The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1859-08-02 00:00:00

DORCHESTER, TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1859.

HONESTE A VIM X.

THE Emperor of the French has given orders
that the French army and navy shall be reduced
to a peace footing with the least possible delay.
This important measure was preceded by the
publication of an official note in the Moniker,
protesting against the attempt which has been
made, it says, in England to attribute to France
the causes of the burdens imposed upon the
English people for national defences. The
Manifeur declares that the English people have
been deceived for the purpose of promoting these
defences, and that the French armaments have
been exaggerated in order to justify the conside-
rable increase of the English budget for the army
and navy. It concludes by asking whether it is
to France and to her extraordinary armaments
that the heavy bur Ans which weigh on the
English people are to be attributed, or whether the
enormous expenses and taxes which are the con-
sequences of those burdens must not be attribu-
ted to other reasons. In commenting upon this
article, the Ministerial organ, the Patric, says that
France has done everything "to free England
from the nightmare of invasion in order to restore
her to calmness and repose ;" and if she does not
succeed, England can only lay the blame on herself
for the fears which agitate her, and which, if
prolonged, will become "an affront to the
sincerity, feelings, and actions of the French
people." A telegraphic despatch from Italy
announces that Leopold 11., Grand Duke of
Tuscany, has abdicated in favour of his son, the
Archduke Ferdinand. The young Prince has pro-
mised to grant &constitution but the municipalities
of Tuscany have pronounced against the dynasty
and have decided by 809 votes to 18 in favour
of annexation to Sardinia. The Pope has issued
a circular protesting against any change in the
administration of the Papal States, and con-
demning the conduct of Sardinia as a "flagrant
violation of the law of nations and the rights of
the Holy See."
In the House of Commons on Friday last an
interesting debate arose relative to the national
defences, on Mr. Horsman's motion to provide
for those defences out of a fund to be set apart
for that purpose, so as not to leave that expen-
diture dependent from year to year upon a vote
of the House. Lord Palmerston, generally,
concurred in Mr. Iloraman's exposition of affairs,
and the desirableness of efficient defence; and.
presuming, that the hon. member's object had
been attained by the discussion raised, urged
him to withdraw his motion. Mr. Horsman,
however, pressed it to a division, when it was
lost by a large majority.
In the House of Lords on Tuesday the Public
Health Bill and the Sale of Gas Bill were read
a third time and passed. On Thursday the
Divorce Court Bill passed through committee,
and the Diplomatic Pensions Bill was read a
second time.

Ties EXPEROR of the FRENCH has just occa-
sioned another surprise to the whole of Europe.
This time it is the declaration of the most
pacific intentions, the truth and honesty of
which are to be proved, as it would seem, by
something better than words. The EMPEROR
says he will disarm; that is to say, he will re-
duce his naval and military forces down to what
is called a peace establishment. This is indeed
a very unexpected statement; and, singularly
enough, it is given out before peace is actually
secured—or at least before those great Italian
questions are put even in a course of settlement
for which the war was undertaken. There is no
doubt some very strong reason for this haste;
but whether or no it is the sudden and bond
fide conviction of the great desirableness of Euro-
pean peace, is a question that is fairly open to
considerable debate. Those extraordinary pacific
dispositions are manifested at a moment when
the British Parliament is voting largely-increased
supplies for the better defence of the country ;
and there can be no doubt whatever that the
manifestation is intended to operate as a check
upon the preparations now on foot for our own
better security. But the tone of all the recent
debates, especially that of Friday last in the
House of Commons, shows no inclination what-
ever to relax in those precautionary measures
which have all along, and by statesmen of al
parties, been thought to be necesanry.
Then, who can tell whether this promised re-
duction of French forces will really take place?
And who shall say to what extent that reduc-
tion will be carried? France has an army, every-
body knows, more than four times the nume-
rical strength of our own, while her navy is at
least—taken altogether—about equal to the navy
of this country. It seems clear, then, that what
is called the "peace establishment" of France
must still be, under any possible circumstances,
a vastly preponderating force—in so far as the
relative number of soldiers and sailors is con-
cerned ;—and such a "peace footing," be it
observed, would be adequate at any moment to
the business of precipitating a most sanguinary
! war. Witness the marching of 200,000 men to
the plains of Lombardy at a fortnight's notice—
and that at a time when, according to the Est pa-
own statement, he was "unprepared for
war." What, therefore, may be said of the
pacific temper of France, as proved by any pro-
bable reduction of her forces, cannot reasonably
be thought to have any extraordinary weight
with us; and we must be permitted, in the ins_
portent matter of our own security, to take our
own course.

