer
description of that which it might puzzle the
editress of Le Fe Pet to explain. In the champion-
ahip of our fair countrywomen, however, we
venture to assert that they created as much
interest in the minds of the Japanese gentlemen
as did the Japanese gentlemen in theirs. It
was evident that the ambassadors were astonished
at what they saw. And no wonder; for they
saw some curious as well as beautiful things.
What did they think of that proviucial mayor
who wore a magnificent purple velvet cap, and
purple velvet robe, fringed broadly with purest
ermine? Very stately he looked as he walked
down the aisle to his appointed place. The
Mayor of Dorchester (being above the ordinary
height) could be seen in his robes of office above
the heads of the general body, and only wanted
Messrs. Pouncy and Curtis, with the maces, to
complete our Borough representation. The
Turkish Ambassador had his due share of atten-
tion; and so bad most of the other diplomatists.
One of tho arrivals must have caused
even more excitement among all on-lookers
than the Japanese Ambassador. It was a
Persian gentleman, leaning upon whose arm
was a fair girl clad in strange dress—that is,
strange to English eyes. The same reason which
prevented our describing the costume of the
Japanese Ministers operates here. We may only
say that the lady woie a scarlet jacket, over
which was thrown a white scarf-like garment,
which fulfilled the office of gown, and made
crinoline an impossible wear. It was not, how-
ever, strange sights of this kind which alone
repaid the spectators for their patient waiting
of be arrival of the Commissioners. Some of
the foremost men in the arts of war and peace
passed by to their places—Lord Gough, Sir
George Clark, Dr. Lyon Playfair, and a host
of others. Let us not forget Sir Thomas Trou-
bridge. Many of us recollect the interest lie
excited when, his feet having been shot off in
the Crimea, he was wheeled to the distribution
of Victoria medals to receive that which lie had
earned at Inkermann and elsewhere. Ou Thurs-
day he walked into the building with only the
support of a stick—a living evidence of the
triumphs of art. .

It was a few minutes past one when the Queen's
Commissioners arrived. Those who were to take
part in the procession and who had previously
entered the building had assembled in the South
Central Court, and with admirable promptitude
fell into their places. In a very few minutes the
procession was moving along the south aisle to
the western dome in the following order, the
pipers of the Scots Fusilier Guards, who
brought up the rear, blowing lustily on their
pipes :

-,Trumpeters of the Life Guards in State uniforms.
Contractors' Superintendents.
likperintendents of Exhibition ammgements.
Her Mii,sty'sCounnisioners' Superintendents of l'ula!ic
Works. -

Council of Horticultural Society and Secretary.
Council of the Society of Arts and Secretary.
. . _ .

-
Deputation of Ten Guarantera of the Exhibition.

Assistant Secretary to Her_Nfajeaty's Commissioners for

1862:
Secretary of Finance Committee.
Financial Officer.

Members of the Building Committee and Secretary.
Special Cominissioners for Colonies, Dependencies, lie.
Foreign Acting Commissioners.
Her Majesty's Commissioners for 1851, and Secretary.
Her Majesty's Commissioners for the Exhibition of
1862,
and Secretory.
her Majesty'. Ministers.
(Not being Commissioners or Special Commissioners).
Her Majesty's Special Commissioners for the opening.
Royal Personages attending the opening.
Gentlemen in attendance on Royal personages.
Pipers of tie Scots Fusilier Guards.

