The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1871-06-06 00:00:00

THE DORSET COUNTY EXPRESS AND AGRICULTURAL GAZETTE. TIIESDAY, JUNE 6,18 Th

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vorstt Cantitil Exiirtos
tl
TUESDAY, Jl.J____NE 6, 1871.
in reiful God for the past and take Zycrage for the future.
speak of remarkeuebl'e"pelverateb.;hnisreintogr any human life.
portion • lon b...,
• in their public character ; nd to many. y.rr.'nnny of
us'
they
nob end to bid us Wank a
er ether of
one
w or
°f joy. The figures speak to us. They
end on s'he,,, hand
ere we Hive no continuing city." on ...° other,
Lookab.le Tesn t••°.. at imat
" Hitherto the LYrd hsth helped us.'
We con speak on We whole with pleasure and encouragem=
of the present mate of Wing, (The or t''''' °l°°/81°t" to
we
bright s.Me must be made, and let us make them And
.. r
with sickness OW. L.,..t..Y..e!!.• huu,
have been more heavily tried
sick pay wen retched no higher a flgu:s. t.ilm; gtou lo";
iuteDneroay.oe and
'ettlie loeuYr 0,,,, "wi or ~,, ,
spend in
now, speaking in round numillers, we ha b..", _ , _,__,
the same way more than gill. One factcru..taremeeth.7:7;
this, however, that the number of mut. 1 i
and eight last ; and
V'mter then last year--eight this ye
Wee have only to express our regret and rforPtille. therefore.
number, were individually atom heavily afflicted, an
longer time.
at the thought that
Another exception to the bright we must mention—the
We sick members, though no maortortu.
side . .
at present stansil• at 43 ; and we cannot but
goor of increase In the list of regular member'.
of the stub, but because we believe its objectpovate Interest , . —nth.thotefeothr the
very far from it ; and we do not p
tagad, ithume ffnecuEntaberto be good man. y
Wwaeydso—nwoet
pcgin.ot but:l.v
et
We for new member., ro.
that our position is • sale one, the tone and
thut toweonreffercuroany unsound or unsafe Inducenents to join us ;
characterof our company we trust le note had one; and the
scale and sine of the society are such MA to encourage more of
real mutual interest and true frendlinem Wan • larger body
might du. We do not offer high pay certainly, :but then we
most certainly do not ask for high eubscriptions7
We turn now with pleasure to the brighter side of our
p'cture. We can speak with renewed thenkfulnein and
pleasure of our honorary members' hat It shows an Increase
on last year, and it. money value is more than EIT: Please to
°Werra, therefore, that the sick payments heavy se they were
have been almoyt exactly equalled by the honorary members'
fund: £lB paid whist £l7 received free of all burthens to the
society? We need hardly my that title essistance horn friends
cannabis too much remembered and valued. On the other hand
it would be unwise to count upon it as certain for all time to
come. We know it may vary. Old supporters may pass away,and
new onss be wanting; fresh claims Mall kinds may rise. And
therefore it is that I next call your notice with great sawed.-
nes -to our sat Itygs bank deposit. I believe some persons have
expiss-ed surprise at Our laying up, and laying up still, In the
bank, instead of spending rather more of our geldings. The
answer is plain. We need this deposit, which la a certainty, as
• resource to fall back on in what we all understand by •
"rainy day." It is necessary to the safety of the society's
pcedUon. We therefore end with much pimsure that nearly
/130 more has been deposited there this last year; and that the
total deposit (reckoning interest in) is • little over AM ; •
very rend bails for to or tra moo/ban to MAIM on, and to
work on!
Al a minor poiet, but very much to the point this evening
I may speak of our last annual tea. Its result. In pleasure
and happinem and kind feeling cannot be put down in pounds
shillings and pence ; though I believe the figure would not be
small If we could do no. But as regards money-profit, we find
a decided increase on the previous year, £6 Ss instead of ZS 34.
You thus have the chief outlines of our position and our
provision before you. It is a cheering, comfortable, picture
on the whole, we venture to hops Surely if It le bright at
all it ought to look all the brighter when we think what a
year it belongs too. Five weeks after our last festival, the
French and German war broke out; and eight month, of ruin,
slaughter, and desolation, began; and taw* eight months
have now been followed by two more of frightful civil war ;
and all this within a day and nighs's journey of our own
doors. It I. useful to lyok out upon the storm, if only to
prize our own mercies more, and to quicken our sympathy
wit's the sufferers 90 near us. May the thought of the ruins
01 France, and the sorrow. of Germsn homes too, awaken at
least one old fashioned feeling strongly in us—love and at-
tachment to our own country' and earnest prayer for her
safety, her righteousness, and her peace; and a hearty resolve
each for himself that, under the blessing of the L. it'd, each
one of U., in our narrow sphere, will ho in life and incharacter
and in active duty and loyalty, • strength and • credit to

