The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1862-04-22 00:00:00

Tlsstard, WM Seconded in suitable terme by George
P. Manse], Fan., and carried by acclamation.
Lord PORTMAN, iti reply, said that fl he had amused
and hislructed those presevt, it gave him every satis.
faction. . . .

---•
The company then joined in singing a hymn, after
which

The Rev. Lord SI DN EY GODOLPHIN OSHORNB said—
have been requested to move a resolution, with which
tarn sure you will all agree. It is 'That the warmest
t batiks of this meeting be given to the Mayor for the
use of the Town-hall, andfor his kindness in presiding,"
I hard with the greatest satisfaction the statement
,nade by the Mayor with regard to your conduct. Now,
I do think that them is no class of men that, a few
years ago, were wore misunderstood than you navvies.
I firmly believe, however, that public opinion has
changed a great deal, and you have to thank yourselves
you are not the clams of men you were. You are an
improved class of men there can be no doubt, for why
slemuld people take it into their Ireads that to be a navels
is a term of reproach? Why, after ell, I certainly only
look at a navvy as a mechanic of earthworks, requiring
skill arid gaining advantage in his business, because he
has the skill that makes him worth more than other
men; therefore, there can be no greater mistake than
considering you inertly as men that go about the Country
making great holes in it and building up Veit math,
works. Ido believe that among you there are sit greet
a number of good, honest, ui right workmen as in any
other class of men. I have been gratified by hearing my
noble friend speak as lie has done. I wish it would
al ways be so. Providence has given as different abilities,
and placed us in different positions, but the time will soon
come when um last digging will he made, and we must pass
from this world, and what will then be the difference
between the navvies and the peer? There will be no
dlfferense, unless in life either of them has gained a
right to go to Christ, and meet the reward He has to
give. I know the difficulties of your life. You are •
wandering population, and it must be apparent to
yourselves that it is totally impossible for any neigh-
bourhood to receive you with the comforts which others
cell home. You have to make what sort they are;
that is part of your lot in life, and we that live in the
neighbourhood ought to bear that in mind, and not
merely to welcome you as strangers seeking hospitality
from Us, but, while we cannot do all we desire or should
like to do to you, we will do all we possibly can, j
only speak the experience of all who have watched you
clearly when I say, that you have been an orderly, well
conducted body of men in carrying Orr the business of
your life. There is one thing all of your friends can
do, and that is to etand between you and every act of
oppresions and injustice, and to free you from she..
that seek to get your custom to cheat you. you e,./
ask me how I dare to say such • thing but I kilo* it
is the fact. I know in all neighbnurhoods where large
works are carried on, that men making those works are
forced to spend their money on time spot, arid that there
always are those that do extort more money than they
ought. You have made friends of the teachers and
others in these schools. Now in every difficulty of this
sort, go to them for advice, and amok them to direct you.
Remember, you never can tell, in your hi:anions life,
when the least thing that has been taught you of God
from holy truth may come to be the one thing, aye,
the only thing, that will comfort you in death. There
is scarcely any class of men more exposed to accident
than yourselves, and as you must have
health and strength necessary to do your work,
it is this that makes you think so seldom of
the /future. Now TOU cannot tell when,
in tlk full possession of health and strength, you may
be uuhnoimed to meet your God. His lordship then
allude to the Hartley Colliery accident, and the
sudta anner in which theme employed there met
dea 1, d continued : I nay to those who listen to me,
if you carnet frequent church or schools, still the
slightest religious truth you may gain May soma to
your eel when all else may fail you when the loess
earth ,nay fall on you, or the upset waggon may crush
you, and your comrades' help avail you nothing. Then
that consoling, comforting thought, that religions text,
that knouledge, slight but sufficient, makes you, the
dying navvie, equal in your death to the most lovely
Christian that has done service for God, for he weld
not die in greater peace than you would die, for Christ
has held that smell portion sacred within you, and
you change your lower life here for your higher porticos
in heaven. Excuse me if I speak too much like the
preacher. I feel myself bound to speak to you in
a serious tone, for having met some difficulty in coming
here this evening, and because I do feel I should not
attend such a meeting as this and forget that I am a
clergyman; and I say again to you, as the friend of
the working man, as one that will not flatter him, but
as far as God will help him, and tell him all the truth,
arid arts him against the evils that beset him, I thank
you all for your patience in listening to are, and ask you
to agree to the resolution I have set before you. (Load
cheers.)
Mr. B. POND seconded the resolution.

