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

SEASONABLE FESTIVITY.

The in-patients of the Llorset ()Nulty Hospital had a
happy time of it on Christmas eve, when Mrs. Ilinghain's
Christmas tree wio displayed and its fairy fruit distri-
buted. The gathering took place in the male convalescent
ward, and we are credibly informed that the medicinal
virtues of the wonderful tree were remarkably illustrate.l :
the helpless and despondent were so invigorated :ind
cheered, that all hummed to find their way to the party
save the few who were laid up in "splints.' This happy
result, was, of course, hailed with pleasure ; unit no doubt
the manifestation of sympathy and kinilne,s, and the
gifts distributed, will exert an equally useful social
influence. The tree was a tall handsome fir given by Mr.
Middleton, mid so numerous and weighty were the articles
previded for its branches that they were insufficient to
bear them, and "artificial arms" had to be supplied to it.
The distribution of gifts by Mrs. Bingluun was witnessed
by several ladies and their families. Each of the patients
obtained two articles, and when a huge whiskered man of
middle age got • doll the anachronism was hugely onjoyeiL
Most of the presents, however, were of a useful character
and of permanent value. The various wards were
decorated with more or less profusion for Christmastide.
Here a prominent featere was the word " Bingham" on a
rose-coloured ground with • benlering of white rosette*,
the whole surmounted by a six-rayed star of greenery
and flowers. This was, of course, in kindly recognition
of the founder of the treat ; it also is the name of the
excellent Chairman of the Hospital Co ltsas, and nf a
family who have always been good friends of the Institu-
tion. Other mottoes on the walls bespoke for all "
Merry Christina,- loyally prayed "God ble,s the pap
Wahni," recognised the occasion by a special .H.,tto to
" Mrs. Ihnithain and the ladies," and lastly they kindly
remembered 'The Matron." In the chapel the decora-
tions were vimple yet tasteful. Over the Coniniunion
table was the ascription "Glory to Goill in the highest,"
and above it in holder lettering towanie men,"
both ,s„,.h,„ed in bordering' of leaves. The sill of the ea 4
window was covered with runts, mei dotted with crimson
roses A :mall cross, °Twinged with an emblem of
eternity, both made of variegakol foi, *sail on the -ill'
them were other memd symbols •nitinied with evergreen
OD the walls, and at the wed end the lines—
•• Hark, the herd 1 antra. nin,,
Ginry to the new.b.yis King,"
... . . . . . .

.... „,
Prominent in the I mice of Welei's want. were a gay pair
of plumes, crowns, and other 'Loyal emblems, there
were various illuininab,l texts, intersecting triangles and
other einblenni, with several special mottoes, including
the wish of "Pave to this house," " Ile that birth pity
on the poor leniteth to the Lord," Sc. There together
made a pretty show. giving brightness &nil pleasure to the
ailing folk there gathered, lint miut plowing of all can
the William.. ward. %tient the children are in their nice
little cots, cheerfully passing the time with picture Iseike
and toys. The walls are hung with pictures and illtheift-
iitod wxta, aell a few special mottoes on bright-coloured
raper with gay ornamentation and lettering. "Glory to
Hod in the highest" war the chief text displayer!. In the
kitchen &nil in other parts of the ho.pital there were also
reminders of the season, mid of the advent of Him who
went ahout healing the sick. The prewut House Surgeon.
hr. Barton Smith, is a iientlenian who went through the
Francoilineriiin War, ender the auspices of the National
Society for Aiil to the Sick and Wounded in War, nil
h„nderea distiuguislied service in that honuurable corps,
for which he has received the tlertuan war medal and the
French order of tho Legion of Honour.
At the Dorchester Unica the inmates kept Christmas
joyously, the I:us:diens accenting to • kindly rurtoiri.
contributing the extras, while Mrs. Itrynier, ifll,inaten.
sent cake fortes. Mr. W. Homer of Athelhanipton, tea,
tobacco, and snuff, with sweets for the children, Me
Hawkins of alartinstown, a nine lot of tont, and a fortner
inmate as a boy Fa v e I'2 to furnish the children there now
with a treat. ith there krd'friends, and a kind master
and matron in Mr. and Mrs. Pearce the poor folks enjoyed
themselves with all the se.t and glee imaginable ; and we
are sure the fact will give pleasure to all our reader., The
dining hail was garlanded with greenerys looped iv with
• ties, awl there WCIV peveral tw,ttOesl dune With more
or 14,0 skill by iumates, but breathing a thankful good
„ ririt. V. te.tilied to their loyalty, "Illeased is he
cue
_stilereth the pwir," "Thank. to the guardians,"
• also adorned the
At the lee-racks, the P hattery 11 brigade were waisted
by Major Elliott and the eflievrA to provide the requisites
for Christmas festivity, awl they decorated their rnannirs
and held high carnival in honenr of the occasiun. Ladle(
the six sub-divisions had one room on which all the
doeurative talent id the r01111,,111) 1544 les i‘hed, and it
must be admitted their efforts were highly successful. In
every case • deal of time must have been spmt n
the week, line greate testa is 'adornment indicates thee
bstulyy possesses not only bandy but skilful men in ite

