The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1873-11-25 00:00:00

TE& FOE TUE AGED PJOIL

On Thursday eveoing • very happy party assemb'ed
at the Belle Vie Rooms, to partake of the treat
given by the Mayoress to tho aged poor.
Nearly 400 persons gathered, end the "import ons of the
sews ewe shoot equaL The oldest person was 84
years of age. Ths room had both handsomuly adorned
with B.gs and evergrows, the tea tables wittr drivers.
Oa the will above the 664 of the centre table was the
handsome portrait of the Mayor, which was present°
to Mrs. itobortsou ou the day of tier hush tod's re-election,
and on each side w re "JR." and' ER." as mono-
grams. The tables were presided over by the folowing
ladies :—Mrs. Hopltioa, Mrs. W. Talbo*, Mrs. 0. Ed
Mrs, Coles, Mrs. W. Allot, Mr. J. D. Addiwo, Mrs, J.
0. Rowe, Mrs. T. Fooka, Mrs. Ford, Mrs. W. DAZIIOO,
Mr.. B. Seymour, Mrs. G. B. Crick:nay, Mr.. J.
Vinceot, Mr. It. Thomas, Mimes Randall, Mrs. J.
Drew, Mr.. J. Talbot, Mrs. ROW, 111 V. J. Miller:lls,
Mrs. Oaaklll, Mrs. Damon, and Mrs. Kerslake. A
number of young ladies also as.istad. The guests most
has:thy et j .yed tlienuse:ves ; but thus' happiness was
equalled by that of the kind benefactreas and her
friends, who thus laid thewe.ves out for the loriasure
of other,. Thu Mayor said grace before and after tea,
and at the clotting of the table., addressed the guers
thus i—My good friends,—l sin glad to inform you that
some kind gentlemen hays cume forward to night te
give us • reading or two ; Lut before they do so I
should like to say what plewure It affords toy good wife
and myself to s.e such a large no...litr of ag-d and
smiling faces areund us -(applauaa ) I orin assure yuu
it affords us extreme lja,1110•Ii013. Whon I was re-
isieeted Mayor I said to my wife " I will givo • dinner
as usual ;" she ryriliud " I should like to give • tea to
the poor"—(lsoghter.) I said "My dear, with all my
heart, and I shall be most plowed to assist you"—
(renewed laughter and apptanie.) I sue • large number
of persons hero who are doubtlres natives cf Weymouth.
Trier. is one tblu I inneh regret, and that Is that lam
not • wt..) of the town, alit oath I hairy lived here the
, greater p.rt of toy life. lam not • native, but! bays
; done the next bet thing,and that DI haves Weymouth
woman for my erife—(langhter)—and lam pleased to siy
I have some Weymdith children—(renewed langhter)—
and I hope I shall live long enough to bore lOW. Wisp
month, randohtldren-(rone wed laughter and applaussi)—
Now I have nut ga bored you here to-night for the
purpose of preaolang • setmon, therefore I will not
detain you longer, but sgaiu ex, reel boa thankful I am
to was sueb • number here, and ttat you will eojoy
yoursolvee, as it sffurds me as well as my wife grist
pleasure to see you here—(applause).
Mr. ATLIWIUNT informed the company that this was
Mr. and Mrs. Robertson's wedding-day and he called
for three times three., Tots was heartily given. The
old people sada then further entertained with some
reading. by Mr. George Eliot, Mr. o.uskell, Dr. Jo..
Drew, and Mr. B. 8. Milledge, and thry passed the time
030•11 PlosumlY, aingtng the National Anthem at the
eisd, and ilivlog Mrs, ktubcrteion mother round of shows.