The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1862-11-11 00:00:00

were livin
iving noticed
di important

word

those who

eitsbliahe

minatione of
an eloquent
to lend their
work. —.
singing

,Jser

a progrestring
Irak has Wan

consumed in the construction of • new dam, although
the former one was erected under the superintendence
of the surveyor. How much this work will cost the
Harbour Committee no one can tell, but the sum Must
be immense. One thing is certain, Lowman was
long way ous of his reckoning when he said he Mold
finish what the contractors had left iindone for £BO.
For the last three months this work has been the prin-
cipal theme of oonvetsation in many circles, and • short
time since, while we were witnessing the proceedings,
a Government surveyor who was present, told us
plainly that had the works been conducted rightly, it
, need not have cost • third of the money it must now
necessarily do. If then this be so, the question forms it-
self atronly upon one's mind whether Lowman is really a
fit and proper person to be surveyor of the town? We
' don't mean in a moral sense, bat in • financiel point of
view. Would not many persons carry out works that
would be more beneficial, and at less expense to the
town, than those which are carried Mit under the direr.
tion of the surveyor? If so, oah we say that the mem-
bers who placed him in his present position, and those
who keep him there, are the benefactors of the town t
Poutn.—On Teeeday, Susan Pavey was ebarged
with assaulting Robert Cox, and also the superinten-
dent of olioe. It appeared that the defendant, who
was very drank, went up to Cox, and after making
use Of some abusive language, struck him. Super-
intendent Lidbury afterwards, in passing along
High-street, observed her very riotoui, and took her
into custody. She resisted very much and etruCk
him several times, it the same tune lilting very bad
language. The defendant expressed her regret at
what had occurred, and said she would not have
street BolP if he had not struck her. Sentenced
to one month's hard labour.
EXTRAORDINARY FEAT.—On Thursday, October
30th, Professor Martin, the celebrated athlete
and swordsman, undertook to perform the following
extraordinary feat: viz,—" To walk, fait heel and
toe, 21 miles, and throw tits tons rif Solid metal over
hia head, viz., 200 fifty-sik-pound weights, and to com-
plete the whole ih 4t hours." At 12 o'clock he
started from the Barracks, at Weymouth, and
proceeded to Dorchester, called at the Plume of
Feathers there, and thence on to the Charminater
Tavern, where he partook of Bonus refreshment,
staying 14 minutes. He called again at the Plume
of Feathers ou his return. He walked remarkably
well until coming to Ridgway, Hill, when he
evidentally was in "queer street," being quite out
of condition. He, however, staiggled on to the
tavern at Broadway, wheh I few words from hie
attendant urged him on, and on cooling aovn the
Ksplanade he was loudly' Cheered by thtlitteands of
speetators, s arrived at the Barracks, and
finished his talk 2 minutes 10 seconds within the
time allowed. The fair style of walking and the
easy manner in which he threw the weights elicited
the admiration of all present. —The feats were per.
formed under the patronage of Major Quicke and
the officer of the 53rd Regiment Martin afterwards
showed his skill with the broadsword and Indian
siymitar, of severing a leg of mutton and a bar of
solid metal with one blow of the sword; wilict) tette
he accomplished with comparative ease. He also
performed the extraordinary feat of splitting
lemon on a soldier's hand with a sharp sword, with-
out injuring the hand. of the soldier, and several other
renrarkiible Nets of the same nature,
butts.—On this planet, which is now in its perigee as
well as in its perihelion, that is, at its shortest distance
from the earth and the sun, and is visible about 10 p.m.
in the constellation of Pisces, where it is maily recog-
nisable by its aim and reddish light, Father Secolii has
jest pnplished • few interesting remarks in the aim.
rude di Roma. Herschel, many year' ago, averted
I Mars contained oceans and continents, and that Changes
of season could be distinct/3, observed on its surface;
but the aceeracy of his obsetvetions wail doubted by
subsequent asttonomers. In 1856 Anal- SeMhl be'
gait to direst his special atteotion to this plaiet, of
which he made ant a map in 1858 • but his designs pre-
matted with discrepancies, compared with those of his
ra, and Dr. Masdler's especially, that he
reidlirite"oedto publish them. Now, however, that Mars
Is in so favourable a position, Father Secchi has found
Masdler's designs to coincide with the present appearance
of the planet. The chief difference between the two
appearances lay in the white polar spots, which Medlar
represented as small brilliant circles, while Father
Secchi found them of an extremely complicated form.
This is now easily explained; in 1858 both poles of Mars
were visible, while now only one, the southern pole, is
turned towards us. The globe on Which Fatliet
had designed the appearances of 1858 being placed in a
proper position, the equatorial regions of that period
coincide with those now visible. As for the change
observable in the white spots, they are easily explained
by supposing them to have been snow, which has now
melted away, owing to the proximity of the sun, and
the season of the solstice which now prevails in Mars.
Hence the supposition of the existence of water and
seas in Mars is confirmed, since without these snow and
water could not exist; and, in fast, the blue lines
supposed to be water have not materially changed.
And since, °Tithe other hand, the white spots seen by
Father Secchi in 1858 now present a roce.coloered tint,
