The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1876-04-11 00:00:00

DORCIIESTER NIGHT SCHOOL.

This schoolitas just concluded another season's work,
and a more fitting termination could not paldbly be
conceived than that which has now become an estab-
lished rule. Several years ago it was suggested by
that friend of every laudable cause, Mr. John Francis
Hodges, that at the close of the winter's duties the
boys should be entertained at a substantial supper.
No sooner was the suggestion thrown out than a
number of well wishers to the boys of the town "fell
In" with the idea, and nobly came forward and sup-
plied the " necoessaries" for a "good feed." Every
year since the National Night School Supper has been
looked forward to with pleasure by the numbers of
boys who avail themselves of the instruction there
afforded, and Thursday evening last again witnessed
one of these "spreads." It took place in the spacious
schoolroom which had been turned
_pro. kill into
magnificent dining-room. No pains had been spared
to make the place gay, Gad Mr. Cooper, his teachers,
and the boys, who all had a "finger in the pie"
deserve every prates for the handsome manner in
which the room bad been decorated. It showed their
hearts were in the work, and they were well rewarded
by seeing the effectiveness of their labours. The wall
facing the entrance sad at the beck of the chairman's
seat, bore the word "Welcome," over it being a
crown with V.R. on either side, two large flags stand.
ing out in opposite directions, and • neat array of
coloured papers and evergreen around the school clock.
To the right of the was the motto "Dill.
gum is rewarded," with "Thanks to our friends"
opposite, and nearer the entrance "Value learning,"
and "Strive to improve" stood out in bold "type."
Over the entrance in church text were "God Bless
the Prince of Wales," surmounted with the plumes of
H.R.H., bannerets standing on either side. But them
were not all, wreaths of evergreen met the eye in every
direction, long strings of the same material being
' hung on either wall, whilst the gas pendants, and
even the massive beam were not "left out in the
cold" as being out of reach, for some good friend had
mounted enough to place bannerete across the
latter, and former wore many a gay wreath. The
whole being set off in the most effective manner,
whilst at the ssme time everything was in unison and
the trimming had not been overdone. But the
decorating reached its climax when the tables
began to groan beneath the weight of the good
provided. These had been laid out in
grand array on three tables reaching nearly the length
of the room, each dish having been marked with the I
name of the kind donor. We cannot attempt to
enumerate all the " goodies " as the Mayor termed
them, which had been provided tor the comfort of all,
suffice it to say that there were • number of " sub-
stantial " joints with an endless assortment of
puddings, pies, tarts, 'glee and such like, all of which
had been contributed friends of the school, and to
"set off" which . Harris, of the Nurseries,
Dorchester, had seat a number of choice flowers in
pots, which were intenpereed between the dishes and
eve a finish to the whole agar. But we must not
rZifurther without nand/tlioee considerate
cris,who contributed the good thee,
IMO : —The Rector and Mrs. Ev
J. F. Hodes, Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Hedges, your. Hr.
and Hrs. and MTS. Mengel ,
Colonel and Mrl.l=t'llam,,CaMiel Oldfield, Mr. and
Mrs. Thornton, Rev. H. Y. Joan. the Mimes
anu.chm, Mrs. Penton, Mr. end Mrs- J. Galpin. Mr. I
sad Mrs. Emson, Mrs. Genii Miss Coombotfr. B.
Davie, lir. He MITN Mn• °P•re _Mr._agd
Mitiltd.r. and lin. Steele, Mr. and mrs. Tudor
W. Dunlop, Mr. and Mrs A. Spkeir, Ms.

