The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1876-05-02 00:00:00

R&UNION AT ST. MARTS SCHOOLS.

The urishioners of St. Mary's, and the friends of the
Sunday schools, gathered in large numbers on Friday
evening, st • very pleasant series of entertainments, when
the eye, the ear, and other senses, were equally charmed.
The idea seems to have been carried out greatly through
the industry and taste of Mr. S. S. Milledge, who succeeded
in enlisting many friends in the good cause. It was
suggested that the Royal Hotel would be a 'tillable
place for the gathering, but, u it was very desirable to
make all feel as much "at born." at the entertainment
as possible, the committee wisely decided to make the
best of the homely National 'Schools, which are more
central in the pariah. The passage was covered with can-
vas, so as to resemble a marquee, and many evergreens in
pole were disposed along the side, the pleas being
brightly lighted with lamps. On ratting inside the
room, you were at once set admiring the wonderful
transformation that had been effected, for the schools had
been so adorned as to appear at once like a drawing room,
• museum, and a flower show. The walls were covered
with festoons and devices, the floor was almost covered
with handsome furniture, the windows hung
with curtains, the beams were enwreathed with ivy,
even the gas burners shed a softened light, being shaded
with frosted globes, kindly lent by Mr. X V. William&
Ou each side of the window between the entrances
were bumf large curtains of silk and rich material adorned
with flowers in natural colours; these were the loan ef
Mrs. CoL Eld. In front of this Mrs. Tigwell and Miss
Lmin president at a well stored refreshment table, and
they had abundance of visitors to attend to. Over the
doers were, in snowy letters on pink ground " Ex-
ample teaches far better than precept, and ' Christianity
the groundwork of salvation." Starting from the door on
the left, we observed stars of bayonets, ramrods, he., bur-
in "V; .R." and the Prince of Wale's triple plume in the
centres, and made by military friends. The likeness of
the Rector was here surrounded by roses, making • putt,
device. Turnieg into the wing which joins the main
schoolroom at right angles, it wee seen to be adorned se
gracefully as the other part, the richest of feetoons of
evergreens and flowers w ere looped all round and on the
walla "Faith, Hope, end Charity," 'Knowledge is power,"
"(live God the first and last of each day's thoughts,'" and
on the frame ef the temporary partition " Measure
your life by deeds of goodness, not by years," while
there faced each other'• In the morning sow thy
seed, " and "In the evening withhold not thine
Framed engravings of Scripture scenes, and
curious Japanese peintings, hung on Use wall,. Return-
Inc to the main schoolroom, • bust of George. 111,
the patron of Weymouth was surmounted by the famous
utterance of the good King "It is my wish that every
child in my dominions should be taught to read the
Bible." The next object that caught attention was •
charming mono( butterflies, lent by Miss Bridge. Next
this was the orchestra, embowered in ever-greens. On
the opposite wall was quite a unary, including choice
engravings, some coloured according to Nature, and a
few very unnatural, but most richly-worked Japanese silk
pictures of the gorgeous birds of that country, Including
what seemed to be the Japanese Amain. 'rheas muef
have come from Yokohama, Hakodadi, Nagasaki, or
some other place with • pretty name, and were lent by
Mn. Kent Cur of rare and beautifully plumaged birds,
lent by Miss Bridge, a number of choice bronzes, lent by
Dr. Drew, and some beautiful flowers by the Rector,
