The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1859-06-07 00:00:00

Somtrsttshire.

Toesros.— West Somerset Yeomanry Cavalry.—
The annual eight days' permanent drill of the West
I Somerset Yeomanry Cavalry was brought to a close
at Taunton on Friday week. The troops wtte
paraded on Monday and Tuesday, at 9 o'clock, in
front of the Castle Hotel, in field exorcise order, and
marched thence to Orchard. where they went
through a smart drill of about seven hours. After-
w rds they went through the usual field manceuvres
inaOrchanl Great Meadow. Blank ammunition had
be en served out to the extent of three rounds per
I man, and in the course of Tuesday the troops fired a
:to de joie in honour of Her Majesty's birthday.
The field movements on Wednesday and Thursday
were remarkably steady, and highly creditable to the
men. The trial of skill among the picked men of
the different troops to decide who was the best
swordsman and carbine shot, took place on Thurs-
day afternoon. The medal for the best shot was
awarded to Corporal W. Morgan, of the Wellington
troop ; and that for the sword exercise to Corporal
Collard, of the Bridgwater troop. The ball took
place on Wednesday evening, at the London Hotel.
Summerhayes' band was engaged, and Mr. and Mrs.
Ileetens were, as usual, assiduous in their attentions
to promote the comfort and convenience of the
party. The Review took place on Friday week in
Orchard Great Field. The weather being exceed-
I ingly line, an immense concourse of people from
Taunton and the surrounding districts—variously
estimated at from four to five thousand—assemblisL
1 some in carriages and less pretentious vehicles, a
large number on horse-back, but a far greater num-
ber on foot, who appeared to take much interest in
the various military evolutions made by the troops
in the presence of the Inspecting Field Officer and
the Colonel and officers of the regiment. The In-
specting Officer (Colonel Drysdale, of the 9th Lan-
cers), went down each squadron in open column of
troop, and closely inspected the men. At the close
.4 Ins inspection he desired Colonel Portman to
address the officers and men of the regiment, and ex-
press his approval of the manner in which they had
acquitted themeelves. The lion. Colonel Portman,
L-
-IP., then said: B other officers, non-commissioned
officers, awl men of the West Somerset Yeomanry
Cavalry,—The Inspecting Officer has requested use
to express to you in his name his approval of the
manner in which you have gone through your exer-
cise this day. I need hardly say no pains that I
could take would enable us as a regiment to give
satisfaction to any inspecting officer, unless I was
cell seconded—as I am proud to say I have been
hitherto—by the offitars of the regiment. I beg to
thank you all for the kind support you have given
me, and the great pains you have all taken during
this permanent duty to bring your men into an
efficient state of drill. I must also express my great
satisfaction with the decided improvement in the
horses of the regiment. I may say that I have never
seen them look so well as on this occasion, since I
have had the honour of being in it (Cheers.) I
may also say to you that the sword exercise has been
performed this week by the regiment much better
than it has ever been done since Captain Tomlin has
been your Adjutant. (Cheers.) I will only now
congratulate you on the very important accession
which this regiment has received in our new troop
from the Ilminster district. They are in every way
a credit to the regiment. (Loud cheers.) As you
will perceive. I have nearly lost my voice in your
service, and therefore will merely add that 1 again
thank you most sincerely for the very kind support
I have received from the officers, not unly this time,
but at all times since I have had the honour of coin-
'minding the regiment. (Loud cheers.) Major Lut-
trell, and Captain Tomlin, who had acted as Adju-
tant to the regiment, also addreseed the regibient in
very happy and felicitous terms. Colonel Portman
then called for three cheers for "Our next merry
meeting," which were given
arciri ht heartily, and
shortly afterwards the troops n. ed into Tauntou,
headed by the band, and were dismissed on the
regimental parade-ground at the top of North-street.
A grand display of fireworks took place in the even-
ing on the Parade, under the direction of Mr.
Gyngell.
CLEVKDON.—On Wednesday week the foundation
stone of a new church was laid, to be built and
endowed by the liberality of Sir Arthur and Lady
Elton. The ceremony was performed, in the
presence of • large gathering of the parishioners, by
Lady Elton. After the proceedings had terminated
the clergy of Clevedon, Herds. W. Pedder, Braken•
bridge, Acres, and R. A. Kinglake, Esq., and others,
were hospitably entertained at the Court, and in the
evening the school children were abundantly regaled
with tea, cakes, kc.

