The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1883-12-11 00:00:00

LECTURE BY MR. HENRY EDWARDS, M.P.

In c ronection with the Weymouth Town Sodety,
Mr. Henry Edwards, hi F., gave an interesting
us:retire of a) iurney from the Atlantic to the Pacific
at the Borden Hotel Assembly Ro,me, on Wednesday
night. It will doubt'ese be remembered our esteemed
member made his trip to America on the occasion of
the opening of that important commercial undertaking,
the Northern Pacific Railway, which, without dou
is destined t open up one of the richest and most
magnificent countriew in the world.
The fine room was crowded by • most appreAative
audience, the chair being taken by the Mayor (R.. N.
Howard, Esq.) Mr. Edwards, who is looking remark.
ably well, and who, we are glad to say, appears to
have last all traces of tbe lamentable acdclesot of slew
years ago, was warmly applauded on entering the
room.
Tits CIiaIIMLII, M • few intro Ittertosy remarks, said
they were no doubt aware that through the energy of
Dr. Childs and several other gentlemen a society was
formed some few months ago called the Town Society,
and its object was very well known to them, via., to
give lectures, and, he was going to say to improve their,
=lodges well as add to their amusements. Their patrons
of that society were their worthy member; one of
whom he was delighted and pleased toe.. there that
evening. (Loud applause.) He (Mr. Edwards) had
most cheerfully given his consent t give them, in the
shape of • lecture, an account, should he call it of his
peregrinati,,no and wauderinge so far away from them.
wives; for the lest month or two. He was sure Mr
E lwards needed no introduction, because he wee so
very well known to them The Mayor then mobil 'nod
that in all the lecteres given by filet society they had
arranged to have an interval of five minutes for
cheerful oonversation, so that whether the lecturer
wished it or not, there would be five minutes' re-t
some time during the evening. (Hear, hear, and
latight.r.) He had also to announce to theta that the
reit lecture would be given by the Rev. R. A.
England (rector of Wyke Regis), who bad meetly
come smoort them, and who brought with him some-
what of • fatness • lecturer. This lecture would take
place at the 'loyal Hotel, on Tuesday next, and the
subject would be "The German Fatherland." (Ap-
plause.)
Mr. EDWARDS said: My kind friends, I am very
pleased Indeed to tees so many well-known faces before
me, and to give me so warm a vcepti in and such •
hearty welcome back after my keg t &vela I have
travelled about 15,000 miles since I left hem in
August last, and I feel very much complimented at
seeing so many of you this evening, leavior your Gen
comfortable firesides. I only hope I shall be able to
compensate you, and if I can only afford you ,ne part
of the pleaeure in hearing me recount my trav,ls al I
had In punning than I shall myself be fully oompm-
sated for any trouhle I have taken. (Applause.) First
of all Mr. Edwards proceeded t tell his an Ilene, why
he went on this journey. A great friend of his, Mr.
Villara. an eminent American banker, waked him if
he would accept an invitation to attend the I:langur-
ation of the opening of the Northern Pacific Railway,
and at the same time as he handed the invitation to
him he enclosed an order upon Messrs. Cunard, the
eminent ship-owners, of Liverp ad, to furnish him
with the beet possible accommodation, free of charge,
ti look after his comfort during his voyage,
and to bring him hack in similar comfort.
Besides this there was an order upon three
of the leading hotel, in New York to provide him with
every powible comfort sod *Monti in during his stay
there, and to he their guest there as long as he pleased;
then there was another order 1111.1 two large hotel, in
Chicago for similar treatment, free of charge. This
lieinc (Otis a pritoely invitation he accapt ad it then
and there, and on August 18%6 ha took the steamer
Gallia at Liverpool, an! embarks I for New Yr k.
llv did nit intend t give them any &tails of the
passago to America, for he bad n., ilinbt many of
those present hal undergone the pleasures and annoy
anode of the sea pewees; but he wit. very happy to
say this voyage consisted of a large amount of pleasure
and very fen annoyances,. On hosed were some
moan members of the party, siva several members
of the }townie of Tawas and Pompons, an whom bad
received • similar invitation to his own. They
loft on the 18th. and arrived at New York on the 28th,
having had every possible attention paid to them
during the voyage, and he was loon' t confess on
lauding they were very courts =lv and kindly
received by Mr. Villerd's represent dive. Every
attention was paid them, and they had several little
privileges—for irwtsuce their Ingellhfs was Paerld
Isitit..ut examination, which, as aoyberly who went to
America would know, wae a great treat, and an elegant
carriage was provided for them, which, to, as anyone
who knew anything of New York riding, was an
expeolve luxury. They were takes to the Wisdom

before