Including • magnificent crimson roes, full of blcoms, and
with delicious scent, were the principal decorations against
this wall. The Rector was vary active in the work of
decoration, and Ur. S. & Milledge laboured quite us
anion, and very hard, being assisted by the Misses Mead,
Misses Milled,., Mims Notley. Mrs. Kerslake, Mies Sum,
Miss Weisman, Min A. Guars', Miss Randall, Miss
Drew, the Misses Large (Salisbury) Mr. W. Thurman. ie.
The awning was lent by the Weymouth and Channel
Islands Steam Packet Company and the flags from the
Coastguard station and the Weymouth and Portland
Steam Packet Company. We must now perambulate
the room to note the curiosities displayed. Capt. Shute
Piers, it N., lent a fine sponge ; and Venus's flower sue,
from the Philippine Islands, elephant's molars, and shark's
teeth, Tongatabu clubs and spear, gold in quarts. vegetable
ivory nuts, cotton pods, raw sil ostrich eggs, Fijian
native cloth, and • very elaborate pistol, inlaid with gold,
silver, and enamel; this was given to Cut Piers by the
famous Cireaaidon chief. On another table were three
finely worked Indian idols, appsrently represening
the Buddhist Trinity; these. as well as the bust of King
George 111., were lent by Mr. J. Milledge. Some fine
azaleas and delicate foliage plants were disposed around.
In the wing to the left was another series of refreshment
tables, kept by Mrs. and Miss Burt and on the right a
table with a first-class stereoscope and " transparent
views of glacier scenery, Kaleidoscopes, de,
lent by Mr. Rowe, Mr. Bull, Dr. Simpson. To • printer,
the greatest curiosity in the room was a copy of the
original Nuremberg Chronicle, dated 1414„ and in excellent
=ation except the title page. It is printed in
in black-letter type, about Great Primer, and is
adorned with very curious wood-cuts, illustrating the
subject of the book—s history of the World from the
Creation; this treasure was lent by Miss Helyar. Next
was a first-class musical box, lent by Miu de Winton,
such a large and finished instrument as to be worth scores
of pounds. It played often during the evening.
Japanese and other costly rues, lent by Dr.
Drew were on other tables. In • corner rather
inacceuible were a splendid collection of binocular and
other microecopes, lent by the Rector, Dr. Moorhead, Mr.
W. B. Cole, and Mr. Butt, Mr. Debenham also lent
excellent Pnotoh& and stereoscopes. While we are
naming the tendersl we should add that every cabinet-
maker in the town sent suites of drawing furniture, and
Mr. Boytou Smith, • fine piano and equally excellent her-
moaium. There were about 500 Presents including—The
Rev. T. and Mrs. Greece*, Mr. and Mrs. It. if. Eliot. Mr.
and Mrs. W. Greaves, the Rev. T. Falkner, Misses Guiana.
Mr. and Mrs. Pelle Rooper, the Rev. Mr. Onion, lieut.
11.1,n .iro. Gwen, Dr. Moorhead. Dr. and Mrs.Litlatirsw,.
and -U,,. R. Crick rs. Shuts Piers, Mr G.
I-TRests, Mlss BBridge,, Mrs. deo. Andrewenr. G.
Andrews, fen-, Mr. and Mrs. Z. )(Wedge, Mr. and Mrs.
Rowe, Dr. Fuller Mr., and Misses Dos
and Mrs. Reseal', Mr, T. B. Groves, Mr. anwdeliraCart
Paynç Mr. Parsons (Portland), Miss EIMAGUIs Mr. and
Mrs. 1. Millsdjal Mrs. and Miss Park_er, the Rev. Mr.
Mund&ll.l4m a. 4. Talbot, Mon& & ?roost. Mrs. Ross,
Mrs. Ranolds. ltra. Caine& Misses Satith, Mimes
Maud. Wu. end the Mrs Smelt Bradslisw. Mr.
D. Ped,geon, Mr. T. Fmk', Mr, J. Parsons, Mr. Hunt, Mr.
J. J. R. Stiort MIN Vint:ant, Mimeos Wood, Kr. Lowden
Parte. Mile Sl=yelatl Many others whom we could not
us in the feu smonddy, among whom Mr.
& S. IMdse,the Jade( promoter, appeared in
ev place During the sunhat • choice se.
_of
music was stormed under the
'Winn Simi the ribludnr sad _
s cluriewh,
__a nurn_coubircar rkuamioniertics;
deists
kitty!,