The " Evening Hynin" was then Sung, and the
meeting was about to disperse, when a navvie in the
body of the hall proposed, very iseedibly, a vote of
thot.ks to the secreory and school committee.
Lord PORTMAN—That means a vote of thanks to Mr.
Cuaning. (Hear, hear).
Mr. R. S. CUMINO suitable acknowledged the compli-
ment, and the meeting then dispersed.
W HITCH ['BCH. —WESLEYAN SUNDAY SCHOOL.
—The anniversary sermons for the Wesleyan Sunday
school were preached on Sunday se'nnight by the
Rev. J. Edwards, and on the following Monday the
annual tea meeting took place. The children,
headed by the Temperance band, proceeded through
the streets, previous to the meeting taking place.
The scholars recited some instructive and amusing
pieces in excellent style. "lhe number of scholars on
the books is 43, the number of teachers It Last
year the income was £3 os. 10d., and the expenses
£2 19s. 9d. Several excellent addresses were
delivered, and the meeting was concluded with
singing and prayer.
STORMINSTER NEWTON.— The respected
clerk of this Union (S. W. Long, Esq.) has issued
his annual list of newly-elected guardians for the en-
suing year, as under. We are happy to say there
was no contest for any parish in the Union, which
has been the case for many years, viz., T. B. Benham,
Esq., of Mansion House, was again elected chairman,
and Mr. Goodfellow, vice-chairmen. The following
are the appointments ;—Mr. W. Senior Int
Mr. R. Goodfellow, Sturrninster Newton; Mr. J.
Warren, Belchalwell ; Mr. J. Crees, Caundle &car-
ton ; Mr. R. Holdway, Child Okeford ; Mr. B.
Sanford, Fifehead Magdalen ; Mr. T. Collins, Fife.
head Neville; Mr. W. Coate, Hammoon ; Mr. T.
Shittler, Hazelbury Bryan; Mr. J. Senior, Hinton
St. Mary; Mr. G. H. Baker, Ibberton ; Mr. J.
Cuff, Lydlinch ; Mr. Benjafield, Mansion; Mr. W.
Roesiter and Mr. & Andrews, Marnhull ; Mr. B.
Phillips, Okeferd Fitzpaine ; Mr. W. Coo, Shilling-
stone ; Mr. S. Green and Mr. Stiby, Stalbridge ,
Mr. J. Flower, Stock Gaylard ; Mr. G. Summers;
Stoke Wake; and Mr. J. Mitchell, Woolland.
...

,
It is again 'our pleasing duty to announce that the
Manchester Art Union of Great Britain, which
proved so very satisfactory and popular at their last
drawing, have again issued prospectuses and tickets
for next drawing in June. We would recommend
all those who have a spare shilling to invest the same
for a ticket, which can now again be obtained of
their agent, Mr. W. Trite, printer and bookseller,
Starminater Newton.

We are extremely sorry to see a partial suspension
of the railway works in this town. We cannot
think it a judicious step, now that finer weather has
set in. During the recent heavy wet, the men wore
employed at intervals of dry days, and now that
spring seems fairly commenced, about one-half of
them are discharged I We think the anxious share-
holders ought to be informed the cause of this.
PARISH CLERKS AND EASTER CAKES.

To the Editor of the Dorset County Express and
Agricultural Gazette.

SIR, —Can you inform me why it is customary for
parish church clerks to sell Easter cakes the day
previous to Good Friday? Some say it has been the
rule to do so from ancient times, but even if so, that
is no rule why it should not be abolished. It I
could see any good in it, or even respect attached to
our holy national institution, 1 would uphold it. but
1 cannot; in fact I think it quite degrading to all
connected with it, and if I had any power it should
no longer be allowed. If it is meant for the benefit
of the clerk, why not each subscribe something
annually and present him, and not suffer oneholding
such • holy and respectable office to turn common cake-
seller and hawker! Really, Mr. Editor, lam sure
no one, on mature reflection, can dissent from lily
views here expressed.

Your obedient servant,
ENQUIRER.
Sturminater Newton, Apiil 21, 1862.
CERNE.—It is with extreme regret we announce
the demise of Mr. George Cockenun, on of T.
Cockeram, Esq., of Frome St. Quinton, which sad
event happened at Ventnor last week. He had been
'Parried but seven weeks, and was afflicted with •
rapid consumption, which induced him to try the
air of the Isle of Wight, but unfortunately without
avail.

YEOVIL.—RECOONMON OF SERVICES RENDERED.
—We learn from the North Britiek Daily Mail
published at Glasgow, Monday April 14, that at the
last meeting for the session of the Andersonian
University Medical Society, a hearty vote of thanks
was proposed, seconded, and unanimously awarded
to the secretary, Mr. P. S. 21.'Colmer, (eon of our
townsmen, Mr. R. S. Colmer, chemist, of Middle.
street), for the able manner in which he had con-
ducted the business of the society during the
session.

BATH'. The Theatre Royal, Bath, which
has, perhaps, the meth interesting history of any
provincial theatre in the kingdom, is in ruins. On
Good Friday, while the citizens were wending their
way to church, flame', originating from some hither-
to undiscovered cause, were busy with the destruc-
tion of a temple sacred to Thespia which, at one
period, at least, was the first nursery for the
metropolitan stage, and before two hours, such was
the destructive energy of the fire, the theatre was a
gaping HMS of blackened walla. By this catastrophe
we regret to learn that Mr. Chute, the lessee and
manager, will sustain a considerable lose. The new
drama of the Peep o' Day had been recently produced,
and the complicated and expensive scenery has, of
course, been destroled. The pantomime thessery
has also perished in the conflagration, besides
dresses, properties, and manuscripts of great vales
and historical interest. Among the latter is the
original MS. of Skiwidan's " School for Scandal."
The value of the property destroyed is supposed to
be from X 30,000, to .C 40,000.

Printed and published for the Proprietor, by CHARLES
WHITBREAD MILLARD, Of lean Road, Terclinttild,
Dorchester, Printer, at the Olioe of The Dorset
Co*WVJbireas, Chnrsh-street, Derehester, Tues•
day, April 2.2, 1112.