The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1859-03-08 00:00:00


Sonicrsetsbire.

T,tt:NTON. —St. 31,frie TOin•r. —since the ptthh•
coition of the last list of sulmeriptions towards re•
building this tower, stains rather exceeding .Cl,OOO
in the aggregate have been promised. Among
these are 4.400 (ruin W. H. P. (I. Langton, FA+.
M. P. ; "200 from Lord Ashburton, a:5O from Mrs.
O'Brien, of lireen•street, lirosveiv.rsquare, Leulosi ;
£3O (nun the Rev. George Stok en, Vl= of st. Mary's,
and £l5 (ruin W. A. Sanford, Eisi.
A lecture was delivered at the Assonibly It 'urns
on Wolnewlay week on "Shakespeare and the
Bible," by the Itev. George Smith, of Poplar. The
audience was not se large as those which have gene-
rally been attracted by the lectures delivered in
connection with the Young Steles Christian Assecia•
thin.

ATTUIPTED SUICIDL A countryman named
Palmer, of Curry ltivell, near Taunton, made an
attempt on his hfe on Nlonilay week. He attended
the Bath Valentine fair to dispose of some cumin°.
.14, and got inisixl up in an unpleautnt businem,
which led him to drink ; and while under delirium,
resulting therefrom, he cut his throat. He was
lodging at the Ship public house, Lower James.
street, and as soon as the rash act was discovered he
was conveyed to the United Hospital, where he now
lies in a precarious state.

Tim Lave Hoerrrai. Dievenesccit—Mr. Afford,
who has been on the staff of surgeons at the Taunton
and Somerset Huspital for more than a quarter of a
century, has withdrawn his services from that insti•
tution oil amount of his on having been rejected at
the recent fleeting of the governors.
T•CNTON SCHOOL Or ART.—The friends of this
institution will be glad to learn that some valuable
additions have recently been made to the school
material in the shape of copies, i.e. The committee
are in possession, for a short time only, of one of
Mulready's studies from the life, for which the
department incurred an outlay of one hundred
guineas. Several excellent copies, the work of the
head master, Mr. J. B. Williamson, have late?
been presented to the school by the department. t
is most gratifying to add that the classes are mostly
full, and the school generally in vigorous working
condition.

PROPOAED MANUFACTUKZ OF GAS AT TUE GAOL.
—The proposed erection of gas works at the Soiner•
set County Gaol appears to excite much interest
among gas consumers generally, and from a report
just issued by the Visiting Justices there appears
little doubt but that wise economy will be exercised
by the county authorities in carrying out the works,
not only so far as the manufacture of gas is con•
earned, hut in "taking additional ground to grow
vegetables for use at the gaol, and to build residences
for thiuiol guards." With respect to the present
gas supply, there seems to be great complaint as to
the q ity and quantity.

NlAicrocic.—.lfililseass of tke &futon. —Perhaps
within the memory of man the present genial winter
eclipses all that have passed, so far as frost and snow
' are concerned ; and it would appear that Ohl Father
Christmas has died a natural death, or that his name
will probably become extinct. The feathered tribes
also appear to be indulging in strange freaks of
nature, for during the past week no fewer than four
or live newts of different varieties have been dis-
covered, anal one poor robin redbreast in particular.
after several days of watchful anxiety for her hap-
less brood, wale ruthlessly plundered by a weasel.
The grey or song thrush, too, has throughout the
season constantly enlivened us by it. songs; this
being one of seven species, most, if not all of thaw
at different periods of the year being subject to
migration,—our friend, the grey, however, excepted.

SHIPTON hI LLILT. —A evidont.—An accident of
serious nature occurred at Shepton Mallet railway
station, on Wednesday week, to a man named
Emanuel Hyatt, in the employ of Mr. S. Kelley,
whereby the poor fellow has lost one leg. It appears
that he was engaged in "shunting" the laden ear•
riages from the main line, when he accidentally fell,
and a loaded truck passing over his lev, crushed it
in the most shocking manner. He was immediately
taken to the Union Hospital, where amputation was
immediately performed by T. Hudson, Es!U,
assisted by Dr. Wylrants and W. Walker, Eilq. He
is pmgnssaing favourably.

CRIM 1104 A Narrow E.CY rf. —On Saturday
week, Mrs. H. Sansom, jun., of Ludney, with her
little boy, and her *arrant boy, were driving into
our town in a puny gig, and when they arrived at
the Swan corner, came in contact with a gig driven
by Mr. Gale, of Hinton St. George, which threw Mrs.
Sansom and her son out. One of the shafts was
broken by the collision, but we are happy to say
that Mrs. Sall/OM and her son escaped unhurt, with
the except of a few bruises, awl after spending
the remainder of the day at her father's house,
(Mr. Patch) she was enabled to return home to
Ludney.

