The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1858-05-04 00:00:00

4.; iltsbire.

CAL.—The Bishop of Salisbury held a confir-
mation in Trinity Church on Monday, when up-
wards of 50 candidates presented themselves. After
the service his lordship departed for Compton Hall,
the seat of G. H. W. Heneage, Esch and held a
confirmation at Compton on the following day.

Mrs. C. L. Balfour delivered a lecture, under the aus-
pices of the Literary Institution, on the "Moral and
Intellectual influence of Woman on Society" on
Wednesday. The lecture was delivered in excellent
style. Mrs. Balfour spoke fluently, and with ease
and grace, for nearly two hours.

BRADFORD•ON-AVON. —Directions have been issued
from the General Post-office that the town of Brad-
ford, Wilts, shall for the future in all official com-
munications be called "Bradford-on-Avon." This
decision has been arrived at in consequence of the
frequent mistakes made in forwarding letters in-
tended for Bradford, Wilts, to Bradford, in York-
shire, The distinctive name of" Bradford-on-Avon"
will prevent these mistakes for the future.
SxmLaY.—On Thursday last Sedgehill House, the
residence of M. R, Jeffreys, Esq., was the scene of
unusual festivity, in honour of the return of Mr.
Were Fane Benett, from India, and of his arrival in
this neighbourhood. The north lawn at Sedgehill
House was beautifully decorated with arches of
laurel adorned with flags, which marked out the
space for the dancer, and the lofty centre arch
fronting the house bore a large flag having in con-
spicuous letters the inscription of "Welcome
Home." At two o'clock the excellent village bands
of Semley and Knoyle were in attendance, and Mr.
Benett having arrived and been received with en-
thusiastic cheering, dancing commenced, Mr. Benett
leading off with Miss Jeffreys in a good old English
country dance. At five o'clock the company sat
down to a substantial dinner in a tent kindly lent for
the occasion by the Shaftesbury Cricket Club, and
at the conclusion Mr. Benett's health was drunk
with deafening applause, such of the company as the
tent could not contain, forming a group outside,
while the Seinley bells rang out a merry peal. After
dinner dancing was resumed with great spirit and
continued till 9 o'clock, polkas and country dances
forming the chief figures; the moon shone brightly
on the lawn and the whole scene will not easily be
forgotten by those who witnessed it. Among the
company were Mrs. John Locke and daughters, the
Rev. Mr. Radcliffe and Mrs. Radcliffe and daughters,
the Rev. Mr. Hall, Miss Fane, Mir Amy Fane,
Mr. Henry Fane, Mrs. A. and Mrs. J. Hussey, Miss
Julia Wyndham, Miss Pilne, Miss Brown, tut. and
a large number of old friend'. and servant, Of the
Pyt House family who were rejoiced to meet their
young landlord. At the conclusion Mr. Benett
again received the hearty cheers of the company,
for which he returned thanks in an excellent and
well delivered speech, promising to use his best en-
deavours to make a good landlord and a kind friend
to rich and poor.

VALE Or WELYIL HONT RACES.—These races
took place on Codford Down, on Friday last, under
the able stewardship of Stephen Neale, Esq., J. A.
Ingrain, Esq., and the Master of the Hunt. The
day was exceedingly tine, the sport excellent, and
the company numerous, amongst whom were John
Davis, ~ and family, Harry Bias, Esq., Colonel
Phipps, Captain Freestun, Captain West, Captain
Jenkins, Lieutenant Fans Benett, G. Temple, jun.,
Esq.' together with most of the leading agricultu.
nets from the surrounding neighbourhood, whilst the
Great Western Railway brought from Warminster,
Westbury, Trowbridge, Devices, Bath, and Bristol a
large initux of sportsmen to the course, where
refreshments were provided, and where the sparkling
eyes of Wiltshire's fair sex tended not a little to iin.
part to the tout ensemble a most delightful charm.
The result of the running, dtc., was as follows
The First Class of the Vale of Wylye Hunt Stakes of
£1 each, ht. ft., with Li added. About one mile and
s half. The second horse to save his stake.

Captain West's b g Scamp, hit. 101 b 1
Mr. Coleman's o g The Doctor, lOst 0
Mr. Parry's b m Fair Lau, llst 101 b

Won by half a length. Dead heat for seoond. An ex.
cellent race throughout.
The Second Class of the Vale of Wylye Hunt Stakes of
£1 each, hf ft, with £7 added. About one mile and
a-half. The second horse to cave his stake.

Mr. R. L. Hussey's b g Jack, llst 121 b
Mr. Chenery's br in Constantin, 12at 7lb 2
Mr. C. Marsh's b in Miu Sutton, 12st 71b

Won by three-quarters of a length, Constant's leading
the whole way till within a few lengths of the winning
post, when Jack answered the call just in time to win a
splendid race.
The Third Class of the Vale of Wylye Hunt Stakes of
£1 each, hf ft, with £7 added. About one mile and a
half. The second horse to save his stake.
Mr. I. Flower's b g Little Wonder, lOst 1
Mr, Raxworthy's b m Sally, list
Mr. R. Melsome's b g Huntsman, 12st nb 3
Won easily.

A Sweepstakes of £2 each, with -27 added. Weight for
age—Three years lOat 71b—Four years list nb—Five
years 124 21b —Six and aged 12st 71b—Thoroughbred
horses and winners extra. About one mile and a half.
The seoond horse to save his stake.
•
Mr. John Brown's b g Moses 1
Mr. Thorn's b m Crary Jane 2
Mr. Field's b us Sprightliness
A good race, won cleverly by two lengths, Perseverance
taking the lead to the distance where he was collared by
Moses, which ran in an easy winner.
The First Claes Handicap Hurdle Race of £2 each, hf ft,
with LI added. About 1 mile and e quarter. The
second horse to save his stake.
Mr. J. Brown's b g Moses, 12st nb 1
Mr. Smith's b g Perseverance, 12st 71b 2

A fine rice between Moses and Persevenuioe, and ale•
verly ridden.

The Seoond Class Handicap Hurdle Race of £1 each, hi
it, with Li added. About one mile and a quarter.
The second horse to save his stake.
Mr. Thorn's b m Crazy Jane, list 71b 1
Mr. Melsome's b g Huntsman, 12st
Mr. Maas's g g Raglan, 12e1 7lb
--••-- - - -

—• • ---- - - -
Won by two lengths, Crary Jane being well jook'd at
the last fence, when Huntsman cleared well end saved
his stake. Constentie, Grey Pyrrhus, and Meg Merrill.'
ran out of the ("aurae.
A Bridle and Biddle, for Galloway' not eziniedlng 14
hands. Entrance 15e. each. The second horse to is.
alive 21. Heats, half•a•mile. 1360 each, and 7lbe
allowed for every inch under 14 hands. Winners 7lbe
extra.
- - - -

Mr. Parham's oin Mir Polly, 14116 0 1 1

Mr. Rexworthy's b g Mamba'', 14hda 2 i i
Mr. Smith's br m Filth, lilhda

Much emusement and excitement were mused for
this rice, 14 having gone down to the start, but by
some minas When 'the nag dropped only eight got
away. Mt. Smith's Faith won the first hest, but it
was decided by the stewards that all 14 should start
for the seoond beat, which was won easily by Mr.
Parham's Miss Polly, Faith and Reuben. 'Waggling

hard for second honours. Mr. Harroway, one of the
jocks in this race mdt with • severe fall and broke
his col lar bbne.