The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1861-04-09 00:00:00

MILTON ABBAS.

MARRIAGE Fl;trll‘lTlEL —On Thursday last, Baron
liambro, the noble and generous owner of Milton
Abbey and the manor of Milton Abbas, led to the
hymenial altar at Kingsworthy church, near Win.
chester, the widow of Harvey Greathead, Esq., late
civil commissioner at Delhi. The day was set apart
as one of great rejoicing on the estate of the noble
bridegroom at Milton. At his expense, 1,861 persons
were provided with beef, bread, and beer in propor-
tion to the size of their families. The schoobroom
and houses in the village were brilliantly illuminated,
and the distinguished party on their arrival were
received with every demonstration of esteem and
respect. The new bells at the Abbey church tiers
rung during the day, and their enlivening peals con-
tributed considerably to the hilarity of the occasion.
The baron and baroness were received on their
arrival by the 7.15 train, at St. Mary's station,
Blandford, by the Bth (Blandford) Rifle Corps,
, commanded by Captain Hambro, headed by their
band, and here an immense concourse of people were
also assembled, who gave them an enthusiastic
reception. The happy couple proceeded in their
carriage to the Abbey, and when they arrived at the
top of Luckham Hill, an immense bonfire, made of
801/ fagots and tar barrels, gave them proof that
their coming was known and greatly welcomed.
Hero the happy pair were met by the tenantry on the
estate, and the various clubs of the district, and a
procession was formed to escort them to the Abbey.
When near the church, close to which a grand
triu:nphial arch had been erected, Mr. John Sprake,
of Hedge End Farm, Stickland, read the following
address, and afterwards presented it to the baron :

"To BARON AND BARONRISS HARBRO.

"We, the undersigned, residents and tenants on the
Milton Abbey estate, beg to offer our respectful 000-
gratulation!' and good *Witte on your marriage.
"We can assure Baroness Hainbro that we welcome
her arrival with every feeling of respect and goodwill,
and most earnestly do we hope that the union now
solemnized may be productive, under the Divine blessing,
both to herself and to her beloved husband, of ever-
increasing happiness, and that the whole neighbourhood,
more especially every class connected with the Milton
Abbey property, may have continual cause to give God
thanks for the event which has brought her amongst us.
" We beg again to express our heartfelt sentiments of
respect and affection.
"Milton Abbey, April 4th, 1861."
, Signed by Be.. Richard Roberts, of Milton Abbas;
Rev. R. G. Handeock, Curate of Hilton; Rev. William
Churchill, Rector of Stickland ; Rev. William Tuckness,
Curate of Wickland ; Rev. George Maxwell, of Whit-
church; Rev. W. H. Guy, of Clenstona, and between
10 and GO others. _ . _

The address was neatly executed in old English, on
vellum, and hod been written by Mr. George Dowiny,
of Poole.

requested
health r'

In reply to the address read, the Baron spoke nearly
as follows :—" Dear neighbours and friends—l am sure
I am so well known to you all that few words will
suffice for me to respond with my whole heart to your
best wishes. I cannot express how deeply lam moved
by the very kind manner in which you have reeeived
me and the Barone* on the present occasion. This day
lies been to me the happiest day of my life, and I hope,
from the good qualities of the Baroness, we shall bre
happily together, and, as you more and more know her,
you will like her the better. I can assure you we tender
you our sincere gratitude, before we go to our home,
, and we hope to spend many happy days together, and
be loved by you all, and we shall be one happy family."
The noble pair proceeded to the lodge, and amid
enthusiastic cheering, bade good night to those who
accompanied them. The tenantry sat down to an
excellent dinner, in honour of the event, served up
in first rate style, at the Hambro Arms Inn, shortly
after five o'clock. Several clergymen and gentlemen
were present, and after the usual loyal and patriotic
toasts had been given and duly honoured, the
health of Baron and Baroness Hambro was given by
the Rev. Richard Roberts. who spoke in the highest
terms of the kindnesa and generosity of the Baron,
stating that since be had been the proprietor three
in:boots had been emoted nn the entnte, and she want
which bad been long felt for church accommodation,
would, he believed, through the liberality of the
Baron, soon be supplied at the Abbey. (The toast
was received with much cheering.) Mr. Gibson
responded, and expressed his opinion that the Baron
had fulfilled his duties with no sparing hand. He
had shown by his attention to the building of schools,
cottages farm buildings, draining, ac., that he had
the welfare of the tenantry at heart. Several other
toasts followed, and the party broke up in time to
meet the noble proprietor and escort him home.

BLANDFORD.
UNITED HUNT DINNER.