and Mn. A- Pope, Mr. and Mrs. H. Lock, Messrs.
Lock and Son, Mr. and Mrs. E. Pearce, Mr. and Mrs,
Cunnington, Mr. and Mrs. W. Gal*, and Mr.
K Pope, the preliminary arrangements hiving
been carried out by Mn. Howe, of Cornhill.
Mr. G. J. G. Gregory and Mr. J. F. Hannah,
with their well.known kindness provided the necessary
boards, gic., for the tables, and the former sent some
of his peplos* to fit them ucthe whole of the arrange-
ments being superintended the much-loved school.
master, Mr. J. H. Cooper, who was ably backed by a
staff of teachers and others, and altogether everything
' was complete. Long before the time appointed for
the " attack " the boys hail assembled in the school.
yard, and like the brave 4 lefepdens who have so often
made attacks of a far more serious character, awl have
come off victorious, our "Dorset boys" were " eager
for the fray." But they conducted themselves with
decorum, and, like good soldiers, waited patiently the
command of their Captain to commence the char
This was arranged to be at eight o'clock, and slirkeY
after that hour all having been seated, the Rector
asked the company to rise, they would sing gram,
and then they could "fall to." And the rev.
gentleman need not have taken the precaution
to tell them, as they "fell to ' with a will, and
committed an onslaught that spoke volumes in favour
of their appreciative and digestive powers. Mr. A.
Emson (mayor), presided, and among those who were
meant, and assisted by carving the various joints, and
thus sustaining the gseats, were—The Rector (Rev. H.
Everett), Mr. R. Itorneit, Mr. R. Davis, Captain
Manse', Mr. J. Tudor, Mr. T. S. Bigge,Capt. J.
_F.
Hodges, Colonel Oldfivld, Mr. H. W. Hovkee, Mr.
Alfred Pope, Mr. Nobbe, Mr. Howe, Mr. Norman,
Mr. A. Chapman, Mr. W. Chink, &c. To add to the
pleasures of the evening Mr. T. M. Morgan, the talented
and indefatigable organist, and the choirof Holy Trinity
Church were present, and sang several glees and songs
the organist accompanying an the harmonium. After
all had enjoyed themselves to their heart's content,
and there was little left but" fragments" to gather up,
grace was rung by the company, and the speechifying
oommenced ; but, unlike most after dinner affairs,
everybody was brief, and the remarks "to the point.'
The MAYOO said the first toast on the list was one
which every Englishman. and every English woman, and
every English boy should be proud of, it wee "The health
of the Queen"- (cheers). The Queen had reigned men/
years, perhaps as long as any Queen bad, and she had
reigned very suocessfully. And during that long period
the country had been very prosperous. He had very
groat pleasure to giving them "the Queen "—(applause,
and one verse of "God Save the Queen.")
Glee by the Singers : "The rout beef of old England.'
The Mstort said the next toast was "Success to the 1
Dorchester Night School "--lapplause). It was taking I
rather • long jump to come from the Queen to so does I
home, but he thought the Queen would not be much
without the "small fry" he saw around him. As they
grew to manhood they would be very useful, and after
what he had seen of their attack that night, he should
expect great things of them in after life-qapplansek
Tor he had seldom seen such a lot of young ones, who
eould make so good a charge f rem the centre, as they
had done that evening. He urged them to stick In their
learning with as much spirit, and they would do well
Sanaa
Hegave them "Success to the Dorchester
ittt School" - (at:please/
Mr. T. M. Monism, here sang a comic sou "The
Caenation," and was immensely applauded.
The Rev. H. Blum in returning thanks, said he
would take the opportunity of saying a few words which
he thought w be of interest to them. During the
season they had had 150 names on the books, and out of
that number there had been an average attendance of to,
and 78 had been presented for examination -(applause).
This, he thought, was very satisfactory, and judging from
what they had done he thought they might feel
anieuraged, and that he was not wrong in saying
• certain amount of success had attended their
efforts. He had been rer,inded by Mr. .1. R. Cooper that
the boys who had been presented for examination were
between the ages of 12 and 18. these were the only ones
eligible under existing rules. But next year he was pleased
to find the new cede would be in force under which
they would be able to present scholars between the ages of
18 and 21-4oPlausel This he thought would be a peat
boon, and he was very glad that the Government had
so decided —(applause). He went on to say that they could
not over-rate the value of these night schools, end the good
they were doing. Man) lads had spoken to him, and had
shown their anxiety to attend, and he hoped the younger
ones there would endeavour to influence thir older
brothers, that next winter they might have a larm
number of older schobus —(applause). Many boys he
had met had remarked they wished they had attended
school more regularly, and the rev, gentlemen reminded
those present that success in life in the preunt times de-
puded in a very great measure upon their education, and
be urged them to make good use of their lime The
rector then referred to the work of the school, and the
examination by the Government Inspector, whom he bad
Invited to attend, but who had sent the following letter,
which he would read :
The Hyde, Bridpart,
Thursday.
Dear Everett,
Thine been out of sorts all the week—" New
Code on the brain," I fancy—or I should have had
had much pleasure in partaking of your evening school
supper and bearing public testimony to the good behaviour
niyt of t. when I examined them, a few weeks ago.
The of evening schools cannot be exaggerated, and
I yours at Dorchester as one of the most satisfactorily
conducted, and best taught in my district.
With kind
rrerd'r yours
W. rical3/1111M4 .

