The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1864-01-12 00:00:00

Somersetshire.

ANNUAL DINNER AT THE PALL INN,
YEOVIL.

On Medley last one of those convivial gatherings
for which Yeovil is proverbial took place at the
ehaveirii. A dainty spread of 'lauds of the most
profuse was provided by Host Allen, with his
.chanseteriatio catering ability. About 40 sat down,
were presided over by Mr. Fuse, the vioe-cbair
iwing occupied by Mr. Stokes, and there were also
preeent Dr. Colmer, and Messrs. Turner, Foot,
Blake, parsons (London), Hill, B. Thomas, Styles,
Slade, Farley, Trott, Smith, Ridont, Forth. Ring.
R. Allyn, G. Allen, Allen, sear.' J. V. Brooke,
grown, jeer. Bodenham, jeer., Cog (Mertook).
"reer,iwww, Bartlett, Warry, Leach, Smith, k.c.,
The ro-n) was profusely and tastefully adorned wvh
Flora's choicest," and the company was respectable,
intrlhgent, and consiviaL

.-;fh; usiial preliminary toasts of The Queen,"
" Prince and Princeasof Wales," " Army, Navy and
Volunteers," having been given, were patriotically
rec..ived and duly honoured, Mr. Stokes, singing
r;odsave the Queen," "Christmas is a merry
time." and " Rule Britannia," the company joining
in each in full chorus.

Mr. Wants said there was • toast which he felt
,n,nnaent all present would respond to with all their
h, art It was the health of • gentleman in the com-
pany, *horn he bad known and respected ever since
he had been in Yeovil. He bad filled • similar
polition to that which he then occupied many times
before, and none had ever carried it out with greater ;
ability. Ile referred to their worthy chairman, Mr.
FAR, and the more they knew of him the more
they would respect him- '(loud applause).
Mr. Foal', in returning thanks for the compli•
mentary manner in which his health bad been
received and responded to, said he did not feel equal
to the task which he had imposed upon himself that
evening in taking the chair, hut was and another
had refused the post, and he did not like to me •
good dinner spoil for want of a chairman. He had
therefore velunteered to take the office. He hoped
all their good wishes would traleail with him, and
although he had suffered inuah of late from inn..
he hoped he should be loeg spend to meet them on
many such future convivial gathering,.
The CHAIRMAN in e ologiatm term, then proposed
" The Town and ";-radti of Yeovil," to which Mr.
Thomas rerPood'4, o.le toast being duly honoured.
The Cume•.aax said he hoped he was not out of
Place in Pr',posisg the last toast before he had given
" M ayes. and Corporation of Yeovil." Ile would
the health of that hotly, coupled with the
nn:re, et Mr. Bodentiam-(ioud cheers).
Mr. BOIDENHAM said it did not take him long to
eriersider what he bad to my. He felt vexed that
'other members of the Corporation did not attend
such meetings, as he considered they ought to.
Mr. Turner had said, " Let us cheer those as we
respect them," and from the hearty manner in which
the cheers had been given it showed they were
respected-(hear, hear). The Mayor and Corpora-
tion were • body who were not always popular in
towns, Ime the kind response which had been given
'to the Oast showed that in Yeovil they were re-
•spected, and that the inhabitants were ever ready
and willing to return their congratulations for what
the•Onincil bed done -(cheers). The Councilhad had
a meeting that morning. There were no divisions,
nor an v sign that the gloves were wanted-(laughter).
He had nothing to say in defence of the Corporation,
neither did they require it, and be hoped the
burgesses would always send men to the Conseil
who would take care of their money. It was in the
power of the Council to put their hands into the
burgesses' pocketaand spend their money at random.
Mr. Turner bad also said : "Give the Mayor one
cheer more." He deserved it, as be was always ,
active in the discharge of his duties, and would do
more work in 20 days than some would do in YO j
year.-(applause). Before he sat down there eras
a eery importont part of the community present. I
without which neither mayor, corporation, or trade
could flourish. He referred to agriculturi its, and ;
would couple with the toasts the names of Mr.
Bartlett and Mr. Greenham - (prolonged applause).
Mr. TURNER said he would explain Lb. sentiment
which Mr. Bodenham had expressed Mak regard to
the gloves. It had been mid that moms time mom
the guardians at the union oould net bald their
meetings, or carry on their l'iteMem, without
" sparring," and that the Town Commit • short time
after wanted to borrow the groom in come/mom,
of certain little alt., asabter).
Mr. BARTLITT, in reaper ,ding to the toast of
"Agricelture," said that sealing could be carried
on without its aid, as ever swing was produced from
the land, and Mr. Bie'yreemin knew it. He had
bad a good deal to a. in buying pig,,-(great
lanehterl

