The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1868-04-14 00:00:00

THE DORSET BATTALION AT THE
PORTSMOUTH REVIEW.
- (DT • "nos Tann.")

flaterday, 11 p.m., April U.
Your handsome lolls, molted me this morning, sat
as I was about to give the last Meshes to the '
a war before healing on the acetarementseit7=
lam hoentffully ermined by the executive of the Dona-
shire Battalion. I sey" bonatifelly" for it strata see
that so sewerage were the arta..., when I smoldered
myself oomph tit for the review, that for greater Parity
I was alsnoot tempted to make an inventory of WI the
property and effects in my *huge, including my own
and those belonging to the nation, lest I should make
the return journey shorn of a proportion of my re-
quisites. By the bra be cannot by any mune be con-
sidered a buy man who undertakes • fourteen or fifteen
miles walk with about 60 lba. weight stowed shout him;
and such appears to be likely on Monday. The tram
by obieb I travelled in company with several of the
Dora Battalion as the one which leaves Weymouth
at 12.20 p.m., and marked on the bills "supremo,"
bet enter as I am ociasereed,, I cannot indorse that word,
as I found it anything but 'express" to Bishopetoks.
At Wimborne we auerteined that the commander of
the Dorset Battalion, Lieut.-Colonel Memel, had gone
by an earlier train. and that we bad Lieut.-Colonel
Steward, Major Kindereley, Lieut, Houssell, Ensign
Cestlemen, and other Alegre with us. Among the
volunteers there is one tessera feeling of satisfac-
tion and gratifiestioN that the gallant chief of the
Dorset Battalion has the command of • brigade. A
truer-bearded more gentlemanly volunteer never ex-
isted, or one more solicitous for the prestige of the
battalion, or the personal comfort of the mein. Writing
as I do is the full enjoyment of favours brought about
by his tore and forethought, I think I am privileged
nay, enjoined—to "speak of a man as I find him
bet more shoot our admirable quarters at Portamoath
aeon. On the run up there was but little difference from
the usual mammy jourales, saving that here and there
volunteers were .dded to the n um be r journey ing east ward.
In the train, I engaged in conversation with • yolentur
of the 2nd Wilts battalion, who with mveral others wits
jourioyins to the revise u a spectator only, owing to
the inability of the officers to make any arrangements
with the ritil way companies, lbws shutting outs battalion
which, from it. proximity to the scene of the review
would, al • matter of curse, have been expected
to have seen active service on that day.
Upon passing by Codtam I was told that this
village had raised e 75 for decoration', and I mu
ambled by seeing one triumphal arch, to judge of the
way in which • pot lion of the money had been spent—
with tumand judgment. Upon reaching Portsmouth
the volunteer element became more plainly defined. As
alighte I inquiriea wear mole by volneteers and
civilian friends whether melt and such • corps from
London came by the train, hut., the One by which I had
travelled had been made special from Bahopetoke the
Loud in train being late—the inquirers had to "waits
little longer." Upon alighting I wended my way to
that noble iniltution,the Sailors' Home,in Qum-street,
Porto*, whieh admiral Gambier bad placed at tbe
service of Colonel Hanoi for Gt. accommodation of 150
of his battalion from Saturday to Tuesday though that
number did not mil then:mime of the offer At the
outset and withoot solicitation, the directors of the
Bailor: Home acted with the tomut liberality and
public spirit, a was shown in • letter written by the
respected superintendent, Captain .1 L Thorne R.N.
to the Secretary of "the Easter Volunteer Review
committee." It .ays "The Dorset Volunteers will be
provided with abed, good mbetantial meat meal., viz.,
breakfast, dinner, and supper, and two pinta of beer,
f. r 45." The letter goes on to say that "the directors
felt themselves bound to afford the said aocointoodation
to the Donee Volunteers as their Colonel (Mansel), the
yeomanry, and their friends in Dorset gave very lance
ewes towards the funds of the Home." Upon arrival at
the House I found Captain and Adjutant Barrett, who
must have bad not only in connection with this matter
but with other detail., • mat amount of labour, ready to
meloorne the "men of the Dorset." I was not in time
for the reception, but was told that at the dinner he took
the head of the table making one feel "quite at home."
I must unites that up to the present I had s very wrong
Impression of • "Sailors' House." I kora that
there was but little comfort and a great deal
of noise, that as I had seen lack lively and jubilant
In the streets, rolling from side to side he cared
little for comfort ; and I was unaware that he was the
object of so much solicitude oo the pert of those who
are sextons to elevate him in his petition both socially
and morally. If ell Sailor's Homes are condueted upon
the same principles and with the same liberality as the
one at Porters— the hotel at which I am proud to my I
am staying—then our British seamen are well cared for,
but I fear the work of amelioration will be slow as long
