The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1866-12-18 00:00:00

THE DORSET COUNTY EKPRESS AND AGRICULTURAL GAZETTE, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1866,

masterly execution of Mr. Reed, as well am the very
satisfactory manner in which the other iostru•
inenialietsacquitted themselves. The principal vocalist
was Miss Norris, who charmed everybody by the very
'west way in which she sang the songs allotted bor.
Them were "Won't you tell me why t " aud "Some
body's waiting for me." both of which brought her
loud moons. Miss Norris ii • very pretty singer,
aud has a voice worth cultivating. Mr. Sieesting
veva two songs (" Twilight" and " Will thou be my
Bride ? ') with good taste and expression. Mr.
Ituifi, II was another vocal soloist, and was bi emit
with touch pli more in "When other hearts," "Bay
alavourneen," and " Under the trees," the latter a
new song by Mr. Thorne, of Weymouth, and entitled
oonsiderablo credit on the score of originality and
Ise esteems. The duet, "blows to our mountains"
(Verdi), sung by Miss Norris and Mr. Duffield, was
a suceem, and "brought down the horse" in their
favour, together with an enoore. Coral
duie silo, from "Martha," was sieo much liked,
and "Zunpa, " by Messrs. Thorne and Robinson
(piano and harmonium), gave ovidence of much
ability. There were other points of touch merit in
the programme.
BAPTIST CII•PEL.—The annual tea in oonnection
with Bank-buildings Chapel toot place on Thursday
evening last. About one hundred and sixty
were present at the tea, which was held in the
school-room adjoining the chapel. Subsequently
an adjournment took place to the place of worship,
where the chair was taken by the Rev.--Cox, who
onininenoeil the lugs of the evening by an
address. Severarr;ret were sung by the choir.
These were—hymn 20 (Gauntlett); anthem, "Behold
how good and joyful' (Whitfield); "My soul doth
magnify lb. Lord" (Tollhorei); anthem, "Praise the
Lord" (Scott) ; anthem, "Oh, how amiable are thy
dwellings!" (Richardson), In an interval of the
music Mr. Lunch° addressed the meeting, and
then the Rev. 1. Bin gave • lecture, entitled
" Breaches in our Bulwarks." Ile said the subject
he hail announced an the topic of his lecture was
suggested to bun not many weeks ago when be saw
a ship, which will prohably remain for many geom.'.
time to come an object of national interest—a
memorial of times indeed bygone—but which, owing
to the extraordinary changes that have occurred,
appear to be more remote than they actually are.
lie was looking upon the flagship of Nelson, the
Victory, which had been resting for fifty-five years
from its conflicts, which are still carefully preserved
and highly honoured. As the steamer in which he
embarked passed slowly by. he could not but call
to mind the lama battle scene in which that vessel
was engaged, and he appeared vividly to realise the
roar of cannon, the crashing of timbers, the shouta
of the victorious boarders, and the cries of wounded
men, culminating in the death of that famous admiral
who seemed to have infused his spirit into the men
under his command, so that every man that day did
his duty at 'Trafalgar. But, as be looked upon the
grand old man-of war, and felt what had been done
in connection with that very ship to inspire the con-
fidence that used to be felt and expressed in our
national songs as to the walls of old England, the
feeling could not be repressed that such confidence
was no longer to be realised; that the hearts of oak
remained, but that the wooden walls were com-
paratively of little use. The nations were now
ompetiug together to discover a realities, shot, and
impenetrable armour. The aspect of war was
entirely changed from those days when "Britannia
ruled the waves." But, however, if the changes
which the times bring about, and which are in-
separately connected with the changes in the
progress of science, have made such breaches in our
national bulwarks, the authorities were careful to
repair these breaches by substituting effectual
defences in place of these which were become obsolete.
No expense was spared to further the results of the
discoveries made by scientific) men; no means that
could be resorted to were left unemployed to secure
the safety of England. But there were bulwarks in
which breaches could also be detected ; bulwarks of
a different character from those just alluded to. In
this favoured country it devolved upon the ruling
powers not only to provide for the defence of the
nation against external foes, but also for the
preservation and propagation of religion. Accord-
ingly we have a mighty organisation supported by
the power of the State. honoured by baying at it.
head the Sovereign of the realm, and magniloquently
denominated the bulwark of Protestantism—the
Established Church. It happened sometimes that
our Board of Admiralty was severely censured;
there was scarcely an act of the Government that
was not found fault with; it was by no means all
public speakers and public writers who thought ma •
matter of course that all was being done that should
be dune for the defence and safety of the people;
but none most presume to cast a look on that
hououred bulwark, the State Church—none must
dare to think there were breaches to be found there.