The members and friends of the East and South
Dorset Hunts, having given an invitation to Lord
Portman, the Hon. W. H. B. Portman, M.P., and
Mr. "tittlelyffe to meet with them to celebrate a
United Hunt Dinner, Wednesday last witnessed a
largo and influential gathering of the lovers of the
good Old English sport, who sat down to a most
recherche and splendid repast, comprised of all the
delicacies of the season, and which did great credit
to the cuisine of mine host, Mr. Eyers, at the Crown
Hotel, Blandford. H. Frampton, Esq.,
the vice-chair was occupied by IL Fooke'sl-4.,
amongithe company It ere :—Hon, W. H. B. Portman,
M.P., Hon E. Portman, Hon. Id. Portman, J. C.
Radclyffe, Esq., W. Galpine, Esq., Tatchell Sullen,
Esq., Henry Farquharson, Esq., A. Hambro',
H. Yeatman, Esq., It. Featherstonhaugh,
Radclyffe, Es' q., Willett Adye, Esq.,—Blunt,
F. ltadelyffe, Faq., floe. H. Bastard, Faq, •
Bower, Esq. ; Messrs. J. Keynes, W. Mayne, V. B.
Watts, G. Keynes, C. H. Flower, G. A. Ingram,
H. Symonds, Spake, jun., J. J. Rawlins, W. H.
Atkinson, W. Smith, Jas. Rill, ate. ke. Eyers'
quadrille band was in attendance, and Mr. G. Ging.,
the eminent vocalist, was specially engaged for the
occasion.

presided,
Eaq and

--it

After tho usual loyal toasts had been given,
The CHAIRMAN proposed "The Army and Navy,
coupling with it the name of Mr. Blunt. (Loud
cheers.)
Mr. Itherr, who was received with loud cheers, said
that he begged sincerely to thank them, but as he was
unaccustomed to public speaking, he would refer them
to Mr. Itactelyffe, as an old akar. (Laughter.)