SUDDILN DIATII or TROOr SIMJEANT•MAJUIR
O'Nslix..—We regret to report as a sad uNuel to
the day's proceedings, the death of Serpent-Major
O'Neill of the Taunton troop. On Friday week,
poor o:Neill—a good cavalry soldier—sat his bone
in his customary model manner, and was engaged in
his usual duties with the Taunton troop during the
review. He went out as squadron marker in front
of the Inspecting Officer (Colonel Dryetlalc) when
he suddenly felt a rupture of the intestines, was
taken off his horse, and conveyed home in a Hy,
where be expired next day about half-past two
o'clock. .

&Anlsis.—This town was lighted with gas for
the first time on Monday evening.
IV ittrrox. ROe Cs,eps. —The members of the
St. Decuman's Cncket Club have, at the instancai of
Sir A. Hood, M.P., taken into consideration the
subject of forming a Rah? Corps for this district.
Many objections were raised to the Government
regulations, especially as to the times of practice and
the restrictive conditions of wearing uniform, i.e. ;
hut we believe it has been decided to form a Rifle
Club, which will he strictly under the control of the
members themselves. The greatest obstacle, bow.
ever, seems to be the necessary expense of equip-
ment, which, under the present Government regula-
tions, would probably exceed £4 per MIL Were it

not for this most important consideration, it in
believed that volunteers would readily come forward;
and if all classes were admitted, a club could
speedily be formed coneisting of 00 or 100 wen, who
would be at all time. available for active irreice.
Yeovil. AGRICULTURAL Socirrv.—The reljoitrned
annual meeting WM held on Friday vreok, at the
Three Choughn Hotel, G. Harbin, En, in the chair.
['he committee brought up the amended prize•Jheet
for the next annual exhibition of stock, which was
approved of. The chief alteration in the list in that.
in addition to the new prizes which we mentioned •
fortm;:ht ag,'. a prize of A3w will be offered by the
tradimmen of Yeovil, for the best three short-horned
dairy cows—a (last' which has not hitherto been
included in the Society's awards. There will also
he a prize given by G. Harbin, Esq., for the best
pen of Chilver lambs, of the linpreved Hampshire
Down breed. Thesum of .C 5 given by Mr. Virtue,
of Southampton, will be applied to the best fat
heifer 'with a sucking tooth." Prizes for the best
made cheese will be given by the tradesmen of
Nliddlestreet and the cheese-den:ere The total
amount offered as reward,' for labourers and
prizes, (exclusively of those last mentioned) is
.I:lSti 3s. It is expected that the sheet will be issued
in about a week. The following addition,' were
neat" to the list of viceprcsidenta :--Sir Alexander
Hood, Bart.. 'ti P., the Hon. W. H. B. Portman,
ME'., W. Piuncy, EAT M.P., Sir H. A. Hoare, Bart.,
H. B. Batten, Esq.., W. Bide, Esq.. and Capt. W.
J. Prowne, H. N. This makes the present number of
vice-presidents of the society eighteen.
• --

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GAVAZZI'S FARFAVKLL OHATION.—Signor Gavazzi
delivered a farewell oration to the people of Bristol,
under the auspices of the Protestant Alliance, at the
Victoria Rooms, on Thursday week. Tbe subject
chosen for the oration was' Italy—its Wrongs and
Remedies," and the room was crowded in every
part. Colonel Cmufurd presided.
Wetth.—The usual daily services at the Cathedral
are for the present suspended, in consequence of some
portion of that venerable fabric undergoing repairs.
The ancient clock and the eccentric srmourer bearers,
who strike the quarters, are undergoing a thorough
renovation.

Baroow ATER. —On Friday evening week a meeting
was held in the Olds' National School room, to
take into consideration what would be the most
advisable steps in order to undertake the completion
of the restoratiim of St. Mary's Church, which ti's
present churchwardens seem determined to do during
their present year of office. Amongst other things
to be proposed was the formation of a committee of
ladies to canvass the town, and organise the machi•
nery for raising the necessary funds.
BRISTOL.-- KingSWOod Reformatory was struck by
light •ning during the thunder•storm on Tuesday. A
stack of chimneys was thrown down, and the roof
and ceilings much damaged.