It happened that at this very time this great national
bulwark was put to a severe test, and its spiritual
interests were being affected from two opposite
quarters, the one tending to infidelity, and the
other to the opposite extreme; the one recognised as
Rationalism and the other as Ritualism. lie would
AA hew this bulwark, the national church, had
operated to defend us from these corrupters of the
Christen, faith. Ritualism was • fortress in the
hands of the enemy. It concerned the English people
deeply; it was no mere personal difference betwen two
divisions of the clergy of tbo Established Church; it
affected the interests of all, and the state of the times
demanded that all should share in the responsibilities
occasioned by the present aspect of religions matters;
the leading question of the day was ritualism, winch
was the most serious move that had arisen in the
English Church since the days of the great Reforma-
tion, 300 pawn ago. He thou traced the origin of
the movement in the publication of the "Tract, for
the Times," and the doctrines of Newman and
Pumpey ; in fact he said it could be traced to the
University of Oxford. The Ritualists were a most
formidable body, able to eons with any who might
attempt to argue them down, and were the bishops
to nee any forcible measures against them, it would
cause such an explosion as would shatter the Church.
He then described some of the leading principles of
the movement, such as the Eucharistic Sacrifice, the
desire for interoommunion with the Church of Rome,
the Church on Earth as • type of the Church in
Heaven, ix. They must not allow Ritualism to
become national. liitualista did not fear the omen-
lion of Churchmen; they were only afraid of the
power of the Nonooinformista, who, if they acted
wisely, would NITS the country. Ritualism ISM SD
old foe formerly known as Poseyism, and should be
abhorred and resisted as Romani= was in the old
times. He then reviewed the charges of several
bishops in reference to Ritualism. In conclusion be
said the Established Church was • house divided
against itself, and all knew the fate of such • house,
it could not steed. Ths interests of the country
demanded the dissolution of Church and State; this
crisis was clearly approaching, and when it occurred
there might be those who would deplore the lose of •
national bulwark ; but there would be more who will
rejoice that England bad made so great a stride to-
wards freedom, as the liberation of religion from all
state patronage and control, Than henceforth truth
and error should (meet on common ground. They
desired no moire as friends of genuine spiritual
Christanity.—Addresses were then delivered by the
Rev. It S. Ashton and Rev. W. Lewis, and the
proceedings terminated with singing the Doxology.

Almighty God. The offertorr, which amounted to
£1 10a 6d., wee given to a fund for the pur-
chase of • stove for the church. After the
oonsecration, hymn 203 vas sung, all kneel-
ing, and after the blaming, None Dimittis and
Psalm 150. At 2.30 the &dr and communicants
(as many as oould be spared tom work) sat down
to a hearty least in the actool.roum. which was
followed by speeches and singing. The evensong
was the urual full choral servbe, the only nonsked
feature lining that Pielm 91 wa sung at the close of
it. in it:ants/giving for deliveranoo front the plague
and pratileuee. The pople then returned to the
achool-room, where an-re seee gaula of all kinds
panviled for them —le,patelle. draughts, d our,
ko., foll.twed by tea, and thin again by dancing,
which lasted tall eleven o'clock. A pause was
made, and then • short office wee mid, of thanks.
giving for the mercies of the day, and of prayer for
all offences committed during the annul of it, and
so all wets dismissed in peace.

the last; for when the cattle plague raged in 1745-11,
Dorset was one of the hut counties attacked. Well,
now, I should like to say • few words to my friend on
my (laughter and cheere). I should like to be
initiated into one or two politicial matters, of which I
have no doubt he can furniah the key-(langliter).
happen to he in the prowl poietion of having to ..k him
what Her Majesty's Government mean to do-(continued
laughter.) There are two aubjeete in particular that arc
interesting to us se rwriculturists. One has been kept
very qui, t the lot few months, but we egad to hear a
good dad about the Malt Tax -(hear, hear)--and I should
like to hear from Mr. Ployer what is to bosoms of it.
