The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1879-12-09 00:00:00

Duet eon* expreso.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, Mt

Biunln questions are not numerous in the county
town, altbougtt about a couple of years or to ago, a
rush of warm teeluig burst forth with regard to the
trees on the &ggafa Knap. And when at the last
meeting of the Mr. Pope suggested to
the Council the removal of a few trees on the Wey-•
mouth road, and at the same time claimed the tee.
simple of the path, no wonder there was a little stir.
For somewhere about a quarter of a century the public
used this path to the South-Western, and whosoever
may hold the fee-aire pie, it matters little to the majority,
since the user of the surface had been fully acquired.
It may be an open question whether the trees at the
entrance ol the town ought to be lessened in number,
—many persons would protest against the avenue
being thus interfered with; it may be still less advis-
able to bring down the raised path to the level of the
road used by bullocks going to and from the Fairfield
—many would prefer to retain the chance of a refuge
when an occasional Taurus objects to the amenities of
drovers; but there can be no difference of opinion that
the ploughing of the footpath, even if such an act be
within his right, will seriously endanger the popularity
of the ex-Mayor. We therefore appeal to the gentleman
who won valuable honours during his mayoralty,
not to look too earnestly for the breaking up of
the frost. Let us sincerely hope that it may last long
enough, in Mr. Pope's estimation, to give time for the
whole matter to be brought again before the Council,
and discussed in that calm and forbeanng manner
which we learnt at the " baron " dinner is the admi•
ration, and almost the envy, of a neighbouring town.

At that " baron " dinner, the member for the
borough, for a "mute performer," made a very toler-
able show of fight on behalf of his party, though we
did not note any particular mention of the Chief. Mr.
Brymer's best "point." were perhaps made when he
referred to the Liberal members who have voted for
the Government on the Eastern Question. The fact is
that in the dark-age Imperialism of Runde, those
Liberals note a foe to freedom, and a true instinct
guides them to resist it wherever it encroaches. The
remit of Imperial management at home has been to
stimulate the rivalry of Imperialism abroad, and so
far the thoroughbred despotism of Russia has had the
better of the struggle, for Russia has regained the line
of the Pruth which was wrenched to.ml2r.bLarslslifberal
Administration. But this time has
preyed open her ao-aslied idly, =side the en-
croachments of Russia on the north and mat, Turkey
has had to suffer the lose of an island more °entre' to
her dominions, while England is subject to con-
tinual alarms that she has driven Turkey Into
the arms of the Bear. Whether or no the Con-
servative chief thinks the constant danger of
alliances between Russia and Turkey, and perhaps
Italy and France, against England—and the mistrust
of other nations for our grasping policy—is good for
the "Empire," let him deride- but good for the
people no sane person can believe It. When, however,
M. Brymer goes on to deal with Turkish reforms, he
Is curiously unfortunate, for with one voice he
declares that Turkey cannot carry them out without
money, and that we are to lend her none. Here la an
awkward dilemma, and if Mr. Burner speaks on this
point for his party, the Conservatives are likely to add
to their other enemies, as the newest and bitterest,
the "Sublime Porte."