The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1861-08-27 00:00:00

STURMINSTER.

--
That the temperance cause has been the means of
doing a vast amount of good -physically, Intel.
lectually, and morally-to all claimed of society, will
not, we think, be disputed even by those who are
not disposed to forswear the moderate indulgence of
"rosy wine," pale ale, or London stout. One of
the most pleasing. and as we believe the issue will
prove, most successful movements in connection with
the tempenuice cause, is the enlistment under its
banners of the young. Bands of Hope, as they are
called, are now to be found in almost every town in
the kingdom ; and if they achieved no further good
than acting as a elle,lc against many of the tempta-
tion-. which to yowii,J, the inexperienced are
p-ved, they would conmiond themselves to
every one interested in the well-bein4 of society.
But we k•tow they have thine more than this- many
&depraved and drunken parent has been reclaimed
by the simple, yet earutst appeals of a child enrolled
as a member of the Band of Hope. Nlost likely
many of those who are thus natned are not aware
why such societies were so called, and as most_prolialy
the young people at Sturinisister, who on Tuesday
assembled to kohl their annual festival, rcay thank us
for the information, before proceeding to notice
their holiday, we may state that the first society of
the kind was formed in FAlinburgh, and that a
worthy gentleman, named Hope. who lives in that
city, bee been first and foremost in promoting the
success of the movement, and has expended, year by
year, many hundreds if pounds in carrying out this
good work. Hence the name -" Bands of Hope." We
now notice the anniversary of the annual gathering
of a goodly number of these young teetotallers at
Sturminster. There is not, perhaps, a happier sight
than a number of young people joined together in
celebrating their annual festival. Their young eyes
sparkle with delight, their faces beam with pleasure,
and their steps-are buoyant and elastic. Such a
happy group, arrayed in holiday attire bedecked
with wild dowers, and in the full joyousness of youth-
ful glee, entered the streets in procession about two
o'clock, preceded by a band of young musicians,
playing lively tun. s. to which the young abstainers
kept excellent marching time. A handsome silk
banner, hearing suitable mottoes, was borne by two
men, and the hanging cords held by four of the
temperance band. Tea was provided for them in
the new Temperance Hall, and petty good justice
was done to the good things before them by the
300 young abstainers, (not certainly from plum cake
and tea), who were presided over by about twenty-
live young ladies. When the children bad finished
their repast about 100 adults partook of the refresh-
ing beverage. The public meeting commenced at
six o'clock, under the prtaidency of Mr. Norton, of
Shaftesbury, who in a speech replete with much
ori4iliality and sound common sense, reviewed the
operations of the temperance movement from it,
commencement, and alluded to the good which had
resulted from the formation of Rands of Hip., and
the importance of bringing up children with no
craving for the iutoxic.iting cup. At the conclusion
of the chairman's address, recitations and dialogues
were given by the children, which did great credit
both to them and their instructors. " The dying
girl's appeal," excellently recited by Mies Selwav,
imiurtrays in the most truthful characters the etils
resulting from strong drink. The other reviters
we, e the Misses Duninan, Brice, Phillips, Rose
Brice, and Mullen* A very alde and earnest
address to the young people was then given by Mr.
IVatteridge of Southampton, followed ley the boys
reciting several suitable piece'. The next speaktr
was J. Lawrence (lane, Fay., whose speech was a
masterpiece of convincing argument*, well calculated
to produce an impression on the minds of hie hearers,
and occupied about an hour and a half in delivery.
A bazaar, liberally furnished with fancy needle
work, under the able management of Mrs. Young
and Mrs. Cheeseman. was opened near the place of
meeting, and attracted a fair share of support.
Among the articles was an immense hell glass of
tine honey in the comb, taken from the Band of
Hopc hive.

BLANDFORD.
BATTALION DRILL. —On Wednesday battalion
drill was practiced at Mill Drwn. The weather
was remarkably fine, and the affair excited great
attraction ; the town of Blandford was quite astir,
and some of the tradesmen closed their establish.
tuents to give their assistants an opportunity of
witnessing the evolutions of the riflemen. Unfortu-
nately only three companies saseuibled—Wareham
(2nl Dorset), under the command or Captain Farrar
and Ensign Bond, 40 rank and file; Poole (4th
Dorset), under the command of Captain Tarr and
Lieutenant Cos, 50 rank and file; and BLtnilford
(stli Dorset). under the command of Captain Ratubto,
Lieutenant Johna, and Ensign Atkinson, 56 rank
and tile. The number was, however, augmented 17
the Blandford Cadet corps--Rev. J. Peony.
Grammar School, Milton A blies, under the command
of Captain Eiatunbach, Lieutenant Smythiee, and
Ensign Bellamy, 46 rank and file. The four coin•
parties fell in opposite the Corn Exchange and
marched to Mill Down, where a large concourse of
spectators were assembled, including most of the
Hile of the town and neighbourhood. The various
• onpanies having performed their several evolutions
to a highly praiseworthy manner, Lieut.-Col.
Nlansel addressed the members present, expressing
the great pleasure it afforded him to see them
perform their duty so well at. they had done. Their
movements had been very successful, and he hoped
that after a few such days' engagements, he would
he able to produce as good a battalion as
any county in England. Several of their move-
nienta he specially commended, and expressed his
hope that at the review at Dorchester in September
before General 51'Murdo, the volunteers of the
county would specially distinguish themselves. In
the meantime they would have ample time for
practice. Colonel Malet, he said, who had been
watching their movements that day. had expressed
to him his gratification at the efficiency they had
already attuned. In conclusion, the gallant Colonel
thanked the companies for their attendance. The
e,rpe then marched hack to Blandford, preceded by
their hands, and on arriving opposite the Corn
Exchange were dismissed. An ordinary was pro-
vided for them at the King's Arms Inn, Mr. Lewis
enterin; for them in a manner highly satisfactory to
all. The time was happily spent till "train time,"
when the Poole and Wareham corps took their de.
parture to their respective destinations.
On Thursday, September sth, the annual show of
the Blandford Horticultural Society will be held in
the Corn Exchange, and should the weather prove
favourable, a very successful gathering is expected.
There a ill, no doubt, be a very large number of
entries—the present fine weather greatly assisting in
bringing to perfection the various productions of the
earth. The event is looked forward to with much
pleasureable anxiety by the humbler classes, who
c.,wpate for the cottager's prizes, and we have no
doubt those who avail themselves of the opportunity
thus afforded of viewing some of the finest specimens
of flowers, fruits, and roots, will be amply re.
warded.

REDUCTION IN THE PRICE OF GAL—We are
gliul to notice that a reduction of 10,1. per thousand
feet has been made by the directors in the price of
gas—it now being 7s. 6.1. This, however, is much
higher than in many towns, and it is greatly to be
hoped that this useful article of consumption may
yet be turther reduced in price, especially as the
extension of railway accommodation will no doubt
increase the population of the town.
Doan= CENTRAL.—On every hand the "Iron
Monarch" is extending his sway. First, like some
general of a large army, he mskes • broad and well-
defined track; lays down, sail is well-muued, his
permanent way, and then, having passed through the
length and breadth of the land, claims that the bye
parts and intermediate space should also become
his lawful captive; an that, binding the earth as it
were with lands of iron, and traversing with
almost lightning speed from east to west, and from
north to south, he makes himself master of all Posi•
tious. Another portion of the earth's crust is about
to yield to his firm embrace, that between Temple
Coombe and this town, the contractors having com-
menced operations on the Milldowu. We under-
'land, also, that the section between Bruton and
Temple Coombe is in a forward state, so that in
about two years' time the whole scheme will be com-
plete.