We were alweys led to believe that when the fortunate
time arrived for lord Derby'. afaCll4oll to power the
Malt Tan would be ri moved-(iangliter). I hid always
my doubt shout that, beano on the lest ii on I
noticed some 3 or 4 ober oat on the front seats of the
opposition honcho), who would he sure to hid office
wha„ he came to power, but who waited not of the
house and did not 'Keyes» an opinion either one mile or
the other-Osughte.). I rather agreed from that fact
that when I,e present govermuent would come in they
would not propose the repeal of the Malt Tan- (hear,
hear.) The other question to, " Are they going to bring
is, a Baena Ditld"-(langhter. We see remota of
illatoinet Councils, alid there to manse idea of • division Ir.
them. Nowt, if icy (Deed wowed allow me to be no bold
ea to give hint a word of advice--(laughter)--I would
nay it weal,' he decidedly better. tiethem to bring in a
IL form Bi $ for without one I don t think their pincers
Ire worth • month's purehese-(laughter). There
are Mall men who would like to sere them bringing
in a bill - I mewl( iihould be glad to oes them
briegiog in • hill which tomierate Liberals-men
who, like myself, are oppoacal to Universal or Manhood
sairsue-aeald ingiert, iii contradistinetion to slush a
hill as is adv.:mood by Mr. Bright aed Mr. !Joel I
think the late Reform Demnnetrithou has +hewn us
(whet I always thought) that we have no reason to be
afraid of extending the stiff, oge, or of the working man ;
but I de think we have reason to be afraid of inch men
as Mr. !bight, Mr. Beale., Col. Dickson, and others,
who. I believe, are not acte•ted hy any vial, to give •
boon to the working close 1., but to obtain a little fleeting
popularity, and make themolveo the heroes id the hour
--(cheers). Let any one refer to the results of universal
suffrage is two great countries in which it i sighs. In
Frame they have universal suffrage, nn.l there Is no
more deloatis government; In America they have it,
and there is no greater tyranny anywhere, but there the
tyranny comes froru the other enrl, and the better men
are silenced. I, therefore. should hops to ear a Morn
Bill, which shell °stand the framable). and shall put an
end to these onselem demands fur universal suffrage-
that for taking the suffrage from those who rightly
and justly hold it, and giving it to those who will be
guided by force of numbers, instead of by education and
intellect. I was rather amused to read some of the
speeches that were delivered at Beaufort-home. One
gentleman appeared to have • very low estimate of the
House of Commons' for he called us all a net of scoundrels
-(loughter)--and he also urged thst because Lord
Derby did not knew how to blow a glare bottle, he
was not fit to govern the country-(laughter).
Them are the men who do mischitf. They are
endowed with the "gift of the gab," but they
do not consider that whilst they rise to eminerice
by the display of abilities in their own particular
line, Lord Derby rose by abilities of another
order. The hon. member proceeded to elvers a hope
that the Government which his friend supported would
DID up in earnest the subject of recruiting f ir the Army.
Ile lelieved the numbers of men were brio, there at
which the army ought to shwa. He thought this might
Ira done by improving the position of Cie non.
einimieinned officer., and making more eligible provi-
sion for the men. Men can now leave after ten years
service, and get immeiliakly 27. or 30. a week on •
I railway, and did they think they would stay in the ant y
at 131. a day? In the present state of the art of war,
no war can lard long-there would be no more seven
years' war. War now was like running • abort race
over a race-coune • and whoever had the beat start,
wins. We had good staying powers, but never started
well. It was long ago discovered that England could
never bean sign:sive power • we can only otand on the
d fensive, an we ought to has, our forces no organised
that we can throw • large nuinher of men on any point.
The hon. member expressed his opinion that there was
mere in Fenianism than most people thought, moderated
that the name of these who pomowed estates taken from
the Irish in the time of William 111, were still treasured
up, having been handed down from generation to
generation as usurper. He believed this to be the
interprektion of the Fenian movement. and he warn not
quitseure that the best thing would net be that it should
blase out, for then it could be dealt with with • strong
hand. Famouraged to proceed with his reniarks,
Mr. Portman briefly referred to two other subjects-
one, that of cottager, quoting the speech of Lord
Leicester, who said he employed 1,000 labourers, and
could only lodge WO. His tenants said they would
gladly pay increased rents if they could have their
labourers about them. This, he thought, one of the
greatest questions of the day. rottage property was
not remunerative, but it was the duty of the landlord to
sacrifice somewhat to keep the labourer on the estate,
and ameliorate his condition. Lutly. be ieferred to the
observation of Professor Buckman at hlierhorne, that
there was only one practical farmer in the House,
declaring that there was a groat inany gentlemen who
took an interest to the forming of their own properties,
and erubably knew as much about the practical part of
foriniug as he did. lie t tested that i here would still
ho, as there over bad been, many gentlemen prepared to
stand up for the country iutere.t, and to prevent the
course of legislation from being turned exclusively in
the direction of Trade and C 1111 l merecHloud cheers).