But, looking at the language of the Moniteur,
it is very doubtful indeed whether we shall be
left to consult our own inclination in the matter
without the chance of offending our good friend
and faithful ally, the EMPEROR of the FRENCH.
That HI a proposition, which, at first eight, seems
not a little odd. France wishes to free England
from "the nightmare of invasion." France
wishes to "restore England to calmness and
repose." England, says France, must blame
herself for " tho fears which agitate her." Then,
France is so good as to add her commiseration
for the English people on being called upon to
bear "enormous burdens" for the purpose of
strengthening hersoif as against an invasion by
France—a thing so utterly unlikely to occur,
and so repugnant to the friendly feelings of that
country! "France wishes," says the Moniteur,
"to allay the fears of England ;" and this is
the way the official organ seta about it. But,

unfortunately fur ita own purposes, that paper
adds this very remarkable expression :—"lf
"England's fears are prolonged, they will be-
"come an affront to the sincerity, the feelings,
"and actions of the French people." 'Very
strange language this in the mouth of • friend
and an ally! The logical deduction is, if Eng-
land fortifies her coast, builds more ships, and
augments her forces by sea and land—not for
aggression (for nobody on earth pretends for a
moment to charge that upon us), but simply and
purely in her own defence against any and all
foes—then, forsooth, France becomes indignant—
France will feel herself "affronted," and of
course we must take the consequences. Why,
HER MAJESTY'S Ministers are taunted with the
inconsistency of talking peace and acting war;
but what part of their conduct, in speech or
action, is comparable with this official declaration
of the Mouiteur ?

The desire predominant in the bosoms of two
really sincere friends is mutual happiness and
security; between nations the same thing holds
good, only with this difference that the peace of
the world is secured by the existence of a sin-
cere and lasting friendship between France and
England. But if England should take it into
her head to strengthen her notoriously weak
positions, her good and trusty friend, France, will
take offence! The EmrElioa likes us very
well as we are much better as we
are; but if we should presume to be
"agitated by fears," or fall into the egre-
gious folly of doubting the sincerity of the
FRENCH Emexaoa's alliance—as is said to be
shown in making ourselves easy against all con-
tingencies—His MAJEary will do—what ? He
will prove that our "fears" are well founded,
and that the "alliance" is not worth a rush!
This is what the Moniteur says, only in other
words, and it furnishes a case which, to our
minds, forcibly illustrates the truth of a seem-
ingly harsh but familiar axiom—" It is better to
be feared than loved." Accordingly, we are
among those who believe in the necessity of
maintaining our physical strength equal to the
task of holding our own, rather than rely
upon the affection, the peaceful dispositions, or
the sense of justice of any Sovereign in the
universe.

DORCHESTER PITCHED CORN MARKET, Saturday.
—Our corn market was thinly attended to-day,
in consequence of the annual meeting of the Dor-
chester Agricultural Show of stock, &c. The fineness
of the weather caused the trade to rule dull at barely
last week's rates.

