The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1881-05-03 00:00:00

NIGHT SCHOOL SUPPER.

bols.

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The Dorchester Night School continues it, good work,
and atilt earns and receives the support of many of our
principal townspeople. It is most gratifying that as year
by year passes by, the interest in the school is so well
maintained, and that the report of the work clone is so satis-
factory. That the benefits conferred by these night
schools is great, cannot be for • moment denied, and
especially in these later times when boys are turned to
work the very moment they have passed a certain standard,
for, once outside the walls of the day school, it is with
many of them a moral certainty that they have bidden
farewell to anything like progress in their education.
while with many there is almost • total loss of all they
have learned. Thus it is of the utmost importance that
the night schools, and more of them,sbould be established
an I supported, in order that boys having left the day
school, and just arrived at the age when the wanted • good
education begins to make itself felt, should have the
opportunity to Improve their early-soquirei knowledge.
The annual supra given to the boys by the kindness of
a number of ladies and gentlemen of the town and neigh-
bourhood, was held on Friday evening last, in the Boys'
Schoolroom. Ails always the case at these suppers, the
arrangements were excellent, and if one might judge from
the vociferous expressions of approval and satisfaction,
the boys were highly delighted ant enjoyed themselves
to that extent which only school boys can. The room
was profusely and tastefully decorated with coloured
roses (not " roaes of June") and evergreens, and
suitable mottos', such as " Strive to improve, '
" Value learning," "Diligence is rewarded," while at
the upper end of the room, a " Welcome" was accorded to
ell. Hannah and Co. and Mr. Wood gave most of the
materials for the decoration. and Mr. Cooper, the inde-
fatigable bead-master, and his assistants, deserve the
credit for the manner in which they were executed.
Three long tables, extending the length of Um room (the
materials of which were kindly given by Mr. Gregory and
Hannah and 0o.), had been erected by Kr. Gregory, and
these were laden with a bountiful supply of good thing,
such as pies, subitantiel Vista hams, and such like, with
• ample sad varied supo of pastry. Beautiful dowers,
lacluding some magnifi . nit rhododendrons, had been
kindly lent by Mr. B. R. Hams, of the Oornwall-road
Nurseries, and these gave a most tasteful appearance to
the tables. Mr. Harrington had arranged the tables with
his well-known skill, and there was a willing NAY of
volunteer waiters, who were most assiduous in their
attestations to the boys—no easy task, by the way, as they
displayed extraordinary staying powers. The following Is
the list of the ladies and gentlemen who kindly con-
tributed :—The Mayor and Mayoress, Rev. H. and Mrs.
Everett, Rev. T. W. and Mrs. Knipe, Major-General and
Mrs. Henning, Colonel Oldfirrict. Captain and Mrs. A.
Kassel, Hon. and Rev. A Spring-kim, Mr. and Mrs. J.
F. Hodges. Mr. and Mr*. Burnett, Mr. and Mrs. Thornton,
the Mimes Churchill, Mr. and Mrs. Enasoo, Mr. and Kra
A. Belem Kr. and Kra It Pearce, Kr. and Mrs. A. Pone,
Mrs. Gene, Miss Coombs, Mrs. Comer, Mrs. Penton, Mr.
R. Davie, r. and Mrs Tudor, Mr. Steele, Kr. W.
Galt* Mr. K Pope, Mr. and Mrs. Cutuoineton, Mr. and
W. T Ei Bine, Ir. M. Mayo. Mr. and Mrs. A. Lock,
Mrs. Fudge, Kr. and Mrs. M. bock. Mr. and Mrs. Hog,
and Mu. Howe.
' The Mayor (W. Darien, Em.) presided, and there
I were also present the Rev. H. Everett, Alderman R.
; Davis, Mr. Edwin Burnett, Kr. J. F. Hodges, Mr. H. W.
. Hodge", Mr. T. U. Morgan. and others.