As the procession reached the platform, those
who composed it ranged themselves in a semi-
circle three or four deep before the dais on
which stood the vacant throne—the Commis-
sioners of the Exhibition, headed by Lord
Granville, being immediately in front. A
passage was left for the Queen's Commis-
sioners and the Royal personages who came last
in the procession, and these soon took their
places on the dais. In the centre stood, of
course, his Royal Highness the Duke of Cam-
bridge, on his right his Royal Highness the
Crown Prince of Prussia, and on his left his
Royal Highness Prince Oscar of Sweden. On
the extreme right of the dais was the Lord Cham-
berlain, next to whom stood Lord Derby and the
Lord Chancellor. The Speaker occupied the
place on the extreme left, having on his right
Lord Palmerston, next to whom stood the Arch
bishop of Canterbury. It had been arranged
that as soon as the Queen's Commissioners had
taken their places, one verse of the National
Anthem should be sung before Earl Granville
presented an address to his Royal Highness the
Duke of Cambridge. The noble earl, however,
either forgot this part of the arrangement, or was
intent on getting the ceremony over, for he
began at once the speech with which he pre-
sented the address. The distant pro-
foundly unconscious of this, started off
at the same moment with " God save
the Queen," and thus it happened that
Earl Granville spoke to a musical accompani-
ment which it had not been intended to give
him. His Lordship then presented an address to
the Duke of Cambridge, to which his Royal High-
ness, in reply, paid a well merited tribute to the
memory of the late Prince Consort, and
expressed the hope that the Exhibition would
prove worthy of him who designed it.
The procession then passed along the north
side of the nave to the eastern dome, and the
brilliant column, as it moved along with the sun-
light upon it, its gaudy lines tonsd down
and relieved by the cooler tints of the dresses of
the ladies who lined the passage on each side,
was a magnificent sight from the galleries, but
the vista, looking westward, down the nave from
the platform, and terminating in this gaily decked
parterre of the orchestra, was still finer. As the
procession moved off the bands of the Foot
Guards, stationed on the western platform,
played Handel's "March" in Scipio, but when it
had advanced well out of ear-shot the pipers of
the Fusileer Guards, who closed the rear, struck
up a pibroch which might have been very
appropriate, but scarcely seemed to be appre-
ciated by those near enough to suffer all its shrill-
ness. The eeremonial-reusie IYM a triumphant
success. In the verses of the National Anthem,
which Frecedocl the address delivered by Lord

G ran ville, during the procession up thenave to the
eastern dome, the female voices came upmi the
oar with a clear and silvery tone that was
eminently musical and delightful. But the real
test both of orchestra and music was to come in
the performances of the special music. The first
of these of course was Bleyerbeer's Grand
Overture, which was played by 400 instrumen-
talists. The first part of the overture is a sort
of triumphal march ; then follows it softer, or
sacred, movement, and finally the air of Rule
Britannia is intermingled with a quick march,
with a very pretty effect. The overture is
precisely what we might have expected from
Meyerbeer. It is a splendid composition, full
of delicate harmony, and it was listened to with
great interest. We do not think that the build-
ing is well adapted for the performance of such
music, there being a sort of metallic ring about
it, which pi obably arises from the glass and iron
used in its construction. This was followed by
Dr. Benuett's chorale to the words of the Poet
Laureate, which appeared in our columns last
week. The two thousand voices were sweet and
effective, and the execution all that could have
been wished. The admirable verses of Mr.
Tennyson could hardly have been wedded to
music of a more kindred spirit than the new
composition of Professor Sterndal Bennett. The
overture of M. Aubcr wound up the
" special music" with extraordinary spirit.
At the conclusion of which, special
prayer was offered up by the Bishop
of London, followed by the " Hallelujah
Chorus." The National Anthem was then
played, and the Duke of Cambridge declared
" the Exhibition opened !" This was announced
to the public by a flourish of trim' ets, and at
the same time a salute was fired on the site of
the Exhibition of 1851. The procession then
proceeded to the picture galleries, and, the
the barriers having been removed, a portion of
the company proceeded to inspect the various
trophies, pictures, dre., while others went direct
to the "Refreshment Buffett," where a very
large amount of business was done in a very
short time. The French purveyor had a splendid
display, and every other country had a separate
stand. The English side was equally well pro-
vided. The arrangements in this department
are excellent, and the public may depend upon
being well and cheaply supplied. here was a
bill of fare containing upwards of a dozen articles
for half a crown, mid if this reasonable figure
was too high, there were all sorts of little things
suitable for those who did not wish to be so
"extravagant." In fact, all that is wanted in
the refreshment department is a little money
and a good appetite. After partaking of the
good things provided, we proceeded to inspect
the articles sent by our enterprising men of
Dorset, and which we notice under the beads of
the towns from which they emanate; and as we
intend to spend ten days more at the Exhibition,
we hope nothing local will escape our notice.