Tho sale by Messrs. Baker and Ensor of Mr. G.
Flower's rams took place on Saturday last ; they were
were much admired for their superior size and quality.
Ram lambs sold at from £3 to £6 lOs.; six, four, and
two-tooth, from £3 to £10; a very superior ram was
knocked down at £42. The attendance was not
very large, owing to the Dorchester Agricultural
Show and Dinner taking place on the same day, and
in consequence of which several of the rams were
bought in. We understand that some rams will be
sold in the fair next Saturday, bred from the cele.
brated Hock of Jonas Webb and Lord Dacres.
THIS WATEKSON Siir.p LETTING.—We remind our
readers that the annual sale and letting of 'beep front
the famous flock of Mr. James Harding takes place
to-morrow (Wednesday) at Higher Waterson. OMlll-
busaes to Waterson will leave the two railway sta-
tions and the Antelepe Hotel several times during
the forenoon.

THE SUMMER Atit•IZES. —The business of the
Assize for this county was brought to a close on
Wednesday. A report of the trial of prisoners will
be found in our third page.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE. SOCIETY. —On
Friday the forty-fourth anniversary of the Dorchester
auxiliary of this association was held at the Town.
hall. The morning meeting, which was pretty well
attended, was presidall over by the Rev. C. Ludlow.
The Rev. Z. C. Edwards, M.A., the deputation from
the Parent Society, delivered an interesting address,
and a collection was made at the close of the meet-
ing. At two o'clock there was a meeting of the
committee of the county auxiliary, held at the Town.
hall, in the evening a second meeting of the Dor.
cheater branch took place, when the chair was tilled
by the Rev. C. W. Bingham. The hall was well
nigh filled with a very respectable auditory. Ad-
dresses were delivered by the Rev. .1. Miller, of
South-street Chapel, and by the deputation from the
Parent Society, the Rev. Mr. Edwards. The pro-
ceedings terminated by the singing of a doxology.
A collection on behalf of the British and Foreign
Bible Society was made.

THE Mitros.—The Dorset Militia were di,.
lamded on Wednesday, after three weeks' drill.
Throughout the time the men are said to have
acquitted themselves remarkably well and shown
great attention to their duties. On Wednesday
evening the band, under the direction of Mr. IL
Wellspring, played in front of the King's Arms for
some hours, and attracted a considerable number of
listeners. The performance was excellent, especially
when it is remembered how brief has been their time
of practice.

THE CARPENTERS' NIEETINC. —We understand
that the recent meeting of the journeymen carpen-
ters and others has already proved beneficial, the
respectful application of the men for an increase of
wages having been acceded to by one or two em-
ployers in the town.
LONDON AND SOCTII•WP-sTERN RAILWAY. TIH
directors of this company have resolved to risioni-
mend to the proprietors, at the general meeting on
4th August next, that the dividend fur the half-year
ending 30th June, 1h59, he at the rate of 41 per
cent, per annum on the capital of the company.
RAILWAY Accommowtrinx.—lt will he seen by
our time tables for the present month of August that
the South-Western Company by starting a train at
an early hour from Soutlisxupton is able to aivoin•
modate travellers by that line wishing to proceed by
the third class morning train on the Great Western
line from Dorchester. The alterations otherwise are
not very considerable.

An excursion train of twenty-two carriages ar-
rived at the Great Western Railway station on
Wednesday from Bristol and Bath. The excursion-
ists, upwards of a thousand in number, returned in
the evening.

TIIE CENTRAL OF SOMERNET AND DORSET RAIL-
WAY-.—Substantial progress is now being made in
the great and national scheme of connecting the
Bristol and English Channels, between Burnham on
the Somerset, and Poole on the Dorset sea-board. A
conference between the Boards of the Somerset
and Dorset Central took place, we are informed,
during the last week. Considered with reference to
the public generally, it is but one scheme. The
works between Glastonbury and Bruton are progres-
sing, and the laud is being purchased by the Direct
Central between Bruton and Temple Coombe (where
the Dorset Central intersects the Direct London and
Exeter.) The portion between Blanilforil and Wim•
borne is being completed. The whole scheme will
therefore shortly be narrowed down to the gap
between Blandfurd and Temple Coombe. Parlia•
mentary powers are obtained for this, and we hear it
is intended in the ensuing Session to apply for
powers to complete between Corte Mullen and Poole.
in its integrity, and worked independently, this
Bristol and English Channels' Railway must prove
• moat valuable property to the proprietary, and a
useful line to the public.