sa there exists three dens and slots of Infamy within
easy distance, where vile language, and adulterated
liquors are predominant, undoing in one hour all the
good to be gathered from, and in, the Sa i re Home at
Formes. There is »eery inducement in the Ft. me to
make • man comfortable and rasped himself. The ,
superintendent and steward witb the alerts downwards,
alike go-operate to carry out the wishes of the committee
ano the otheeribers. I saw la steward shake an old
man beertily by the hand when he made his appearance
after • voyage. To no one in the estalishment have I
revealed the admit of the mioion with which you have
entrusted me, and on Tuesday I leave here probably
never to return to renew my acquaintance with the
officials, so that I may be taken to be in a position
where conscience demandeth of me to speak the truth.
To sum op—there is • quietude, comfort, and cloudiness
about the Home which would favourably vie with mealy
pretatioe, hotels with extensive (repines, and great
attractions (oe paper). But few of the Dorset battalies
pat in an eppeaanoe on Saturday afternoon, and as
your instructions to me are to watch and report upon
Any of their doings which may interest the publb I
obey, leering to the London prew and the local papers
to describe in all its depth and breadth the great
review of Easter Monday, 1868. On looking around I
saw but few floral decorations or transparent:dee, and I
confine to a feeling of discontent in that direction. It
mould be • niee caleuleition for Mr. Babas to sasses
the pounds weight of minims' ink end the paper consisted
to give effect to the various orders, regulations, be.,
in reference to the review. Everybody seems to kars
rubbed into print, to give vent to their feelings, from
" pork pies and pastry suitable for the oseasion," to
the very untie reminder of the Mayor "those gentle-
men of Portsmouth and the neighbourhood who have not
yet subscribe I to the general fad ere earnestly requested
to do so, as the success of the movement greatly depends
upon the gem rots support of the inhabitants." That
the residents have been generous there is no grainsayisg,
and, as far as the Dorset Battalion is uncerned, I bane
not heard of the slightest approach to anything like
extortion. Having surveyed the town, and subsequently
partaken of supper, the tepresentatimm of the Dorset
Battalion of necessity looked around for &enurement.
There wive special a. traetioos at the Theatre Royal.
Loodport. the English OpeesCompany being there, with
The Bohemian Girl;' • promenade concert at the
Portland Hall ; ditto at St. George's Hell, by the 6111
}Mote, and at the South of England Music Hall (the
"Portsmouth Alhambra" as it it cello I), there
as announced to be an "entire change of pm
*mane." I am bound to say that upon this maim
the mu.imi mate of the Dorset Battalion was
mot ef a very blab order, and the South of England
Mu ie Hall Was chosen. A short acquaintance
uffic d, thi re was &hubbub so that little amid be heard,
and, string the dancing of the Misses Lie Bunn, and the
astoolihing Nate of thme comae and acrobats the
Bros. Colleen, there was but little to interest, amuse,
or entertain. It was however or gide& the majority
being Yolateera. One thing struck me particularly on
walking throtuth the streets of Portsmouth—mei
mead a. with the idea that bat little heed is paid to
exhortation in the proclamation read at
...00m and assize. as to putting does profane or vile
Ir“ Mewed to make • due &Doane* for
jaan=. town. but I was positively "hooked sad
pained at the full.flavoured longtime which we were
obliged to bear. Reaching my beta I pumd to "No.
43 Britannia dormitory" and prepared foe sleep, but as
in all bodies there are individuals who will do
or say things out of treasoe, so in this Instan.. there
were those who would Perla in spooking above a
whisper. To • certein extent the 'Amnon, of tongues
was cheehed by one pownably-dieposied jocosely threaten.
lag to mill for his bill, pay Ii at acme, and leave the
hotel if the note* was not asked. At lima Morebrius
dammed the whole as his devotees, and it was not till
early the neat morning that may were distuebed by
the strains of • military band which WM supposed by
those in the Home to have just arrived.
Buena!, 6 p.m.
At six o'clock the battalion was aroaxad—l ca""
91 'll7 gently—by one of the attendants. The
,A
'main up" might have frightened • nitrous
goutlemae for a week, as to cola anoosesion every
door wee &ailed with • kneek equal to the weight of
hallsomt, of brink. suddenly shot from a height. The
lavatories
. .horitati Wine und, a stroll in the town and
""""'""41 and here the muter of D..notsbire
men was on the normal, sad when at a quarter past 10
the Adjetwit paraded them for attendance it BR John's
Church, Prince George'-stroo, there were about forty I
Tosairone churches arid shapas offered sitting-room
g„, the volunteers, so that in that respect there was no
jhak aceommodetioa for those who felt disposed. At
it, yokes, where shoat 400 volestdere were prank
the Yaw. 3, KAMP Meshed at euellsee esessan. In
whisk he sod is was *old to pee Oat the Veillailleiß