DORCHESTER. PITCHED CORN MAEKET,
Saturday, May 3rd.—We had a good attendance
and a fair amount of business was transacted at
about late rates, the demand for seed corn being
limited to the Fordiegton Field farmers._

DoncitEsreit FARMERS' Cr.un.—We beg to
remind our agricultural friends that the first annual
dinner in connection with the Dorchester Farmers'
Club will take place at the King's Arms Hotel on
Thursday next. —We trust a goodly sprinkling of
those interested will put in an appearance on the
occasion. —See A dvertise»zent.
350 DORSET RIFLE CORPS. - The members of
this corps will pa-ade every morning during the
week (Saturday excepted), at 6.30 a.m.—By order of
the Commanding Officer.— T. Newman, Sergeant-
Major.

DOIIEIIE-STIR RULE CORPS.—The winter evening
drills of this corps were brought to a close in the
Townhall, on Thursday last, nearly sixty members
of all ranks being present. At the commencement
of the year the members adopted a rule whereby
any man would be disqualified from shooting for
prizes or attending reviews or inspections, unless
having attended 10 out of 13 parades in the previous
quarter; and it is very gratifying to find that nearly
every member has thus qualified himself in the
quarter no w coin pleted. The feeliag of the corpa seems
to be in favour of attending the review at -Aldershot
in preference to Bristol.
BATTALION ROPE DRlLL—Portions of the Dor-
chester, Bridport, and Weymouth Corps attended
at the latter town on Thursday last for battalion
rope drill, under the command of Lieut.-Col.
Mansel. The drill came off in a field at Bell-
field, kindly lent for the occasion by R. H. Swat'.
field, Esq. The following officers of the battalion
were present :—Lieut.-Col. Manuel, Major Steward,
Captain and Adjutant Barrett; Captain Kindersley,
Lieutenant Coombs, and Ensign Devenish, of the
Dorchester corps; Captain Thresher, Lieutenant
Welsford, and Ensign Tizard, of the Weymouth
corps. We were pleased to observe Captain
Edwards, of the Bridport corps, on the ground,
although he is still an invalid from the effects of the
severe accident he met with at the Waddon Vale
Steeple Chases. The next battalion rope drill of
the whole county will be at Dorchester.
It is with extreme regret we have to announce
the death of Bugle-Master Dawe, which event took
place on Sunday morning, about 1 a.m. The deceased
had been but in middling health for some time pre-
vious, and on the occasion of the Dorchester Corps
paying a visit to Weymouth, he took fresh cold, and
was confined to his room, rheumatic fever set in, and
after rather more than a week's illness the disorder
terminated fatally. Deceased, who was much re-
spected, was one of the best musicians in the county,
and for nearly 40 years belonged to the Dorset
Militia. He was also Bugler to the 3rd Dorset
(Dorchester) Rifles, and teacher of the Drum and
Fife Band. For many years he has held the situa-
tion of clerk at St. Peter's Church, and his manly
voice, which was always heard assisting in the sing-
ing, will be much missed. The occasion of his death
was feelingly alluded to by the Rev. James Fisher,
at Holy Trinity Churgh on Sunday evening last.
Deceased %tea in his 5801 year, and has left a widow
to deplore his loss. We understand that lie will be
buried with military honours on Thursday next.

