The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1879-07-22 00:00:00

WAIFS FROM THE ROCK.

"Once upon a time" a diahonest individual relieved
a jeweller of a couple of watches. Re was apprehended
and, whilst waiting hie trial, escaped from prison.
Not being re-captured, the ratan we punished
instead, and after 'mitering two years' imprisonment,
have been recently liberated and reatored to their
owner none the worse for their strange ads enture.

It was not without a feeling of commiseration that
we recently viewed the spectacle of a gang of convicts
es route to the settlement at the top of the rock.
Yet what a study there was in their different
countenances, how easily to be detected WWI the old
gaol bird from the young criminal, just entering upon
a downward course. There was the carelessness and
bravado shown which told of familiarity with prison
life as the convict gave vent to the expression, "I
don't care lilt i & wheelbarrow, ao long as I have not
th got to walk up e Portland hills." Then there was
that young fellow, almost • lad, at the end of the
chain, whose small white hand ill became the steel
bracelet encircling his wrist, lie seemed to take no
notice of his companions in crime, indeed hie down-
cast look and general demeanour plainly told that he
had fallen, grievously fallen. There was an absence
of mind plainly depicted in his face, and doubtless he
thought of the old hour at home, of the broken hearts
1 and the gray hairs bowed down with sorrow.

On the occasion of the departure of the fleet from
Portland roads the " Hector" was delayed two houni
owing to her anchors fouling, the remainder of the
ships being well out in the channel before she aped on
her :way. Though she was attached to a peaceful
expedition, yet old anchors and other obstructions
ahould not be allowed to remain in our harbour of
refuge, as the detention of a Man of War under some
circumstances might lead to serious results.

IL MS. Porcupine in on a eurveying expedition in
our neighbourhood, no that our Men of War may have
correct charts for navigating purpnwea Howe
unknown rocks base at times been ciWoovered by or
chips going bumping on them. But, this plan does
not pay very well.

"My Lords" have deckled that the coast-guards
tenders, H.M.S. Seamew at Portland being one, are
in future to alan one engineer suds chief artificer In
lieu ',of two engineers. The Hawk, Admiral's tender,
being an exception, carrying two engineers as
formerly.

"To be well shaken before taken" are familiar
household words, but the "Newcastle apothecary"
found this instruction might be wrongly construed, and
doubtless that good man found out the name when the
spill of his waggon and a mixture of sundry edibles
on the turnpike road did not add to their value.

The steamer and the pier had a quarrel, the former
wee unforgiving and would not approach the latter, so
discharged its precious freights in a style peculiar to
I itself, vie., by stranding on the beach, at the
termination of each journey to the rock, and we are
fatccli tojeport that the passengers all escaped safely to
. Voniat a capital opportunity it would have been
for the coasiguerd to have practised with their rocket
apparatus, and then the excuraionists could have spread
far and wide this addition to the story of their
novel landing.

Another boon haa been conferred upon the very loyal
inhabitants of the Royal Manor. An additional mail
will be made up daily, leaving the office at Fortune's
Well at 8.30. p.m., the other offices proportionately
earlier. This favour has not been conferred without a
lot of correspondence, and the public are indebted to
thole gentlemen who have secured this privilege for
them.

Here we are in the middle of July, and really one
would think by the pees ant appearance of our Road.
stead that some Novara her galea were expected, one
hundred and forty yaw As lying safely theltered. It
is a grand sight. Ship' of all aizea, description., and
nationalities. I have heard it maid that wind can be
got by whittling. Will the tame prescription etsocl
good for fine weather

There was a good 'nuttier of our citizen soldier; for
camp. Amalgamated with the regulars they knew
hard work was meant when they were called upon to
to Plymouth, but this they have been used to ;and
proceed
gele only corps from Dorset., I doubt not they
will represent the County tight well. May they have
fine weather, perform with credit all their various
duties, and bring back a good OCCOunt of themselves to
their wives and swoethearts.