The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1861-04-09 00:00:00

WEYMOUTH.

WEYMOUTU LITERARY AND SCIINTIFIC INSIITD•
noN.—We have every reason to congratulate the
committee on the success that has attended its efforts,
Lowe are informed there is a great diminution in the
debt which was incurred prior to the extension of
its operations. To those who have already laboured
in the arduous task of lecturing, the bast thanks of
the committee are tendered, and they may also have
the satisfaction of knowing that they have been
awarded great praise and thanks from the sub-
scribers to this excellent institution. The pro-
gramme of lectures, which has just ended, we
think has given general satisfaction. In some
instances, it is stated, that the lectures have proved,
either directly or indirectly, a source of moan°.
Whatever opinion may be entertained respecting the
value of lectures as a direct means of education, we
may venture to say that ours have proved both in.
structive and interesting. It is hoped that a greater
number of juvenile attendants will be present at the
re-opening. The French and German clause are still
continued under the able tuition of Mr. Garston.

VOLUNTSSILS. —OS Easter Monday, the lit and
4th (Portland) Volunteer Artillery Corps paid a visit
to Weymouth. They were met by the Weymouth
Rifle Corps, and shortly afterwards both companies
marched to Upwey. Here, unexpectedly, Major
Stewart inspectedtheir rifles, and, we hear, expressed
himself highly gratified at the way in which they
had been kept. The several corps then fell in and
marched to Weymouth, where they were dismissed
for refreshments. The greatest amity end good feel-
ing prevailed an_onost the members of the several
corps. At 8 o'clock the Dorchester and Weymouth
rifles accompanied their Portland brethren in arms
to the steamer that was to convey them to Portland,
and the Weymouth Rifles paid a similar oompli-
ment to their Dorchester brethren at a later period
of the evening by accompanying them to the station
of the South Western Railway,
We are pleased to learn that Sir. W. L. Freestnn
is considerably better than be has been for some time
past, and that he his gradually recovering, it is
greatly to be hoped that with the returning warm
weather he will regain his wonted health and
strength of body.
HOPS COSCISZOATION•L CHAPS& —The found-
ation stone of the new Congregational Chapel, Hops,
Square, was laid on Wednesday, April 3rd, by M.
Devenish, Esq., ex.mayor of Dorchester, in the
of a large concourse of spectators. The
rys'esnrroceedings commenced with divine service at
Nicholas-street Chapel, by the Rev. E. R. Conder,
of Poole. The Corporation proceeded thence, when
the foundation stone was laid with the usual for-
malities, after which an interesting and instructive
address was delivered by the Rev. G. S. Ashton.
The ministers, visitors, and friends afterwards par-
took of a cold collation together at the
schoolroom of Nicholas St. 1, and in
the evening, a tea meeting was held, and some
interesting addresses delivered by the several minis-
ters present. The new chapel is intended to ac-
commodate 700 people, at a cost, exclusive of gas
fittings, of £1,140, about half of which has been pro-
mised by various friends of the cause. Mr. Wil-
liams, of Weymouth, is the builder, and the archi-
tects are Meows. Haggett and Pocklington, of Sher.

SPECIAL SKRVICIS. —Special services were held
at the National School-room on Tuesday and Wed.
needay evenings, lent for the purpose by the Roy.
Talbot Grooves. The proceedings were principally
conducted by Mr. Radcliffe, a celebrated revivalist.
On Tuesday evening the commodious school.room
was crowded almost to suffocation, and several
fainted from the heat, whilst hundreds went away
unable to obtain admission. A large number re-
mained after the close of the first night's service. Mr.
Radcliffe's method of conducting revival meetings
is peculiar to himself, as he dispenses with the
noise usually understood to be a necessary sc.
companyment of such proceedings.
Tuz Comm Saasori.—We perceive that several
parties have commenced whitewashing and painting
up their houses for the coming season, which, we
trust will prove a more succeedul one than that of
sat year.