"astice

Bee!A

England.
Much sheering greeted the reading of the report, and
at its rionalusiou the Rev. HANDLEY HOULE prOpOied
• vote of thanks to their praiseworthy secretary, the
acclamation of those present were load and prolonged.
The Rev. H. HOULE then introduce' the Rev. W.
Barnes, remarking that, as in times gone by, the rev.
gentleman was ever willing to promote the hippiness
of all around him.
The "Dorset Poet" (the Rev. W. Barnes) then reed
some of the choicest of his "Poems in the Dorset
Dialect." Hearty was the laughter as the poet ani
reader rendered the rich dialect of Dorset. • piece en-
titled "The Echo," gave great pleasure. L3na cheers
greeted Mr. Barnes at his eonelasion.
The Rev. Hallimv Mona said a gentleman was
about to read to them, who he waa sure would be
heartily welcome with them all—the Rev.R. G. Watson,
Head Hatter of the County School -(cheers).
The Rev. R. G. WATSON then reed in a touehing
muiner, the "Lou of the Magpie Schooner," reciount-
ing the sufferings of • ship's crew, previously to their
being relieve' by an American brig. Great applause
followed.
The Rev. HANDLEY YOULL avn rose, and informed
those present of the unavoida le absentia of his and
their kind friend, Mr. Matthew Evans; however, be
had received a letter from him, which he woull read to
them. It was as follows:—
To the members of the Fordington United Benefit Club.
ify dear Friends,—l cannot let your happy meeting at the
Lime pea by without sending a few wordr, to usure y m of my
W•fo interest in the Fordington United Benefit Club, to con-
gratulate you upon iti present flourishing condition, and to
give you my most hearty good wishes for its future prosperity.
I need hardly say, I thin, how dearly I should Like to be with
you at title time ; however, I have • very lively picture in my
mind of all that ls likely to be going on to-night, with which
for the present I must be satisfied lam looking forward with
s 111 greater pleasure to your next anniversary when I trust,
by Cod's blend ag, once more to take my plow =moot you.
by three years of College life nre now swiftly draeing to •
clots; and as I look back I cannot help thinking of the
numerals chanaes thxt have taken place during that time,
the many familiar faces for ever gone; such is the uncertainty
of thia life. I calm a help fueling that whilst ill, our duty to
make earthly provision for times of sickness and death, as we
do by Joining this club, yet VIJ ought -ought we not—to be
far more •uxious about tho eternal welfare of the soul that
never dies. That this society may prove • blesalir, by loading
you to make provision in both these ways Is the sincere wish
of you most affectionate friend,

M. F. Ev•xa,

Hon. member.
The speaker cintinutd—ln amordanse with the remarks
of Mr. Evans nothing was more strikingly needful in
their daily life than an hourly remembrancs that death
was in their midst. This ought to qualify—not to
Lessen—their every jay. The ancient Egyptians bad •
eastern, although it might be termed a clarions one, of
placing in the centre of the seems of their festivities a
human skull, thereby oontinually keeping before them
, the sudden nature of deaths' freqieot &steaks. As
Christians they ought to amend their lives so as to be
ever realy to enter into that oelesti joy whieh Gad
had promised to them that love him. He was about
to read a piece of poetry, which Is its ideas were so
supremely egoallent he trusted they would all appreciate.
(He then read " The be .ter Land, a beautiful poem.
describiog the artless queries of a ohild of its mother
iespecting Heaven. The audience were much effected).
Ito would now mall upon one to address them, who bad
come from a long distance in order to be Present, and
who, he was cionadent, was • most welcome guest
amongst them—he 1115a0t his beloved brother, the Rev.
Arthur Moule—(loud applause).
Amidst great cheering, the Rev. ARTHUR MOOLI roes
sod said it seemed scarcely an hour sMoe he last came
amongst them. Hardly guile:lent time had elapsed for
the bouquet whieh he then brought them as a present
Iron his brother Horses, to fade, but yet it was a
whole year, and in that time or ay ohmage, had taken
plaee. He was sorry to say that his belove I brother
was again unable to be preeent,but the four o'clock pooh
brought them • letter from him ',lob he wocid_resd