The Vics-CruirAuk kw smd he row to propose
toast which he fe'.4 ,confident would be re,..ived by
all with great u• imomity, us an could be.: wit..s
to the soccer. which had attended the efforts of
their worth..., host and hostess in setting before them
0° good • 'sinner. It was a difficult matter to set
out such • dinner without a great deal of care and
allinet., from the time the purchases were made to
wm-• the repast was wit before them. It had been
" ivied out in a very handsome manner, and it
Therefore became them to drink the health of their
hut and hostess. Mr. Allen was a good, open, and
'honourable man ; and with regard to Mrs. Allen, in
her were pourtrayed all the attributes of an amiable
end welbeinducted lady. He knew they would
feel as mach pleasure in responding to the toast as
he did in preparing It—(loud and continued
cheering).
TheCumituste said 11111 the natal routine of toasts
were over he would propose "the health of their
.oreat Chairman," Mr. Turner, a man who was
`srgely known and highly respected, and who wee
ever rude to aid in promoting conviviality at such
happy meetings as Hub's. (Loud cheers).
Nit.. Tonna*, in responding, said when he wee
invited to dine, he felt a pleasure in acceding to the
request, hut Waned to fake the chair, as there WWII
many in the town who could carry out the duties of
chairmanship with greater ability—(no no). They
had had a proof of it that night, and there were
many such in the town who only wanted to be
brought out. He did not like to act as chairman on
every occasion, as sometimes unkind remarks were
made. There was their old friend, Mr. Styles, who
would make a first-class chairman. They were all
tradesmen, and all on an equality, and it was nothing
but right to have a change sometimes. For his own
part he had! determined not to do it so often ; hut
he should be always happy to be present, as in such
convivial gatherings they could not fail to enjoy them.
sel yes— (applause).
Mr. A turn the host, who had been absent from
the room when his health was proposed, said he re-
turned thanks for the cordial manner in which his
health bad been proposed and receivid, together
with that of his wifo and family, and also for the
kind maim r in which his friends had rallied around
him that evening. For their patronage in time.
past he begged to teoder his recognition. He
wished them all a happy and prosperous new year
(cheers).
The VICI•C/1•161111•N gave "the Innkeepers of
Yeovil," coupling with the toast the names of Mr.
Come, Mr. R. Allen, Mr. Foan, Mr. Smith, in fact
all of them who were present.
Mr. Fo•v, in responding, said he had risen from a
humble poeition to what he then was by industry,
but he did not think there was so good • chance of
getting on now as there had been formerly. Were
he to begin his day@ again, he had no fear but that
he should progress by industry, but not as well as
he had in times past. Since he had been in the
town be had done all in his power for the comfort and
convenience of his customers, and by lake attention
in future he hoped to maintain their respect and good
wishee—(elmers).
The CUAIR11•1.1 said he would propose the health
of one who bad come to reside in the town ; be re-
ferred to Mr. Smith, of the Half Moon Inn. He
was a man whom he respected, and hoped he would
have meow, as he was deserving of it—(applause).
Mr. Swim returned thanks.
" Tha " the Medical Profession," and
numerous other toasts were given and responded
to, and the conviviality was kept up to a late hour.

