The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1876-01-11 00:00:00

PORTESHAK

ACCIDENT.- On Monday, • man named Levi Golden in
the employ of Mr. W. Mantlad, fell off • threshing
machine and Injured the back part of his head. He was
conveyed to the Dorset County Hospital, where he lies in
a very precarious state.

ANNUAL ENTZRTMTAIifyIqi.TALT THE DORSET

COUNTY ASYLUM.

To sweeten somewhat the gloomy life of those bereft of
reason, and break in upon the monotony of those who are
prisoners from no fault of their own, is a triumph of
modern philanthropy, and it is the peculiar feature that
governs the economy of the Dorset County Asylum, where
all is done to brighten the hard lot of the inmates. New
Year's Eve was observed at Charminster Asylum in this
liberal and kindly fashion, the ordinary numbered' inmates
being reinforced by patienta from Fusion. The eel,*
took place in the great hall, which woo decorated in a
most tasteful manner. The apartment is nicely proper-
tionedjand affords tine scope for the display of evergreen
and floral decoration. Long string courses of holly were
arranged aronn.l the walls in graceful festoons; between
each were triangles of greenery, the devices being relieved
with rosettes in coloured paper and, besides trophies of all
nations were Oared at intervals. The lightness and elegance
of the whole were obviiris to the most careful observer.
The hand for the ball was composed of the
People at the
I asylum, under the leadership of Mr. J. Stevens, from
Dorchester, who took the lead and did it very capitally.
The festivities commenced punctually at seven. The
ladies present were Mrs. Symes, Mrs. Fox, Misses eyinen
(2), Mrs. Bland, and Mime Wellington; they entered the
room accompanied by the medical superintendent (My
Symms), the medical offiners (Dr. Gillepsio and Mr. Bland
the Rev. W. Evans (the chaplain), Mr. G. P. Spines, an
Muter Synies. The company proper next arrived from
the various wards without the learnt confusion. The order
was then given to the band to strike up and for partners
to be chosen, and, this being ranged, the floor was taker,
for the first country dance. Hands across and down the
middle" was the figure the ball was opened by mi.
Spines and her brother. Next followed a piano duet by
little Miss Symes and Mire. Wellington, which wag
pleasing. Then several smartly dressed nurses went to
the upper end of the room and sang "Foresters Sound
the Cheerful Horn." A vocal duet succeeded, by lliss
Symes and Mrs. Bland, and was nicely sung. lhe super.
intendent, who was everywhere looking after the comfort
of his charges, now called another dance, which had a
different figure, and was marked by increased animation.
A piano duet by Miss Symes and Miss Wellington
suceetled the dance, and then Mr. F. Holland wig
"The Menagerie;" Miss Symes accompanied the song
The third dance went off with more sirit, and next a
party of female attendants obliged with" The Ilentsman's
Chorus," the chaplain accompanying and putting in a
capital bass, It was a lively performance, and contributed
greatly to the general enjoyment. Mr. R. Hayman rang
"The Niggardly Nigger," and a nurse gave a pretty
ballad, "tar away." Mr. Holland sang' 0 vere is my
Tabby Tom Cat I: and kept the room in a roar. Miss
Space sang to Mrs. Bland's accompaniment "Sing Sweet
Bird" with much sweetness. Again, a dance, with more
symptoms of vigour, and a plaintive song by a female
patient succeeded, and after Miss Symms had contributed
to the harmony of the evening an attendant informed us
in song how " He Liked to be • Swell," and the equate
I luencxxi thereof, and a patient of the epposite out sang
deintively "Sing the old Song;" and the " Counte. of
Illandford" succeeded with " Happy Laiel." A nurse
managed very prettily "Send Inc a Letter from Hoe'
and one of the land indulged vocally, being much liked
The next dance was "Thu triumph," la which all entered
heart and soul ; The sec I matron then gave "Won't
you Tell me Why?" admirably. A landsman was then
heard in Fifty years b,'.:" all joining in the chorus.
' Mr. Stevens played • eornet solo, "The Last of
Summer." with power and excellent tone. Some ef the
nurses and the chaplain Cave a part song. "Sweet Belle
Mahone," with considerable taste, and after a eel., by Mrt
Bleed, Mr. Holland came in with " ffanki Pauki, •
"The Village Choristers" by the iauNet and chaplaie,
with Miss Symes accompanying, klye great satisfactio3
ed and then follow a trio by Spines Mrs. Bland, and
the chaplain. An attendant gave a comic version
" Where are you going to my Pretty Maid " and sues
imedeal chiefly by his laughable gestures. "The World, it
went so I lay," by a male hinatieraised souse laughter, and
"Ihe Postman's Knock," by a female patient, was plus.
ingly sung. "A Walk by Moonlight," by a male Inmate
though supposed to he cotuic wall rather doleful. After
refreshment,u came the last dance of the evening, which
was an anunated buoneu Following this..the chaplain
sang " The Merriest Man in the Company, with con-H-
-eralds skill, and evidence of • good voice. Mr. Hayman
rang a II WWI. and Mr. Holland related in comic eong
"The Misfortunes of Muter Tommy Waddle." •I he
" National Anther., " anisoutieed that the revels had
ended, the patients, were warehed off to lord, and thus
commenced the year lele at the asylum.