Mr. HA nct.Yrirs'S rising was the signal for deafening
applause. He said that he really did not think he ought
to be called ou, as ho had left the army 25 years. lie
was more like an old hound who had been many years
shafted off ; 1114 friend was a young hound. With regard
to the volunteer moveinent, lie thought it would
convinee foreigners and others, that they :must not
inter ere with old England, and depend upon it, mid
the speaker, if they come Imre to try their strength
with us. they will never go back spin to singed happiei
days. In the ranee of the army and navy, he begged
to return his very sincere thanks. (Cheers.)
Song—" Sweet Nandi."
The CHAIRMAN said—l now give you the toast of the
"Lord Lieutenant end Magistrates of the County." It
is with much happiness I sin enabled to state that our
Chairman of Quarter Sessions, the Key. Mr. Yeatman,
is so much better—(cheers)—and I would couple with
the toast the name of his sun. Mr. Tatman jun., who
is a good sportsman. (Drunk: with three times three.)
Mr. M. YEATM AN responded.
The CHAIRMAN—I beg to give "The health of our
County Members." Mr. Ear fleymer is otherwise
engaged, and Mr. Sturt is absent. We have only Mr.
Portman to call on, whose ' health with that of his
colleagues, I beg to propose. (Loud cheers.) I hope
soon to propose his heath in another capacity. (Drunk
with three times three.)
The Hon. W. H. It Powrmaz (whose rising was the
signal for prolonged cheering) said—l bog to thank you
1110eit cordially on lay own part, and also on that of my
colleagues for the very kind manner in which you
have received our health'. At such meetings as the
present a county member need say little as a rept.
sentative. Indeed, I find it difficult to reconcile the
two capacities in which I appear tomight, bemuse most
likely on any morning that looks mod like a bunting
morning 1 1101 y get a summons to say that I mud appear
that evening in the Palace of Westminster, and I find
nothing but & strong sense of duty enables in. to decide
on spending the day in the train instead af in the
saddle. (Loud choirs.)
bong—" Sally why not name the day."
The CHAIRMAN said the next lOLA was that of the
guest whom they bad that evening met to honour, and
who had honoured them with their company. He
would first, however, read a letter from Lord Portman,
and show why he was absent. His Lordship's letter
stated that for many years he had necessarily debarred
himself from accepting similar invitations, on account
of the excitement necessarily arising from seals gathers
inp. The Chairman then said, that the meeting that
night would, he hoped, conduce to the better sport both
of foxes and themselves. (Cheers.) A. to Mr. Iladclyte,
he hail met him very often, but was very unlucky In
doing so on the bad days, but he hoped they might have
two or three good runs together yet. (Three times three
were again even, the band playing).
The -Hon. W. H. B. POSTMAN, /11.,P. who WM re-
ceived with loud and long contlened cheering, said—l
must first of all begin by thanking you, in my father's
name, for the great honour you have done us in
inviting us to be present OD this osession, and for the
kind way in which you have drunk our Leith,. This
subject of fox hunting is one of which I find the
greatest difficulty of speaking, consistently with re-
ducing the peat amount of otakter which might be said
into anything like reasonable spooe. Our excellent
Chairman has alluded to a petite' of the Bald Dorset
district, viz., Houghton Wood. I wish he sometimes
came further a.field ; he would find more favourite spots
and better sport. ((hown). I wish to show you a few
datistios, which will show you that the owners of land
and preservers of foxes in the East Dorset district have
shown great care. The first season we hunted five or
six times; last year two and :sometimes three days •
week; and this year three days awmk, and we haven't
had anything like • blank day, and as long as with an
excellent spirit is shown by the moupiers of covers, it
will inspirit us to bring into the field as good a peek of
hounds and as well mounted men as we can. They
say there are four things necessary to the success of
fox-shunting. You well remember the old couplet :
Earths well "topped, and foxes plenty,
Horses sound, and hounds healthy.
There are others, of course, butlthme are the principal.
I beg to tionk all the owners of the East Dorset district
for their clue in preserving foxes, and I trust that this
meeting will do • great deal towards promoting that
unanimity and goodfellowship, without which fox
hunters will not find the sport enjoyable. It is now about
time for Mr. Radcliffe to give us his sentiments, so I
will conclude by giving you all your very good health',
and by thanking you for asking me here to-day.
(Greet cheering.)
Mr. RADCLYTTS said be had • difficult teak to play,
coming after one who bad so ably replied to the toast.
Ile had concluded his third year as • master of
hounds, and nothing during th•t time had come under
his notice that had tended to mar the aliment of that
noble scene.; had there been myth it was not
according to his wish. He must than all those
gentlemen who had been kind enough to subscribe to
his bounds (as they were aware he did not bear all
the gnome), and &cold they be inclined to continue
their support to him, he was prepared to hunt the
county another year Mr. Radclyffe concluded by
thanking the company for the kind MINIM in which
they had received him there. (Cheers.)
The Hon. W. H. B. POSTMAN, M.P., said he had
the permission of the chairman, and it was on the
suggestion of the viae-chairman, that be begged to
propose the health of the gentleman presiding on the
present occasion. He had always been a "Mundt preserver
of foxes, and was fond of hunting. As • mapetrate
and country gentleman, he was sure they email drink
his health with the cordiality it deserved. (Loud
cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN said it was almost necessary to explain
why ha occupied his present position. (No, no.) He
was not going to leave it just at present, but when
he was asked about the dinner, he was appointed
chairman of the committee,.
„and he found)iiaeelf
chairman, bemsee of Sir E. Baker's and Mr. Sepaer'm
absence. Unanimity in fox -hunting was everything.
So far as he (the chairman) was concerned, he was
always happy to show a fox when he Gould. He had
bunted now for many years, and would yield to no
one in wishing to show or me sport. (Cheers.)
Mr. RADCLYTTN then gave the health of "Tie Old
Squire."
Mr. HENRY FARQUHARSON briefly returned thanks
on his father's behalf.
The Hon. W. H. B. PORTMAN said he had been
tad by the Chairman to ark them to drink the
_ of "The Owners and-9ceuMers of Lad in the
the r—st and South Dorset Di."
Mr. B. Lmets, having returned thanks,
Mr. HENRY Fool's said—As • preserver of foxes, he
was glad it had been in his power to shows fox, and
hoped it always would be so, He believed the tenant
farmers in Dorset did stand as high as in any country
in England for preserving foxes, and while we have such
masters of hounds toms:eyed our inspected and highly-
valued friend, we shall give them our utmost support.
(Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN said, AS such an unanimous meeting
of the two hunts, it would not do to forget the heals
of those gentlemen who hunted the other part of the
country,"viz., Lord Poltimore and Mr. Digby. (Cheers.)
Mr. YEATNIAN and Mr. TATOHNLL-BULLIS returned
thanks on behalf of Lord Poltimore and Mr. Digby.
The CHAIRMAN proposed the health of the "Tensnt
Farmers of the County.
Mr. C. H. Flower (of France Farm), Mr. Harvey,
Mr. W. Martin, Mr. Vile B. Watts, and Mr. Robert
Lewis (Ash) returned thanks, as did also Mr. C. Darkey
who proposed the health of Sir. .1. J. Smith, Bart., and
Sir E. Baker, Bart. (Loud cheers.)
Other toasts and sentiments followed, and the evening
was spent in the greatest harmony and good feeling, and
will be long remembered se one of the most pleasant
reunions of the lovers of the sport in this part of the
country.