The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1859-08-09 00:00:00

£157 II 9

Somersetsbire.

ThAn.rroN!—Ritte Corp.—The Lord-Lientenant
of the county (Lord Portman) met the nrovisional
committee of the Taunton Volunteer Rifle Corps at
the Guildhall on Saturday afternoon. The attend-
ance of those persons who had given in their names
as being desirous of joining the corps, was solicited
by circular, and many of them were present. Lord
Portman went through the Government regulations
seriatim, pointing out what was necessary to be done
previous to his communicating with the Home
Secretary for the purpose of getting the corps
enrolled. With regard to the local rules of the
corps, he add it was intended to forward to each
corps formed in the county a sketch of rules, which
they would adopt as far as possible, for the purpose
of uniformity, only making alterations to suit 'ar-
ticular localities. In reference to uniform, his
lonlship said lie should receive from the different
companies formed and forming in this county,
a lattern of uniform proposed in each, from
which a selection would be made, which would
have to be generally adopted in the county.
With reference to the appointment of officers that
power would be with him, and the only extent to
which volunteers amid gq in the matter would be
to select a number of persons whom they thought
fit for officers, and forward the list to him with
their recommendations. Various other matters of
detail were discussed, and the meeting, which
iii(l not occupy above three quarters of an hour,
broke up.
Yeovn...—The Railtray Station.-0a Saturday
wt(ek Mr. Locke, M.P., Mr. Brumley, and Mr.
Townsend, came down from London, rid Gilling-
ham, and posted on here in a carriage-and-four. The
object of their visit was to set out the railway sta-
tion; and being met here by Mr. Fiaser, the en-
gineer, and Mr. Harrison, they proceeded to inspect
the site and to consider the course of the line and the
position of the station with reference to this town.
It is proposed to put the station up in the field be-
tween the gas-house and Newton-nn I. It is not
yet settled whether it will be on a high level or low
level; but in order to facilitate the interchange of
co unication between the Central and the Bristol
and Exeter, there will ben platform between the two
lines, by which passengers will get from one to the
other with ease.

R VRAL Frrit.—On Thursday week a rural lac was
held in a field situate on the beautiful grounds of
John Goodden, Fag., of Compton House. The wea-
ther was delightfully fine—indeed all that could be
desired for the gratification of the party; hut while
it secured the pleasure of those who attended, its
favourableness for harvest operations no doubt kept
many at home, who, but for the Chilli)) of their
ripened crops, would have lksin present. A flume-
runs and respectable company, however, colleet..l
together, including manyof the influential yeomanry
of the neighbourhood, and tradesmen and others
from Yeovil and Sherborne. The spot selected com-
nrinled a must beautiful view of the surrounding
country ; and the programme of the ilay's amuse-
ments was highly satisfactory. Booths replete with
cresthre com;orts were erected; and an excellent
tea was furnished by Nits. Cross, of the Crown Inn,
Trent, the cake, whieb was of first-rato quality,
being supplied by Mr. Leach, confectioner of this
town. The Yeovil brass band attenchxl, and, antler
the leadership of Mr. rardy, performed a good selec-
tion of pieces in its best style. Dancing was en-
gaged in with vigour, and (of course) gracefulness,
is bilst quoits, foot-ball, and other games afforded
enjoyment to those who preferred more active and
muscular exercise. A run for halfpence by a ntun
bet of lads present elicited much laughter ; sr.(' the
day passed off highly to the satisfaction of the coin.
pany. 'The arrangements were got up under the
direction of Mr. Smith, of Compton, and Mr. Hull,
builder; Mr. Collins, of Trent, lending also a
helping hand, with his usual activity and good
nature.

CHARD.—A vestry meeting was held at Chard on
Thursday week, when the churchwardens presented
their accounts and estimates, and asked for, church-
rate to the amount of £l2O. An amendment was
moved to the effect that the rate be voluntary. On
the show of hands there appeared-- For the amend-
ment, 6; against it, 42. The original motion was
then put, when the numbers were,—For the rate,
-12 • against, 6. For the last two years there has
been no opposition to church-rates in Chard. The
dissenters on the present occasion spoke in • tone of
moderation, and good and neighbourly fouling seemed
to prevail, and to augur well for the continuance and
advancement of a spirit of mutual kindinum between
the individuals of the different religioushodies in the
town.