MyDearFriends,—Lmidst the terrific and heartrending news
which ban appalled liirchand for many days past, in reference
to the public affairs of Paris end of France, it is a happiness
and relief to turn to your peace:ul and harmonious gathering,
held this evening in the well-known and well-loved school-
room of Fordington. I never am absent on them occasions
of friendly unit), so far as thought and memory can make me
present. And, as each j ear comes round, I desire that you
may all experience nu Dieresis of sound prosperity, of solid
contentment, of prudence and sell-control, and, above all, of
earnest and serious religion. In mind'a eye I seem n iw to
recognise the cheerful faces around every table. I seem to
behold those kind friends who have so often p esided at the
urns, once more discharging that °Bice and diffuainz the sense
of hospOxiity through the room. I ow the various helpers,
bustlmaniy7Aileoyed.l,7 prom
pal oting the ponfertylhecon..riezi,enancei
other
ltheeser
I welcome friends, a Iding to your pleasure parish,
their presence.
I know not whether the Poet of our Dorset speech and of our
Durvet hearts is among you; but, if no, he well know, that, by
all absent friends as well as those present, he la held in the
respectful and d.. r.Donate remembrance which Is his due. I
see the organist, Lad others engaged in the church or the
school, performlog ,their chairs well, as in times past. I 000
your zealous, budnem-likeoand univerenily respected Secretary,
himself a guarantee of your club's success. I see my two
brother., the curate and the missionary, rejoicing to find that
the path of their choice—the path of duty, and ser.:ce of the
Most High—leada them to-ni.tht to minister to your pleasure.
And I see my two beloved and reverend parent., adding on this
as on many similar occasions, the crow, to their life-long
labour, of piety and of benevolence; by showing that years
have but added to that love of their neighbour* which is only
seond to their love for their Divine Waster. On such se
esserubly I cannot doubt that the unseen )144er will Himself
apple, and will himself be present amongst you. With my
renewed remembrance and best hopes, believe me mo.t
fully your.,
H. U, Moira.
London, May 30, 1871.
Now before he ventured to speak at length to them
perhaps their honoured secretary would like to hear
what wan the state of affairs in his (gr. Motile's) benefit
society. He would jast inform them that his employers
and his club were one and the same. For the last two
year. he Ohs speaker) had b3en at home on half-pay.
Not because the olub he alluded to was rich enough to
keep him at home BO long; but simply became they
were too poor to send him out to his work on full
pay. But whilst be had been at home be had visited
the north of Ragland on the labour of love in which he
was eternally engaged. He bad been told upon his
leaving Dorset that he must be careful what he said in
his addresses, as the Northerne rs were extremely
" hard-headed." Het—and he would express a hope
that no Yorkshire man wee present this evening—
(laughter)—he would prefer the downs of Dorset by far
to the voids of Yorkshire. One very striking thing
amongst the north country men was the demoralising
effect of hard drinking. Yen who were earning Ell
and upward. per week, would, immediately upon their
losing a week's work, have to apply to the paes,abij
authorities for relief. Hs was not goieg to enter into
the qoestion of the legality of strikes or vide verse, bat
he would just mention that when became through the
large parish of Gateshead he found a great number of
men "out of work." The employees of Sir William
Armstrong, to the number of many hundreds, had
" turned out,' not asking for more money, but for leas
work. How inub more pleasant it I/103i be with those
who, remembering the Scriptural injunction "Godli.
new with contentment is solid gain," strove to do their
duty to God and man and avoided all appearaness of
strife and *lntention. There was much cause for
gratitude in this meeting to-day. The plague of again
meeting so many of their old frieeds—again hairier
the voicie of Mr. Barnes—(ehears)—and listening t 3 his
belovei fahller—(renewed oheers)—were things for
whisk he wee acre they were all grateful. Toe dory
read by the Rev. R. G. Watson had galled to bis mind
an incident of a very similar nature which occurred to
him when on a voyage to China. They had entered
the Chins sea, when one day the ship got suddenly
becalmed, and the tome of the =Tea there suiting
earned the ship across to some islands. There they
anchored; saddenly he baud the captain give an «der
for the immediate piling of ell arms on deck; outlaws
were eh...puled, and small arms loaded, whilst the
small cannons on board VWs primed, sad desk cleared
for tuition. All this he (Kr. Rule) Gould by no means
luiderstaad, and, upon asking the captain, he
ire=
"Oh I nothing the nutter," But however on e
esaward Monk see innumerable small mak sea eon.
tanhag soo or wan prnooa, sad *on Individuals

