The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1861-03-19 00:00:00

BLANDFORD.

Mr. Rossiter's sale of fat stock on Thursday last
proved a complete success; and had there been •
much larger quantity of stock exhibited, it might
, have been disposed of at remunerative prices. Many
of the usual supporters of the sales, however, kept
back their stock, in consequence of the alteration of
i the date of sale. Beef realized 12s. 61. per score,
and mutton fully 91. per lb.
I Rime Cours,—Full particulars of the shooting
match between the Blandford and Wimborue Rifle
Corps, appointed to take place yesterday (Monday),
will appear in our next.
, THE UNITED PATRIOT'S BENEFIT SOCIETY. —The
branch of the above society established in this town
held their anniversary meeting on Tuesday evening
last, when 34 members sat down to an excellent
supper at the Half Moon Inn. After the usual loyal
toasts hail been proposed, Mr. It. Wood, jun.,
agent for the society, stated that it was formed in
the year 1543 for relief in time of sickness and
death. The general society numbers 4000 members,
and its funds amount to £4OOO. During the last
I iglitecil months £7O had been paid as relief, one
member had died, and thirteen new members in the
last year had Len added. Mr. Wills said the
Blaudford branch had a balance of £2lB, and that
no other branch was doing so well as theirs.
The building operatives likewise held their annual
meeting at the Working Man's Club-room. It was well
attended. From the report we glean that it haa
completed its fourth year, has !AO in the bank, and
£4 4s. 3a in the treasurer's hands. It has paid £23
during the past year as sick pay, which has been
accomplished by the weekly payment of twopence
by the members, with a little assistance from the
honorary members,
ft v.txutm.—On Thursday evening lint Mr.
Maekenzie gave a most interesting lecture on the
above subject in the Townhall to a small but 'elect
audience. Having a strong galvanic battery he pro-
ceeded to show how Col. Paisley blew up the Royal
Deorge in 1702, which he exemplified by • subma-
rine explosion on a small scale. After illustrating
the great heat evolved by the battery in burning
gold, silver, and copper, a powerful electromagnet
was shown, and the scissors and knives of the
audience were magnetised. Mr. Mackenzie sifted
that with his magnetised penknife he drew a merle
of iron from a man's eye, which, had it not bean
extracted, would eventually made him blind. The
working of the telegraph was then explained by a
neat model of his own manufacture ; after which
the secret of spirit rapping were well elucidated by
a magnetic table, which readily answered all ques-
tions put to it. Some water was galvanised, and
many were the useless attempt* wade to get the
inimey placed in it. It is much to be regretted that
so few were present, as the illustrations and experi•
went* far surpassed anything of the kind we ever
witnessed, and the manner of the lecturer's delivery
was very agreeable.
THE IVEATIIER.—During the past week, par-
ticularly on Sunday, the weather in this town has
been very boisterous. Those who put faith in pro-
yen,. may take good comfort from the Highland one
which says "When March enters with a serpent's
• bead, it will go out with a peacock's tail," and has
• not southern wisdom by &similar law confirmed the
truth of the omen !