The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1874-12-29 00:00:00

CHURCH DECORATIONS.

The decorations in the several churches of Dorchester
were very similar to those of fonner recent years; but, if
anything a more subdued tone characterised them. At
Holy Trinity in the vestibule was the text "Unto you is
torn this day a Saviour who is Christ the Lord," in
coloured lettering, in a double frame of holly with berries
and fir spraya. This occupied a large portion of the
wall spare. Over the side entrances was the word
'Emmanuel," and its signification, '(toil with us." A
good deal of labour had been expended on the adornments
.4 the interior, but plain evergreens were chiefly used, and
there was nothing gaudy. The beading of the rendes was
marked by lines of variegated holly leaves, and over it was
the declaration "Christ is born in white awl red, with
a frame of holly. AU the windows wore outlined with fir
and box intermixed, and over the east window was the
Illuminated text, "Glory to God in the highest, on earth
Megood-will towards men." The frontal of the
imunion table bore a Cross of white immortelles with
a circlet of the same, and • bunch of red berries in the
centre. The pulpit and reading desk each bore one of
the sacred symbols done in white on • shield of light
brown with an edging of greenery. The splays of the side
windows were laid with maw, on which were emblems In
white. The side galleries hail in illuminated characters
" There shall come • star out of Jacob, a sceptre shall
arise out of Israel." The front of the organ gallery bore
the word "Alleluiai," and on either side were interlacing
triangles. A number of symbol. done In evergreens were
placeal on the walls and elsewhere, riving eompleteness to
the decorations. The front was decked With 111061 aad
Christmas roses and looked becomingly chaste and deli-
cate. Miss Coomb+, Mrs. Spicer, the Misses Pantos. and
Mr. Cooper were chiefly concerned in the work.—At
St. Peter's the pillars were spirally wreathed with ever-
green relieved by holly berries,. In accordsnee with the
custom at this church—At AU Sainte the adornments
were tasteful yet simple. Over the reredos was the text
"The Word Wai made flesh" in white lettering on red,
enclosed in an Oxford border .if laurel leavea The
weeding beneath was outlined with greenery, with
alternately white immortelles and holly lorries at the
ioints of 'lie arches. Double triangles and emblems of
eternity were also placed on the chancel walls. The choir
stills were entwined with ivy, and on the screens marking
elf the transepts was the inscription "hash the henild
angels sing, glory to the new-born King.' The reading
desk bore two bright-coloured stars; at the base Was a
string course of yew. and in the tracery around the top
bunches of variegated holly with red berries in the centre.
The pulpit lore the monogram Lids, and other emblems.
The panels were marked out with dr sprays, the upper
edge had a string course of the same, end at the base of
massive belt of greenery. The pillars of the nave were
spirally wreathed, and in the windows splays on either
side were various sacred symbols done in white on moss,
while on the walls were other emblems tif evergreen. In
the west window was the "K bane." 'llea tett was
covered with moss, stliabled with delicate blooms, inter-
mixed with ferns, dtc. 1.7p0n the (rant of the organ was
the word " Hallelujah," surmounted by an evergreen
trefoil. The Wises Hodges, the Mimes Lock, Mrs.
Spicer, Miss Frost, the Misses Evans. the Misses
Panuiter and others all assisted in the decoration.
The Cludittuas decorations at Fordingtou St. George
Preserve the sante 6tylo which ha, been carefully
followed mow fur nearly twenty yearn The ancient
arches of thelsouth aisle, tower, and chased, are fastooned
with hanging wreathe of evergreens, and some of the
Pillars are wreathed with the same. The Pulpit is adorned
with a greets lorder, and with a hanging wreath.
font ia surrounded with • very pretty tracery of leaven
°"‘Menrtothen?Ancea chililaar Is Toinrn.ann` ila-lerycoloukredind 6a/astrt'anthc: text
tvbeit,i4n the work of decoration by Mrs. and Miss
ce, the NUNS Miller, and by Mr. White. Periah
clerk.

DORCHESTER VOCAL ASSOCIATION.