THS WARIAWIILL CASZ.
As was to have been exoeoted, the severity of gla
sentence passed upon Nary LeveU, a obild of 13, bra,
0. F. Steward, ant R.Thornton, Esq., has attracted
notice and indignation far beyond the bounds of Dorset.
Teentymne days' hart labour and Ave years in a refor-
matory for so small a crital-.-4•011 if the charge were
sustained by evidence, which it was not—lS so outra-
geous a punishment as to be utterly inexplicable notes,
the surroundings of the awn are considered ; and w•
cannot but think that the minds of the justices were
disturbed by the unwonted pres,noe and pertinacity a
the prosecutor on tbe bench. However that may bps
we much regret that the sentence should ever have
bees passed, for two reasons—lst, for the injustice dose
the girl; and 2nd, for the blow thus given to the
system of unpaid nitgistrates. Reparation may be
made to the girl—iodeed, she is now liberated. It was
found, wo are told, that her sicht was defeetive, so she
WAS not eligible for reception into a reformatory ; there-
fore, on the completion of her 21 days' hard
labour,
she was disoharged, and on fleturday returned to her
friends. But is so great a criminal es one mast be to
merit such a sentence, to be set free simply beaus of
imperfect vision? If so, might net weals justices be
released from their onerous duties on aesorot of warped
judgment? And, how long, we should like to know, is
it silloo it was discovered that the girl's eyesight is bad
—is not this, in feet, an excuse for relinquishing an
untenable position? The matter has been brought to
the notice of the Home Secretary, and no doubt the
magistrates have been called on to give SA esplanade°.
This we shall know more about on Wednesday.
Iu the meantime, let it be liaised that un-
warranted iaterferenee end court-martial law have
brought discredit on the county magistracy. For our-
selves, we believe, that in the mein the ju Woes of the
peace fulfil their duties with credit to toernselves end
with sati-fetti.n to the people. It Is not so mush Law
that is required of them injustice and equity, and if
they would be content to be guided in these mitten
by their own experience and common sense, and would
take whet law is needed from their qualified advisers,
the county would be well pleased; but when personal
feeling and amateur law are combined, the result, as in
thi. ease, is dieatrous to the individual affected, and a
system that on the whole works well is brought Into
'ate.

Tver.bey thi
atbtteiregirtYthPirellegewh Paso: flat: "Plialtda taliriltWastds, I
they saw the
myriads of sharks with which the sea at that part
tiwhealwityind sjparrig,
“up,tanheyd twhoeyr.spgreoiadngsai, Is and left the
abounded swimming around the ship; of coarse, the
moneters could not hurt them as 'hey Were; bat had
• piratieal attack been made upou the vets 1, doubtless
many would have been forced into the tea, and the
ravenoni creatures would then have devoured them at
once. Their thanks to God for the deliverance were
heartfelt and mooT. And now he would ask them to
him if he introdneed the topic of missionary
work into his address. gr. Barbee had read some
very nice verses relative to the vela. of • good husband, '
but he would say a few words upon the good results
which often followed the example set by • good wife—
(shears and lighter). No worth could exaggerate the
benefit to be derived from snob an example, and this
the Chineee Government fully understood as was
evident from • telegram just received from Chins,
which stated that the Government intended to put •
stop, if possible, to the mission work in Chins. And
how did they intend to carry out their objected
Firstly, by forbidding any girl to be taught anything
whatever ; and secondly, by forbidding any woman to
enter a church. There, then, was directly visible the
influence of women, and the extent to which it was
tilt in China Too well did the Chine +. Goveroment
know tbat in the event of the women becoming con.
verted the men would not be long in doing likewise—
(cheers). Another demand was also made in the most
arrogant manner by the haughty and ignorant Chinese
—that the whole of the foreign women in China
should be sent away to their own oeuntry—auother
proof of the approhension entertained of • good
wornan's influence. The energy displayed by the poor
match girls is London in resisting what must have
appeared to every one a most unjust imposition, mani-
fested what an amount of decision and determined
activity lay dormant in the nature of welly of our
countrywomen, until when fully aroused it asserts its
power with • force which frequently carries all before
it. The speaker then alluded to the j iyful season of
Whitinntule upon which they had entered, reminding
them of the holy event in which the present time was
held in remembranee ; and recalling to their minds the
appropriate remarks a the Bey. C. J. Bird upon the
descent of the Holy Ghost. They must remember
that their satiety was primarily started as a religious
society, and if they wished it to maintain its position
they most adhere to those principles of rectitude ant
truth which would uphold them In this life, and bring
them finally to life everlasting. lie oonaluded by
wishing the society increased 1110013411, and sat down
amid hearty oheering.
Votes of thanks were then oordially given to hr.
Barnes ant Mr Watson, after whieb a hymn was

sunlit
The Rev. H. MoinA then said it was with no little
gratitude he now rose to address them. Last year he
thought be should not be permitted again to speak
with them; but Almighty GA in his mercy bad spared
him yet ahother year. lie bed been thinklig of his
sons remarks to them, and they hai brought to his
mis .1 som i verses he had composed upon vieiting • poor
family in whose midst conteetment melted supreme.
Mr. Motile then read the poetry, entitled "A B.rthday
Festival;" which is well-known to many of our readers.
Applause greeted Mr. Mottle it the finish. The rev.
geotleman exhorted all present to grasp the print of
salvation held out to them, and to prim forward to
that Lillis when they should all sit down to the mar-
riage supper of the Lamb. lathe words of th.. beauti-
ful «Also for the 21at Sun lay after Trinity, he prayel
" Grant, merciful lord, to Thy faithful pool° pardon
and peace, that they may be cleansed from all their
sins and serve Thee with a quiet shied." He again
expressed his sincere gratitude at being again able to
meet with them—(applattse).
The doxology was then song, and the meeting
separated, every one being mush pleased.