, Grace balms meat having been sung reverently and
&meanly, the lads—to the number of about 130—com-
menced to trouble the waiters, who worked with great
' seal and the best of humour for the spa°e of about an
' hour, when the boys became slightly fagged, and very
I soma one after another owned themselves defeated. That
' the supper was a good one was manifested in their faces,
t for there is no such unerring talebearer of the exoellence,
or the reverse, of • retest as a lads face at the close of the
; "fight." Here we might remark on's new feature, which
, cannot be spoken too highly of. In former years beer
, has been supplied in abundance, with no alternative,
' thus inducing temperance boys either to break their
1 "pledge" or to fall beck on water. To remedy this, Mr.
[ C. Greening—ever melons in the cams of teetot•lism—
; very kindly gave hot coffee to any boys who did not care
i for beer, and we were pleased to me larm numbers, is
, fact, the majority of the younger orses,prefer the excellent
, coffee which Mr. Greening had so *Nightfall/ Provided
for them.
' At the close, grace was again rung, upon which. silence
; having been restored with &Mount% for ties lads had by
I this time arrived at • very talkative and noisy stage,
, The Matron rose and said, although be wee not going
1 to tire them out with many toasts, or make them long
. speeches, there were one or two toasts which it was usual
i to give on these occasions : the first and foremost of which
, warn that of "The Queen." Her Majesty had now reigned
, over us for • great number of years, and when they
; looked around in other countries and saw what a
i deplorable state they were in, they ought to too:a7
thankful we had such a Queen to reign over us.
)
,
1 "Mu...toast was received with three times three end
, musical Masers.
' His Woisiur, again rising, said there was one other
' toast which he was resound to propose, and that was
' the boil* of a gentleman to whom they were all very
mach indebted. It was of no pal for them to attend the
night school unless they had someone to teach and
instruct them; and they must remember that their going
to tie school was • eery great advantage to them. In
years gene by there was so such thine as a night school,
and no on. to mach them, end they would find DOW SOLOS
very good mechaaks, elderly men who could not even
1
write their names, or soaks an account—good men of
business in other respects—and all for the want of such
lustituttom as thaw. Fortunately, is the present day,
education waa very much more looked altar than it aged
to be. Them night schools were • vire great advsalage.
sad WV Mkt to be vary vast* Webbed to those velio

came there ii to ach them. The first end Oarsmen among
these was Mr. 42 , 'pee (Limit cheers.) Ho (the Mayor)
was very pleased indeed that on the mention of Mr.
Cooper's name they bad given him such a hearty greeting.
for it showed that they anprecieted the kind services
which he had rendered, an 1 he asked them now to give
him three hearty cheers. (iota applause.)
The boys cheered the master, and sung "For he's a jolly
'Doe fellow," with gusto.
Mr. COOPER, in reply, raid he shnuld not have thought
it proper to reply to the very kind way in which the
Mayor had proposed his hoalth, had nor he felt he ha 4
made one slight omission, vie of those who hod so kindly
assisted him—Mr. Nobbs, Mr. Wickland, and Mr. Elford.
Ho shined always be very pleased to do what he cueld,
but he could not doll without their help. He only w'shrd
the Mayor could induce the Department to take off some
of the restrictions which they ha I put on. Be wan very
teemed to hear the Mayor speak to very strongly in favour
of night schools. He himself hod every strong fe.•ling in
the matter, for he spoke from experience. It was
surprising how seen the boys forgot what they learn at
the day school. It was only this present season, that some
bon, who were in his day school a year or two ago,
went to work and soon forgot most of what they learnt,
and now when they ware bertining to understand rather
more what they were taught, and took an interest in it,
they found the restrictions put on. In the present case
for instant, boys who bad passed the sixth stianderd at the
day school, could not be presented this time, an I these were
the very fellows who would be glad to go over the work
Wain. It woold he • long time before night school"
would be of no use, at the same time he did not think
they would be able to go on so well were it
not for the kind Rod generous friends whom
they had had in the town for en mane years. (lieer,
hear.) There was one thing which he might he allowe Ito
mention, and which their friends in the town wnuld
glad to know. They bad had some 120 young lads who
had their names on the ta...1:4 ; nut of that number
95 qualified themselves by at'endsoce for presentation.