Y KO V I L —Woman; MSS'S CLUB AND INIT'ITITTL
—ln compliance with a numerously signed requisition,
the Mayor, K Whitby, junr. convened a
meeting at the Townhall, on ''Tuay evening, to
take into consideration the best means for forming
• club of the above character in Yeovil. The
meeting was thinly attended. His worship occupied
the chair, and in opening the proceedings dilated
on the benefit of such institutions. It gave him
pleasure to be present, because their object --a
good one, and worthy the support of every man
They had assumed • high title, and one which
included a large and respectable class in all states of
society ; but the object of the promoters was to
benefit the working classes. It would, be hoped, if
established, be the means of raising many in their
social position, both morally and intellectually. It
was a matter of thanks for all to see the working
man washing to raise himself by self-culture to rise
in his estate. Many of our great men bad risen Is.)
their own exertions. If • club should be formed,
amid carried out on the principles set forth in the
prospectus, it would be • means, for the young
especially, to improve their minds, which at a
future time would make them good citizens when-
ever their iota should be cast. He would impress
Upon the nsembers, however, not to depend toe
mach in the onset on extraneous help. They must
use their own exertions, and they would find assis-
tance to the needful time. The meeting was then
addressed at toast length by a deputati.,n from the
Working Men's Institute and Union, and th.-
following resolutions were panic' —lrk proposed
by Mr. March, and setiouded by Mr. Brailey, " That
in the opinion of this meeting the offoru nos
making to establish and maintain a Working Men's
Club and Institute in Yeovil deserve the hearty sad
grateful support of the working cleans of this town
and neighbourbood."-2nd, proposed by Mr. Davie,
and seconded by Mr. Goode, "Resolved, that in
the opinion of this meeting the preeeet or
prosisionai be eosetiteted the eleadisueomatittee
for the current year, with power to add to their
ember, to establidt Working Yea's Cisb and

