The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1860-01-31 00:00:00

HONESTR AUDA X

PARLI•MINT WU opened on Tuesday by the
Queen in person. The Speech from the Throne
commenced by announcing that our relations
with foreign Powers continue to be on a friendly
and satisfaCtory footing. It then entered, in
considerable detail, into the diplomatic phases
of the Italian question since the close of the last
session. It stated that invitations had been re-
ceived from Austria and France to take part in
a Congress, and that those invitations had been
accepted on the understanding that in such a
Congress England would "steadfastly maintain
the principle that no external force should be
employed to impose upon the people of Italy
any particular Government or Constitution."
It stated that circumstances had led to a post-
ponement of the Congress without any day
being fixed for its meeting, and that whether in
Congress or in separate negotiation, Her Ma-
jesty will "endeavour to obtain for the people
of Italy freedom from foreign interference by
force of arms in their internal concerns," at the
same time expressing the hope that the affairs
of the Italian Peninsula may be "peacefully and
satisfactorily settled." It then referred to the
Treaty of Commerce between France and Eng-
land, and briefly stated that Her Majesty was in
communication with the Emperor for the purpose
of extending the commercial intercourse between
the two countries, and of thereby drawing still
closer the bonds of friendly alliance between them.
The next important topic of the Speech was the war
in China. After commending the "usual bra-
very " displayed by the allied forces at the
mouth of the Peiho river, it announced the pre-
paration of another joint expedition in order to
obtain redress and a fulfilment of the stipulations
of the Treaty of Tien-tsin. At the same time it
intimated that it will be gratifying to Her Majesty
"if the prompt acquiescence of the Emperor of
China in the moderate demands which will he
made by the Plenipotentaries shall obviate the
necessity for the employment of force." The
San Juan liifficulty was also mentioned in a con-
ciliatory spirit The Speech stated that "Un-
authorised proceedings" by an officer of the
United St:ites might have led to a serious collision
between the British forces and those of the
United States, and that such collision had been
prevented by the judicious forbearance of Her
Majesty'. naval and civil officers on the spot,
and by Vie equitable and conciliatory provisional
arrange,nent proposed on this matter by the Go-
vernment of the United States. "I trust" said
Her Viajesty, "that the question of boundary,
out of which this affair has arisen, may be
amicably settled in • manner conformable with
the :plat rights of the two countries, as defined
by ti.ie first Article of the Treaty of 1848." The
last topics of foreign politics which the Speech
touched upon were the re-establishment of tran-
quillity in India, and the conclusion of treaties
with the Tycoon of Japan and the Republic of
Guatemala. It then proceeded to questions of
domestic interest, announcing, in the first place,
that the public revenue is in a satisfactory con-
dition, and that the estimates for the ensuing
year have been prepared with a view to place
the naval and military services and the defences
of the country on an efficient footing. It stated
; that Her Majesty has accepted "with gratifica-
tion and pride "the services of the volunteers,
and that this manifestation of public spirit has
added a new element to our system of national
defence. With regard to the measures of the
session, it stated that a Reform Bill will be in-
troduced for the purpose of placing the represen-
tation of the people in Parliament on a broader
and firmer basis, and that Bills will also be in-
troduced for the Amendment of the Law of
. Bankruptcy, the Transfer of Land, the Consoli-
dation of the Statutes, and the further fusion of
Law and Equity.

The Address in both Houses was agreed to
after a desultory debate, in which the war with
China and the Commercial Treaty with France
were the chief subjects of discussion. In the
Lords, Earl Grey moved an amendment to the
effect that Parliament ought to have been called
together before the Chinese expedition was un-
dertaken, but the motion was negatived without
a division. In the Commons, Sir G. Lewis gave
notice that on Monday (yesterday) he would
bring in a Bill to amend the Corporation of the
City of London, and Lord J. Russell gave notice
that on Monday, the 20th February, he will
bring in the Government Reform Bill. Sir John
Trelawny obtained leave to bring in a Bill
to abolish Church-rates; and Mr. bilfahon
obtained leave to bring in a Bill to se-
cure a right of appeal in criminal cues. On
Thursday Mr. Bovill obtained leave to bring in
a Bill to amend the laws relating to Petitions of
Right, and Mr. Dillwyn obtained leave to bring
in a Bill to amend the law respecting endowed
schools. Mr. Bouverie moved a resolution for
the purpose of restricting the miscellaneous
questions which are now discussed on Fridays on
the question of adjournment, but the motion
was negatived, on a division, by 166 to 48. Sir
G. Lewis moved a resolution that no motion for
the issuing of any new writ for Gloucester or
Wakefield be made without seven day,' previous
notioe in the votes, which was agreed to after •
brief diecumelon, in which the Home Secretary

