The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1859-10-11 00:00:00

BRIDPORT.

PRESENTATION TO CAPTAIN TEMPLER.-011 Fri-
day afternoon last the members of the 14 Dorset
Volunteer Rifle Corps assembled at Mount Sold to
present their gallant captain with a sword, as a mark
of their esteem. Previous to the presentation, a
number of gentry partook of luncheon, which had
been provided for the occaaion. A large assemblage
was on the ground, amongst which were Col. Bragg's,
George Mires, Esq., and Mrs. Miles, Mrs. Parties,
Mr. North and Mrs. North, Mrs. W. Templer, Mr.
Mac Dowell, J. T. Sullen, Esq., Samuel Cox, Esq.
Miss Cox, Rev. M. Lee, and Mrs. Lee, Mrs. and
Miss Leggin, Mrs. Sparks, Miss Trenou, Mrs.
Stuckey_ Sparks, John -Steward, En—W. Buller,
Mrs. Pope, Min Pope, Min Forward, the
Mimes Lyddon,-Jokn Templer, Esq., Mrs Platt, Min
Butta Briggs, keg., Rev. W. Templer, C. Temp-
ler, FAri., Dr. and Mrs. Hounsall, Mrs. Rawlinson,
and family, Mr.. H. Fox, T. C. Hounsell, ke.
The ground promoted a very gay and animated ap.
Three Rags were planted in front of dm
=raebd the var Mas walks were lined with
.specta•
tors. The men looked exceedingly smart in their
uniferme—wkich was worn upon this occasion for the
first time, Having been arranged in • semicircle in
frost of the home, they were ailed upon to present

arms, when Captain Templer appeared among them.
Sergeant F. W. Ginsdry, addressing Mr. Templer,
said—he had been deputed to perform a most pleas-
ing duty. He. (Mr. Templer) had for the last few
months exerted himself to the utmost in forming the.
volunteer corps. Ile had taken the greatest interest,
ID it, and under those circumstances they felt they
should be wanting in their duty if they allowed any
further time to elapse before giving expression of their-
feelings. They had therefore resolved to beg his accep-
tance of that sword, and they felt that in doing so-
they were placing it in isle hands. They believed
that if ever he was called upon to draw that sword
in battle for the defence of his country, he would
not be found wanting. He would now buckle the
sword on. This was done, and Mr. Gundry con.
tinued—it only remained for him to expren a
hope—a hope which he was sure found echo in the
breasts of all—that he might long live amongst them
to wear that sword which he had had the honour of
presenting. (Loud cheers.) Captain Templer, ad-
dressing the volunteers, said: There were times
when a man was expected to return thanks for an
honour, when words were not wanting to ex
the sense he felt of the honour which had=
bestowed upon him. But he must admit that he
was at a loss for words upon the present occasion,
and the members of the volunteer corps must there-
fore forgive him for being brief. He fully appreci-
ated the honour which had been bestowed upon him
by having the command of that body, when they
responded to the call of the Queen. He had taken
the liberty of asking them to respond to that call,
and their presence there that day was the best
response which they could make. He felt the proud
paition which he held in having been relected as the
founder of the corps which he had the honour of
seeing around him upon the present occasion. He
could not say more, as his heart was too full. But
he would impress upon them that duty was the thing
for every soldier to remember Hu complimented
the corps upon their proficiency and upon the
manner 111 which their duties had been performed,
and he believed that there were many stout hearts
under their waist belts. It was but three months
ago that they assembled in the Townhall, and were
invited to conic forward and join the ranks, and
they appealed to the country gentlemen and others
to unite in co-operation. And what was the result?
The country gentlemen came forward most liberally
to their support. And when they they appeared
before the Queen, as he hoped they would, he,
believed that they would be second to none in the
kingdom. He heartily thanked them for the sword
which they had just presented him; and also for the
manner in which they discharged their duties.
They were not men who objected to taking a little
trouble to become efficient soldiers aqts thetame
of need. He would not detain them , but he
would ask the company present to be t in
their judgment, as many of the men had not handled
a musket more than a week. He would now put
them through a drill, and then they would march
round the town to let the inhabitants see that there
was such a body as the " Bridport Volunteer Rifle
Corps." (Loud and long continued cheering.)
Captain Templer then put the men through a variety
of exercise', which were executed with remarkable
precision, after which they marched through the
streets of the town, returning to Mountfield, were-
Captain Templer Again addressed the members of
the corps, passing a high and well-merited compliment.
on the volunteers for the marked proficiency which-
they had attained ; and on Serjeant-Major Collins for
the skill which he had displayed in bringing about
that proficiency as evinced in the evolutames which
they had recently gone through. The Serjeent-
Major having briefly acknowledged the compliment,
the body dispersed.