Institute, in sooordsoce with the MISS recommended!
by the Working Men's Clut, and Institute Unions.'
3rd•prpoit.d by Mr. Jordan lioutiam nd
.eemeled by Mr. T. D. Al fling," Itesolv.d, that
•he persons present pledge themselves to use their
best exertions to procure members for the club, and
funds needful to carry it on with efficacy, and
that • subscriptiun hat be now entered into for that
ourpoee." Some remarks were offered with regard
to the object in view, and it was stated that the
Rev. It. J. F. Tumour and the Rev. J. W. Sampoin
bad promised their support. hlr. Bart propos.] •
vote of thatika to the chsirnian, aud the iner.iing
termin
CAMS I Y PETTY SE-30102if1, Wielnesday.—Nlagis
, trate* present : G. Mehra and G. Troyte Bullock,
! Esqr,s-
tt EST CORICIL —Thomas Rendall, of East Coker,
. was summoned by P.C. Fry, charged with being
! drunk and disorderly at West Coker, on the 26th
' December lola, and making use of obscene language,
the most disgusting he ever heard. Defendant had
been in the lock-up for riotous conduct on a previous
occasion.—Fined 10e. 6d. including costs—
William Coles was summoned by Elizabeth Bert,
of the same place, for ILO assault on Sunday, the 27th
of December last. From the sividense of coru-
plainant it appeared that on the day in question de-
fendant and her young man were talking together,
• and she came up and wished to speak to the latter,
! who had left her in trouble. She went to speak to
him, and defendant abused and kicked her, causing
• severe bruise on her leg, and threatened to throw
her over the rails. Elizabeth Skeats corroborated
complainant's evidence. -Defendant denied the
statements, and said that complainant provoked the
, first insult —Thomas Hartnell, complainant's young
man, swore to defendant's version of the story. It
appearing to be a regular round of abuse between
them all the cue was dismissed.
Bruierosti, William Paul, of fiparkfonl, '
warn summoned by George Cox, turnpike-toll collector
on the Ilehester-roari, for evading toll on the 23rd of
1 Deceinber.—Mr. Nucholetts, clerk to the trustees,
attended for the complainant It appeared that two 1
Ihorses were paid for on the morning of the day in
. question for hauling, and in the afternoon two other
horses passed through the mite with a load of hay,
for which defendant refused to pay toll. Defendant
said he had done so by the express orders of his
master, Mr. Weller, of West Carnet —The Bench
said that defendant 'having paid toll once during the
day he bad a right to pass the tollgate free the
second time, but he had no right to change the
horses and evade the toll. A letter was read, which
had been received from defendant's master, stating
that the Government agent for whom his hauled the
h.sy ought to have paid the toll. —The Bench said
there appeared to be a misunderstailding between
the parties, but such practices must not be continued.
In the present instance defendant would be fined
10a and outs • but if ho or his master came there I
again they would be fined in the full penalty.
THORNS COFYIN. William Henry Longman,
surveyor of highways for the Yeovil district, ap-
peared to answer a summons issued 'flatlet him on ,
the complaint of the Rev. Mr. Helyar, of Thorne,
for refusing to repair a certain portion of the .
highway-road leading from Thorne Coffin to Yeovil,
and bounded by the road near Brinsmore Tree. It
appeared to be no neglect on the part of the surveyor,
but a denial of right on the part of the two parishes
of Preston and Thorne Coffin to repair the road in ,
question—Mr. Hawkins, of Preston. appeared on
behalf of that parish, Mr. Brooks for Thorne Coffin,
and Mr. Maraca for the
.parish of Yeovil.—Mr.
Hawkins said that the parish of Yeovil was liable.
This Mr. Maiden denied. It was, at last, decided
that as the road divided the parishes of Yeovil and
Preston, both parishes were liable to repair it. The
case was adjourned pro. tees, to enable the surveyor
to prepare • plan to ascertain on which parish the
greater part of right of repair would fall.
Sores Peregrine. Charles Mitchell, of
Sruth Potherton, appeared in answer to a *emulous
Mimed against him by Dr. Taylor W any of Yeovil,
for fs nous driving at Stoke, on 7th December, where-
by he was run into, and his carriage much damaged.
Defendant said he was not furiously driving at the
time, and that complainant ran into his waggon, he
not having his lamps lit at the time. A servant,
named Bennett, proved complainant's statements,
and that the lamps of the carriage were lit at the
time.—Dr. Warry said that he afterwards met Dr.
Walters, of Stoke, who stated that defendant had
annoyed him all the way from Yeovil, by oontintally
I driving in front of him, by which he was ono* or
twice nearly upset. Defendant was also very
1 abusive, and made use of • great deal of obscene
! language. He was tined .fl and costs.
EAST Cogze.—Hannali Imes*, of East Coker,
was summoned by Superintendent Smith, on two in-
-1 dietruents, first with selling beer in-doors without
license; and, secondly, with selling beer after hours.
On the objection of Mr. Watts, who appeared for
defendant, both asses occurring at the same time,
only one of them was heard, that of selling after pro-
hibited hours. —P.C. Burge.; the informant, said, at
1 11 o'clock on the night of the 20th of December, he
went to defendant's house, and found two men there
drinking. He had a pint of beer himself. When
he left the home it was 10 minutes past 11 o'clock.
He paid for the pint of beer which he had. A
witness, named Young, had previously informed him
that defendant sold in-doors, and be was the insti-
gator of these I:weeding.. Young gave him the 3,1.
to pay for the beer. This Mr. Young denied.
I Some discussion here arose between Mr. Watt, and
, Superintendent Smith as to which of them had the
most right to have Young as a witness, Mr. Smith
stating that he had previously subponed him but,
that he objected to appear, as it would interfere
with his business. Mr. Watts had, however,
secured him. On applicati.na being made by
Mr. Watts', the Bench decided that that gentle-
man had a perfect right to the witness. Mr.
Watts said it was a very hard and unfair case 141:11/04
his client, who was a poor widow, and strived hard
for a livelihood. The police were a useful body of
men, but had no right whatever to aid or abet
crime, as they had in that case, having gone to the
house with the deliberate intention of entrapping
her. The two who were present were Mr. Dodge
and Mr. Harrison ; they were present as friends,
having gone there to make • purchase. The witness
Young stated that he was asked to drink by one of
the party. The Bench said they did not like the
ideauf a policeman going to a house in such • manner.
Superintendent Smith contended that defendant had
no right to hare anyone in the house, and said that
she was in the habit of keeping parties there all night.
Mr. Watts maintained that as no caw of rit'is of drink
had been proved, defendant had • right to keep her
friends there. Mr. Young said it had been an
" under-creeping trick" on the part of the policeman
to trap the woman, and that she ought not to be
fined. The Bench fined her 2:1 and costa.

