The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1881-01-18 00:00:00

PORTL AND.

WIELITAN CR on SUPPIS.—The choir of Fortnne's-
Well Chapel had their annual supper lest week in the
ech.olroom, under the preeideucy of the hey. J.
Lewis.
HNITSD TIMMONS' lOSTENCL teachers of the
va iota Nonconformists' Sunday schools assembled on
Friday at the Wesleyan Chapel, Easton, for prayer,
the lice. B. Kendall presiding.
Carr GoaDJal DOUOtas. —The special cnrresp
dent of the Hampshire rdegraph save the app rintwent
of Capt. Gordon Douglas to the Penelope hae some-
what surprised a few.
T. (,eoacis's Cools AND TEACHIRS' GATHICONO
wa held last week at the ,ichoolr son, wheu the 8:11or
(or Bile class) scholia, were ale invited, a ~1 the
numher was ma Is up to shout 120 Some of the
teachers, 6tc., are also memheis of the choir, and wry
weed the time most enjoyably.
FoOTSlALL.—Portlass.l v. Weymouth.—At the to
ball match on Wednesday, played at the Naval
Recreation Ground, Portland won tsrogoala and We).
mouth one, the match was therefore gaiuod by Port-
land. A strong N.E. wind blew diagonally acres* the
ground.
PEERNTATION TO HEM HANSEL—The talented
bandmaster of the 56th Pompadours has been pre-
sented, on behalf of the secretary of the Salishary
Diocesan Choral Society, with • handsome whalebone
beton, Glob irately mouoted in silver, in recognitioo of
the able services rendered by him at the last choral
festival, held at St. Pet w's Church in July.
Mustioss To SZAELN.—The Rev. bL Turnbull,
chaplain of the Missions to Seamen, is leaving. It is
to be hoped the band of listless and gentlemen who
were the means of doing so much goad to the Mission
by their enjoyable entertainments will not be dis-
couraged, but that these gatherings of friends to the
Mission will be resumed.
HOINWAILD BOUND.—Lot Thursday a large ship
named the Carlisle Castle, from Melbourne for Lou lon
with passengers. put into Portland itoada. her first
place of call after leaving Melbourne. There was a
strong wind and heavy sea outside, and a number of
the passengers took advantage of the yowl coming
Into Portland, to land and proceed to their homes by
train, whereby they saved the passage from here to Lou-
don, which In the state of the weather would probably
°soupy several days. The ship remained in the Roads
• day, and proceeded on her voyage borne.
BuehaWaS &Core Reruats.—The sailor boys belong.
lug to H.hi.S. BMICAWOII returned fr an their Christ-
ina, leave on Friday and following days. It is • pleas-
ant fact that not one boy is now absent without leave;
• few have not returned yet,it is true ; but they are all
accounted for by being either sick at home or in hospital.
By Monday night 528 boys were on board, and a few
more joined on Tuesday. Toe ship's complement,
which a short time ago was going down, is now on the
Increase.
Ma, J. STOSZ, of Greenhill-terrace, Portland, gave
a most eloquent address to the Sunday School children
In the Weeleyaa Schoolroom, Fortune's-Well, on
Sunday afternoon last, the subject bting " The
Advantages of Religious Training for the Young."
The address, which lasted over au hour, was listoned
to with rapt attention by the children, more especially
when be plea 'led with them to fight manful y under
the religious banner, and attributed his own success in
life to piety, inbred early in life. Mr. Stone', per-
suasive Manner, culture, and bearing, augur for him a
successful future as a lecturer.
TIM PARISH The itisITING, held on Thursday I sat,
at St. George's School, was not attended by quite so
Massy as usual, in consequence or there being some
other gatherings the same evening, a goodly number,
however, met, and were entertained by Mrs. Beams.
and the teachers, who presided at the tea tables. After
tea, the Rev. W. M. Barnes, rector of W. Monckton,
very kindly gave a Ircture, illustrated by dissolving
views, on "The Holy Land." Some of these views
were especially good, as were some pictures illustrative
of scenes in the life of our L rd, which had been
specially painted from pictures of the old masters, and
were very effective as lantern slides. A pleasant and
Instructive evening was spent, the proceeds were
devoted to the parochial funds for missions to the

Jews.
T. FREIZADONS AND nig AGM POOL—The
beautiful new lodge-room of the Portland Lodge, 1037,
of the Order of "Free and Accepted Masons," wan the
scene of a very interesting catering on Saturday list,
when a number of very elderly men were assembled to
part des of the brethren's hospitality at the annual
dinner to the poor. The lodge-room was decorated
with the masonic mottoes and emblems, and looked
mysteriously grand and fine to the old folks, who, to
the number of about • score had furbished themselves
up, and came dressed in their tirlitst, the bald heads
some being a sight to see. but all the pink of
neatness. The oldest was 78, and the average age
of those who attended was 72 years and five months
but about a dozen others were t m feeble to cm-',
and these had a good dinner at their own homes; the
oldest of those feasted thus beirig 87 years. Bro. S.
Vickery, W.M. of the lodge, welcomed the diners-out
in the name of the lodge, and they sat down about •
quarter past five, when the legs of mutt m, roast beef,
fowls, roast and curried, An., were all done to a turn.
Everything digestible and that the old folks could
enjoy was provided, mashed potatoes, and all the
accessories that had been thought of. The chair was
filled by Bro. Vickery, W.M., Bro. T. E. Charles,
P. 31., acting as vice-chairman; their occupation mostly
consisting of helping their guests, some of them were
so feeble that their food had to be cut up for them by
their kind entertainers, among the helpers being Bros.
Bennett, Ratcliffe, Hodsdon, and Gale, besides tw
or three ladies. When the first claims of appetite
were satisfied, the carvers managed by a little coaxing
and adroit helping to get the guests to take • little,
and yet a little more, till all had made a splendid
dinner, and then a very nice dessert was pat on the
table, and they contrived to fill out a couple of hour.
with enjoyment Bro. Bennett spoke very appropri-
ately both. old folks about old age; some of the ancient
guests were coaxed into giving some old songs, and
they did their very best, though in a very quaint style.
Some had to leave earlier than the rest, in order to
attend, perhaps, on • feebler wife, sud for these poor
relations were sent home some good things to comfort
them. The reminiscences of some of them were enter-
taining, for all were genuine Portlanders, connected
by blood and birth with many • family native to the
Isle of Stone. Gratitude waa warmly expressed by
them towards the "good gentlemen," and some declared
that was the only Christmas dinner they had had yet
this winter, and they all enjoyed themselves most
heartily, and so did their entertainers, in the pleasure
of their guest&