The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1882-11-14 00:00:00

The Dorchester Saturnalia.

The youthful heart gives a great leap at the
prospect of the annual November festival, and,
Eke the warhorse, the lads of our town sniff gunpowder
from afar, in joyful expectation of the fiery revels in
store for them, Many of us, too, on whom has passed
"some relish of the manes' of time," as Shakespeare
puts it. and many whose beads betray come suspicions
of Time's frost, experience a delightful little flutter
of excitement in view of the time-honoured buffoonery.
Thaie who are betwixt and between, in the awkward
stage as it has been called, young fellows who would
&mum an ,Jr of offewle I dcgnity were they dubbed as
boys, for once claim their right a. such to indulge In
their boyish fun. Association with Guy Fawkes and
his dastardly attempt in years gone by is gradxally
being ignored by us since the new fashioned coined
word "Saturnalia" takes the place of Guy Fawkes
Day, an I not even is there no .Soy of
the attempted aseassio, who used to be the figure
annually held up for public execration; so the
demonstration has at length developed in Dorchester
into an occasion for simple and unalloyed fun and
amusement. Being unopposed. if not supported to any
great exteet, by the powers that be, young and old
avail themselves of this grand opportunity of throw-
ing off all those restrictions which on three
hundred and fifty-five days of the year govern all
order-loving and law-abiding citizens, and luxuriate
In those forbidden joys which would on any day but
this odd one without • shadow of • doubt ensure for
them • wholesome sojourn at the institution set apart
for the reception of rogue., vagabond!, and other
Individuals who will be so foolish as to defy the laws
of their Queen and country.
As in former years, the -festival had been thoroughly I
organized, • committee appointed, • chairman, wells '
known for his zeal, &elected, funds were invited, the ,
public generously responded, the natal store of good '
things was provided, torches and fireworks In
*banditti*" the old armour and accoutrements were
furbished and re-decorated, new guys were desigsed,
and the thousand and one little arrangement*
wwwworl for • good Elsturnalla made, and Dien the coins
mitts* and the British public rested from their
labours and waited for the day. But this goes
without wiring. Dorchester is getting so accustomed
to the bustle and excitement which usher in
the Saturnalia, and it Ii all so natural, that it is looked
forward to almost as much as the bell-ringing which
heralds the joyous Christmas time. Well, aa we said,
they waited for the day, and it came in the ordinary
MOM of events, and at sight of the glorious morning
which rejoiced the eyes of the expectant ones, the spirits
of the youngsters roes to fever point, and it must have
been very trying to them to restrain themselves from
rushing away and letting off their whole stock of fire-
works in the happy exuberance of their joy. But before
noon they began to look serious, and many were the
anxious glances directed towards the now murky
sky, whick was being fast darkened by damp watery.
looking clowds. The faces of the cxonnittee visibly
lengthened as the rain commenced, and a hasty meet-
ing was summoned to discua the situation. It was
decided to allow the weather time for improvement,
and then to hold another gathering. But improve it
did not, but rather grew worse an! when the com-
tnittes again met at the Green Vragun, it wee unani-
mously newly,' I to poservese the affair. It being
generally admitted if the thing was worth doing it
was worth doing well, and therefore worth waiting
for. It gave their feelings a sharp tug, though, to
abandon hope in the weather-improvement theory,
and it must have been a trial to the most patient to
postpone the festival even for a day. However, it
was so, and the fact was duly made known by a band
of brothers, who, in their happy devotion to the came,
blazoned the notice abroad, regardless of wind or
weather.
Rain continued persistently all the day and far
into the night, and Dorchester people considered
themselves especially fortunate that they had Wren
the prudent course, and especially when it was
made known that Weymouth folks were determined
to spoil their demonstration for want of self-control,
and they plu nal themselves on possessing a pivticu-
laxly large bump of that virtue of which Job is
generally credited as having been the happy possessor
of • large share ; and then when it became known
how effectually Jupiter Playing had done his work at
Weymouth, we congratulated ourselves that we still
had taken the wise step.
But those who had the fortune, or misfortune, to
pay the old town a shit on the following day can tell
an eloquent tale of how vain are all human propos&
Woe Like its predecessor, a glorious morn, but
• dewy eve with • vengeance. The weather gave
ample promise in favour of a fins night, and certainly
the committee were justified in despatching the good
crier round the town armed with the notice that ths
"demonstration will take place whdAer or no." At
dusk it was still fine, and there was every promise of
this happy state of affairs continuing. Tim fun corn-
manned early. Squibs and crackers opened the ball,
and in • short time, one after another, guys stole into
the streets, and carried on their pranks without let or
hindrance. A iemarkably fine clown attract's:l much
attention b patrolling the street., and fulfilling his
Part to action, and another character, which we
cu.s., to /
be a Court jester (but where be borrowed
design for his boots it would puzzle us to say) was
well get up. The said boots (or boats would he the
Went term) were of extraordinary dimensions, and
were • source of infinite danger to the sensitive tors of
the pamers-by ; however, the jester was very consider-
ate as to where he let his feet fall Gradually, the
streets filled with guys and sight-seers. Some
of the drams' were really • credit to the
Ingenuity of the wearers. Relights in armour
prevailed, and a very gallant spectacle aome of them
presented. One, • mailed and crowned warrior, was
=°trly well got up. Soldiers of • more modern I•eonas of • most gorgeous descripidon, were
mho swarrour. Some or the Court drones were very