Mr. Ft. B. Sheridan, M. P.. for Dorchester, is one
of the five members to whom the decision of the
petition against the last Ashburton election has been
submitted.
ParsENTartoN. —On Sunday week the children and
friends connected with the United Methodist Free
Church of this town presented the circuit minister,
the Rev. G. Reeve. with "The Eighteen Christian
Centuries," by the Rev. J. White, as a token of their
esteem and regard, and a slight recognition of his
earnestneuand solicitude for their spiritual welfare.
SUICIDE AT DEWLISH.—On Thursday a woman
named Jane Vincent, aged 45, committed suicide by
hanging herself. The poor woman had been sutler-
ing from great dejection for some days and was last
seen alive by her neighbours about 12 o'clock on
Thursday. At seven in the evening her body WAS
found suspended by a cord from an iron bar crossing
the kitchen chimney. IA sack was so disposed in
front of the deceased as to prevent passers by seeing
the body hang in the chimney corner. The body
was cut down by Mr. Barnett, but life was extinct.
An inquest was held on the following afternoon at
the Royal Oak Inn, before the coroner, Mr. G.
Symonds, and a verdict of "Temporary Insanity"
was returned by the jury.
EXETER DISTRICT BANKRUPTCY COURT, Wed-
nesday.—Before Mr. Commissioner Andrews.—/n
re .1. Redwood, of Charminster, Dorset. In this
ease Mr. Pitts applied to have a portion of the fees
paid by an apprentice to the bankrupt to be
returned. Mr. Stogden opposed the application.
The Commissioner said that consideration must be
given to the period the apprentice had been with
bankrupt, since in the first period of his apprentice-
ship be would be only an expense to his master
with remuneration. Ultimately, it was determined
that as a petition in the ease was pending, which
was fixed for the 27th ult., and in which a person
claimed to be a partner to the bankrupt, and had
claims on the joint estate, the present application
should also be adjourned till the 27th ult.

COUNTY MAGIBTHATES' OFFICK, Shireliall, Saturday,
July 30.—(Before Herbert Williams, Esq.)—Mary
JeNkiras alias Brows, was brought up in custody charged
with obtaining money under false pretences. Rachael
Owen said that on Thursday the prisoner called upon
her at Piddletown, stating that she was in great distress,

offering prosecutris a ring for 3s. Mrs. Owen told her
that she did not want the ring and did not think of
buying it. Prisoner urged that she had not is pettily.
Proseentrix offered her conic bread and cheese and three
halfpence to got some beer with, telling prisoner she
never bought anything at the door, upon which the
prisoner said she would +ell the ring to Mrs. Owen for
2s. in preference to anybody eke because Mrs. Owen
had been no kind to her. Prisoner added that to convince
Mrs. Owen the ring was gold she would scrape it with
scissors, and dhl so, saying " You see that this is gold."
Prosecutrix supposing the ring was at all events " jew-
ellers' gold," hauled 2s. to the woman for it. Prose-
matrix subsequently gave the ring to P.C. Softly, and
identified that produced by the officer. P.C. Softly
stated that after receiving information from Mrs. Owen
he searched for prisoner and found her on Friday, in
company with several others, sollle dressed and some
partly clothed, in a stable connected with the Boyd Oak
at Melcowbe. Softly gut the company to dress them-
selves, and then apprehended the prisoner whose hus-
band told her not to go, and she accordingly laid down
in the road for four hours, and was at length removed
in a cart. Ifer linsbuul agreed that she should go by
the name of "Jenkins" as before. Mr. Saunders,
silversmith, of High East-st-eet. stated that the ring in
question was brass, and worth 7d. or %I. per dozen. In
reply to his Worship, the prisoner admitted being guilty
of selling the ring. Committed to the October Sessions.
By the Assize news which appears in another page, it
will be seen that the prisoner was only acquitted of a
similar charge on Tuesday.