. . .

Mr. FIA)TiII, who was loudly cheered, after regretting
the abet:nee of his colleague, Mr. Gerard Start,
proceeded to say: I am very happy to speak to you in
the lauguage of temeratulstion. For many yeses past
Users has been a trying time to the termer ; sow there
seems to be a little gleam—perhspe even sunshine, at
least upon you. It may be at the coat of some of your
brother agriculturiate elsewhere. You have reaped, I
believe, • very fair harvest, and price% are such as are
satisfactory. The wheat crop, no doubt, was rather
light—short, perhape • quarter—but barley was of vere
good quality, and certaiuly command. a very good prim'.
I also eonerstulate yi u on your freedom from the settle
plague. It is certainly somewhat extraordinary that
In this county it broke out iu fuer or five different places,
bet In no single instance did it extend beyond the area
in which it broke out. To what we are to attribute
that it is beyond my ieller to say. My hon. colleague's
father, the noble lord who presides over us with such
ability at our Quarter Sessions, recently referred to the
probability that we owed much of our recuperative
freedom from this pest to the admirable arrangements
made by the Chief :Constable, and one was glad to see,
as an indication that the cattle plague was passing away,
that an association which was formed in this part of the
county had been able to dissolve, end hand over the
surplus money to those two admirable ineitutiona—the
Dorval and Ytatman Hospitals—thus inhibiting
their oeufldence that the plague has passed
aw.y, and showing • suitable acknowledgment to the
Great Disposer of all events—(cheers). Now my hon.
colleague has spoken of • subject which intimately effects
agriculturists—perhaps not so much hers in the Vale,
because, as our freed Sir Richard Glyn says,
this in a good grass country, fit for hunting and
grading fine calm, and producing capital cheese and batter
(and I may say, in peeing, your cheese certainly ap-
peared first-rate to my unpracticed eye, for in my country
it is more of the blue vennied order—(laughter)—and I
should consider myself fortunate if I could get such
better always for my breakfast table. But here I do
not think the question of the Melt Tax is of such press-
ing importance as in the barley districts, and with regard
to it I can only say, as • humble, independent member,
attached to no party except to snail as hold principles
which I believe to be right and sound—having no offiee
and not being likely to have one—(laughter)—l sin not
in • poeition to be able to throw any light on Govern-
ment questions. But there is this to be considered;
when Lord Derby's Government was in office in '52 and
I had the honour of offering it my independent
support, part of the programme was • proposal for the
repeal of half the malt tax. You recollect what was
the fate of that Government—(laughter). They
encountered a most tremendous philippic from the right
hon. gentleman, the late Chancellor of the Exchequer,
and through it it was thrown over, and there was an end
of Lord Derby's Government, he Budget, and the repeal
of the Malt Tex—(laughter). That, certainly, is not
very encouraging; but still times and opinious may
alter, but of course the first question will be, have they
gut any surplus? We can't launch out unless there
Is a balance at the bank—at least we ought not to do so
—(leughterl. Lord Derby's respectable company, I
hope won't launch rut nue., they know what they are
about, and can pay their bills. Well, now—l am abed
—looking at the war on the Continent, oonsidering
distress at home and the pretty business in Ireland, and
remembering my hon. oolleague's advice to make &lancer
outlay in the army—l am afraid if we increase the pay
somebody must pay the bill—(laughter)—and if that in
the case I atm afraid there will be no great surplus, and if
there's no surplus there Is no use for me or anybody clue
to talk about the repeal of the Nalttax—(latighter).
There always is a "Good time coming," and when It
comes and we have plenty of mosey, I hope we shall
do something with the Malt-tax. It Is indefensible in
principle; it bears on a good old English beverage,
which I should like to see within the reach of every
labourer at his daily meals, for there would be then less
chance of his going to the beer house and drinking to
excess. Now, with reference to the improvement of
our national defences, the force to which I may look
for increasing our army, Is that which the hon. gentle-
man told you tonight he not only commanded here,
but took to distant parts of Europe, showing that our
regiment of militia was a really useful force. The
people of &aloud like that force, and look upon it as
• thoroughly constitutional tome, and by increasing it I
hope we shall be able to supplement the army at much
less cost than if we were to increase the regular force.