(applause). The rector continued, coming as that did from
one whom opinion was of great value, was the best testi-
mony they could have in favour of the school. During
the past session the boys had behaved remarkably well,
and had worked harder than in any previous year, and he
hoped they would continue to do so. He assured the
boys that they had their interest at heart in conducting
this school, and although It was not pleasant to turn out
of • warm room on a cold and wet winter's evening, and
come there to teach them, they did not awe about
that, and they were delighted to do what they could for
them. He hoped that next rear under the new code of regu-
lations they would be able to establish higher deem, and
thus ems a
_Squd tv-bni,e4 education, which would
indnoe Older boys to attend (applause). Before
concluding he expressed his thanks to Mr. Cooper,
the master, and the thechere, many of whom were old
scholars of the echool, and other (needs who had come in
to moist, for hairlworked so sealously,in the interests of
the school duri past winter-(applause).
Glee : "The Village Choristers."
The Karol then proposed the "Donor, of the
goodies' which had been pieced before them. Without
thee" good things they would not have got on so well,
nor would he have seen so many cheerful, smiling
faces as he sew before him. Hs hoped they would have
more present next year, and that the kind friend, would
again provide these good things, as they assisted them to
do both hand and head work-(applause). He had very
great pleasure in giving them the " Donors of the feast'
-(great cheeringt,
Captain j. p.-HODegle, as one of these who had contri-
buted to the pleasures of the evening, returned thanks for
I the kind way in which the Mayor had been pleased to
propose the toast, and for the manner in which they had
received it. He remembered that his dear father, who
' would have been delighted to have been present, was the
first to suggest that they might have a supper at the close
of their season instead of a tea, and since that the supper
had been carried out as they had seen that evening-
(applause). His father and himself and the kind friends
who had emitted took • great interest in the school, and
In the education of the young men of the town. He
missed some old fame from amongst them, whom be should
have been pleased to see preeent lie hoped they would
continue to go on as they had done, and should have
pleasure in continuing his support, as would his father,
and the other kind friends. Ha Wen thanked them very
much for the kind espreesions which had been mad.-
(op—
The IIATOII said the next toast he had to propose was
the toast of the evening, for without Mr. Cooper and the
amistance he afforded the school would not have existence.
Without his guidance and teaching they would be =nig
about in the &A would
- wld be like a ship without a
He them "The health of Mr. Cooper, the amt..;
with van' Frel4 pleasure, and he hoped they would tastily
to their appreciation of his efforts for their good by hearty
cheers, a hint which the bays tack up with gusto, the
cheering being perfectly deafening, euri again
' and Lain
the glee party striking up He s a jolly good
repeated,
," and one cheer more being added for Mrs.
coaa4r.
Colonel OLDIII.LD said it would be useless after what
they, had heard for him to say anything. They had been
toad that the school WU the beet in the district, and that
being so the master must be the best-(applause). He
continued that the night school had the double advan-
tage, that whilst they were enabled to earn money, they
, were also planes). The day schools he con-
sidered was only the beginning, whilst he looked upon
the night school as the capping
Kr. T. U. Morgan sans in first rate sty "rio 72,- the
compaigoortaskisit up the
in returning thanks, said he was very
much obliged or the kind remarks of the Mayor in pro-
Cms the taeat, and for the manner in which
ry had received it. He felt Itadritinot deserve half of
the kind things-which had been said. He had only dons
what he considered was his duty, and what he ought to do.
' but be had done his best for them-(applause). He
, reminded them that however much he might try, and
I his teachers might try, it would be useless unlem they
each did their best and attended regularly. He was
indebted to the teachers-many of whom ware old scholars
I who had assisted him in his work. He thought that a
Wrong attraction to the night school warn this comfortable
' finish to the season, this nice supper. But if they
wanted to continue to have these good %loge they must
each de their best, in their respective situations -
I be attentive to their duty, and then he should have no
hesitation in asking the kind friends to continue their
support-iiPtd•
. .

The Melva said he had another toast to propose. which
wee "The health of Mr. Morgan and the choie—Upplause)
who bad contributed much to their pleaaure by their
capital singing—fenni•uw4.
The Singers : The song of the Brotherhood."

The Rri. IL Erre= Wore good night had •
toast to =Z = sho
y) receptionw their appre.
dolt= oraPfrete. it= ssaby • arty
—it was that of the Mayor, who had Win showed his
interest in them by coixiimt to preside —(applausa It
was not the first time he had been there, and be hoped it
would not be the tart As chief magistrate he was always
ready to help them ill any way, and be was much
interested in their education. Whenever he gthe rector)
wanted assistance it was only to ask the Mayor, and
he at mice showed his readiness to come forward an!!
oodot—tgreitt cheering, and "He's • jolly good fellow,
with one cheer more for the Mayorga").
The MAYOR felt a little puttied as to bow to =Swig' the
compliment which had been passed him. He felt be did
not deserve ball of the kind thinp which had been mid.
Hs had not been used to so much praise (which his friend
Mr. Tudor said he did sit believe)—(laughter)--and felt
rather at sea in responding. He was very pleased to bp
Fat, a= hoped he should bars the pleasing of mset-
om again, and to hear as good a report of the
=I, and of those hi saw around him, = had done
that svaning—(tivirlegm).

- - -
concluded the list or taste and before somsratine
the Ramon said he wanted Qui boys to go out am orderly
m User had intand• He .as pleased to say that he had
reosived no complaints this winter of the noise on their
bovine school, and he honed they would continue to con
duet themselves ea well. The boys then left the school in
the most orderly manner. and thus terminated the labours
of another winter in connection with die riorchostor
Night Wohoola

smithmg had weed of with peat setae, and all oon•
are to ha congratulated on the success which has
attended their efforts

On Friday whatever remained of the good things
provided, wee distributed among widows and aged poor.