The following appeared if& Yondiky's lune of the
Daily Telegrapls :

TO TUB EDITOR Or Till DAILY rstreurs."
mhall be mach obliged II you will 'dorm your
readers that the came of Mary Lovell to only oche of the many
vary extrsordloary acts ol justice of the Dorobertar bench of
. _ .

cgiailstrates -
I encl.., 'a report of a CS's In which I wae oon‘:oted fo
alleged cruelty to animals, and on which I am about to appeal'
Your readets will namely believe that the Chairman of the
magistrates, B. 0. r. Steward, Frq. who decided my cam,
was a member of the society who proiecutoi Not only Owl:
Stewed 1, but Mrs Steward also subscribed, and be actually est
as judge In Me own cause.
I leave the pu,blic to Jadge of the chance I had of s fair
decialon.—l remain, young truly,
WILLIAM NANFIELD.

Dorchester. June 1.

BUCOLIC EQUITY IN DORSET.
(From the Daily Telegraph, June 1).
We lake leave to introduce to the notion of the Hoene
Secretary, and to that of the British public, Mary Lovell, eyed
thirteen who, by a sentence of the Dorchester Petty Sermon
magutriiiime, is now undergoing twenty-one day.' impeimmasent
with hard labour, to be folbmed by five years in • reformatory.
For what crime hare the justices of Dor-Mester dooms* UM
little maid According to their own views and decisions, It
arm for swath's • milk.jug or "vegetable dish," with a chess.-
plate; though, if the information laid before the public in
another part of our columns be correct, the poor girl la as
innocent of Um charge as the magistrates themselves. She
is
raid to be the daughter of • hard-working and
couple living at Warrowell in Dorset, who have eight
children
Mary being the eldest- According to the affidavit of this
mother, it had been the custom of the parents to send every
Tuesday to the house of the 'Squire, one Captain Pastor, for
• dole of soup. Some time ago, Mary, with her little Meter
Charlotte, went to the 'Squire's abode for.Lhemtity ; but It
was not ready, and the kitchermaid. In basin and
• jug let them fall, so that the basin wan and the jug
cracked. She gave the damaged articles to the little girls,
saying they were ,no good, and Mary and Charlotte took
them home. The mother declares that she should have thrown
the things swag, but that they were "given," and, besides, lie
jug would still bold liquid. So • abort time after-
wards Me sent the same daughters, with UNII same Jug,
to llise Foster for some milk; and the dairy woman
at the house pounced upon the Mandl as belonging
to her husband. An inquiry ens then made; the mother wee
called to give information, and she explained how the girl had
come by the jug; while, according to the dairywoman's
account, the kitcheuniaid now dented that she had given it
away. In vain the mother pointed out, with tearful loglc
liast,if there had been dishonesty, she would not have sent NM'
jug to the house. The Squire searched the cottage &the
Lovell. and laid an information for larceny against little
Mary before hi. own son, • magistrate. A warrant was lamed
by that personage; it was execut I with despatch, the small
trembling prisoner being dre,Ted before the bench while the
father was,away at worn; and before the mother, who trudged
over to DJrcheater,could get her breath to speak, sentence wee
pronounced. The little girl gave her own explanation thus:
The kitehenomid gave me the jug to hold timers, because
it was broken." The evidence taken does not mom to have
been very voluminous, nor, if we can trust the report sent to
us, does the accused appear to have had the opportunity of
bringing forward counter evidence. Nay, • local paper states
that some information bi.arling on tho case was "confidentially
communicated to the Bench." Nevertheless, the magistrates
—lt. 0. F. Steward, Seq., and R. Thornton, Evq.—at coos
committed the thirteen-year-old damsel to prison, with hard
labour, for twenty-one days, and adjudged Mr, moreover, at
the expiration of that time, to be further torn tic= her pawl,
and detained for five years in the Devon and Exeter
Reformatory.
Thus far our own statement of the affair may be regarded
as es parte; we have yet to hem what may be said on "the
other aid."—that of the magistrates. But that there Is •
prima facie case at least for a rehearing sterna to us manifest
from the affidavit. which have bees made by witnesses on the
side of the girl, who could get no hea-ing before to. local
magistrate.. A number of mast respectable neighbours witty
to the houesty &IA good character of the girl. The Ramer of
WerteVrell soiesonts alla sincerely deeArne" TAM, han.ng
known the !AMID family for nine years. he regards them as
mod oortllY fte"Plei and "darn not for one miiment believe
that the child Mary L rvell would commit • dishonest action."
The achoolinistress who taught the child makes affidavit that
she was, among her school-fellows, the most trutlifol, honest,
and well-behaved. So say's the clergyman of Woodsford,
so my, with the most unhesitating expr-ssions of eiteeVr.o.
'-dies ,f Warmwell and a track man of the tillage.
