The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1876-02-29 00:00:00

THE SPELLING BEE.

The second spelling bee at the Working Men's Club was
about equally moosesful in point of attendance with the
first; and the number of competitors was very much
threescore ladles and gentlemen, or thereabouts.
taking the chances. No doubt this increase was greatly
owing to the words being such as are in use and the fair-
ness of the rake, as well as to the generosity of the prise-
te,jrs.... The latter were—Dr. Moorhead, who gave a
me copy of Scott's works ; the Rev. M. Berry, •
valuable bookstand; and Mr. Wheeler, a beautiful and
costly copy of the works of Oliver Goldsmith ; the Rey.
M. Treputhen aho presented for competition by the
members of the club Smiles's "Self-help," • capital
edition. Winners of other prises not to compete for this
one.
Mr. G. Eliot, president, was the interrogator, and the
Rev. J. Miller, Mr. It Gibbs, and Kr. 0. Andrews, Jun.,
were the umpires.
The seats were arranged so that the spellers faced the
audience in the reserved mate, which may have been
trying for the ladles, who seemed about a quarter of the
whole.
The rules were the genie as on the last occasion, •
quarter of • minute being allowed for each attempt.
A little girl, who had spelt very well, and earned re-
peated applause, lost her nerve at last, struck her flag with
"halyards"which should be spelt "halliards" and thus we
were reduced to four. Miss Wallis, who had kindly given
some music before, again soothed us, and then another was
wound off in"skein ; ' battalion" was to hard practice for
the next, who wanted two "i's" for it; but after a long series
of trials, the contrary deficiency WWI seen in the " clinicar
practice of the last but one. The prises were declared:—
First, Mr. W. T. Roberta; second, Mr. Joseph Russell ;
third, Mr. Walter Fletcher. Mr. W. 'l'. Roberts aaked
leave to give his prise to little Agnes Taylor, and the
meeting approved; the little maiden chose "Scott's
peerns"-; Mr. Ragmen took "Oliver Goldsmith," and Mr.
Fletcher the bookstand.

me Working Mine Club prise vas Shen competed for
by members, and chalice, equable, bullion, familiar,
coxswain, f nattier, inveigh, inimical, Inventory, manacle u
try. struck out competitors, and left only three.
rormusic was given by Miss Wallis, and then pageantry
and vacillate, out of 27 words, been% down each their
man, end this prize was won by Mr. well
Votes of thanks were then passed to e Donors, and to
mi. Wen* for the lanai,. and Mr. Eliot announced that
yet another "Bee' would be attempted. The audience
applauded, and as they were on the move, votes of thanks
were recorded to Mr. Gobbing, who had kindly lent the
piano, and to Mr. Eliot and the umpires.

VOCAL ASSOCIATION CONCERT.

The extra concert of onrlocalon
Frimusidacaly
ovsocioningety
last,
given with "V Peat success
most kiwil lent
at the Royal otel Assembly-room, mfact
many helps
b. y Luce for the PorPosa i
ord., to rair—
aadthembearovegitbveon to the
bassocialoposititioonn,ofnim. r
Impecuniosity.
Mr. Wiwi,' disagreeable
the printing most
generonaly, Mc. T. Dodson had vied by the
Platform matnitowily, in fact, we believe everything
in connection with the concert was inexpensive.
Again the aPpearance of some amateurs excited a
Vdeal of interest, which warn shown to be well-
erved, and we may hope that the " conter,"said to
be se fatal to some undertakings, has been turned,
and that henceforth the aniotiation will go on to
prosper. Mr. Collett, our new Great Western station-
master, showed himself a most efficient leader Of the
bend, as well as • capital solo violinist, he has • fine
dunce. One of the favo
dashing and Inspires all around him with confi-
urite singers of the evening wee was Orin, whom voice was remarkably
while her emotion wee brilliant ; ft wee Pluoseuttafgy
fortgunt. that, In Otte of the length of the programme,

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