SERIOUS AcemENT.—On Tuesday week, as Mr.
Cookson, of Shepton Beauchamp, was driving into
Ihninster in the carriage of the Rev. J. S. Coles,
with his two sisters and another lady, from sonic
canoe the horse took fright on descending the hill
from Townsend, and bolted oil at a furious pace into
Silver-street, where it mine into collision with a
donkey cart, mu which a female was seated. The
carriage was turned over, throwing the ladies and
driver out, who most miraculously escaped with
severe cuts in the face. The body of the donkey
cart was completely severed from its wheels, and
turned upside down with the female underneath,
who when taken up was found to be much injured.
Mr. Nlarwooil Mules was i JJJJ uediately in attendant-4.i
and rendered every assistance. Later in the day we
were sorry to hear that the female, who is the
daughter of butcher Stone, of Broadway-hill, is con-
entered in great danger.
- _

On Saturday afternoon, the hands at Mo.iur.
Wightman and Dening's foundry, through the kind-
ness of Lord Bridport, enjoyed a picsnic at Cricket
They were. accompanied by their wives and sweet-
hearts Tho beautiful grounds and gardens were
opened to their view ; the weather was delightful,
and judging from their hilarity when they returned
to Chard iu the evening, a memorable enjoyment was
theirs.

SOUTH Pirriiitirrols.—Mr. Henry Perry, builder,
of erewkerne, is the succilieful contractor for con-
structing new roofs to the nave, south aisle, and
north transept of our parish church, just about to be
restore.l. The roofs will be open and very handsome.
The whole of the church is also to be re•suateil by Mr.
Perry. The cost, we understand, will be met by a
rate of the pariah to a considerable amount, wi ch is
to be paid off by instalments in the course of five
years.

TEMPLE COMM- —A fatal accident °mired on
Thursday week, the 26,th nit., to a man named
George Hooper, who has been in the employ of Mr.
Worthy nearly :to ye-u-; he was assisting in making
a hay-rick, when he fell oil the rick, about to 14
feet, and so injured himself by the fall that he died
in the comic of three beers after. An inquest WM
held on Monday, before D. Ashfonl, Esq., coroner,
and a respectable jury, and a verdict of" Accidental
Death" returned.

Durrosa.—The annual bean show was held on
Thursday week, at the 014 Bull Inn. A very excellent
dinner was served up by host Huntley, which was
attended by the members and several friends front a
disr*noe There were 12 competitors fur the prizes,
which were awarded as follows :—lst, silver table
spoon, to Mr. T. Smith, juur.. of Westbury; 2nd,
waiver dessert spoon, Mr. T. M. Smith; 3rd, pair
silver salt spoons, Master H. G. Atwell; 4th, niver
mustard spoon, Mr. Hayes, Castle Cary. Manses.
Dobel and Pearce were sidemen, and MINOR T.
Green and James Chapped, umpires.

