The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1863-12-29 00:00:00

present day' were better than the put, and the ad-
vantages for improvement far greater than when hr
was a youth. Koowledge, said be, is power ; and after
beautifully setting forth that grand old truth,
most affectionately exhorted them to become useful
members of Christ's visible (thumb, and prove them•
selves a blessing to the worll. Mr. IL Scrim°,
Jon., as secretary of the institution, was then calico
upon buried the report, who, on rieing, mid ae
had no written% report he could not read one, but be
would lust tell them what perhaps would do quite as
well. He thee observed that in May last slew of them
got together, and talked over matters respecting the
Improvemen* of their minds, and the result was the
formation of an institution whom name they had beard
from the chairman that evening. They dated their
establishment from that grit meeting, although the
actual working part was not till June. The principal
branches of learning they studied were tology,
natural and revealed; history, sacred and profane;
geography and estronmay, with eneh breaches es the
officers and committee thought proper. They met one
evening • week, had an widens from ace of the
members every fortnight, and one evening a month
WY devoted to the study of the bible. Their members
numbered 22; end he fill sure that they were each
deriving • des' of good. With the chairman be felt eon.
defied of the truth that knowledge is power. He then
showed the desirability of their possessing this
knowledge---showed how it was calculated to benefit and
bless, and cited indiums of men who from the rinks of
the poor bad risen to positions of eminence and worth,
and coneluded a speech, which was every way worthy
the man, by giving • general invitation to thole who
were present to join them in the south for wisdom
After the secretary came a noble lot of apmkers, who
In their turn spoke well. There was Mr. C. Byrnes who,
like a ready reckoner, told how many woods he had
been In the world, making his calculations from that
day back twenty years. e regretted that so much of
thatprosious time was lost; and then in a speech, which
savoured of astrimostylspoke charmingly of God banging
the earth upon nothing. Then came Mr. R. Flew,
who, though he said he felt quite unprepared to
make • speech, went on speaking at some length.
Next mune Mr. J. Turner, who, though short,
every word was mighty, and be seemed quite
anxious they should all act well their part in life. And
sitar bins from lips of riper years sound wisdom fell,
and Mr. B. Hansom compared the present with the past,
and claimed the palm for the day. The prod.dent cease next aod to Mr. Joseph Byrnes we paid a
willing ear, as he proposed and answered his few but
important questions, and then reminding us of the
prophet, who said, "I cannot spank foci am a child."
Mr. J. &nem traced the rise and progress of
Christianity, and strengthened our faith as he showed
as what it had overcome, and what it waa destined to
achieve. The Rev. N. Kelynack came last, and after •
few practical remarks, urging the necessity of perste,-
ranee in the works before them, exhorted them to
answer the great end for which they were created. A
vote of thanks was then proposed to the chairman, and
to the ladies, who had so kindly provided the tea, which
being suitably acknowledged, the meeting was brought
to a close, and we left, breathing "God speed to the
institution whtoh had for its object the improvement of
the mind and the glory of God."
TRINITARIAN Bunn SOINITT.—A meeting in support
of this excellent society was held In St. John's school.
room, on Monday. The Rev. H. Jenour, inrumbent.
presided. The other clergymen present were the Rev.
H. R. tlissold, M.A., secretary society, who attended
as the deputation, and Revs. W. T. Greer, Arthur Hill,
J. H. Gregg, and J. Clutton. The Rev. J. Dobie, was
unexpectedly prevented from attending. The pro-
reeding, commenced by a hymn being sung; after whieh
a portion of scripture having been read, and prayer
offered by the Incumbent, speeches were delivered in
oupport of ,be claims of the society by the Incumbent,
the Rev. W. T. Greer, and Roe. A. Hill, after which
the Deputation entered very fully into the rise, progress,
and claims of the society, showing by reference to
various foreign versions of the Bible, and by facts, the
vest importance of the circulation of none other than
pure versions of the Holy Scriptures. The object of
this society as stated in its laws and regulations is to
promote the glory of God and the salvation of men, by
circulating both at home and abroad, in dependence
upon the Divine blessing. the Holy Scriptures, as given
by inspiration of God, and abs to make men wise unto
salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus, and
the society takes its stand especially upon the truly
scriptural doctrine of the Holy Trinity.
Pignut's/ea Rxuor FUND.—An error was made in
our last amount of this fond. The amount previously
acknowledged ought to have been CM 45., instead of
£32 4s. That, together with the sums received last
week, made the fond amount to £3O 19e. 6d. Received
since, RI la., from J. A. Devoid* Req.; total,
£32os. 6d.

INQUEST ON AN INFANT AT PORTLAND.