The hon. member proceeded to express a hope that
something would be done for the amendment of the
Poor law, and referring to the disclosures made by the
"Amateur Casual," he observed that there was no cause
to be unheated of the condition of the workhoues in
the country, or of the treatment of the poor in them,
and this be attributed to the circumstanee, that in
Loudon three-fourths of the relief was given in the
house, whilst the country guardians, knowing that the
poor labourer dreaded the workhouse as the greatest
punishment that can be inflicted resolutely, &Janine-
tared out relief, and he believed they had had their
reward, in their decided and vigorous protest against
what might have beim • cruel and noxious pear-
lier.. There waa another point on which he thought
taslation might be proposed—turnpike roads. Ile was
addressing gentlemen who lived In a neighbourhood
where, by the prudent management of triode., turn-
pikes had been abolished in the neighbourhood of
Shaftesbury. Legislation appesred to be necenseey.
because the whole course of things affecting turnpike
and common roads had been changed. Formerly there
was the turnpike road kept in • very perfect state, and
there were the bye reads not kept se well. Now the
bye roads wore getting rapidly under the management
at boards to be In as good condition as the turnpikes—
(a voice, "Better"). Turnpikes had ceased to be the
great arteriste of traffic. Take, for instance, the road
between Shaftesbury and Sberborne. Many persons
used to use that road who mime all the way from Lou-
don, and it Was right that they should contribute to its
support, for they had nothing to do with the county.
That state of thinp had ceased. The traveller from
London to Exeter doesn't pass along the road from
Shaftesbury to Sherbert:6, but over the line of railway,
and the main traffic is local traffic, and iu consequence
of that the charge is very unfairly adjusted, for it may
be that a person who has paid money to maintain his

own roads passes into another perish, and Is called on
to pay • gate. Ho thought this pressed unfairly, vi.
pecially upon the agricultural intered, which must And
considerable inconrouionce in driving their sheep end
stock. On this violet the opinions of his constit-
uents would be advisable, supposing, which he
thought not Improbable, legislation upon it should be
asked in the coming Session. Well, then, continued
the hon. gentleman, the only other topic in that on
which my friend asked me to give you some valuable
information. I have did my position is not such as
will rumble inn to iii no. If yoti liopour,.4 with
the attendance of a member of the Cabinet tio (Muhl he
might he ins ye... Won to make tome revelation ef date
oecreta, hut I do not think, after all, it is likely he
would—flout:Wert /Jeannie I think you will agree
with ino, that whatever other qualifications the present
Government have shown, they know pretty well how to
keep • secret—(cheers and laughter). There has been
an immense number of Cabinet meetings, but, as far as
know, everybody knows that ; nobody knows what
the Cabinet is going to do about the Reform Bill—
(laughter). lam oce of those who certainly was rather
desirous, at the beginning of last session, that this ques-
tion should be settled, Ido not mean to say that I was
quite ,atialled with the bill, nor, indeed, I think was
my colleague. se I found him in the same lobby on
certain portions of the bill, but I thought we might have
settled the question easily from the beginning, only I
think there was a very decided opinion shown on the part
of the Government that they would listen to no pro.
peedtlon for mutual ooncession ; they seemed to be
determined to have It quite their own way,
and that, as far as I could judge, was
molly the reason why we omit not arrive at an arrange-
ment The matter was put off, and, perhaps, It was net
altogether to be regretted, for I think we now know
what the two great parties who divide the country
want. Ono party believes that the country has enjoyed
• form of Government which has worked well, and that
no great change is required, but at the same time they
are desirous of admitting many to the franchise who did
not now enjoy It; the other party are dissatisfied with '
iier mode of Government' and think • coneiderelle
change should be introduced. A fendsmentid change of
the institutions of this country which shall materially
alter the ham of government that at present elide—
riot only *hanging those who represent the electors—
introdueing again the clad of men who are not within
it, but were within it in %H. That I believe to be
°mooed to what is right amid good, I believe the opinion
of the country at large god in favour of those who are
for maintaining our institutions as they are, and are yet
willing to bring others within the paled the constitution
hut who do not desire anything approaching to revolu-
tion. met is the state of things at present; we are
going into a diacuevion by which. perhaps, some settle-
ment etithit great question may be arrived at, but it I.
beyond my power to say whether sneh a proposition is
to be.made to the legislature—(lood cheers).
Several other toasts of • complimentary nature
fo I wed.

eoutt nub fashionable EntclUgrnce.
—...—_

Tan Prince of Wales wu so wnoh indisposed on
Tuesday as to be tumble to join Sir Edward Karrison
and his noble guests in their shooting excursion.