The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1865-05-16 00:00:00

TOWN COUNCIL AND BOARD OF HEALTH

ess important places in the county; but, as years
roll on, the inhabitants do not at all flag in their
endeavours to give the officers and men of the
Queen's Own a most cordial welcome, and the
greater portion of them are only too glad to come
here. Out of so many, of course it would be a
matter of impossibility to please all ; but we feel
sure that after the eight days' drill is over, those
who were dis.iffected must own that no other town
in the county could afford them such comfort,
amusement, or convenience as Weymouth. The
visit of the Yeomanry puts all the lodging-house
keepers on the qui me, and painters and decorators
are not equal to the demand; in fact, everything is
done to promote the happiness of the sons of Mars.
In order to provide amusements for them the town
is cauvassed for subscriptions, and a very good sum
is generally ranged, which, under the care of •
judicious committee, is most carefully expended,
and the sports afford the greatest satisfaction, not
only to the Yeomanry themselves, but to the
numerous retinue of friends who follow them. Even
the Tbwn Council this year have made vigorous
efforts 'to mend their ways," and have succeeded
in preventing a nuisance which was the subject of
comment last year, and which the townspeople may
well congratulate themselves upon.
During the visit of the Yeomanry they are
generally favoured with the most delighful weather,
but this year is an exception to that rule, for on
their day of entrance it was anything but favourable.
The day of arrival too has been altered, the men
generally entering the town on Saturday ; but this
year, owing, we believe, to Toiler Down fair inter-
fering, at which many of the yeomen have business,
it has been changed to Wednesday.
On Wednesday morning the rain descended in
torrents, which must have greatly marred the com-
fort of those horsemen who came from distant parts
of the county. About noon, however, the sun began
to shed its cheering rays, and soon after an improve-
ment took place. As the hour approached for the
Yeomanry to arrive flags were hoisted from public
buildings and private houses, and a great many
people wended their way to Corfe Hill Lodge, the
spot appointed for the Yeomanry to assemble. In
the meantime the Artillery corps had arrived from
Portland, about 60 strong, with their band, under
the command of Captain Barrington Browne,
Lieutenants Eliot and Andrews, and these with
the Weymouth Rifle Corps, also accompanied by
their band, under the command of Captain Thresher,
Lieut. Tizard, and Hon. Assistant-Surgeon Tizard,
proceeded on the Dorchester-road, and at a short
distance from the Catholic Chapel, awaited the
arrival of their mounted brethren. Between thr, a
and four o'clock most of the Queen's Own had
arrived on the ground, and after the usual routine
lowliness had been gone through the march to Wey-
mouth was commenced, the regiment being under
the command of Lieut.-Colt:mei Lord Digby, the
Lieut. -Colonel-Commandant Llrd Ri v ere being absent.
The Rifles and Artillery were drawn up in line, and OA
the Yeomanry passed, the customary salutes were
exchanged. The regiment was headed by their ex-
cellent brass band, under the leadership of Mr.
Eyers, which discoursed some excellent music. As
' the Yeomanry neared the town hundreds of people
met them, which on entering was inceeased to 2,000
• or 3,000. The regiment was exceedingly well
mounted, and looked very well, especially when it is
borne in mind that many of the men and homes had
' come from long distances. The head quarters are at
the Burdon Hotel, opposite to which the regiment
• was drawn up, and dismissed, the men beating a
hasty retreat to partake of the abundance of creature
' comforts provided for them at the various hotels and
inns. From the subjoined statement, which was
gathered from the official returns sent in, it will be
L seen that the regiment consists of 333 men, besides
' the band, and the staff officers. The following
compose