ranks. Beginning with No. I sub-division We may note
Gunners Baker awl Mmisoin were the chiefs in the work.
but, of course, all assi.t.:dacconling ti their ability. Over
the fireplace was the motto of the regiment " Übique"
with crosscil arms, with gramils and bordering+ of leaven
and flower.. i'imins of v paper were hung
eh mt, the room., the rec.:. were nicely w biro; I with
bright iraper, ;:. irsfforat •.I a:J.:gas th wind cibad
curtain. Pir Xe. . suiisliv lA,. Driver
Vorite wai th, man with all the talen:., all
114 011Ofti
resulted in en:in in the 101 l n. en Mt, quite is fair;
bower. Bright ;Japers. stamped, ml gofferwl.
etencill-1 in ruriou+ .le.ign., were profusely empleYni.
whik greinerr, rosntes, and coloured mottoes, added to
the generai effezt. Prominent in the adonnuente was a
ti-1.1 piece with the rsgintental motto over, "900 fas at
glo: la bean t ; Iflihme." This was enclosed in • leafy
bonier. and .at either side was the Royal " V.R." in, gilt
lettering. Two rime leliers were dinigned. and in the
bright light 100k..el elegant Nor was the mistletoe bough
forgotten. The racks were hidden by gay coverings in
unutmental deiigns and many colours, while stars. Aso.
plumesotc.. left scarcely a bit of the original wall exposed
to view. In mottoes the musical man took part, and
I broke into curse in this fashion -
I ood WIN our gracious queen, say We ;
And all the Royal Funny."

Am' ar ai.nelcoine to all who to see us do come
And with isr idee beer,
And our good Christmas cheer,
We hope they'll enjoy
The Mum pudding. old boy :
ttttt frolic and mirth, and conviviality hem:
Were No. 2 sub-di vision, second to none
Th i 4 metre is prelsably'*a way they have in the imuttiie
tl
sentiment generous
is and jolly enough. For No. 3 subs
division I/riser brinkWAttr was the leading spirit, soda
pr6l;3fittna, oitiuct in the Stoma was a ceiling adornment in
the slaspe of a 1.1 rug coun.sied of myriad pieces of cloth,
melt one of wisieSa lia.l a flower or leaf worked upon it.
This WM the work of theskilful and industrious timer. It
Cu- ow bordered with laurel and gave 3 spice of novelty
to the deromtions. Fancy chandeliers of coloured paper,
bright chsins, fe.tive garlands, and even Amnia, in pote
added to tins adornments of the room. Thu regimental
motto occupied an honourable position. anti on gilt in blue
the It.wal leezen.l aud toy right, suraefalliod by a
pietorial trophy. '•llere's health to Major Elliot and the
Offisaws of K. ILI." wad done in bold lettering with
laurel leaves. A (to we were glad to see wll6 "heaven's
light our guide,- and its companion "The secret of
England's greatness. For No. I üb-division Sergeant
rhmnas and Gunner Iltsvidson designed the decorations
and were chiefly chino:mod in snaking them. Here a
special feature wad the judicious use of variegated btiX
which toned down the garish lights of a too profuse
employment of coloured paper. Indeed it heightened the
effect of the bright festoons that intersected the room
just beneath the Icuing. hut Sergeant Thomas is an
artist, and his oil-painting of his trooper with Ifer
Majesty's pavilion at Aldershot in the back-ground was
honourably displavel. The Royal arrus and the Prince of
Wales's plume with mottoes were nicely designed, and
appropriate snot:can done in circles, too numerous to
mention, were attractive and breathed a good spirit.
Coloured han4ings for the windows in tasteful patterns
completed the ornaments and shed a brilliant lustre
through the room. No. 5 sub-division had its decorations
C luck's! by Gunners Phillips suid Chainkin. " • merry
Christmas and a flapPY New Year to all" was the Pre-
dominant sentiment expressed ii, all the brilliancy of gilt
on at dark-coloured groutpL Underneath was a tield-piesni
neatly lituned, bordered with leaves. .t cornice of laurel
ran round the room, the racks were nicely adorned, and
here as in the other rooms there was a prof uaion of bright
colours and gay trophies. No. 6 sub-division was deco-
ratively placed in the charge of Gunners Osborne and
Askew Over the mantlepieee was displayed a large
number of portraits, prominent amongst them being the
Prince and l'rincess of Wales, all set in moss, pricked out
with roses and they looked very pretty besides affording
that varicty which is sail to be charming. There were
hens loyal, patriotic, and seasonable mottoes, and this
cariou.s sfs.pre:sion of the woes of the company—
..

"A I nod 2, who arc sccoud to ~,,,
Lit to of mottoes only tow to chow from;
Hut, although arc arc w awkwardly did—
Utrc's hcaldt sod SUCOLII• to No. 0 !"
_

A very eeii:so—na—bie way of getUngOve;.des—pondency. Our
soldiers are rare fellows for merriment, and they enjoyed
their Chrktinas feasting and the society of their friends
without let or hindrance. But we are all proud of our
little army, and especially of our world-famed artillery ;
and trult that for many Xmases to come their strength and
prowess will keep as at peen.