hid mord their loyalty to the Q•sen, width at the
Pew" Period was highly seseaary. seeing that as
atlempe woe being mas to deprive her of a portion
▪ her Ml. Is the proposal to arrow the
Trith tmureb. About twelve a large lair of Dorset
volunteers took pleat sad in my view thresterd to au
le repletion the Hallo& Home, but the aethe steward
essmed me I need not fear on that bead fat the Hooters
eights of entemirodring 2110 Perth" ealafarlabil, and
by • Utile eattrivana MOM for 100 man raid be gibed.
Availing thyself ef the neaterous eteemboate rearm
to the Isle of Wight, I went over to the island, and
toned that r the *r at 1174 e an attempt had been
made to levy the usual toll of td upon volunteers, but
this the pillar body would not sugar, sad revolted,
demanding to obtain the same oreseion se at Ports-
month—froe seems. It streak me, sad probably every-
in who had the power of eyesight, that the army
tailors most bar bees sorely trod to her devised the
maltitadrons uniforms whish met the gem Tr Loudon
Sort= Voters= with their kilts and legs partially
bare resolved the greatest share of atlantic& The
rade to sad fres the island were crowded, and the
timid were made more so by the large number e°
gated es each host. Reverting to Portamouthll%
offer farther svplonitlon, that I most qualify my
remarks as to the detentions of evergreens; I ought to
have said "private homer did not bestow tea"
labor in that respect. At the bottom of High-street
there was • triumphal firth of evergreens, Lod festooos
aareladed apes poles, with thirds erected, is.
by the side of lite road for • w-walersbi.
disbars. An enterprlidng Wider in High - street
had also erected • lofty rd wal-orstroated rob.
The rename at the Eric Hall above viveried to,
bad
" entire ast=of performers.," in the form of •
sossolsi
"Hers by e Rev. J. Orepoo. I bar
come across tooth.to several lons., eerie in
the
mole of sty expethrer bare I beset .0&d.4 tostep
15
sad
his
bin in refereade lo the ins
eelg
areligieuairrk.•
Ob.Pa Rest eve
"'Win° Tht
gentleman who solicited me stated "the rebohins
es
shoat to eormthee." 0" weed AA
tnth inferior
marines it Soothese—thef a" very°l • to
0.
those to be mai at Weymouth, saidrors. wog
„.
rri"d me. rete be no ‘niciers7
the fashionabisTbe,hursc.pter of
,__‘..•ll3ll3lo7l_,ErlT:
Its ' pletures" are to biases -- man,
their trial to-morrow. It they
Pollen= will be put atr,._ sc sod shin eZ
estiolsaortly early oat vrrarme° t display, floe emir; the review mu" • rvW.l S her
d I
"Ps a treat sores& That Portsmouth nes
best to bring about so desirable an Is.. there is not the
shadow of • doubt.
SUNDA; 9 .m.
Valente= still sodvinil and the town may be said
to be th the beads of the Masan soldiers, to whom every
or is frier), arm".
The sere mod plea of the review may be thus
described —Palms le • satnrol fist is.aswi, having
Soothers On She sorb. Portsmouth, Port= rim
Landport, In the middle, sad Whet, with its artillery
barracks, on the north. The reek that =are= it
from the main land warner a tidal ditch eoneecting the
brim= of Portsmouth and Lagrone. It has her
fieresed, sod in some places, widened; but its
marry banks have been r far as possible pre-
served. On tbe island side of this reek have been
seestruard the new earth works, nearly • mile and
• ball in length as the crow dies, sod a little over
two mike long following the foes of the works. On the
ether sides of the creek. which is crossed only by the
London-road, and by one other bridge serving for the
two roiling lines to Loodoe, lies the village of
Doshani, in the perish of Wymering. This parish
arch will be the Ergonomist of Monday. The
larders—that is to say the Devoe, Wilts, Dorset,
811/1112, and part of the Hanle Corp., will form
the attack behind Wymeriog Church while the
Loader regiments arid the Portsmouth gattalion will
fight for the safety of the first naval arsenal. To
prevent the invaders making • lodgment in Coeburn
Village the defenders will sally out from behind the
lines, their right wing going by the Loodon-road, their
left by • pontoon bridge thrown room the western end
ef theireek. While the let et wig:moves up under cover
of the Ire from the gun hosts, toe right will force Ito
way on to Cosh= Village, and there turning among
the horse will endeavour to outflank the invader's left.
Rawseeding is this the defence will compel the enemy
to throw bsek his left, when the gun bore will be able
to rake his ranks, and he will, no doubt, thereupon
retire precipitately to the pleas from whence he has yet
rot to core.

Illoyaiy,.lo LIG

At this moment nearly all the volunteers.have been
brought down without • bitch or an accident of any
kind. The weather is glorious tor volunteers, although
the spectator will flnd it difficult to keep the Mermot cold
wind out. A very large proportion of the troops are
on the way to take up their positions in the field, and
the public are not behtedhand. The arrangsin.ntm for
keeping the public and the Volunteers in their respeo
tive tracks seem—to the small extent that! have been
able to see them—complete and there is every prospect
of • most suoceedial review.