announced that the Government had prepared •
Bill for the amendment of the Corrupt Practices
Act. The House then pent into oommittee on
the Consolidated Fund, when Mr. Gladstone
Proposed a resolution limiting the power now
held by the Chancellor of the Exchequer over
the moneys of Savings Banks and Friendly So-
cieties, with the view of bringing the whole of
the transactions regularly and periodically under
the consideration of Parliament. After a short
, debate the resolution was agreed to, and a Bill
was ordered to be brought in.

The Treaty of Commerce between France and
England was signed on Monday in Paris; but
will not be laid before Parliament until Monday
next, when the Chancellor of the Exchequer will
bring forward his financial statement. This de-
lay has been deemed advisable for the double
purpose of enabling the Emperor Napoleon to
make the first announcement of the conclusion of
the Treaty in the French Chambers, and of giv-
ing Parliament the opportunity of considering
the details of the Treaty in connection with the
ways and means of the year.

DORCHESTER PITCHED CORN MARKET, Saturday.
—There wu a large supply of wheat at market to.
day, but there was no disposition on the part of
millers or dealers to get into stock, the condition of
most samples being so bad that to effect sales • re-
duction of from 2s. to aa per quarter had to be
submittal to. The few samples of old on offer realized
last week's rates. Barley, oats, and beans unaltered
in value.

DORCHINTZR RIFIA CORPS.—The Worshipful the
Mayor, Matthew Itevenish, Esq., having issued a
notice that he would attend at the Townhall yester-
day morning (Monday) for the purpose of enrolling
the members of this corps, whose services have been
graciously accepted by the Queen, a large number
attended for that purpose, and 69 members took the
oath of allegiance before the Mayor and J. F. Hodge.,
Esq., and paid their subscriptions of 61 10s. The
ceremony was not allowed to pass as a mere dry
matter of form, but the approbation of the town in
general of the spirit and loyalty displayed by the
members was evinced by the ringing of church bells.
the hoisting of Hags. and the martial strains of the
fifes and drums. On Friday next a meeting of the
enrolled members of the corps is to be held at the
Townhall for the purpose of nominating gentlemen
to hold commissions. We understand that sixty
members have signed a requisition to Hastings
Nathaniel Middleton, Esq., asking him to accept the
appointment of Captain. We may here state that
none but enrolled members will be allowed to vote
at the nomination of officers; but those who were
not sworn in yesterday morning may have the oath
administered to them on application at the Town
Clerk's office.

Miss Lizztr STUART.—This talented young lady
gave her much-admired and popular entertainment
at the Townhall on Friday evening last. The at-
tendance, we were sorry to observe was, on this
occasion, very meagre; but that fact must by no
means be taken as indicative of the degree of merit '
and attraction which Miss Stuart's performances
possess. The paucity of her audience at Dorchorter
will be amply compensated by the iecollection of
great and repeated successes elsewhere, where the
refined taste of the upper classes as well as the just
appreciation of the middle ranks have alike done
justice to her abilities. Her entertainment, " A
Peep at Scotland through her Songs," is one of the
most pleasing of it. kind. Possessing a sweet voice,
and a charming manner of delivery in the descriptive
parts—added to much natural grace and ease—Miss
Stuart has necessarily become an established favourite
with the general public ; and we will venture to
hazard the opinion that all who had the pleasure of
listening to this gifted young lady on Friday night.
will hardly fail to wish her a long and uninterrupted
career of professional distinction and success.

NIS. WOO I.STON.II CONFECTION CRY. —Our reader*
may have remarked in our advertising columns an
announcement of Mr. Woolston's establishment, in
the High-street, setting forth in some detail the many
choice delicacies, and the great variety of light anil
excellent provisions peculiar to a tirst-rate shop of
this description, in which Mr. Woolston has now
established an extensive and successful business. As
an enterprising tradesman, of great respectability and
unwearied industry possessing as he dues a
thoroughly practical knowledge of every department
of his business, combined with an unusual degree of
ingenuity and skill in its artistic branches -we have
much pleasure in witnessing the success which has
crowned his efforts, and can have no hesitation in
saying that he well deserves the liberal patronage of
all classes in the county.