M•RTOCL —John Pips, of Martoek, was snm-
moned by Henry Tucker, of the Name place, for an
assault. Defendant was in liquor at the time. The
Bench advised them to settle the matter between
thetruielves, the defendant to pay the cost of the
summons. _ _

INDICINT BUI•VIOUR IN THI PUBLIC STRZITIL -
Walter Bailey, of Martock, was summoned by
Sergeant Clarice for the above-named offence. De-
fondant's wife appeared, her husband being sub-
palled as a witness at the esesions at Taunton- The
case was therefore adjourned.
YBOVILTON.— AMLIATION CABl.—Jamea Bate-
men, of Yeovilton, was summoned by Ann Newberry,
of Ilchester, to show cause why ho should not con-
tribute towards the support other illegitimate child,
of which he was the putative father. Defendant
denied the paternity.-11r. Watt* appeared for the
defendant. From the evidence the Bench considered
the case not fully proved, and should therefore dia•
miss the case.

QOJIJI CANY.L. STK/LINO hIONIY. Ann
Dunford, • girl of 12 years of age, of Queen Camel,
was summoned by Sarah Bantam, of the above.
named place, charged with stealing two half-crowns,
her property. From the evidence it appeared that
the accused was formerly in prosecutor's employ.
Missing money from time to time, prosecutor marked
the half-crowns in question and placid them in her
till, and shortly afterwards found them gone, the
child having acknowledged taken them. The
police-conatable stated that he bad seen her carrying
home things on various °cessions, which she had
purchased at shops in the village, such as sweet-
meats, velvet, hr. The Bench said they considered
that the child bad been tutored by her parents.
This the mother denied. Prosecutor said she
believed it was an older sister who had tutored the
child. She did not intend to take proceedings
against the child, but the mother had abused her
rho Bench inflicted a fine of las., the case coming
under the Juvenile Offenders' Act
YNOVII. MASSE. Banaitco WINDOWS.
William Cooper and George Higdon were sum-
awned by Edward Hilborne, of Yeovil Marsh,
charged with creating a
_disturtanee by throwing
sued at his door, and breaking his windows, on the
25th of December last. Prosecutor stated that he
beard • noise in the road, and shortly afterwards a
stone was thrown at his door, and another at his
window, breaking • pane of glees. He went out
and accused them of it, and one of them threw
another stone saying, "There, if there's anything to
, pay we'll pay it altogether." Two witnesses proved
also being annoyed the isms day by throwing mud
at their windows, and also sum them out in the road
quarrelling with the prosecutor. Defendants
denied the charge, but stated they were neat the
prosecutor's house at the time in question. There
direct proof as to who threw the stone, the
con was dismissed.
Mornroce.—AMMlLT,—Alfred Lye, of Mattock,
was summoned by tined Bailey for an assault.
Deleodant was son-in-law to the prosecutor.
Defendant stated that he had bees living
with the prosecutor, and in consequence of a
dispute between the family had left the bond A
week after he left be wont to the house for some
' pictures which be had left behind, and while pulling
them down she refused to let him have them all.
Prosecutor stated that defendant knocked her down,
from which ate received a severe blow on the bead,
from the effects of which she had suffered mach.
She was 90 plus of age. It being a family quarrel
the case was dismissed.
Boeotian Parr/ Bessiorni, Tuesday, before
the
Mayor, J. R. Mayo and F. Ordnhani, &qrs.—
James Hicks was atinmosed by W. Caswell. for