An inquest was held on Monday, at the Prince of
Wales Inn, balers F. C. Stagy% Esq., sods respectable
jury, on the body of a female ebikl, who, it was first
supposed, had met with death under suspicious
circumstances.
Before any evident* WU taken, the Coroner mid
there appeared to be some suspicious circumstances
respecting the death of the deceased, and as the crime
of infanticide was so very prevalent in London and other
large towns, it was neceseary that the inhabitants of
Portland should know that a case of this description
would not be likely to be allowed to pees by without a
' searching investigation being made. The first vitae.,
called was
. _ . .

--11-iiiiard Holt, who said: I am a labourer. residing at
Albert-terrace, Chiswell, and am employed on the
Government works. I was married in August Isst at
Creekerne. I knew my wife was in the family Way,
but did riot know she was no near bet confinement. She
was well on Friday night, but early on Saturday
morning she complained of being unwell. I made her I
borne tea, after partaking of which she seemed better.
A little before half-past 11 a girl, named Maria Gale,
mane and told me my wife was ill. I told her to fetch
• doctor, and that I would be borne soon. I left work
at 12 o'clock, that being the dinner hour. and went
home, when I found that my wife hail been confined,
and then saw • dead child. The doctor had not then
seen her, so I went for one. Her maiden name was
James.—By a Juror: My wife had made some prepara-
tion with regard to small clothing.
Maria Gale: I shall be 13 years of age next March.
On Saturday morning, about half-past 10, seeing that
Mrs. Holt's blinda were down, I went into the house,
and walked up stairs. As I got to the bedroom door
she told one to tell my mother that she wanted her.
The door of the house was not locked , any one could
, have gone in. I went after my mother. I was sent to
bell 21r. Holt that his wife was very ill, when
ke said he would some as soon as the bell had
fling. He told me to fetch • doctor. ['This witness
gams her evidence in • very clear and lucid manner
which caused one of the jurors to remark that it would
have reflected credit upon many older personal
Marianna Gels, mother of last withess, said: I
remember nay daughter coming to me on Saturday
morning, saying thet Mrs. Holt wanted to see me. I
want, when she told me that she had been moaned.
I noticed that the child was dead. I then celled Mrs.
Lee and Mrs. Taylor. I did not examine it, as I was
too much frightened. I think it possible that Mrs.
Holt might have been in pain and screamed out with-
out any one hearing her. I know that ahe was pre-
paring baby linen, but did not know that her confine.
ment was so near at band. She told me she gemmed
and celled for assistance I believe her to be a honed
and indastrions woman.
Eliza, wife of Henry Taylor, deposed: I live • few
doors from Mrs. Holt. Mrs. GUS sent for me on
Saturday. I went to Mrs. HolTs house where I saw the
child. I put my hands oe its feet but they were cold.
I did not observe anything particular about the child.
but saw it wu a very fine one.
U. P. Brodribb, M.D., Fite S., said: I am a
medical nl/12 premising in this Island. I was sent for
on Saturday to attend Mrs. Holt, bet the cause of her
illness was not made known to me. When I attended
her I saw a full-grown temal• child with mark, of violence
about the neck. I thought it warn • very suspicious case,
and therefore at once informed the police. I received
orders from Mr. Stespll, to make • post 1110/11181 ex-
amination of the body, which I bane done. I then
found, externally, several hrnises and livid marks about
the face, and the heed was much congested. The lower
part of the body appeared very healthy, and there wen:
no marks upon it. On making an internal examination,
I found that the child breathed freely,

the lungs floated in water. The stomach imotained
a fluid, which proved that the child breathed.
The umbilical oord had not been tied, and appeared to
have been ruptured. The amid in the stomach might
have been swallowed before the ohild was actually born.
It is possible that the marks of violence on the child
might have bron does by the mother in her endeavours
to deliver herself. It wee quite evident that the
child died from suffocation.. . . .

The Cormier very Madly summed up, and stated
that Doctor Brodribb deserved great credit for bringing
this cam before their notice, as it wotild benefit the
husband and if., and prevent report& being sire:abated
which might injure them. He thee desired the jury to
consider the case in all it beerinp and to deals to the
beat of their judgment whether the woman actaany
destroyed her child with • wilful intact.
Several of the jury thought that before they
returned • verdict they should hear what Sarah
Lee had to say on the subject. This was
salented to, but no fresh facts were elicited. After
about ball an boar's deliberation the jury returned
• verdict to the effect that the deceased died from
natural muses ; but added that they entirely exonerated
Mrs. Holt from all blame for attempting to take sway
the life of bee *had, and conaidered that abe was NMI
deserving of pity than et eensare.