The first concert of the fifth season of the above associa-
tion was given in Dorchester Corn Exchange. on Wednes-
day evening. and attracted • full audience, componed of
subscribers and friends of the tuunthern notwithstanding
the inclement weather. The pine do ;widower of the
progneuniu was the first part of Mendetsw.ihn's oratorio
" Elijah," descriptive of the drought which fell upon the
Israelites for their idolatry, the vaia appeal of the people
to tic, gob, of Baal. the token given ,col. hearing, thejwsyer of his servant, and the I lowneumil4 of the groriests
rein in response to his intercession. This remarkable
Bildirat hictory obviously fanilshee ail ample theme for
highly-wrought and dramatical musical treatment. and Elijah Mondellwohn has conceived • work of
wondrotuf power and bwsuty. Of course. the variety in
the ettraeing. and Itll realistic character, place many
difficulties in the way of a satisfactory baterpratation by
aaastaan ; and. labaassartlY, the shame of • h•nd of
nuerunentaliets intensidee the erdnotuorn of the enter.

prim. Considering these drawbacks it must he ackuows
lalgod the delectation were brave to undertake anill a
work, and we are *retitle I to say that their intrepidity
wail rewarded by signal success They, undoubtedly did
well all that vocaliete couid insiler the circumstances,
IL it Li IlotiO the leas to le concealed Diat di of
Circe and picturesqueness was loot, kicking the instru-
mental sup', irt aliana of s.y twit; rcrfortuert will
have afronlat %Ve do not say tido, howeva' with any
desire to ilispara:e the h.m.wary
wins Lock pieni.forte, mil Mr. W. siregory
for their services now, as 011 former occasi•ino, nem
most edicieut mei helpful, awl it is larmly ta the credit
of the Association that it ILO lorou4ht out from the
ranks of amateurs this lady and youn4 gentleman, who
display 10 touch ability and are so ready at all Lima%
to give their assistance in tlis eattkr this iisciety
Li designed to promote. The cousmittee uvure fortunate
in the choice of professionals. Md. Matilda iiadt,
soprano, and Mr. J. Lander, ligasi, who take prominciit
parts in the oratorio, were all tWat could be deerod. The
aPklre rich voice of great flexibility, and won
golden opinions: while Mr. Lander was certainly the
beat bags the association has engagfek and the e'eet'lete
manner in which he filial his part will go far ta
reinstate 1,1144-tingeri in Dorchester estimation, from
which a sucausion ot good tenors and poor basses bad
welluigh deposal them. Full, and clear. and well-
laalulated, Mr. Lander sang grandly au hessian* tko
position aligned to him in the oratorio. Maa llancock
contralto, bail led much to do, and at find, seeitlell
weak and consinooplace, but when opportunity offered
she displayed a sweet usesanssoprano voice an.l a radii.
vat..l style. Mr. W. Well', tenor, did it create 3.Afrorrs
for 110 has not muck rower, and none of the brightqess
awl tetelleete whkh distinguielled Mr. Taylor, hut he
aaug with judgment and carefulness the small task
allotted to inua.

The opening recitative, declaring the withdrawal of
clew and rain, displayed the rich voice, tool style, itud
Pure intsmatiou of Mr. Louder to *lvan:age. awl gave
assurance thot the part in the sacred drama assigned to
Elijah would be efficiently filled. Omitting the symphony
which follows indicating the ;crowing scarcity of water
and its attendant miseries, Uot chorus, an the people ..re
distraught, plead to the Lord for help. It was very
well sung, the voices being well balmiest notwithstand-
ing the disparity in numbers of the several 'arts, and
the 1111110 BM difficulties of the 1111U.lie were stweestfully
attacked. The foil .wing dieet and ehorus WaSzAITV.: with
calm devotional feeling, and the recitative and or": If with
all your hearts" by Mr. Wells WAS chaste and accurate.
but it left on us the impression that he wax unequal ti a
thorough mastering of the air. The deepening de pair .4
the people, the departure of Elijah, the fulfilment of the
three years' drought, and the prophet's appearing hefore
Ahab, hol up to the (isnot arose in this part of the
oratorio • -the impassioned invocation of the people on the
tots of Beal, awl the pleating with .;t1 of the prophet to
let it be known that Ile is the Lord. Thu I borate-
" Blessed are the men" was given with touch sweetness.