caging down a hedge.—Compainaat laid that 13
hid a hedge as boundary to his rreciises. and a Va.
.lapi age he found the roots ent:rkly cut away.
Lel no oldness, neither did he WM) hint do it himself.
—The Ilmich dismissed the cue.
Tnomas Locock, landlord of the Duke of
Wellingt ,n Inn, 1/111 summoned by Sergeant Keats
for 'Aim; beer during prohibited hours. on Sunday.
the 13th of December last.—Sergeaut Keats stated
that he went to the house on the day in question, and
found three men drinking there. There was a
quyitity of beer in a cup on the tatile.—Defendant's
wife said that the men were her brothereindnw,
that they dined at her house, and bad the beer to
driok after dinner. A wanes' named larconthe,
glover, residing in the town, proved being present,
and that he WU defendant's brother-in-law. He
had dined at the house, and the beer they were
drinking was some which was left at dinner time.
The Ilench dismissed the case, cautioning defendant
as to future conduct.

George Sagg was summoned by Superintendent
Smith for selling beer on Sunday during the boars
of Divine service. —Sergeant Keats said that he, in
company with P.C. Hannam, went to
defendant's house. He went to the front
door, and Hannain at the back door. The latter
said as he was going into the house he heard de•
fondant say, "Here's sergeant coming," and two
men rushed into his arms in tinning out of the
house. He saw some liquor in a cup, which de-
fendant put away in the cellar. This defendant
denied, and said that one f the into generally stayed
at his house, and the other worked for him, for
• horn be drew a little beer. 110 did not think it
was more harm to draw liquor on Sunday any more
than for the larw.r houses to do so. The Bench said
they were not aware that the large houses in the
town were allowed to sell drink at such hours, and
ago the police ought lose. into it, Superintendent
Smith denied the assertion. Two witnesses named
Honey and Vagg said they were in the house on the
day in question, and gave corroborative evidence to
that of the defendant. —The Bench c maiden-41 the
come fully proved, and, it being the second time the
defendant had appeared on • similar charge, was
final 10s. and costa.

William White appeared in answer to • summons
issued against him, at the instance a Mary Jane
Bniley, for an summit on the 4th of November last.
Complainant stated that she was in the borough on
the night in question, and defendant jumped on her
back and threw her down, whereby her leg was
severely injured. She had been under medical treat-
ment for Sys weeks.—Mr. Saatridge proved the
case.—Mr. Brsiley said he had a doctor's bill of
£2 IS.. to pay on account of the girl's misfortune
Defendant had appeared before the Bench on several
occasions, and had also been to gaol once or twice.
Be was fined 40a, in default to be committed for
ewe month's hard labour.