there is ample reason for adhering to Herschel's state-
ment in favour of the changes of season to which Mars
is subject.
Tee MAYOR'S FlteTiYaL.—We understand that the
grand 'oanquet which was to have been given to the
Naval and Military Officers, and the clergy, in honour
of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales attaining his mijority,
as suggested by the Mayor, and received with so much
delight by the corporation at the late Town Council
Meeting, has been scattered to the winds. We hear
the chief difficulty arose as to who, in local
phraseology, was to stand "Sam" to the invited guests.
One of the members modestly suggested that
the Mayor elected that day for the ensiling year, should
pay the amount out of the £lOO allowed him by the
corporation for pocket money during his mayoralty.
This was met by a decided opposition, high words
ensued, and the company parted without carrying out
the proposition which they had met to discuss. The
consequence is the new era of "love,peace, and ooncord"
between all parties tin Weymouth, which it was pro•
posed the Prince of Wales's birthday should inaugurate,
must be delayed for an iodetlaite period.
WHO Us TO Be 13Litou t=We understand that Mr.
Henry Devenish hr likely te be elected Mayor for the
ensuing year. Mr. Thompson, we hear, was spoken of,
but that gentleman declined the honour, declaring that
he would sooner give • thoesand pounds than accept the
office. Mr. Thompson is a wise men. But why has the
only Alderman who has not filled that in:portent office,
been overlooked? He certainly deserves better treat-
ment from his Conservative friends than he has yet re-
ceived, and as there is no man more attentive to his
magisterial duties, the cause of this slight is to us un-
accountable. Is he supposed to have • too liberal bias
for the gentlemen in power?
PORTLAND. MECHANIC& INstrru-rx. The
Committee on Friday week prepared "a feast of
fat things" for all who were disposed to partake of
them, in the shape of an entertainment by Mr.
Artis, who, on this occasion, fully supported that fame
which through the medium of the press has spread
throughout the country. The time announced for
the commencement was 8 o'clock, but at half-pasti
8 not more than 40 were present The entertain.
merit wee either too good, or the coat for adMiseion,
was too high, being 3a. for reserved seats, second
seats, 2.5. ; and back seats, Is. t members half-price to
any seat. There Were, however, very few members.
in attendance. Mr. Alcock presided, and introduced
the lecturer in a few appropriate remarks. Mr.
Ards, who, on rising, was greeted with applause,
began by passing some very commendatory remarks
on the performance of the Portland band, and after
speaking of the powers of the poet, both in tragedy
and comedy, proceeded to give a reading from King
John. The character; were so cleverly rendered,
that it was impossible to say which was beet, the
pathetic and touching appeal of the innocent prince
for life, or the stern and indelible determination of
the assassin. Both were given in so masterly a style
that one almost fancied the original performers in the
tragedy were before him. The remarks of the King
and the conversation that ensued ; the retort of the
King on Hubert, and the expression of the former,
thy hand bath done it," were so like reality that
all present were completely carried away with the
subject, and Mr. Artie, at the conclusion of the
scene received deserved applause. The Comedy of
Rosalind was next given, and the rendering of the
court fool, Touchstone, and Andrea elicited roars
of laughter. The rendering of the marriage in the
forest, were "the wood was the temple, and the
audience the beasts," clearly showed that the
artiste must have audied ardently to have acquired
the proficiency he possesses either for profound tra.
gedy, or light and 'satirical comedy. The applause
which this reading had called forth having subsided,
Mr. Artis gave a recitation—the subject being
"Lord 'Jilin's daughter". The first three verses
were given after the school-boy style, and the
remainder was rendered according to nature, as
showing the contrast between the two. The
evening party of Mr. Snipe was next introduced.
This party, it will be remembered, was met to cele-
brate a christening—Mrs. Snipe having brought her
lord a son after a ten years' union, and that evening
was "the prowdest moment" in Mr. Snipe's life.
Mr. Softsawder, Mr. Stammers, Capt. Crashun,
Mr. Snowball, the schoolmaster, and the pupils, were
all excellently given, and Miss S. Chaff was held op as
a type of her class. She had a great dislike to
scandal, and yet was always scandalising the whole
of her acquaintance. This character seemed to put
some of the audience in mind of the fact that there
are "Susan Chaff's" living elsewhere than in
London. The soliloquy on murtship and the
nersonification of the schoolboy " Douglas" called
forth deserved applause. The final "good night,"
and " revival ergina". brought the entertainment,
the (best that has been given in connection with the
Portland Institution), to a close.
FRAMPTON.—ltriagarnrci CHRIMONT.—We have
not often to report a snore interesting ceremony than
that which took place in the pleasant village of Framp-
ton, on the 22nd of October, Ist the pariah Charch• Mr.
WiniJlM Blob a rds (both deaf afildsuals) dee milled in
the holy bonds of wedlock to Miss Mita Loveless, by
the Rev. J. P. F. Davidson
,(who, as our readera are
await, has just had the living
_presented to him 140.. i
B. Sheridan, Eaq., /ffir.j. The bridegroonar&
assent to the questions-tuned subh tiettitions,
when the berries was ristialtided the happy couple left
the church amid the congratulations of the numerous
parishioners who bad gathered round the ehuroli to
catch • view of the "Tiro nr oNr.."