COMMITTED TO THE DORCHESTER GAOL—Assizes:
Jane Tuck, concealing birth at Wimborno Minster.
—Hard Labour : John Gerrard, leaving family
chargeable at Chideock, two calendar months ;
Robert Moore, assaulting police at Stalbridge, two
calendar months; George Brine, assaulting police at
Winfrith, two calendar months ; John Shephard,
assaulting his wife and child at Okeford, six calendar
months; William Tollerville, assault at Spettiabury,
one calendar month ; Edward Pearce, leaving his
service at Swanage, fourteen days; Isaac Coward,
assault at Winterborne Stickland, one calendar
month ; Elizabeth Mitchell and Fanny Gawler, steal-
ing silver watch at Dorchester, six weeks;
John Elsworth, stealing wood at Woollaud, one
calendar month; Blanche Moore, stealing apples at
Child Okeford, one calendar month; Enoch Riles,
stealing wood at Sydling, one week ; Mary Diment,
stealing peas at Winterborne Steepleton, fourteen
days.
DoUCHESTER AND THE GREAT EXHIBITION.
Among the thousands who were present at the
opening on Thursday last we noticed W. Manfield,
Jun., Esq., John Galpin, Esq., Mayor of Dorchester,
(in his official capacity), Mis. John Galpin, "The
Old Lady of West High-street," or her ghost, &c.,
and among the exhibitor's ptoductions we found the
stand of hats supplied by our excellent hatter, Mr.
Jacobs; we say our, in order to avoid the question
of " Who is your hatter!" Perhaps our readers
will say "What do we care about your hatter ?" but
as the public require our head, we cannot do better
than announce Mr. Jacobs as its protector. The
stand is described in the catalogue "Class 27, No.
4,815, JAcoßs, W., Dorchester, Dorset —Police and
other hats." It consists of one white hat, one un-
finished, to show the plan of the patent ventilator,
and the material of which the body of the bat is
composed, and four others of different kinds, which
form altogether a neat stand. Next we noticed, in
clots 14, "No. 3,139, POUNCY, J., Dorchester, Dorset,
Photographs printed in carbon." We found other
specimens of carbon printing, but none of them came
any way near the perfection which Mr. Pouncy has
attained. We particularly noticed among the 12
specimens the likeness of Mrs. John Penney, and
that of Mr. Robert Firth, and cannot but record
Mr. Pouncy's operations in any other terms than as
a complete success. Not so with the "Old Lady of
West High-street," for in vain did we look for her
stand It is true we saw a " Foster " hanging in the
staircase, which we suppose was intended to show
off the printing of the " Chronicle" press, but at
any rate it was a disgrace to tlre county of Dorset,
for it was made up of several pieces of paper, pasted
together, a method rendered necessary by the small
appliances of the Chronicle's means. It is a pity the
" Old Lady" had not asked us to print it for her, so
that the printing of Dorset would have escaped the
ridicule of all who see the precious poster in question.
Well, the stand we could not find, so we applied to
the committee of management, and the answer was,
"That the thing sent was so perfectly ridiculous that
it had not been set up;" and that " The editor of
the Dorset Chronicle would be written to to that
effect ;" and " that the manner in which it had been
sent was most slovenly and absurd." Well, we
said, why should we come all the way from Dor-
chester, and not see the production of the renowned
editor who thought hi/use/J. clever enough to
edit the Journal of the Royal Agricultural
Society. Upon this we were taken into
a lumber room, where a three-con:end bit
of dirty board was shown us, with " the new
syaten, of teaching agriculture in the face of nature ;"
" View of exaggerated germination diagram," and
"Surface, soil, gravel, clay, &c." Well, we agreed
with the committee in their decision to con-
sign it again to the lumber room. Why
did not the "Old Lady," her batiker, and
advisers take the hint which we gave them from
Punch last week, viz,, "Pon% malts asses of your-
selves,"

MESSRS. BAKER AND ENSOIt'S REPOSITORY SALE,
Saturday, May 3.—The attendance at this salo was
very large, and the supply of stock on the increase.
Them was a good deuiand,and late prices were main-
tained for beef. Mutton was plentiful and rather
dearer. Veal sold well and continues scarce.