Thomas Heifer and David Stradling were sum-
moned by John Parsons for assault.— Complainant
said that he was feeding his donkey along the road-
side, where he left it. He saw two boys rifling his
donkey, who at last drove it away. He told one of I
the boys that if be did not tell Lim where the
donkey was be would give him in custody. The
boy said that another named Stradling had ridden it
away down a lane. The two defendants interfered,
and struck a man named King, and afterwards came
up and struck him a severe blow. A boy named
Phillips proved the assault, and his evidence was
also corroborated by another witness. Sarah Parker
said that she was with the defendant Stradling on
the day in question, and that he did not offer to
sinks complainant The defendant Heifer did not
appear. Stradling said the complainant had taken a
false oath, sod complainant said that defendant's
witnesses would swear to anything. A girl, named
Best, said she was with the defendant Stradling the
whole of the morning, as • wedding had been held
at the house to which he had been invited. The
defendant did not strike complainant. The Bench
considered the case fully proved, and the defendant
/kindling was fined 10s. and cots. A warrant
was ordered to be issued for Heifer's apprehension. •
TR•NNVIR or LICZNAL —An application was
made by Mr. D. Smith for the transfer of the license
of the Half Moon lon, Silver-street, lately carried
on hy Mr. Trott, to that of himself. Granted.
MIDSOMER NORTON.—The monthly cattle
and general market was held on Tuesday. There
was • good attendance, and • fair supply of stock,
which sold ruddy at good prices. Fat mutton
fetched Sit per lb. ; fat beef was *came, bat a good
supply of cattle for the grazier; store pigs very
plentiful at late prices.
111011 BR I DO E.— Highbridge has suddenly found
itself a place of note. It is said that the Thames
Embankment Committee have decided upon High.
bridle as the locality where the stone is to be pre-
pared, previous to its transit over the Central
Somerset and Dorset Railway to London. The
stone is to be procured from Lundy Island, and to
be unshipped by the aid of the steam crane now at
work at the Hight's-L:lga wharf. Extensive cur.
chases are also amid to have been made of premises
belonging to Mr. J. Premise, including the High.
bridge Inn, which is to be converted into offices.
CASTLE CAItY. —TIRE BRUTAL OUTR•01 AT
A nerORD. —Jonas Ward, alias Wade, the remaining
one of the ruffians who committed an outrage at
Arisford on the person of Charlotte Feaver, ant for
which offence seven of them were sentenced to
various terms of penal servitude at the recent Winter
Assizes at Taunton, has been captured through the
exertions of Superintendent Sheppard and his men,
and was fully committed to gaol to await his trial at
the ensuing March Assizes.
I CLEVEDON. —N ARROW ESCA PR. —Daring last
week as a young man named Daniel Durbin was out
, with a gun in the lower village for the purpose of shoot.
jug small hints, without a thought he would seem to
have fired in the direction of the highoroad, where
some parties were standing talking at the time. One
of them, named John Persona, was badly hurt at the
back of the neck ; Mr. Howard, builder, received a
, few shots about the head; and a third man &lan
came in for a share. Medical assistance was pro-
cured, some of the shots were extracted, and we are
happy to state that nothing fatal is conjectured.
W ESTON-SCPER-M ARE. —T Errors. Socirrr.
1 —On Monday evening the members and friends of
the Weston-super-Mare Teetotal Society held their
annual New Year's festival at the Temperance Hall.
About 50 sat down to tea, and subsequently there
I was • public meeting, over which Mr. J. Reasiter
presided. The chairman delivered a very appro-
priate opening address, and called on the treasurer,
' Mr. Beale, for his statement of amounts, from which
it appeared that the remipte had been £IS 12t, and
the expenditure £l6 4s. 9jd., leaving a balance of
12s. 91 due to the treasurer. This was an improve-
ment on last year, when there was Fl 14s. 10d. de-
ficient Mr. E. Pavey then read a report of the
proceedings for the year, and some able addresses
were delivered by the Revs. S. Shortridge and H.
M. Cuttell. _ _

