The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1859-11-01 00:00:00

BRIDPORT BOYS' GENERAL SCHOOL.

On Tuesday evening last, the annual meeting of
the friend., and subscribers to this institution, and
the examination f the scholars, were held in the
school. room. Notwithstanding the tempestuous state
0, the weather, there was a very considerable attend -
once of those interested in the success of this
admirable school. The room was, as usual, tastefully
decorated, the walls being studded in continuous
line,' with evergreens; while handsome wreaths
were suspended from the cress beams—a pretty
device of a crown in flowers was hung in the centre,
and on either side of this, at convenient distances,
war • circles of light bedecked with the last produc-
tions of our gardens.
The boys, as usual, were ranged on forms, in front
of raised platform which had been erected for the
accommodation of the speakers, az.
The examination was a most successful one. It
included geography, combustion, and arithmetic ;
and the manner in which the answers were given
elicited the cordial approbation of those present. In
the examination in arithmetic some very intricate
questions were submitted to the boys by Mr. Wallis,
and the readiness with which the answers were
worked out upon the slate, or mentally, was such as
to astonish as w. 11 as delight the audience. and such
as would have credit to persons of mu years.
The examination in geography was also exceedingly
good, and the answers which were elicited clearly
bhowed the excellence of the system of tuition
adopted at this school. In the examination on com-
bustion, too, cause as well as effect was gone into,
and it was quite clear that the pupils are not only
made acquainted with certain facta, but are also
taught the reason of certain results. The master,
and we may add, the pupil teachers, deserve the
highest commendation for the manner in which the
school is conducted, both as regards the behaviour of
the boys, and the amount of proficiency they are
enabled to attain. By proper attention to the duties
of this institution, a youth may become fitted for any
station in business life, and there is nothing more
worthy public support than education as here il3l.
parted to the young.
The examination was conducted by the pupil
teachers, assisted by the master, Mr. Beard. Pre.
vioua to the examination, the boys sang "Old Eng-
land," in good style. Between the different subjects
of examination, the followins pieces were rendered:
—"The Lady Bird," The Emigrant Ship," " Before
all lands in east or west," and a round .• If I were a
cobbler." The pieces were all executed in a very
creditable manner, uuder the direction of Mr. Beard.
A number of specimens of drawing' were handed
around among the audience, the execution of which
elicited general admiration.
The Mayor, (H. A. Templer, Eaq.), was an-
nounced to take the chair on the occasion, but he
was unavoidably detained until after the time
appointed for the commencement of business, in
his absence, Mr. Williams was voted to the chair,
but in the course of the examination, Mr. Temper
arrived, and took the office ameigned to him.

DIELPLAISH AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
The annual meeting of this society was held on
Friday last, and the usual plo4hiug match took
place in fields belonging to Mr. Rawluis, Mr. Wat-
ton, and Mr. Conway. The day was very unfavour-
able, the rain pouring in torrents at intervals
throughout the day. The field in which the
champion matc'a was contended for, was a level
piece, with a nice loam soil, and the four competi-
tors had an excellent place for displaying their skill.
It was rather otherwm, however, with the men's
prizes of the mend clap, the undulating character
of the field being such as to operate against the exer-
tions of the men. There were 10 competitors. The
boys ploughed in a stubble field, and their work wan
very good.
Notwithstanding the unfavourable weather, there
war a goodly party at dinner (about 60) under the
able presidency of Joseph Gundry, Esq., who was
supported oh the right by the Rev. F., D. Butts,
Rev. H. Rawlinson, and J. Pitfield. Esq. ; on the
left, by B. iox, Es' q., James Conway, Esq., &c.
The duties of vice-chairman were ably performed by
the secretaries, Messrs. J. P. Pope and John Davy.
Amongst the company were Messrs. W. Major,
Pope (Laverstock), A. J. Pitfield. Sprake, S. Tucker,
W. H. Chick, G. S. Miller, Ellswood, W. S. Gil-
lard, Chick (Aakerswell), Bishop (Askerswell),
Chick (Stratton), Tucker, Elliott, Brown (2), Woodin,
Hine, Dunham, C. Fox, Willmott (4), Wrixon,
Hutchings, Spooner, G. Major, J. Houma, I. F.
Foot, Rails, Cole, Copp, G. Frampton. Collin+,
Trevett, Gale, Macey, Watten, &c. The religious
duties of the table were performed by the Rev E.
D. Butts.

The CHAIRMAN on the removal 'of the cloth, Pre-
mad "The Queen," who was so endeared to the
hearta of all Englishmen that he need not preface the
toast with any further remarks.
The next toast was, "The Prince Consort;" the
chairman remarking on the blessing it was that Her
Majesty had a Consort who conducted himself in
every respect so strictly in cotisonanoo with the
wishes of her subject.' it could scarcely be ccnoeived
(he said) how beneficial it was to the natio& that His
Royal Highness kept aloof from politics.
The next toast, was "The Army and Navy,"
which was acknowledged by Serjeant Pope, of the
Bridport Ride Corps, in his usual highly humourous
style.
"The Bishop and Clergy of the Diocese" was ac-
knowledged by the Rev. E. D. Butts.
"The County Members" was next proposed, the
Chairman remarking that he had received letters from
Mr. Portman and Mr. Start, expressing regret at
their unavoidable absence.
The labourers were then called up and addressed
by the Chairman, IC.
The following are the prizes :
Class, I—A champion prize to any man, being the
servant of a member, who ahall plough half an acre of
land in • given time in the best manner, £2—Levi Cleal,
servant to Mr. John Davy.
Class 2.—To the man who, having at no previous time
taken a first prise, shall plough half-an-acre of land in
a given time, in the best manner, £2—Richard Karla,
servant to Mr. Walton. To the second best. £1—
George Kingman, servant to Mr. H. Willmott. To the
third ditto, 10s.—James Hallett, lerThlli to Mr. T.
Class 3.—To the boy, not exceeding the age of 17
years. who shall plough half-an-acre of land m the best
manner. El—George Irish, servant to Mr. Jl.llMal Con-
way. To the second best, 10s.--40hn Harris, servant
to Mr. John Davy.
Class 4.—To the male servant in husbandry who shall
have worked the greatest number of years on the same
farm, or with the same master. and can show • certill-
cate of good character. 21—Robert Elliott, 56i pears,
servant to Mrs. Pitteld, firm,. To the second bed.
104.—Benjamin Titian!, 43 yews, servant to Me, Joh,
Davy.
Class s.—To the female servant in husbandry, who
shall have worked the greatest number of years on the
same farm, or with the same master, and clan show •
certificate of good character, El—Elisabeth Lea 56
years *errant to Mrs. Pitheld, Eype. To the wee"
best, 10a—Luey Fry, 31 years servant to Mr, John
Pope.