The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1863-01-06 00:00:00

SLJ

bat for al the business that was done the shops might
as well have been closed. On Monday a general holiday
took place, and the weather being tolerably Inc. the
" sons of toil" were not slow in taking lvantage of it.
During tbe week the bells of St, John's church have
frequently rang out merry peels, but sines Cloistasas-
eve nothing Ins been seen sr heard of the Ride Band,
and it is supposed that they were ketansidet this festivi•
ties. of the season.
COnVitlat. GaYlitnneet.—On Meedny evening • most
-convivial gathering took ylace at the Moon Inn. The
occasion wu the opeoini dinner, given by '• minis host"
Blade, and the manner is which Mr. soil Mrs. Sled.
had catered far the craving, and waists of their guests
could not surpassed; in fact, there wax nothing went
log. Under the presidency of Mr. Foot, the hours leer
rapidly by ; rue excellent songs were sung, and speeches
delivered—both patriotic and complimentary ; end at
the "wall hour." the company separated. expressing
a bops that their neat merry meeting might be spout
as pleasantly as that they had just enjoyed.
WOBTH Y EX A lIPLILL --Captain Messiter, Of nutria,
with his usual hospitality sad urbanity', distributed a
'beautiful bullock to the poor of Om parishes of Barwick
and Steford on Christmas-eve. Such a gift was cab
timed, and we have no doubt we. fully appreciated on
the ensuing day. On Friday ii. Harbin, req., of Hewtou
Howie, one of thou "Ins old English gentlemen who
...a forget the poor" entertained about sixty of his
Isorcpeople to • most sobataatial dinner of roast beet
and plum pudding. The coinpany were presided over
by the bailiff, Mr. Dunning, and the proceedings were '
of the most harmonious character. The worthy squire's
health was warmly received, and singing eat dancing
were kept up in right good style.
CREWHERNE.—On Friday t 9 of the aged poor of
this place enjoyed an excellent dinner of heel and plum
pudding, given to them by their kind pastor, the Rev.
J. S. Stubbs. at the parsonage. The average age of
the old people was 76, and the aggregate of ages 5.244.
For no small • place, so many of that age being enabled
to go out to dinner surely says something for tbe
health and ineguity of life in this place.
BRISTOL —lt is gratifying to have to state that
lb. application to the Home Secretary for a com-
mutation of the sentence on tbe Convict Morgan
has been attended with success. Yesterday com-
munications were received by the mother of the
prisoner and the prison authorities, intimating that
after coosidering the case Sir George Grey bad felt
that, under the circumstances, be could recommend
Her Majesty to aubstitute a sentenne of penal nevi-
tude for life for the sentence of death that had been
pronounced. Morgan was informed yesterday of
the result of the application in his favour, and, we un-
understand, expressed his gratitude at what bad been
done him. We cmtgratulate the Mome Secretary on the
for sound judgment he has displayed in the present in-
stance, and we congratulate the mother and sisters
of the unhappy man on the fact that his lifo is to be
spared. TIN new decision will serve the ends of
justice, wed the city will be spared the horror of •
very unedifying spectacle.— Western Daily Press
of Friday.