THORN BURY. —Prrry Smooo, Wednesday.
(Before Sir George 8. Jenkinson and Major Cherie-
wood.) —James Saresum, of Tytherington, labourer,
was summoned hr asnulting Richard Livell, of
Redden-bill, labourer, on the 24th of December last.
—The defendant was lined Ioa, including costs, or
14 days' imprisonment. Allowed • fortnight to pay
the money—Thomas Hall, of Wickwar, labourer,
was summoned by Sarah Hughes, of Tytherington,
to show cans why be should not be adjudged the
putative father of her illegitimate child. An order
of Is. 6.1. per week and costa was made on the de-
fendant.
WELLS. —CHRISTMAS AT Till COUNTY LUNATIC
ASYLUM.- -An interesting treat was given on Tues-
day it the Wells Asylum. Some twelve months
ago Dr. Boyd, the medical superintendent, by way
of trying its effects on some of his patients,
or their
IP
for their amusement, and the enjoyment o their
attendants and the other officers of the asylum, a
private theatrical representation. It proved so
soccestful that this year he has been led to repeat
it on a much larger nate. The arrangements were
made for three nights' performance, invitations
being issued to the visitors of the asylum and their
friends, and to other ladies and gentlemen. The
first perfonnarice was on Tuesday night The
theatre was erected in the great ilining-hall of the
institution, and was not only exceedingly tasteful,
but a somewhat commodious structure, its propor-
tions not falling materially below those of the Royal
Bljou Theatre, in Windsor Castle. The audience,
which comprised, besides the attendants and • num-
ber of visitors, and well nigh four hundred of the
inmates, began to arrive soon after seven o'clock,
aod very seldom has there been drawn together an
assemblage in which (giving credit of course to the
individual narratives of its units) so large a number
of celebrities were present. We are nature whether
Queen Victoria WY there, but we had the satisfac-
tion of seeing " her Majesty" in the asylum, and
being enured by her that she is effecting • rigorous
reform amongst her maids of honour, and that she
has appointed a Mr. Gale as prime minister, in order
have "fairer work at the Exchequer." But though
the Queen may possibly have been absent, the real
ben to the throne was there in the person of the
"poet of naters," a legitimate son of George the
Fourth, by Caroline of Brunswick, who defies the
whole world to prove that the reigning sovereign is
not • usurper of his rights; and there was • second
man in the hall who would probably contest the
regal right • ith her Majesty, inasmuch as he is
heir, he told us, to the whole kingdom, and has
only been kept out of its possession by pilfering and
perjury, which be implored us to look into for
him. That the inventor of the electric telegraph
was t we are certin, for we spoke to her,
and et relstO7d us of • marvellous watch she had dis-
covered, which not only keeps time, but "b-at,
time," and winds itself up into the bargain. How
shall we speak of a millionaire who was introduced
to us, whose wealth is altogether unbounded, and
who has as great • contempt for your Rotbohilda,
and Baring, and &musts, and Worms, and others of
that ilk, as persons of smaller means have for the
street beggars who cross their paths? He ransacked
Om dictionary of his mind for adjectives to szplain
to us the amount of his monetary income, which
be described to as first by measure, and then by
" millions of billions of trilliocui of quadrillions of
'Bilious of bilious of millions of billions," of which he
has entered the reword for 53 year*, b• said, in •
ledger that is kept by the stars of the sky. We
conversed with a nephew of George the First, as
yet • hale yams torn, who, if he dose not decay

more rapidly than he has hitherto dene,may protrally
foetid shire in the days of Albert the 2,stb. More
marvellous still WAS AA !.1,1 lady. who has lean trans.
tormul, she told us, into iron, and who gra,..l)
ilescrilad lo us the process by which she has bee,
of the optantuniey of presenting hoisell
in the flesh bef..re ut But we must not furthei
partienlarise. It was gratifying to find that, almost
without an elegem'', the poor deluded objects id
Dr. Hoyd's erre found enjoyment in the amusement
provided for them. The degree in which plassule
was communicated to their minds WAS, of course.
depend( nt on the exttnt to alsich the organ of
reason has been impure,' by their malady; but we
uotic,d faces wioh were at first dull and vapid
gradually lighting up beneath the genial influence
of the holiday treat, and in two inst.inmss, which
were especially noteworthy, countenances which at
the outset were painfully pensive became related in
the end by positive laughter. We believe we are
right in casing that it was the first experiment of
the kind with so large a number, and we have
reason to know that the efficient superintendent is
fay rAtiOnaft with its results, and more Um's gratided
by the dill ..-t, and respectful behaviour of his poor
patients.-- liridoi Poet.