The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1877-07-24 00:00:00

OUR ANNUAL PICNIC.

The good Rector of St. Mary's bag again in a very sub-
stantial manner shown the interest he takes in his con-
gregation and those gathered around him, by taking his
" workers," with himself and indefatigable wife, for their
annual picnic, and this year Lyndhurst was selected for our
outing. On Thursday morning last at 8.35 might have been
seen between 150 and 200 of us at the Weymouth station,
waiting for the London and South-Western train to start,
and after a pleasant two hours run we found ourselves in
the heart of the New Forest. A more delightful part of
the country could not well be selected for a day of this
sort, and the weather was all that could be desired to
make the event pans off well. Having partaken of some
slight refreshment on our arrivaL we strolled about in
groups through some of the most picturesque parts of the
forest until the time announced for dinner, and our
appetites having been somewhat sharpened, we sat down
to a most sumptuous repast, where everything that could
be thought of seemed to be spread before us. The meal
ended, we again divided ourselven, some choosing to walk
in the direction of Rufus' Stone, of historic interest,
others preferring a five mile tramp to St. Michael's, the
pariah church, which stands on commanding ground as
you enter the little town. Within the sacred walls are
very many beautiful objects of interest, the most note-
worthy perhaps being the magnificent and remarkable
fresco representing the "Ten Virgins," by F. Leighton,
RA., and sonic exquisite carving by a Mrs. Searle. No
service was being held at the time: but I fancy I hear
most oLour party saying "After all there is nothing like
the plilln and simple old St. Mary's, of Weymouth,
hearing the old old story which our beloved pastor has for
over 20 years never wearied of proclaiming." Issuing
from the church we passed up the street, which was more
than usually lively that day, owing to three other large
picnic parties having chosen this place as their
rendezvous. At length, retracing our steps, we find our-
selves again all assembled for tea, and very refreshing we
find it. When we hail finished little time was left us
but to saunter leisurely stout. Throughout the day both
Mr. and Mrs. Graves did not semis to be able to do
enough for us. We have much to be thankful for when
we think with what constancy they are toiling from year
to year for us their ungrateful yetrishioners, and this
should stimulate no as workers to do inure in helping to
enlighten their daily-increasing road. As the evening
drew on we one and all agreed it was the pleasantest part
of the day, and we would fain have lingered longer in the
forest; but the shrill whistle of yonder engine reminded
no that our time to be at the railway station was nearly
up, and so we wended our steps thitherward. When we
arrivml we found the carriages which bad brought us in
the morning waiting to take us back ; into these we
gladly got, finding after a long day even a railway
carriage not so had a resting place. The down train was
aiittle late owing to other events in the neighlourhoml,
but it catue at last, and we reached home shout eleven
, o'clock well pleased at having once more spent so delight.
fad an outing. I must not conclude this imperfect sketch
of the day without expressing what I feel sure all Use
i party would hope, and, indeed, the entire congregation—
that very many years may elapse before the tie of pastor
and people shall be severed between our good Rector, Mr.
(Heaves, and his flock.