neighbour. of the hapless family bee: testimony , also, to the
good conduct—nay, more, to the exemplary eiviour—of the
little Dorset maid; and, at the end of all this remarkable and
concurrent testimony, comes a declaration of the Rector of
Woodshed, whom words are such a certificate of honesty as
might be envied by Oren a Dorsetshire magistrate in all the
pinto of his immaculate •irt-e. This SOMXII. the Rev.
Eiward Pickard Cambridge, affirms that Lovell we' con-
stantly in his house—left alone with e./, linen, and
money—and was fiequently bent on eriands with cash in her
hand to buy goods or to pay bills; during all which time, ex-
tending over four years, not the slightest act of dishonesty
was ever so much as connected with her name, even by
suspicion. Now, surely, such evidence ought to have been
received, es well as the "confidential communications" to
which the local paper refers. Yet, not only did them Dorset-
shire magistrates pounce upon the girl and send her 01 to
gaol, so quickly that the mother, who had walked over from
the ville je, had no time to fetch her breath to be heard in
court; but when, • fortnight after, a solicitor applied to
three other masistrates on the same local Bench, rtkial them
to sanction an application to the Home Secretary, the rural
judges, shocked at the bare idea that their colleagues' deci-
sions could bees much ae questioned, silenced the lasfer ith
• - .:ect battery of frowns. Thus, so far r• they are con-
cerned, the little damsel who was lately picking flower' to put
ii her cracked milk-jug will pasts th-ee weeks in gaol, there
too possibly to learn what will make her actually a thief if not
worse; while the mere thought that for five years she Is to be
parted from her father and mother—all for • cracked milk-pot
or vegetable dish—seems not sufficiently serious I. make her
judges listen when the outraged opinion of the neighbourhood
sought to lay more facts before them.
They Mall l'lten, however. &don that poor girl goes from
the gaol to the reformatory her story shell be heard out to
the uttermost. After such facts have been mos made
known to the public, there is not the least fear that
Captain Foster and his son, with his other rural
friends upon the Dorchester scat of oaks,. wi'l be
p'acidly allowed to break up an humid.) household in this way
for the sake of some injured crockery. We rimed emph-
cany, that if it we e actually true that this ylri had appro-
priated the pipkin in question it waa none the is • • monstrous
act of authority to commit her for that peccadillo to the
apprenticeship of the common primes and the Mug exile of the
reformatory. Can it be Christian charity, forsooth, to give
poor folks • ha'porth of soup and • farthing's worth ef
and then send them to gaol for dealing the broken pot in
which they fetch the large= / It pussies our •01190 of gnash
justice , too, to learn that the accuser should have laid hie
Information before his own eon, a local magistrate, and then
have allowed to be brought before the other potentates, his
neighbours and fellows appointed to adjudicate, facts which
were not publicly stated before the court. If Captain Foster
had anything to my besides what was on the &pantie= his
proper and only place from which to utter it was the witless-
bog. We shall not have done with the Dorcheeter Bench,
however, when Mary Lovell's cam bas ben retried. There are
two problems to be solved: lint, whether she Is not Innocent,
and correct in her explanation that tire milk-pot or the basin
with a hole in its bottom we, given to her; and, secondly,
even If she is " guilty," whether to. punishment of twenty-
one dere hard taMur and five years banishment from kith
and kin is • suitable apportionment of penalty for mach an
offenoe—Use only one, be it noted, actualljniallerard.=er.
Thus far limy Lovell; but her case
reconsidered it must be in • very different spirit from that in
which the Dorchester Bench refused to the questilon
there remains theca,. of the Bench iteelfre.-M be it front og
to minute the judgment which will eventually be proneepaced
tiriltbibe raponalbie maestro., for we have foot &Ma ox-
en before us; Present we only know that they are
neesicoed before public opinion on evidence lven by witnesses
of character, Yet on the strength of the local report,, the
question inevitably mime whether the proceedings Is the petty
sessions were regular, and whether the tentenoe was 111
socurdame with law. It is se I enough to think of that mall
Dorm: girl, to whim everybody gives such an excellent char-
acter, can-lit up and sentenord--by way of improvement,
forsooth I—to become • gaol-bird before the poor thing can
well stammer out her defence, and while the mother is fetch-
ing breath to plead for delay aud enquiry, That individual
„rung can be righted ; the other phenomena presented by
this precious specimen of bucolic equity Involve the craved,
questions of principle; and when Mr. Bruce has the cracked
milk-potia hand, ho will do well to ask whether the WIWI of
justice in Dormitehlre me not cracked too, and !Only
weighted.