PrITY SZMIONN.—On Saturday week the adjourned
eau of e.,rnelitgo v. Wow/in wita again brought forward,
Mr. Jolliffe appearing for the plaintiff, and Mr. !Ant
worthy for the defendant. The magistrates present
were T. Hoskins, J. Wood, W. Hoskin*, and T. Measi-
ter, Esqrs. The court was crowded. Defendant, an
apprentice to the plaintiff, it will he remembered warn
summoned for neglect of duty, ke. Mr. laingworthy at
the outset inquired if the MAO could not be settled or
disposed of in another way for the sake of both parties,
as otherwise it would lead on to statements which no
doubt would 'sake Its painful ease. Mr. Jolliffethought
there would not be any objection to a just and reason-
able arrangement. Mr. Wood said if the ease warn gone
into, it warn doubtful whether it would he settled there,
and if it was carried to the Quarter Sessions it would
make it very expensive. The Bench reeonameided a
private arrangement. Both advocates then retired, and
after some time again appeared in court, when Mr.
Joliffe said,! sin afraid there is no chance of our settling
It between ourselves, it being a question of money.
Mr. lengworthy said: The only difference between us
is about the amount of premium to be returned. Mr.
Wood: I have a groat doubt on my mind whether the
court of Quarter Seasiona have any jurisdiction where •
premium is paid. I should reeonimend you to leave it
to some judicious man, as arbiter, to settle it. Mr.
Nioholette wail then proposed, and both parties eon.
wetted to that gentleman privately hearing the eau, and
to fully abide by his decision. The public then with-
drew (not • little iliaappointed), leaving Mr. Nieholetta
and both parties in possession of the hall.

eitolll.l/4111 ?IRAK B4lll.—For the last one hundred
and twenty years the only index to mark the junc-
tion of the three counties of Gloucester, Somerset,
and Wilts on Bannerdown, near Bath, by the side
of the turnpike road from Bath to Colerne, consisted
of three stones of the dimensions ordinarily used in
common field tends; the inscriptioos on them were
nearly effaced. Under these circumstances it was
thought desirable by some of the neighbouring gen-
try that the spot should be more ounsinciuusly
marked, and after much deliberation it was decided
that a cromlech should be erected over Use old
stones. That resolution is now been carried into
eruct by the erection of three large, rude
stones, measuring from nine to twelve feet in
height, and weighing from four to five tons each (one
in each county), aml the placing of a fourth stone of
a similar sin on the top. The cost was defrayed by
the neighbouring gentry and magistrates, headed
by a putilic spirited donation from Mr. Sergeant
Wrangham, of "the Rocks." It may be interesting
to archisologista and others to mention that, on
slightly disturbing the soil to give the ends of the
upright stones a firm footing, three human skeletons
were discovered within thu county of Gloucester ;
and a coin of James 11., dated July, Wel, MN found
near them.
'

BaurroL. A Child Frigke ri.d to Dena. —About
three week. ago, • child named Annie Taylor, throe
years of age, daughter of Mr. Taylor, matchmaker,
Morstlitir, warn left in the charge of a little girl about
eleven years of age who wok her to a oosl.hole, and
threatened to call the " black man" to bar. The
child became frightened, mid was seised with oonvul•
Mons, which resulted in her death.

