The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1874-02-24 00:00:00

A VALENTINE FOR THE BRIDPORT RIFLE
VOLUNTEERS.

The 14th of fr,britary will heueeforth be a red-letter
day in the annals of the oorps, es will be seen from this
report of the gathering.
The supper was held in the Town.ball on Saturday
evening. Captain Good preai led. supported on his
right by Alderman and Sheriff Jr. 0. Whetham, of
the Ott! of London, on the left, by Baku. Sir Molynenx
Hyde Nepean, Bart., High Sherd of ko: The
0,086 table will also grated by the Mayor of Bridport
(Mr. C. Tuoker), Lieutenant Beene, and Briaign
Whether°, let. D. RV., Lieutenant GunAry,Q.O.D.Y.O.,
Captain Elphin‘tonta, Rev. H. B. S. Ilenalowe, Hon.
Chaplain, Dr. Hay, Hoe. Sargeon, kn. On the removal
of the cloth the memory of Captain and Adjutant
Barrett was drunk in 'Mane° by the whole company
'tending.
The amid loyal and patriotio toasts were duly
lonoured.

The Biahop and Clergy of the Dlooese, and Christian
Ministers of all denominations, was reaponded to by the
Rev. H. B. B. Henslows.

The Clisramaa proposed the "Arm,, Navy, arid
Volunteers."

_
Sir ht. H. NITIAN asid the coma had all behaved
well to him, and, as he told them when be first maw
them, so be would say now, he was not salaamed
of them—(cheers). He had mLaerl • good deal with
the regulars, but he never saw a better corps than
theins—(eheera).
C4ptain Euntwsronn said green 1 t-kete with red
facings were familiar to him. Polities, of coarse,
mast be left out en this cooselon but be hoped next
year Goverbmlnt patronage would be hieteased to
them.

Li uteuent G lINDIT briefly nevi:aided for the
Yeomanry. _ _

. -
The CHAIRMAN next Irma the Staff of the Regiment,
Colonel Manned, Colouel Stewart, °aphids' and Adjutant
Batten, Igo.
Sir M. H. NIPSAN. in responding, thanked them for
tbe manner they had appreciated the toast, but,
brother volunteers," said be "I am rather shy, being
a native of your locality, and bad I a good pair of legs
I should have been your Captain still—(cheers.) But!
am now on your staff, and this I can tell you my fine
fellows, if Colonel Steward say you're • good lot, by the
Lord liarry you must be (The gallant Major
renumed his seat amidst a storm of applause.)
The ("nautilus said it re enited great credit on the
town of Bridport that • son of one of it. merchants
should go to London and arrive at the position of so
Alderman and Sheriff and Master of one of the great
City Companies. He gave that gentleman's health
—(obeers.)
Mr. Simms's' Wiluvliatf: Your chairman has alluded to
th• high position In life I have attained, and which I
tionsider is also an honour to the town in which I was
horn—(sheer,). Now, are you not proud of your fellow
townsman I (bear, beat). Why its open to every
young man to do the same, If he does but go to London
and b, industrious and honest On occasions snob as
thou, polities moat be avoided ;but I am mach Mistaken
if, as Captain Elphistooss paid just now, the next Govan.
meet will not be more liberal to th• Volunteers than
the present. In my official position I have getertained
various city companies sod have told them all they
should do their best for volunteers. This, I believe is
Valentine's day, and though it Is not usual for gentle-
men to send to gentlemen on snob occasions,
yet I am the bearer of one from London to
your worthy Captain, and present chairman. I have
not forgotten my schoolboy days here, and I see by the
newspapers I am cot forgotten. Many young men
from this towla sod lotrAlty I have met in London, and
when they *mild prod.'s testimonials of good character.
I have obtained rtnp:orment for them; and out of
about 160. oily two have gone wrong. Now with
respect to the Valentine. On the 4th Instant • certain
resolution was passed at a meeting of the Leather-
seller, Company, of which I am master, and • letter
from them dated the 12th lost . states, "that the sum
of 10 guineas be sent to the Ist Dorset Volunteer R
It Bs-Moon for their benstit"—(oheers)—and here is
the cheque, which I now prevent to, and beg your
Captain to aceept—(renewed cheers). The let Dorset
stands unrivalle L but I am surprised there are no
I Wu* except for shooting; would you wish th.. £lO lobe
disposed of for • °sip or otherwise? I want to see the
Inhabitants f this borough end locality following the
example of the company of which I am master ; and see-
ir g such a strong and respeetable set of men before me, I
hope that the nest or another Caviare client will give them
more encouragement—(obeers). Is there any difficulty
in raking £4O or £5O bevel Why suet a meeting as
this in London would raise £6OO whilst I have been
telisli.g to you. An I have led the way thus far I will
head the list myaelf for five guineas—(cheers)—and
continue its an annual subscriber of one guinea. Can
there be for the honour of Bildport, and for such • fine
body of men, any further ilitioulty I—(absers). After
again alluding to hi, success lii London, he assured
those around him that success in life depended on
honest perseveranee, sob,lety, and industry. Hundreds
bad &drowsed their positions In life by throe means,
and he exhorted the young men present to endeavour
to follow that coons, and mooess would he avian—
(Loud choirs.)
immediately after the Alderman had ()occluded hie
speech Sir MOLYIII7X Marren good humouredly re-
marked that be could not some out so grand as the
sheriff and Alderman of Liandou ; but if they would
accept from hint £5 is. lid. perhaps that would be •
suitable adjunct to the hon. gentleman's gift—(long
continued steering.)
The saypit then announced that he had aise 820
from their member, Mr. T. A. Mit•hell—(ehosra)
Mr. a P. OUNDRT next announced his intention of
adding
,g 5 and the donations became e 0 very infections
that very moo over f6O was collected and a oommistes
formed too foiled births: suboorlytkoo,