When the day of the exernieetion came, and when they
beard the Government Inspector was coming, he lep,vnled
borne of them must have been frightened, for 10 Or 11 of
them did not pat in an appearance. With regard to two
or three of these, be knew it was not their own fault. On
the examination day they presented 83, which was as good
a number as they hat bad ot all—(epolatisr)— and omit of
that number. notwithstanding they hat a very long
season, sod the frost and the 'snow, sonic of the young
men did not miss one single evening. (Applause.) Tiers
was • gentleman present, a very old friend of the night
school, who, he bolieved, had something to say to threie
who did not miss at all—he referred to their old friend.
Colonel teilfi.4 I. (Lnid applause)
Colonel OLDVIELD was very warmly received. Lost
year he was half efrai 1, ne said, he should he Csiled up on
to give a great many more half-crowns than he should feel
incline Ite give. Owing, probably to the had weather,
there Were only three who bad at ended 00000 evening
during the whole time. Of course they had had diffleolties,
and many of them were perhaps unable to attend, still
they could not break their rules ; at the same time, to the
four who very nearly attended every evening some
small acknowledgment would be given. livery year
he had spoken on the motto " Earning and
learning." Be fully believed that they all wanted
te learn the use of their hands as well as
their heads, and they could not do better than in
the workshops, and they could not go into the workshops
at all until they were of • certain age. Those who were
in the workshops and attended the night school, showed
that they were desirous of keeping up what they bad
learnt. He believed exactly what Me Cooper bad paid,
that day schools were of very little use to • great number.
Very many boys who had passed the usual standard, at the
end of three or four years, if they did not keep it up, hardly
knew their letters in the matter of reading. After
leaving school they had got no further knowledge, and it
was no use learning to read entrees there was something
to read. It was of no use for them to go to school,
learning and forgetting —it was simply a waste of time,
and he was exceedingly sorry the Government did not
give every possible encouragement to the reght school.,
for be believed boys would learn • great deal more. He
congratulated them upon the feet that they were all
volunteers; they were not driven there, nor did they
come there c impelled by the Attendance Committee, but
to improve themselves. (Hear, hear.) Besides they were
honouring their father, and their mothers, and were
keeping the Fifth Commandment, for they were doing
something for their own support, instead of taking it from
them. There was a book which probably none of them
had ever read, or probably would read--one of Lawrence
Steroe's—in which Corporal Trim was asked by his
master "What do you know of the Fifth Commandment.
ant what do you mean by it?' "Oh Y be replied, "it's
sending home 61. out of my Is. ii-day." (Laughter.) Now,
he did not know any better way of honouring it, and he
hoped they would help them in that way, so that when
old age and helplessness came, they would not have to go
to the work-house. (Hear, hear.) The Colonel then
culled up lames Wake, Frederick Seale, and William
Bowring, the boys who had attended every evening, and
presented them with half-a-crown each: and to each of
the four next best boys, Walter Sainsbury, George
Mitchell, Frederick James, and Henry Charles Warren,
be gave a very nice scrap-book. The lads were loudly
spot coded.
