The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1882-08-01 00:00:00

WEYMOUTH MEN AT CAMP.
.To. the Ed_tio!.

Being an olriVolunteer, we thought you would like
to know how the it Company is getting on. We
muttered at the King's Statue at 915 on Monday
morning for this place. We found our officers at the
Statue looking quite fresh and ready for any military
emergency, especially our sub, in his new attire. I
can assure you Mr. Editor be was all perfection,
except the chili .trap, whili was • littletoo long. We
know he will excites us. Just previous to our arrival
at Weymouth Station, we weeeearied to notice our
chief magistrate driving at a rapid pace in order, as it
appeared to us to catch • last glimpse of Weymouth's
trilling defenders, but with all due deference to his
Worship, we trust that UP • similar occasion he will
be a little more punctual, as we fear be lost part of the
satisfaction of witnessing the most soldier like bearing
of our officers and men. On the platform we met our
good and much appreciated Colonel, and also the well-
known face of Capt. Bennett, who, as every Dorset
Volunteer is aware, has the Interest and welfare of the
battalion at heart. The courteous stationmuter duly
despatched us midst the cheers and good wishes of the
friends we left behind us. Nothing of very great
Importance occurred on our journey to Parkatons, hut
the melodious strains of the Pipping' voice occasionally
gladdened the hearts of the occupants of our compart-
ment. On our arrival at Poole we found the town
ta Mc. After parading the streets, which were very
artistically decorated with evergreen arches, prettily
worked devices, &c., we noticed one motto at Park-
atone which we thought most appropriate to the
Volunteers, viz :—" Gentle in Manner, Brave in
Action." Don't you think so, Mr. Editor? We adjourned
to a field for refreshments, of which there was an
ad adios supply. Here we were welcomed by the
worthy Mayor and Corporation of the Town and
Borough of Poole, and Oh! Mr. Editor, two Sergeants-
at-Mace, or whatever you may call them, with
alderm.nic corporations, smiling good-tempered
faces, the observed of all observers (weight from
eighteen to twenty stone each). After doing ample
justice to the good things provided, a move
was made for the camping ground. We found the
tents already pitched, and, after • few precautionary
remarks from the Colonel (which. I assure you, Mr.
Editor, did not apply to us), we were dismissed, with
• wish the more we enjoyed ourselves the better the
Colonel "Auld be pleaof I. The weather being now
fine, we took • stroll whilst dinner was cooking, and,
on our return to the tents—do Mr. Editor, try and
gums what met our view I—Two fellows in civilian
dress, smoking cigars, and—(l am almost afraid to tell
bu you, t must) —a lady all in pink. We, of course,
wanted our dinner, made • commotion with our
kniver, forks, Oates, itc., but to this they appeared
quite proof. ITlpn the "little Pippin" was com-
pelled to tell the male poi tion the intruders that we
were very plowd for them to remain in the tent, but
that we could riot suffer dinner end smoke at the same
time. They took the gentle hint and let t, but oh! must
we tell it you—they left the lady in pink with us.
This placed us in • popision quite unexpected. Alter
• while, at she did not appear inclined to follow her
male Mende, we screwed up sufficleot courage to ask
her to dine with us, but she very coolly and politely
declined, as eh., had already taken tea, but notwith-
standing this, she helped herself to • boiled potato,
which she evidently seemed to relish, and then, oh!
Mr. Editor, whit do you suppose—she was so struck
with our kindness anti hospitality that she actually
invited her elf to tea on Wednesday. We did not say I
much you may depend before her, but don't you think
with us, Mr. Editor, that she was very rude and
forward? After this little incident we had a swill,
and promenaded the camp ground, and, being
attracted by the sounds of • violin, we wended our
way towards it, when who should we see but the lady
in pink doing the lancer. with one of those horrid
Bournemouth Artillery Volunteers. Oh, dear, the
longer we live the more we see. We turned in to bed
about 10.30, soon alter which we were aroused by •
violent knocking at the front door, by •man enquiring
for the E Company. It appears he had been to Poole,
and, on coming back, lost his way. We must men-
tion, Mr. Editor, that the weather during the whole of
Monday was simply magnihcent, but about 12 o'clock
at night it commenced raioing, and has continued
off and on up to the time ..f dsspatch, —Tuesday 6 p.m.
—ln consequenoe of the seventy of the weather, our
first morniog seven tee.ock parade was counter-
manded. We mane/red to get through the Colonel's
eleven o'clock parade of two hours' duration. We
partly went through th Adjutant's afternoon parade
hut in the midst ,it it • violent storm broke over this
ground, and deluged the men, who were
rtrrirted quickly to their tents. On our return,
thoroughly drenched, we must tell you that our first
Lieut. was very anxious for our welfare, giving instruc-
tion. f o. each man to have something warm to keep
the wet out. And now we must bring our despatch to
a close owing to having two or three young fellows
completing their toilet, and rigging themselves out
with clean looking paper c cuffs, In,, and don-
ning some soft fliton I bloc caps with the letters
"W. t.r." upon them—whatever these letters may
111 ball. They have a ranged themselves especially for
what they call • long sitht at Poole, but have faith-
fully promised to return in good time. Post time is
now pressing. If we have another opportunity we
Intend forwarding • second dispatch; but should you
not receive it, you must pray excuse us, as you, as a
volunteer, are fully aware whet drawbacks there are
In camp to either comfortable letter writing or forward-
ing despatches. We had almoet omitted to Worm you
th.t our mooed officer Is sticking to his duty, and we
have not the least doubt but that in due time we shall
make him • thorough good volunteer.—Yours truly,
" TEM TWO 1'IPPD111."