The seine between Ahab and Elijah was piwerhilly
realised, and the series of Baal chontws, with their
striking effect* wrought by change of time, erosional
unison passages, and every tuusieal device giving dramatic
intensity to the situation, must have been • new and
pleasurable experience to many of the audience, awl they
stirred what was largely a listless comiginy to animated
demoustrations of satisfaction. Here, however, if any-
where, the chorus were slightly untleady, lint it
would be hypercriticism to suggest a fault. Follow-
ing the fierce calls of the people, the sulolued
pleading of Elijah was most marked and effective; and
the confident solemnity of the prophet's prayer was
beautifully brought out by the accomplish... 4 singer. The
quartet "Cast thy bunion, representing ministering
angels, was given with seltut.su and exprowion bef.tting
the subject; and the chorus "The fire descends from
heaven. . . . the Lord is Gel," ftc., illustrated forcibly
what it can easily be imagined were the findings 44 the
awe-stricken people. Mr. Lander gave the air "In not His
word like • lire, Mr. lloyton Smith accompanying, with
great power, and it was a tine piece of .I...elaniatery singing.
Mies Hancock in "Wee unto them who forsake him" was
exceedingly tasteful, and merits special en nutrition,.
The prayer of Elijah to God "to °ism the heavens and
send relief," with the short recitativet relating to tho
looking for rain, the appearance of a little el I, and then
the bounteous downpouring were most successfully snug
by Miss Scutt, Mr. Lander, and the chorus, awl the
thanksgiving song of the people which completed the
selection was one of the beat during the evening, although
it was the meet difficult, it was a grant burst of joyous
acclaim, and only wanted a fall bend to render it per-
fection. Throughout the choruses WC failed to notice any
real hitch ; every part was satisfactorily taken, and mond era
and conductor are alike G. be congratulated on the di.
tinguished succeed they have attained when dealing with
this must trying oratorio. The ability of the lI.M. accom-
pmxista also calls for recognition, and we congratulate
them most cordially on the manner in which they
acquitted themselves. We believe that Mist Lock is
about to 4.. Li the !loyal Academy of Music, awl though
the association will lIIiSo her much, we hope and have
every confidence that she will become a highly diktin-
guishell graduate of that insti nation. After a brief
interval the secular portion of the prograninie opuncol
with ll'ober's " L'lnvitation pour la v.il -4.," duet for
•piano Wlll harmonium by Miss M. Wills Lock awl Mr.
Boyton Smith, mid the grace( el mash, was charmingly
interpreted, elicitiwt warm ap;daute. Mr. Well.. sang
Santley's "A short year ago," °ow of the modern ~,sas
which while they Word Pr"( 0........na1A 5.... p., f. or .li-phay do
not captivate ontinary ear. like a -,....t laelodc. It WAS
excellently sung, but hill naiier flatly. The chorus
followed with Dr. Arne's sparkling. g...,... "Where the hoe
wicks t" it went with 1.1.1.2u4 spirit and brightness., and
was nicely varied in Gem. Miss S. ott, ..ecompasying
herself, sang "Time will tell," a 4,11 g comoosed expre.sly
for herself, and admirably suiting her voice, SIIS WAS
heartily encored, and pleated evaliv well by citing "The
wishing cap." Mr. lloyton Smith's pianoforte solo,
"4 'oncertstttek," by Weber, via, a grand 1. n
rfonanco,
Ant:at:tag the reiworkalde pov.wr of expre.aon Olen! is
in even a pianoforte in the bawls of a master. Ile was
cordially greeted, and heartily applauded at its ch. a
3liat Hancock tang Ilandegger'ssereassle "Sleep, deare.4,
sleep," with charming tatte and saeetness; awl, keine
recalled gave the sprightly jse,thito air" Or. er the sea:.