BATH AND WEST OF ENCLAND Sorirrv.—The
interest taken in the approaching visit of the Bath
and West of England Agricultural Society to Dor.
chester—whose exhibition will commence on Mon-
day. the 4th of June next—is beginning to show
itself very unmistakeably in the sin rounding
counties. It should be well understood that the
Council of the Society have determined that the arts
and manufactures department shall be continued.
and the leading journals of Wilts, Hants, and Devon
have called upon the inhabitants of their respective
districts to occupy their proper position in this
gathering of the skill and workmanship of the West
of England ; and this recommendation is all the
more deserving of attent. , seeing that this new
feature in the proceedings of the society was attended
with complete success at Flamstaple last year. The
department will be open for the reception of any
artistic product ; and here is a list of the principal
heads to which attention is directed, though it will
be by no means limited to these :—Pottery, glass,
candles, lamps, soap, upholstery, cabinet-making,
bookbinding, gold and silversmith's work, jewellery,
mediieval ironwork, coach building, saddle and liar-
ness making, stone carving, wood carving, clock and
watch making, mathematical instruments, photo-
graphic apparatus, gunnery, textile fabrics, stoves,
grates, &c. It behoves the counties of Dorset,
%Vika, Somerset, and Hants, to be energetic in their
movements, and to show that not only are they
equal to the other parts of the West of England in
agricultural produce, but also that in works requiring
skill and taste they arc not behind their neighbours.
The tradesmen in the counties of Devon, Cornwall,
_ _ _ . .

and Somerset, last year showed to the 50,000 visitors
at Banistaple, what works of taste and skill could
be purchased from tradesmen in Exeter, Plymouth,
Taunton, Brtstol, &c., in every variety of useful and
ornamental articles, and we have no doubt that the ,
exhibitors on that occasion will now show to the I
people of Dorchester and its neighbourhood that I
they need not go to London for such articles; but if
they cannot get their wanta supplied at home they
have only to start westward, and a short ride will bring
them to where they can. But we believe and hope,
for the honour of the district into which the Society
is now going, that the larger towns will show that
they are not behind their age. Bath, Dorchester,
Weymouth, Southampton, Bridport, Yeovil, Devises,
Frome, Salisbury, and Sherlxinie are all towns more
or less celebrated in the district where the Society
exhibits, and we doubt not all of Huse will contain
manufacturers and tradesmen public spirited enough
to assert and maintain the character of their respec-
tive localities, and show that in the production or
appreciation of works requiring artistic skill and
taste in their production, they are nut behind the
other parts of the West of England. With regard
to the Fine Arta' Exhibition, the Committee recom-
mend that all drawings, which are sent framed,
should be in simple head frames drawings and
sketches sent mounted and in portfolios, will be put
into frames at the Exhibition at the expense of the
Society, and no oil picture exceeding :lft. Gin. by
2ft. 10in, will be received. Dr. Scott, of Exeter,
in explanatory remarks on the Barnstaple Exhibi-
tion, observes that in a collection of this kind there
are two great principles of good art which ought
never to be lost sight of, :—" First, that orna-
ment should be consistent with the construction
required for real use, not the construction made to
to fits pattern chosen for the sake of ornament, just ass
horse's shoe should be made to fit the foot, not the
foot to by fitted to the ready-made shoe. The
second principle is, that the natural qualities of the
material should be considered in framing the design,
whether for construction or ornament, the opposite
error being very common, namely to borrow patterns
invented by the workers in stone, wood, or iron, and
attempt to reproduce the pattern in the material for
which it was not intended. Each material has it.
own natural qualities, and therefore its own style."
DUCHY or CORNWALL.—The Prince Consort pre•
sided on Tuesday week at a meeting of the Council
of the Duchy of Cornwall, at Buckingharmgate, St.
James's Park. There were also ?resort the Chancel-
lor, the Lord Kingsilown. the Keeper of the Privy
Seal, Lord Portman, Sir William Dunbar, the Attor-
ney-General, Sir W. J. Alexander, the Treasurer,
Colonel the Hon. Sir ('harks Beaumont Phipps, the
Duke of Newcastle, and the Secretary, Mr. J. R.
Gardiner.