BLANDFORD.—LAIICASHIRE DI.TRZM FUND.—On
Sunday evening the Rev. B. Gray delievered • power-
ful address at the Independent chapel on IL Corinthians,
vii. 9, in beLalf of the shove charitable object. At the
close it collection was made amounting to £2O.
WHITCHURCEL—Evemsn Scaopu—The evening
sahool for the instruction of the youth. aril adults of
this village was opened for the winter last week, and
will be continued on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,
and Thursday evenings for ,the next fair or five months,
under the superintendence of Mx. MoCullam. We
truot that large numbers will enthrone the opportunity

Of being the recipients of the excellent inatruOtbn
given here, so that they mey hot have to lament, as
many have done in after-life, the deficiencies of early
edneation.
TIMPIRANCII Hat.t.—The inhabitants of this village
are being laid under a deep debt of gratitude to Mrs.
Michel, of Whatoombe House, who has, in the most
liberal manner, given • site of ground, and intends
building, at her sole expense, a Teinperanee Hall arid
Reading Room for their special improvment, thus
affording them every facility for spending their even-
ings, after their day's labour, in a rational manner, end
tending to their individual welfare. The Hall is being
erected by Mr. Augustine Ooven or Illandford, builder,
under the superintendence of Mr. Maiden, and
many are looking forward with great pleasure to the
time when the top stone shall be laid on " with shout-
ing of grime, grace unto it."
POOtE.—Accwinit. —On Saturday; as the umni-
bets from Poole to Rournemcoith was passing
through Parketorie, one of the horses dropped down
dead hear the fountain which has recently been
etooted, for the accommodation of the general public
by K Pearce, Esq. The passengers were somewhat
alarmed, but happily they escaped unhurt
NEW ERECTIONS.—The St. James's Church Sun:
day Schools are (with the ekceptiOn of, he interned
Ottings) no oompleted, and will shortly be opened.
The biiilditig being of red brick and in the Gothic style,
is (tonounced by some to be too massive and heavy,
but it will, no doubt, prove a suitable structure.
The Oddfellow's Hall is rapidly approaching a
complete state, and it is said to be admirably adapted
for the many purposes intended. It hasanimposing
fagade, and we hope soon to chronicle its success.
The annual competition of the 4th Dorset (Poole)
Rifle corps came off at Lilliptit on Ttlesday; 4th
Noven2er. A Stibetription of ten pounds bee been
reeei from the Horough members.
The 4th Dorset (Poole) Rifle Volunteers are
highly pleased with the appointment of the Rev. A.
Wilkinson as their honorary chaplain.
The municipal elections have gone oft very quietly,
and the retiring councillors have been re-elected
Sr. JAMES'S CHURCH CHOIR—Our readers will be
pleased to hear that an arrangement is about to be
made for the old and efficient choir again to resume
their duties (it being the wish of a large portion and
the most respectable part of the congregation). 2.t0
doubt those who are fond of sacred music will hear
this with delight, and feel themselves at home in the
house of Ood, and aitsist in joining in that most beau
tlf4lpalt cif the ebreiee —the res ponses an d intonation—so
htichly delightful and devotional to all well-regulated
minds.