GREAT Flaß AT CHARIIINSTEC.
A fire of • terrible oharaeter, from the rapidity and
oompleteneas of its destruction, occurred at °hernias-
ter on Wednesday morning, and in about an hour left
nothing but walls and a burning mate of debris where
before stood the comfortable residences of Mr. Read
and Kr. Josiah Slade, with the oottages of six
labourers' families, and that of Kr. Read's bailiff, and
a village shopkeeper. The premises were all thatched
and abutted on the Cerise-road, extending northward
from near the New Inn about SO yaids, the fi SLOGS
only being stayed in their warms by • break in th line
of buildings, and the resistance offered by the slated
Premises of Mrs. Warren (sores' the road opposite Mr.
Slide's,) which were wisely mai copiously "tetanal. It
is generally believed that the fire originated from seine
burning ashes thrown by one of the ciotteger's wives
upon • heap near • barn of Kr. Read's. Igniting some
of the dry refine about, the flames geiekty spread to
the thatch of the barn, and with astonishing quickness
the whole plane WM in • blaze. Two men employed at
Idri Chamen's grist mill, behind Mr. Road's premises,
named John Kerte and Jonathan Hearn,obeirving the
conflagration hastened to the spot to render what help
they could, and Cbarminster women working in the
fields seeing the smoke and fire also ran to the scene.
Before they arrived other women—Mrs. Payne, Mrs
Hicks, Mrs. Cooper, and others—with Mr. P•vey, and,
Indeed, everybody at hand, helped to rescue the people
from the burning buildings, to get out what they could
of their furniture, ant do whatever seemed beet in the
emergency. No little danger was run by them, and
Mrs. Payne had the collar around her meek burnt in
her daring anxiety for the safety of her neighbours.
In • few minutes • large number collected. and buckets
of water were thrown upon the burning buildings in
hope of subduing the flames. But in vain. In • few
minutes Mr. Read's house, barn. granary, outbuildings,
and berton, and the adjacent teenaged were all on fire.
The dunes beatback the most resolute, and the volume
of smoke was suffocating. M, 'awhile the Dorchester
borough engine bad been s.mt for, and with most
creditable promptitude was despatehed 1 the miens
of the disaster. Kr. Jewett accompanied it as
superintendent of the brigade, Mr Collins as chief fire-
man wee there, and • good body of workers. When
they arrived the fire had complete mastery over Kr
Slade's house and the cottages adjoining, as well as Mr
Read's premises, and nothing could be done but to
prevent its farther extension. The mill stream and
penis afforded plenty of water, and men and women
were ready with their help. The ens,:ne at Dorchester
barracks was sent for, and about forty of the arti'lery•
men, putting ropes to the engine, draggcl it to Char.
miaster at • racing pica They were accompanied
by Captain Williams, Lieutenant Bramley. and
Lieutenent Burnett; and in less than five minutes
after their arrival were vieorously streaming water
over the fire whieh at that time re ~ed with great fury.
The Fordington brigade and merino were sent for, and
under the direction of Mr. John Lewis, did good
service. From the houses of Mr. Read and Mr. Slade
seine &Wailes of furnitute were resened,but the cottsters
slaved seareely a stick. Chairs, beds. Ada, and bedding
were at imminent risk dragged from the burning pile,
but smoke and flame in many cases overcame the
poor people as they sought to carry them away. and
they were dropped in the road, and there were con-
sumed. So complete was the destruction that even the
gates of the battens were burnt, the thatched walls of
the gardens were destroyed, and the trees on the
opposite side of the road were withered by the fieroe
heel, while the grass wan dried up and fired. Most of
the live stack was in the fields, and what remained was
got out with the exception of a few sitting geese, and
these were beret upon their nests A porker ran into
one of the burning houses, and quickly succumbed, its
expiring squeals provoking daring attempts at rescue;
and, indeed, it was ultimately thrown out, but dead,
and 131011, munched their bread and cheese over it with
greater gusto, as they dimmed who amongst them
should share the prise; Happily the personal injuries
sustained were but slight; the principal being &scorch-
ing in the face by • blsoksmith named Howe, as he was
takieg • sheet of drawers from one of the cottages. In
Mr Read's granary was • quentity of thrashed wheat,
• good dad of which was destroyed or damaged. There
was also 2200 worth of wool, the cheque for which
was that morning received, and it was a; eit
to be despatched. A greet quantity of reed was burnt and
the entire contents of the outbuildings. Toe premises
occupied by Mr Reeddeelonging to Kr Robert Devenish
who is in London are insured in the Royal Exchange
ofßoe, and the stock is also insured. Mr Coombe, the
agent of the society, with lifr Newman, was aarty at
the fire. Mr Blade's premises are also insured. Sept,
Hare, with a body of the county police, was present,
rendering every assistance. By the fire the following
were rendered homeless, and slab little besides the
clothes they wore :
Samuel Hyde, who has • wife and five children, and
• motherin.law (Jane Clark) living with him.
George Francis, wife, ad two children.
Frederick Imam, wife, and three children.
Mary Formedge, with three children.
Samuel Buckler, wife, and three children.
John Cake, wife, and daughter.
Mr. Watts, bailiff to Mr. Read.
Mrs. Gibbs, • widow, who kept a 'roomy shop.
The poor burnt out people were provided for at night
either in empty cottages In the vaine or at the houses
of neighbours, and we hope that • subscription will be
raised to replace their little stook of furniture and cloth-
ing, of which they have been ao suddenly deprived.
The Vicar (the Rev. J. Tucker), Mr. Davis, and others
of the inhabitants gave kindly easistanee, mitigating
the severity of the ices they have sustained.