A PLAUNIIIII.II4MINDLEIL —At the Bristol Council.
house, on Tuesday, a middle•agel woman, named
Mary Ann Villiers, who is known by the sobriquet
Of "lady Villien," was charged with having fran•
dulinitly obtained the stun of £3 Ws from the
Governesses' Benevolent Institution. The institu-
tion in question is • charitable society in London,
enjoying the patronage of Her Majesty, the Prince
Consort, the Dachas's& of Kent and Cambridge, and
of many other member, of the aristocracy. Mr.
Ambrose IL Nash, who conducted the prosecution,
stated that at various tuna the prisoner had ob.
ill/1141i sums of money amounting altogether to 4:17
from the society. Mr. Charles William Klugh,
eeerebery of the institution, deposed that the find '
application for assistance W 54 received from the pri•
goner in February, She then represented that
she was the daughter of • medical man at Bath, and
that, her father having deserted his family, she had
been left with her mother and two sisters dependent '
on her exertions for support; that for a time they I
bad obtained the means of existence by the sale of
their jewelry, plate, and books, sines which she hail
In toil for them ; that her younger linter, after suf•
faring for some time from heart disease, had died. I
and that her mother had also died of consumption, '
her wit word, being, "1 commend my children to
i
the care of Him who s the orphan's friend." mem
Villiers went on to state that when her mother
died she was left with only fourpence in the
world; that having been taught by her mother
never to doubt the mercy of her Heavenly
Father, she had toiled on in dependence on Him,
but that privation and sickness had broken her
down, and she was oompelled to solicit assistance.
That letter was laid before the ladies' committee of
the institution, of which Lady Ashley, Lady P.
Burroughs's, the Countess of Shaftesbury, and other
ladies of distinction were member'', and relief was
ordered to be forwarded by Post•offloe order to the
address given, 7, St Augustine-place, Bristol. Ths
first applicatioo in respect of which the present pro-
ceedings were taken was dated the *Ath of April,
ISM. It expressed the writer's great reluctance
again to obtrude upon a society which had so
befriended her, but stated that a lady, Mrs. Hartley,
of Bath-baildinp, Montpellier, with whom she bad
formerly lived Gut whose family she had loft from ill
boa* was wilting to take her to the south of France
to etheriats her two children; that she would engage
ll' &it ay. Pars, at • salary commencing at £l5 and
incesming Is 4115 per annum. The letter gave an
affooting narrative of circumstances which had ren•
amid the •Pphaent destitute of clothing, and stated

that the lady herself king in straitened circum-
stances, would only be able to pay her travelling
5111A.11,0011. The committee, in reply to this ippeal,
lii wanled MIAS Vifloes a posteAce order for
I n the lett' of May hist another letter Was received,
skting that Mies Villiers hail pasetsl two sleepless
nights before she could determine to write it; that
her wretelied state of health had necessitated her
buying flannel clothing, which being dear luul
alisorded her funds, and that unless something multi
be ikon she must give up her situation, which she
WAS Was to join on the let of June. Ski enclosed a
lists of articles on which she had expended the
society's previous bounty, and said she calculated that
k I Ills, would supply all her further requirement..
This letter Was also considered by the cuulumittee. and
a l'imitmllice order was sent for the amtnint solicited.
On the :10th of November another letter came to
hand from the prisoner, which, like those which hail
preceded it, Was written in a religious vein, and gave
a touching narrative of further sufferings which Miss
I'illiers hail undergone. She had been to Violin%
was happy in her situation, sad had begun to hope
that brighter days had dawned upon her, when her
beloved mistress was struck 110WII by sickness, and
in a fortnight died. The relatives who =WIC at her
death had resolved to put the children in a schiml,
and had abruptly discharged Miss Villiers, allowing
her barely enough to bring her hack to Englimid
She returned, resolved to struggle OR, relying on
the mercy of Him who could smooth the thou ny path,
and she succeeded in getting two pupils. In cross-
ing the downs, however, she WAS caught in a storm,
got wet through, and caught iullammation of the
chest, which had completely prostrated her. She
hoped to have resignation enough to lay, " His will
be done ; He kuoweth best ;'' but really felt as if to
die would be gain. This letter caused suspicion, and
inquiries were at Lust instituted, which resulted in
information being obtained from the Bristol Nlendi.
city Society that Miss Villiers had been a begging-
letter writer since le.lo. Evidence was given show-
ing that the prisoner bad never been in any situation
or out of Bristol at all; that the Mrs. Hartley
referred to was her own sister, and lived with her,
and that she had never resided in
though she hail had letters addressed to that place at
which • relative hew'. The prisoner, who offered
no defence, was fully committed for trial.

BRIATOL AND SOUTII WALES UNION. - The
half-yearly meeting was held at Bristol on Monday,
Mr. C. J. Thomas in the chair. An abstract of the
report and accounts have already appeared.
The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the
report, said that the directors hoped to be in 11061811-
siou of the land required fur continuing the line in a
few days, and the contractor would then have
enough work before him for the who!" of the pre-
sent year.
Mr. M. Whitwill seconded the motion, and con-
gratulatod the proprietors on the vigour with which
the works were being carried on.
Mr. a S. Rubinson and Mr. J. Perry urged the de-
sirability of promeding with the works requisite for
crossing the New Passage, instead of incurring any
further outlay on the line towards Bristol.
Mr. .1. Bake defended the conduct of the directors,
as did also Mr. J. Bland and several other share-
holders.

The motion was then put and carried.
Resolutions were also adopted re-electing the re-
tiring directors and auditor, and a rote of thanks to
the chairman sod directors terminate(' the proceed.
iuga