The United Prayer Meeting on Tuesday evening
was largely attended, the Town-hall being quite full-.
Dr. Cowdell occupied the chair, and after a hymn
had been sung, opened the proceedings with prayer.
The other portion of the devotions, &c., were con-
ducted by the Rev. Josiah Miller, Independent, and
the Rev. J. Scott, Wesleyan ministers, the Rev. E.
M. Hall pronouncing the benediction.
finnirrs lak IS6O. —At the Court of Buckingham
Palace, the 23rd day of January, ; present the
Queen's Most Excellent Majesty in Council; Sheriffs
appointed by Her Majesty in Council for the year

Donsicnutia.—George Digby Wingfield Digby,
of Sherborne Castle, Esq.
Davonsuine.—Pstar Richard Hoare, of Lacombe,
E'4O.IIIIIIIIrIIIHIBIL —Robert James Elton, of White-
stannton, Esq.
WILTSHIRZ. —Horatio Nelson Goddard, of Cliff
Manor hones, Esq.
THZ SPRING AMUCK —The Judges who will pre-
side on the Western Circuit are Mr. Baron Martin
ad Mr. Baron Channel!.

The Dorset Central and East Somerset Railway ! ;
bills were declared to have passed Standing Orders on
Thursday.
FIRST MEET OF LORD POLITIMORI'S HOUNDS TO
HUNT THK CATTIBTOCK COONTRY.—This famous
meet, so long looked forward to with the utmost in-
terest by the sportsmen of Dorset, took place at
Frampton Court, the seat of It. B. Sheridan, Esq.,
M. P., on Tuesday last. Notwithstanding that the
weather during the early part of the morning was of
the most unfavourable description—with wind and
I rain and • succession of hail-storms, an immense field
of well-mounted horsemen, numbering nearly WO,
boldly faeed the weather, and assembled in the beau-
tiful greensward, facing the mansion, which presented
about 11 o'clock—when the sun shone out and bright-
ened every face —a pleasing and most animated scene.
Mr. Sheridan that day kept open house; and a splen-
did breakfast, with an abundance of choice wines,
awaited all who were pleased to partake of the
'Squire's hospitality; and red coats and black came
in thick and fast to do honour to the spreiul. Mr.
Sheridan's amiable lady herself occcupied a seat at
the head of the table, and displayed so much conde-
scending goodness to all around her that the large
company of gallant fox-bunters, one and all, would,
we are sure, cordially
_greet her with the name of
" most kiud hostess." The company was also occa-
sionally graced with the presence of Lady Poltirnore,
and one or two of Mr. Sheridan's admired daughters;
while Mr. Sheridan omitted nothing in personal at-
tention to his numerous guests, which was afforded
with his well-know urbanity and kindness. A little
before 12, the black clouds rolling away, and the glo-
rious mu enlivening all the country round, the sound
of the huntsman's horn invited to the chase; then
away trotted the pack of excellent hounds, led out of
the park by the huntsman, Evans, and followed by
the immense field of Dorsetahire fox-hunters, eager
for sport, who, as they passed over one of the bridges
on this beautiful estate, seemed to present • long
line of sportsmen threatening to "stretch out
till the crack of doom." The day did not prove
prolific of first-rate sport; but when ao much
pleasure had been already experienced—from
the unmistakeable cordiality and friendliness of
the meet, and all the gratifying conditions
attending it, it would be perhaps too much to hope
that fickle fortune would be constant in multiplying
her highest favours. Hyde Croolt n.ver was first
tried and driwn blank, as was also a small adjoining
cover, after which the pack and field trotted away
to the celebrated fixture, " Sydling Barn." in the
; ample covers adjoining which Pug was expected to
be at home. The first cover having been previously
; hunted, proved blank, but in the East Coppice the
; hounds picked up the trail of a fox, and pursued it
I for nearly an hour, but without runnig from scent
; to view. Amongst the field we recognised the noble
; owner of the pack, Lord Poltimore, Lord Digby,
I Lord Seymour, the Earl of Gifford, Sir Ivor Guest,
Lord Edward St. Maur, Mr. Hatlclyffe, Mr. Lacey.
; Mr. E. Pope, Mr. Littleliales, Captain Sanford,
Mr. C. Henley, Mr. F. M. Eastment, Mr. Richards,
Mr. Troyte Bullock, Mr. Pitman, Mr. White, tr.c.
I A distinguished party of the nobility and gentry
were on a visit to Mr. Sheridan and his family
_ . . . . . .

before and after the day of this celebrated meet',
amongst whom were the Duchess of Somerset,
Lady Dufferin, Lord Seymour, Hon. Mrs. Norton,
Earl of Gifford, Lord and Lady Poltimore, Hon. F.
Craven, Lady Francis and Miss Gordon, Lord
Edward St. Maur, Sir Ivor Guest, Bart. Lord
and Lady Digby, Hon. Miss Digby, Rev. J.
Russell, &c.