WFJMING FESTITTFIFB AT JORDANS.—On Wednes-
rby week, the beautiful seat of William Speke,
of.lonlans, near llininster, was the scene of brilliant
rejoicing, in commemoration of the marriage of the
eldest daughter of that ancient and honourable house, -
Miss Goorgius Harriet Speke, and John Edward
Dorington, Eaq., only son and heir of J. E. Loring-
ton, Lail.. of Lypiatt Park, Gloucestershire, which
event was that day solemnized in the adjacent pariah
church of Broadway, by the Lord Bishop of the
Diocese, assisted by the Rev. Rodney Drake Palmer,
the incumbent, anti the lice. Benjamin Speke, rector
of Dowlishwake, brother of the bride. The pretty
little church looked beautiful in its internal dress of
floral festoons and evergreens; and the children of
the neighbouring school strewed the pathway front
the bridal carriage to the church with flowers. There
were twelve bridesmaids, most charmingly attired,
presenting an array of youth and beauty such as is
seldom surpassed in our fair county. The brides-
maids were the Misses Spoke (2), 31issee Villiers (2),
Misses Lee (2), Misses Bragge (2), Idias Coffin, Miss
Dickinson, Miss Mules, and Miss lance. At the
conclusion of the ceremony, the party returned to
the mansion, where an elegant dfjcatier d la four.
chelle (the arrangements of which were entrusted to
Mr. Harris, of 'I aunton), was served to about sixty
Among those present were Lord and Lady
friurltitrt, Countess Poulett, Mies Dormer, Mrs. C.
K. lynte, Sir W. rind Lady Aleullyeott, J. Lee Lee,
Esq., the Hon. !,Ire. Lee, and 2tliss Lee, W. Gore
1.-tigtoo, Esq., and Lady Anna Gore Langton, Mrs.
spaai, Mrs. W. Speke, Mrs. Trent, Rev. J. K
Lance, Ike. 11. D. l'almer and Mrs. Palmer, Mrs.
1 leulley, Godwin, Lev. T. A. Vowels, J. E.
Dorington, Esq., and .Mrs. Dorington, Miss Wal-
rand, MN. and Mita Biaggi:, Captain Speke. V.
Lee, Drown, Faller, Young, liaban, and F. If. Dick-
keen, Erupt, and Mrs. 'hi:kin:ion, Mrs. Fuller and
Miss Puller, If. C. Henley, Esq., M. Multi, Esq.,
! Miss Mules, Ike. J. S. Coles, and Mrs. Coles, &c.
'rho happy couple after 'waiving the congratulations
! of their frieuds, took their departure es roule for
I Switzerland, where they will spend the honeymoon.
1A pleating scene awaited them as the bridal carriage
Freud through :tribal. The road for about two milts
was spanned with numerous triumphal arches; and
decoratiens, displaying a number of mottoes, met
the gaze at every turn. The devices were "Long
I.ife to the Happy Pair ;" "health and Prosperity"
"God bless you," In the afternoon the pretty
gardens and grounds were thrown open for a pub-
lic pic-nie, when about 3,0110 persons availed them-
selves of the privilege of attending, and induJging
themselves in the Illemy dance, cricket, quoits, and
other amusement*, under a respectable committee of
the tenantry. In the evening there was a grand ball
and supper at the house, to which the Rile of the
neighbourhood were invited, and altogether about
140 guests were prcient. On Friday the school chil-
dren of the adjoining pariahs of Broadway, Dow-
lishwake, and Atha), were treated with tea and
cake, the grounds being thrown open to all comers,
and several thousand persons engaged in various
rustic and other games until dark. The festivities
of the week will be long remembered by those who
were privileged to participate in them.
NAILNEA. 81wcking Railway A ccideal. —On
Saturday evening week an inquest was held before
B. Fry, Esq., county coroner, on the body of John
Atherton, aged 3.5, a labourer in the employ of Mr.
Reuben Wilcox, at Rallies Court. It appeared that
deceased had been at work hay-making, at Mr. Wil-
cox's on Friday evening, and left to go home to
Claverham, at 9 o'clock. His road to his house would
be acmes the line, but on the following morning his
mangled and lifeless body was found by Mr. George
Osborne, gauger of the packers on this line, between
pod 127 to 129, about half-a-mile from the crossing.
The head was severed from the body, and the left
arm was cut off. Deceased was not in liquor, ac-
cording to the statement of Mr. Wawa and another
workman, but was tintl and sleepy, and was cau-
tioned by the former, on this and on former occa-
sions, not to go down the line to take a shorter cut
home, which was his usual practice. The coroner
riles:weed that no blame could be attached to the
railway authorities, or in fact to any other person
than the dummied himself, who, at the time was a
trespasser on the line, and it was a pity he bad not
beetle' the advice of his master. Dusubthais with a
view to get home early to his bed, after a hard day's
labour, lie had taken the shortest cut, and by au do-
ing hail paid the forfeit of his life. This was mere
conjecture, and the only verdict (in the absence of
any proof) that the jury could arrive at was that de-
ceased was fouled dead on the Bristol and Exeter !
line, at Yatton. The poor man has' left a wife and
six children, and she is again expecting an addition
to that number, in reply to some observations from
Mr. Wilcox, the coroner said that no greater care
could be taken by any railway companies in England
than by the Great NVestern and Bristol and Exeter
lines in his district, and it was only for him to sug-
gest any step being taken for the safety of the pub-
lic, and it was at once performed, regardless of ex-
pense ; but be haul nothing to suggest in this case.
EXTIIAGIWINAIer CIIARGIL —On Tuesday, CoL
John Alexander Forbes, of Lonach Lodge, Bath,
who had been apprehended under a warrant, was
brought before the Mayor at the Guildhall, charged
with the serious ottents of sending anonymous
letters of a most obscene character, toe Miss Adelaide !
Lucy Fenton of that city, with intent to incite her
to cuiumit a breach of the peace. At the close of
the investigation the prisoner was committed for
trial at the assizes, but was liberated on bail, him-
self and other in £401.1 each.

Frunix.—A Young man DrowntiL—A young man
named Cornelius Baton, son cf a wearer, was
drowned in the river on Thuniday eveni•ig week.
From what we can kmrn, it s‘..eins that be went in
company with a friend to bathe in the river ; the spot
velmted being very deep in the middle of the stream.
Neither of them could swim. After they had been
in the water sonic minutes, a cry was heard from
ltillston, and his friend looking round beheld him
sinking. This person states that he could not render
his friend any assistlnee. Two persons not far off
hearing the cries ran quickly to the assistance of
ltillsto'n, but found him sunk beneath the water. A
young named l'afitt dived in and brought deceased
out; but life was extinct.

BRIDGWATEIL-Thu annual regatta came off on
Thursday wock. There were six prizes to be con-
tended fur-- among them the "Bridgwater Chairpion
Silver Cup," given by Henry Westropp, Fey., one
of the amilidatte at the late election. The sport was
excellent. Two bands of lame,: attended on the oc-
casion, and everything was conducted to the satisfac-
tion of all parties.