MOIID4T.

Sam the fire a large number of persons aye ;isisod
the ruins ; especially was this the case on Sunday. We
regret to learn that Mr. Deveuish will sustsia consider-
able loss by the disaster, the fall amount of the damage
to the property not being covered by the insuranae• On
Saturday the ruins were surveyed. At that time • poor
burnt-out oat was mewing disconsolately among the
debris and showed by singed " whiskers" and scorched
bide, that it had been in the fire. The fierceness of the
heat vas indiested by the manner in which iron bed-
steads were twisted out of all shape, and by the 1 set
that butts filled with water were charred throughout.
; . .

MAIDEN NEWTON.

FILIZSDLT SOCIITY.—The sunivenary of this emdery
took plaoe on Whit Tuesday. The member/ met se the
White Horse Hotel in the morning, sod prooeeded to
church, where a sermon was probated by the rector,
the 11,v. If. Haakey on the words "Honour all men.
Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the Ma."
Divine service over, the members returned to the White
Home Hotel, for dinner. Toe room was slimly dswornted.
it. If. Kendall, Fag., (president of the society) orwmpied
the chair, end tett', were also present the Key. P. 11.
Newnbam, the Bey. T. Bennett, Kr J. Brown, Mr
Teeter, Kr Buokter, MIMI, G. Burch, J. )(midway, sad
It Geoid. The Chairman re id the followuag .abstrast
of the Amirante of the Society, from It eouuseurrenient,
to the third saniverssry, Nay 30th, 187 L —.Receipts :
Balance of last year's moons* £99 17s 74; mitLeal!,
10. ; fies and rules, Is ; surgeon, £9 3m; q
£46 gs ; imatributions, Ell 17s 91 ; Ines, El 1.11.1=,_
contributions, kl 7.; interest to November the 10th
1870, 111 lie; total £l7l 15e 44.—Pagatents during peas
year: To the Bergison 29 3e; to the Bserstary, £2 Bs ;
funeral contributions, £8 7s; sick pay, 210 10. ; repair-
ieg Sig, 2s; espouses last anniversary, £2 16.. total,
1.33 81. Cash in Baring Rank, £l2B Sfs 101 ; sesh in
trtesurer's hands £9 19. 6i; balance £l3B 9s 46.—1 n
responding for the Bishop and Mere, the Rev; T.
Bennett took omission to saggeet that this slab should
a with the Dorset County Friendly Bordeltri
mrials.te N. Co: and Kr W. Vernon eta sort a
guinea to the club, The members sabsequently formed
Pprocession sad, headed by the Maiden Newton bead,
araded the village.

We are glad to find that • local committee Eas been
formed for assisting the poor cottagers burnt oat of
house and home. Their losses are estimated at about
end we bear thst something like ESO is .treaty
promised. Mr. Webster, of Charminster, or any of the
Dorchester banks, will gladly re•slea coacributiong,

LYME BLOM
wg hear that the Duke ot Marlborough is likely to
rest or punkin!, "South elltt," the We a
G. Oat-Wright, Lc. If each should he b.sees we
behove It is the intention of his lordship le nuke itlde
pert I savaisse Opo4 he 0a• ot 14 'sob*