The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1881-02-22 00:00:00

BALL AT THE DRILL HALL.

The ball at the head-quarters of the ".%." Company
Dorset Rifle Volunteers, and tinder the auspices of
that Company turned out, a coniplete success, thanks
to the strenuous efforts made by Captain W hetham
and his officers to make all the arrangements in their
power for the comfort of visitors. Tne announcement
that the Ball would be under distinguished patronage
resulted in an extensive Sale of tickets outside the
district, but it may be said that not more than two-
thirds of the ticket-holders attended. Tho object of
the Volunteer it WaS to lawn the debt on the
building in which the ball took place, and in a
pecuniary sense ale,
the result was all that could be
desired. On Wednesday and Thursday busy hands
were engaged in rendering the appearance of the
spacious hall festive and attractive. Under the
direction of Sergeant-Major Watts the floral and other
decorations were carried out. Over the front of the
gallery hive shrubs were erected, and the panels
covered with banners and floral and evergreen
stars. From the iron roof-work three immense
banners reached almost to the heads of the
dancers, around the walls on all sides were coiled
depending bunches of evergreen, and in the open
spaces thus loft were stars, or intersected triangles of
yew (Irish English and Foreign) laurel and bay, with
lively bunches of artificial esters and roses A deal of
labour had be:li expended on the floor, till it attained
such a high state of polish as almost to reflect in detail
the "graceful forms, and witching faces" that were
destined to flit over its surface. A word of praise on
behalf of Captain Whethaut. must not be omitted, if
only for his thoughtful consideration for the coin( ,rt of
the ladies. The armoury and reading-room were fitted
up as a cloak-room for the fair ones, and adjoining was
a itrivate frocioir, with all toilet requisites. A hat-room
was reserved for gentlemen near the entrance, and the
adjoining armoury served as an officers' znessroom.
The refreshment buffet was situate near the entrance
lobby, and here Mr. %V. Trump (officers' messanan),
trovided the choicest delicacies the season could aff•wd,
awl for which them was a ready sale. quartermaster-
Sergeant Roberts had a department for tea, coffee,
and a other light drinks with confectionery, and both he
and Mr. Trumpcatered in first-rate style. The orchestra
occupied a conspicious pordtion at the head of the bail,
the performers being as follows :--Conductor and first
violin, Mr. R. Stone; piano, Mr. F. Stone; wooed
violin, Master A. Stone; cornet, Mr. Watta (Wey-
mouth); violonoello, Mr. J. Spencer. Dancing was
announced to commence at 8.20., but very few carriages
arrived before p.m., and many visitors did not make
an entree till ten or meven o'clock. The ball opened
about nine o'clock, when the "A" Company, who
were in regimentals " standingat ease" during previous
arrivals, dispersed. Gentlemen were, of course, in
evening dress, but it was only at the opening of the
ball that the becoming and elegant costumes worn by
the ladies could lie viewed to a advantage, but as this
is a subject for female criticism only, we refrain from
commenting, pleading guilty, however, to a strong
inclination. The patronage secured must have been
highly gratifying to the volunteers. Amongst the
patrons were :—The Mayor of liritiport (C. Edmunds,
Lieut.-Colonel Steward, Oommander of the
DAN., Captains R. Wallis and H. L. Norris, of the
D.A. Volunteers. Captain C. G. Elers, West Somerset
Y.C., and the hon. members of the company. The
majority of the patrons were present, and amongst
others were—Captain and Mrs. Whetham, Capwin
Eters and party, Captain Wallis (11.V.A.), Lieutenant
Hounnell (2), Rev. L. J. Henslowe (Chaplain D.ILV.),
and Mrs. Henslowe, Lieutenant Haatock, Lieutenant
Whetham (London Rifle Brigade), Rev. J. F. Chanter
and Miss Henslowe, Mr. S. Whetham, Mrs. Whetham,
and Miss 111. Good, Mr. J. Lq;.s and Miss Legg (The
Villas), Mr. H. Suttill and MISSOS Tucker, Mr. J.
Hounsell, Mrs. Hounsell, and party. Troopers Clout,
Knight, and Jerrard, Mr. H. Patten and Mrs. Patten,
Mr. E. Randall and Mrs. Bendel!, Mr. E. G. Draper
and Mrs. Draper, Mr. R. Radon and Miss Samway,
(Evershot), Mr. F. W. Betty and Miss Weeks%
Colour-Sergeant Patten and Miss Patten, Mr. E.
Hann and Miss Shering, Mr. L. Bonfield, Miss Ayles,
Corporal Terry, Miss Fry, Sergeant and Mrs. Knight,
Mrs. Keniston, Mr. T. Matthews and Miss Hweley,
Sergeant. %lajor Watts and Mrs. Watts, Bugle- lajor
Foster, Sergeant Meech, Miss Hecke, Miss Jarvis,
Miss Major, Miss Edmunds (The College), Mr. H.
N. Cox (Grammar School), %I r. W. I Matthews and
Miss Neale, Mr. G. Scott, Private Robinson, Mr. E.
J. Damon and Mr. R. Fudge (Dorchester), Mr. Gray
(Maiden Newton), Sergeant-Major Coles (Charmouth),
Sergeant and Mrs. W. Warren, Niro Bush, Mr. Foss
and Miss Foss, Miss Wall (Chard), Miss Whittle
(Shaftesbury), Miss Kearley, Miss Meech. Mr. S.
Brooks, Mr. S. Budden, Miss Leath, Mrs. Vine, Mr.
J. H. Morey, lee., 'to.