Mr. Lander in Santley's "only to love her" achieved a
decided triumph, and in neposee G. an uneore AWL:, "1.1111
a forester free and bold. "ti who will ..'or the downs" by
the asouciation was well sung, and its very familiarity
iumle it universally pleasing.
'lle national anthem concluded the concert at half.
iset ten. Although the proicrasume, as a whole, wa.. list
... popular, we fancy. as the sele-tion at some fonuer
concerts the association hat never sung better or sin-
mounts:A so great ditlicultie• This is satisfar.ory to all
alio wish well to the society, and Inlet be partienlarly
1 pleoting to Mr. lloyton Sudth, the talent.' conductor,
and to Mr. Ilerben 1104:111., the zealous hen. see. of the
a*. wiation.

.....
The chorus accusal to be composed of D; soprano, 15
contralto, 10 tenor, and If; Las.; a totaliif 17.
Amongst th
eaudience were : --Mrs. Grytuor, the Mi. 4
Brymer, Mr. Herbert Williams, Mi.... Itaker, tbe Mi..-es
Smith (West Stafford), the Rev. W. Barnes, Colonel and
Mrs. Bingham, hr. and Mrs. Synies. Mr. and 31i..Synies
Mr. T. Coombs, junr., Mu... Coombs. Mr. .1. F. 11,MI:es,
Mr. E. Burnett (Mayor of Dorelhoster) mai Mrs. Iluniott,
1)r. Barton Smith, Mr. G. J. G. Gregory, Mr. :mil Mrs.
A. Pope, Colonel Mr. and Mrs. .1. rs,
Mr. Oakley Saunders, Mrs. Leigh, Mr.. I,iiugand Mis. Ling.
Mrs. Case and Miss Ca.e, Mr. and Mrs. Liwranoo. Mr.
and Mrs. Chapman saunders, Mr. E rope, Mr.
junr., Mr.. Mr._ and Mim clinnialitten, Mr. and Mrs. T.
S. Biggs, Mr. G. 11. Miss Rohl:win, Mr. an I Mrs.
J. Lock, Mr. and Miss Rummy, Mr. ',mein, Mr. :mil
Mr.. M. Lock. Mr. Cr..'... (Weymouth). Mr. Lock, junr.,
and Mimi Lock (King.tim), Mr. and Mr.. KWh., the
Nlisseii Smith (Bradford Pcverell), Mr. and Mr.. 31rinzan,
Mr. sad Mrs. B. 11111. Mrs. Bunn, Mr. and Mr... T. Bunn,
Mr. A. Spicer, Mr. and Mrs. G. Symonds (Slonekton) and
party, Mr. and Mrs. Hannah, Mr. Jacob, Mr. Seward,
Mr. and Mrs. Greening, Miss Parmiter 311.. Frost, Mr.
T. Bennett, Mr. T. It. Cooper. Mr. J. 31. Lush, Mr. J.
&weft., Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Look, Lieutenant and Mrs.
Taylor, Mrs., and the Misses 11. B. Williams (Bradford),
Mrs. A. Mausel and party, Mrs. J. D. Itoliinain, Mrs. W.
Darden. Miss Fork. Her. W. M. Barnes, Mr. and Mr..
B. Bascombe, Mrs. Keats, Miss Keats, Captain and Mn.
piers (Weymouth), Mr. and Mrs. C. Short., Mr. C.
Hansfoni, Mrs. Efuson and party, Mr. omal, junr.,
Masters Gallen, Mrs. Fe.ter, Mu H
Mum. Foster, Mi... arvey,
H
Mr. and Mrs. owell, Mr. and Mrs. 11. Dunning, Mr...
Loader, Mr. Loader, juur., Mastar and Miss Itaikes, Mr.
A. Atkins and Miss Atkins, Mr. F. W. Sholdrake, the
Mime.. Mears. Mr. anil the Mimes Beard:non:4 Mr. 11. Lock
and party, Mr. and Mrs. J. F. 11mIges :upl friends, I.)r.
Aldridge and party, Miii Evans, Mr. Cockerain, Mrs. and
Master Last, de. &c.