The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1858-01-26 00:00:00

THE MARRIAGE OF THE P NCESS ROYAL.
- • -
CELEBRATION AT Li RCIIESTERI

Our Sown yesterday—in honour of the Royal wed-
ding—presented quite a holiday appearance, shops
being closed and business generally suspended, whilst
flags and banners adorned the several churches and
schoolhouses, as well as protruded from many private
residences, and Wellspring's band perambulated the
streets during the forenoon playing national airs.
The weather was fine and seasonable, and many per-
sons from the neighbouring villages, and townsfolk,
dressed in their best, promenaded the principal tho-
roughfares, in which were stationed sundry stalls
laden with gingerbread-nuts, oranges, and toys ; but
we did not notide any wedilihg favours worn whether
of the English white or the Prussian blue. Shortly
after half-past 12, when it was supposed the Royal
procession would have entered the Chapel Royal,
the bells rang out merrily, and continued to ring at
intervals throughout the day; and soon after one guns
were fired to commemorate the auspicious event.
The chief feature, however, was the children's de-
monstration. Between one and two o'clock the boys
and girls attending the public day and Sunday schools
of the borotigb began to assemble, under the guidance
of their teachers and superintendents, at Cornhill.
Most of the children and many monitors bore blue
and white rosettes on their bosoms. The following
schools then formed in line :—The National (girls) ;
Wesleyan; Fordington ; Independent; West For-
dington ; Baptist; National (boys) ; Reformed
Wesleyan; and the boys and girls from the Union,
habited in new pinafores and frocks. Banners and
flags, in great number and variety, but chiefly those
of England and Prussia, some being trimmed with
evergreens, were carried by the scholars. The parents
of the children and other loyal persons thronged
around and a very animated scene was presented—
Wellspring's band leading off, and all the scholars,
their attendants, and the collected crowd, joining
enthusiastically in singing the "National Anthem,"
including the two following verses from the pen of
Mr. I,larshallsay

The Prince and Princess bless,
Grant them in happiness,
On earth to reign!
In virtues great and strong,
May their Joint names be long
The theme of Britain's song,
God save them twain !
Protect the youthful pair,
May they be everywhere
Upheld by Thee !
May they remeet and love
Thy precepts from above,
And—with fair Prussia—prove
Happy and free !

With the bells merrily ringing and guns Orinuthe
procession then moved from Cornhill down High
East-street, headed by the band playing a march,
towards Salisbury Terrace, the children, ranged in
close order and numbering upwards of 950, reached
from Cornhill to Swan Bridge. The walks were
traversed, and at the top of the town the National
Anthem was again sung by the thousand voices of
young and old; after which the procession passed
along High West-street to Cornhill, extending
throughout the length of High West-street to Corn-
hill. The National Anthem was again sung as be-
fore, when the children filed off to their several
schoolrooms, and were regaled with plum cakes and
tea, the Wesleyan scholars enjoying the festivity in
Wollaston House grounds.
It was found that the funds wonld not allow of
anything being done for the aged poor. The com-
mittee, however, have been very industrious all the
week collecting subscriptions and preparing for the
demonstration, and are well entitled to the warm
thanks of their fellow townsmen.

In the evening several of the houses were illu-
minated; and amongst the exhibitions of this des-
cription worthy of particular notice was a crown bril-
liantly lighted in front of Mr. Robert Hazel's, High
West-street. Mr. ',ewer's coach-factory was gaily
decorated with flags of many nations.
There was a tradesman's 'ball at night, which, in
consequence of the counter attractions of balls at
Wareham, Weymouth, and other places adjacent,
took place at the Antelope Hotel, and not at the
Townhall, as was at first arranged. Targett's quad.
rile band from Southampton attended.