The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1873-06-03 00:00:00

PIIMEINTATION TO COLONEL BINONEN.

On Widnesdoy evening an In.:Went of groat interest
took place at the dhows men, vls., the pressotation
of • handsome testimonial to Colonel Bingham on hie
redirmasat. It will be remembered by some of our
readers shot Colonel Bingham mimed lb. Dorset tee-
niest la 1852; Ms eommlasion mu dated 26th of July
In that yeer, sod two years mu allowed for the forma-
tion of the form, but towards Um doss of 1852 the
regiment came out for training 508 strong, and in the
following year the number ives increased by 808,
making it up to it. normal strength. From that time
to the preemie Colonel Etingbana tarn been the %immured
eommander of the regiment—a thorough soldier, and a ,
kindly gentleman. It is not surprising then that on
his retirement, tee officers pad and prison Nudged the
opportunity to offer him • spontaneous token of their
regard; and the presenation was made on I'. edoesday
evening in the premium of all the offlosre, and Mrs.
Bingham, Miss Bingham, Mrs. Clapoott, Mrs. Barnett,
and Mrs. Bullets.
Ti. testimonial colorists of an elaborately ornamented
and massive silver inkstand, of tasteful wintery dodge,
with a pair of Grecian pillar earnildticks to stand on
either side. The pedestal is desoratiad In Gneiss
pattern, and is supported upon fear lien's claws with
eneoding 147011 work; there is defeat chasing mound
Lb. pletasu. In the centre of ',blob stead, a gracefully
designed military trophy of odours and piled arms for
O pen rest, having on either tide drums for the ink
bottles, stinks domed oa the top forming the noppers,
and the front of eaoh tossing the badge of dm regiment
—a crown and I Dorset. Rocholed with lathery
emblems and laurel leans, is Um beginning of the in-
eaription " Promoted to OoL R. B. Bingham," the
ices rune along the plateau aa follow•—" On his ...tiring
front the oommend of the Dorset regiment of militia,
by the ofßoers now serving and those who have served
In the regiment under him as a slight token of their
diem and regard. Dorchester, 28th M.y, 1873."
The testimonial matures about 18 icohne by 12, sod is
an elegant work of art. It was supplied by Messrs.
Saunders and Bon, siltiremltts, Dorcherter, and
reflects great credit alike on their mete nod skill.
After the health of the Queen had Moo drunk.
M.Sc./ HALL, on behalf of the °Seen, begged Colonel
Bingbain's acceptance of lb. testimonial, and expromed
Lb. regret of every one In the regiment that be wee
about to retire, because he had not only woo the edam
of the men but of every Offio77 who had the honour of
serving under him. lie dm wished him health and
happiness for moo, years to emu*.
Major Cl 4 marl.. I. societal Mr= proposed the
health of Colonel and Mn. Bingham; ton toast was
drunk with three time. three, and the bend plsyed
" Auld bang one."
In reeposee, :—Major Hall
and admen of the Dorset —I marmot mallalesitly
think you for the very handcome testimonial presented
to me this night, and for the very dud way in which
It haa been given. I ran assure 700 that Iri united
nothialy tangible to remind me of the many happy
years [have peered in oonansaud of the regiment, to
which I shall always look book with *mare for the
few remaining years it why plume God to spare me.
I deeply regret being obliged to resign the settee duties
et my iprofeseise, but as old age is cropping over me, I
feel tbe assemity of handing over the cmorsand
Into younger and abler Mind.. Lieutenant-Colonel
Hall, lately appointed to the teal:neck who w.s
'spieled hereto-night, but is prevented by ilMess, will
noosed me in the command. I trust you will give him
the same support and meastanos you have aooorded to
gas. Ls we are a family piny here to.night, I may
be aniseed talking a little "shop," sad shod. to the
uncgually good:eonduat of the ma dariaglals mei