The Key. H. Evestgrr proposed a t ut, which be was
sure would be received with the greatest possible
enthusiasm—he referred to those holies and gentlemen
who had eivsn them that magnificent supper, which he
was quite certain they hut enjoyed that evening. (Laud
cheers.) As many of the old boys were aware, as some of
the younger ones were certainly not aware, this school had
now been in existence some 16 or 17 years, and there were
a great many ladies and gentlemen in the town
who had been kind enough every single year during
its existence to give handsome contributions to its
support. Makin/ every possible allowance, and giving
them every pleSible en sit for that very latldeble desire to
learn, implanted in every boy's mind. be could not help
thinking that there were a great many boys who were
induced to attend the school more regularly than thee
might othvrelse, by the thought of that exedlent supper
that these ladies and gentlemen had been kind enough to
give, and he hoped they would cheer them with the
greatest possible enthusiasm. (Vociferous cheering.) He
would just mentioa one name which be was sure they
would receive with great p'euare an 4 gratitude. It was
a gentleman, who was net only kind enough to support it,
but he bad come there in his capacity as the Mayor of this
ancient borough to preside over them. (Applause.) They
always endeavoured to get the Mayor of the Borough, and
as a rule they were kind enough to come. He was quite
positive there was no rnial in the borough who took more
pains to do his duty thin their worthy Mayor, who now
occupied that proud position. (Applause.) He would now
ask them to be good enough to cheer the Mayor with all
their heart and soul, an.l to feel . xceedingly grateful to
him, as he did, for his kindness in coming thi re to preside
that evening. (The lads cheered his Worship with might
awl main, and with atonntug effect.,
The MAYOR asked them to sreept his beat thanks, not
only for the very kind reception of the toast, but also for
the very kind manner in width Me. Eiorett had proposed
it. He assured them it gave him very great pleasure to
attend there, and be had been there on many occasions.
Be had had extreme pleasure in attending as the Mayor
of the Borough for the Mat two seasons. It was not likely
he should attend in that capacity any more, but he should
be always pleased to attend and assist, as carver or in any
other way, towards the pleasure of the evening. (Applause.)
Mr. J. F. HODGES responded on behalf of the subscribers.
Be assured them that as long as he 'meld find • few
shillings to spare in his pocket he should be only too glad
to give his small contribution. (Applause.) Be expressed
his pleasure at seeing such a large nunther of young men,
who he was quite certain hal derived very great benefit
from the instruction which they bad received in that room
daring the Winter evenings. He had now to primes a
toast to them which he was sure there was not a
single man or boy in that room but who would ri cede°
it with the greatest pounbe enthusiasm. He was going to
propose the health of their good Rector for his great kind-
ness in supporting the school (Applause.) There was no
doubt they were all very much indebted to Mr. C ooper
and his assistants for their kindness in coming there to
teach them, at the same time he was cure they would all
agree with him that Mn, Everett had taken • great and
deep interest in the school, had attended there very often,
sometimes at great personal inconvenience, and hidden.
his utmost to keep the school going. (Loud applause.) Be
made a point of being present on an occasion like the
present to encourage them with his presence, to make an
admirable speech, and in every possible way endeavour to
make the winding-up of the season as enjoyable as possible
to ever/one concerned. (Applau-e)
The toast was warmly received, anti cheers three times
three were given for the rector.
The Rev, H. Erzarrr thanked them very much for the
kind and hearty manner In which they bat received his
name, and Captain Hodges for his kind expressions. He
was • very great believer. like Mr. Cooper, In there night.
schools, for he was quite certain there were a great many
boys in this town who would be Very much beneetted if
they would only use a little self denial and come there
during the winter nights. He expressed a hope the boys
would endeavour to attend regularly next Wintrl. and
also perstiade their frienis to come. They would then
have a flourishing night-school, and their kind friends
would no doubt give them another right good supper next
year. (Applause.) He then wished the boys • cordial
"good night," and the merry gathering broke elo.
During the evening Yr. Morgan and Mr. W. J, Darden
sung some capital songs. Dennis. one of the
Trinity Church choristers, also sung vent nicely.
One of the songs was a source of intense
delight to the boys. It was • moot amusing
composition, relating how • night-school boy, after
" washing" and " scrubbing" his mother, "ate" her, with a
final "smacking" in the bergain. The chorus Was sung
with mach zest, and heartily encored. Another, about
certain woes which befel • young man, "All on account
of nue" was also highly saj wed, and it was with some
difficulty that the boys maid be prevailed on to erase the
chorus.
I After • very enjoyable evening the boys dispened.
in their I