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Seymour; Mr.
Mr. Panama. Mr. Sim

with the thorns "0 Father. whom Almighty Pryer
Handers music was well rendered Pena" ,
_.
for
thy tender mercies' sake," was sung with deep expreggion,
after which the "Hallelujah" chorus mode a most agree-
able realign, being sung with brightness fitting this grand
work. Miss Eliot and Miss Carrie Andrews,. tastefully
Performed Handers "Occasional Overture, and than
followed the childish "Scatter Seeds of Kindness," from
Sankey's songs, which seemed to be much appreciated by
the parents present. Conversation was resumed, and the
pretty things around again examined. after which the
choir attempted Rosaines "Angel of Concord," and did
fairly, though some could not master the highest notes.
Mr. J. Parsons and Mr. Debenhain gave one of the treats
of the evening in their duet (Mendalasohn) "Now we are
Ambassadors," sung with musical taste and power
and the chorus was also good. Misses Eliot, with Mr.
Smith at the harmonium, played the March from Athalie,
and were deservedly applauded, and this part of the
music was concluded with Sankey's "Sweet by and bye.."
so that all classes of musical hearers were entertained.
Another break let the time slip along, and we have the
, anthem "Blessed be Thou," sung with due reverence :
the quartette was by Miss Janet. Mies Waitman.
Mrs. Stedman. Mr. 'Debenham, and Mr. Pam and the
double duet, by Mrs. Pelly Hooper, Kn. Coucher. Mrs.
Piers, and Mims Shim the whole was very well rendered.
Mime Parniiter and Mr. Smith then played Mr. F. Smith's
11=rant of a *election from the Lobegessog. so
a and tastefully that you could have heard a pin
drop; they were much applauded. That most impressive
of Sankey's hymns. "The Ninety and Nine," followed,
and the audience joined in thoughtfully, impireiwed with
the thought of that "Se great Love," the stilled of the
song. "Hark the Vesper Hymn is stealing,' was delight-
fully rendered, especially in the piano part, the "Jubilate"
being also sung out well. Miss Vincent and Miss Phillips
played Mandebrohn's "Wedding March" with excellent
effect, and then the company joined the singers in "The
Home over There," the musical enterteinment drawing to
• close with the Kyrie and Gloria (Mozart), snag in good
style, and concluding with God says the Queen. Mr.
Geo. Thorns had kiadly accompanied with his usual &trill
and taste. The performance of the music showed that
Mr. B. Smith is a most successful tucker, for although
the singers had practised hut a short time, they acquitted
themselves mawkishly well.
Just before the last anthem was snug,
The Macros said they would be a very ungrateful
audience if they did not accord a vote of thanks—and •
very warm one—to their friends the songsters and
musicians, for the great gratification they had afforded
to-night All would agree that they had acquitted them-
selves in • most creditable manner. (Aprilause.) They
ought also to give a very warm rote of thanks to the
organist, Mr. Smith, and the accompanyist. Mr. George
Thorne. All would feel what an able and patient leader
he was, and the young people had only themselves to
blame if they did not take advantage of his instruction.
Then to the friends who bad laid out their labour on
these poor old schoolrooms, and especially to their young
friends who had tolled early and late to produce this
transmogrification, dad above all, the wartneet thanks
were due to the Sander teachers, especially to their
Indefatigable secretary Mr. Sydney Milled's. (Great
applause.) Mr. Grimm continued that Mr. Sydney was
turning out • very promising young man, if he only held
on as be had begun. (Renewed applause.) Now he was
going to do what they would perhaps think an unreason-
able thing—it was • great pity that all these decorations
should be at once removed, and he would ask the musical
friends if they could not come for an hour te-morrow
evening, then their poorer friends would be let in ate very
low price, but which might pay the expenses, and enable
them to imply all the profits to the funds of the Sunday
schools. The great object was to create a strong feeling of
intereeta in the town in what was an almost invaluable
agency in the work. the Sunday schools. He would turn
to their young friends, and ask them to come for an hour
on Saturday evening, and he should take no refusaL
(Laughter and applause.)
After this, Mr. Greaves announced that there would be I
the same singing from seven to eight the following night,
admission 6d.
Accordingly, on Saturday night • large number of the
scholars' parents and other friends, gathered in the
schools, and much admired the decorations and
curioeities. The rhododendrons, &melees, and roses,
seemed more charming than ever, and about upon
the walls we spied things that in the enaarrat
riehesaaa we hail overlooked on the first night.
Among these was a case of beautiful humming
and other ;my-coloured birds, at the very end of the wing,
or infant schooL The choir very kindly mustered
apparently as many as before, and went through a
similar programme with even increased confidence. It
had been intended to close the singing at eight, but the
musicians so kindly gave full value that it was nearer
nine before the visitors were ready to go. Capt. Russell,
ELK, then, on behalf of Mr. Groomes, who was unable
through • cold, to he there, expressed thanks to the choir,
to Kr. Boyton Smith, to Mr. Geo. Thorne, and to the
invaluable secretary of the Sunday schools, Mr. Sidney
Milled's, who had given a practical proof of the truth
that whatever is worth undertaking, is worth doing well
—(spplause). He also mentioned that Mr. Debenhain
had very kindly taken some photographs of the room,
which could be purchased at different price.. The
National Anthem was again sung, and the visitors
departed well pleased. The work of removing the
curiosities then commenced, the Sunday schools meeting
in the rooms next day ; but among the signs of the decora-
tions left behind was the appropriate distich—
..

-""A -fiabbsth well spent.
Brings week of content^
. . .

_
We only need add that the infants and girls taught in the
rooms referred to number between MO and 400, and the
boys, taught in an adjoining room, are still more numerous
than the girls.

[ADVT.]
The Rector and teachers of St. Mary's Sunday
Schools beg to tender their best and heart-felt thanks
to those ladies and gentlemen who so admirably
executed the decorations of the schools; to the choir
with Mr. Floyton Smith as conductor, and Mr. Thorne
as accompanyist, for their valuable assistance in
performing the programme; to those who so generously
lent the furniture, curiosities, and Works of Art for
the evening; and to those who in any way assisted in
causing the Re-union to pass off with such success.
The Rector and teachers have adopted thie mode of
tendering their thanks, in order to avoid the possibility
of any being forgotten.

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