The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1874-09-01 00:00:00


REJOICINGS AT ABROTSBURY.

On Friday last a tea was most generously given to the
whole of the scholars of the day and Sunday schools by
the Countess of Ilchester. This is the second treat the
children have had this summer. The tea was arranged
to have taken place on Thursday, but, in consequence of
Mr. Jeatt, the schoolmaster, being from home for his
holidays, it was postNned until the next day to enable
hint to be present. The children, numbering upwards of
150, sat down to tea at four o'clock, being most liberally
1111.plial with jam and bread, rake, bread and butter, he.
ller ladyship was present with the infant Lord Stavordale,
111.1 1111.1 most solicitous that all should thoroughly enjoy
themselves. At the conclusion of the tea, her ladyship
spoke a few kind words of encouragement to them, and
said that she hoped all that could would attend the schools
as regularly as possible. The children also of the infant
school, numbering upwards of 541, were not forgotten.
They had a bountiful tea the same afternoon, and the
schoolroom was decorated very tastefully by Mild 1 .oxena,
the schoolmistress. After tea the children adjourned tea
field in the occupation of Mr. W. Weritmacott, adjoining
the vicarage, where they enjoyed some capital Zanies for
the remainder of the evening, her ladyship kindly dis-
tributing two baskets.ful of prues to the must successful
in jumping, running. tr. On her ladyship's departure,
the children most vociferou'ly sent up cheer after cheer,
and the games were continued until dark.
The next day, Satunlay, will be a day very long to be
remembered by the inhabitants, Lord and Lady Ilchester
baying vinKt generously given the cottager', without
exception, an invitation to dinner. The gathering took
place in • splendid marquee, capable of holding 700 people,
in a 1110.110 W near the village, in the occupation of Mr.
White. At the entrance to the field was a very pretty
arch, erected by the workmen, decorated with flags and
evereeens, the first motto:being "Long live Lord Stayer-
dale, and on the other side, "Long live Lord and Lady
!blaster." In the centre of the field was erected a high
pole with a very large flag on the top. The dinner was
fixed for three o'clock in the afternoon, and some time
before the villagers began to arrive. Just before the time
appointed, wax to be seen a number of women marching
into the field two and two, headed by ild Alice Roper,
who wiu wearing a new muslin dress with a blue sash,
gencroudy given her by matte friend for the occasion.
Inside the marquee everything looked very tempting, the
seats and tables were nicely arranged in three rows, with
a passage in the centre, forming six tables, and on either
end of the marquee were tables literally crammed to
overflowing with provisions, consisting of roast and boiled
temf, plum cake, bread and butter, ec. At each end of
the marquee was very pretty mottoes, "Long live the
Heir, and

•. M.y Ile whose Wt./Ipiece ens • !hoaxer,
111.• al id prhteart the little Aranzer.'

The arrangements were admirably conducted under the
superintendence of his lordship's house steward, Mr.
Murray, and Mr. Hopson, clerk of the works, so that there
was no crowding, and ample room found for all. At three
o'clock the seats were quickly filled, upwards of Sal being
present on the occasion. Cray was said by the worthy
and respected vicar of the ;wish, the Rev. G. H. Penny ;
but before commencing, the whole company rose and gars
several hearty cheers for Lord and Lady Ilchester, who
had Suet previously entered the tent. Tea wa, provided
for those of the company who preferred nothing stronger
to drink, many of those present being abstainers. Presid-
ing over this department at each of the tables were to be
seen Mrs. C. White, Mrs. Hopson. Mrs. night and the
Misai Boatswain, White, and Ford Amongst those also
prevent on the °cession were Mrs. Penny awl the Misses
Penny, Miss Poynter, the Misses Hunt, Mrs. George
Walbridge, Mr. J. White, son., Mr. J. White, jun., hfr.
11. Boatswain, Mr. O. Ford, Mr. A. Boatswain, Mr. C.
White, Mr. W. oibbens, and others of his lordship's
tenants, kindly invited to be present ale) Mr. Moldernesa,
Mr. and Mrs. Itlliott Miss Fitspatricic, and Mr. Rencore front
=LT The Portland Volunteer Artillery band wag
• for the ocraion,and durin,g dinner played some very
lively tunes. Attheconclusionof thedinnorhislordshipsaid
"My friends—l cannot allow this opportunity to pass
without thanking you all very much for the interest
shown and the reception you gave my son on Saturday
last, and for the beautiful decorations you that day dis-
played. I can assure you all, that that day and this will
he days never to be forgotten both by myself and Lady
Ilchester, and that we shall both look back on last Satur-
day and the present day AA the happiest ones in our lives,
snit ever to be remembered by us. -He also announced to
those present that there would he a display of fireworks
at the Castle at nine o'clock in the evening. Her Lady-
ship also expressed her feelings in • similar way. Mr.
White then proposed 'three cheers for Lord and Lady
Ilchestor and Lord Stavordale," to which the whole com-
pany most heartily responded, and cheer after cheer rent
the air for torerol minutes, the band playing " for he's •
jolly good fellow.* The company then left the tent for •
short time, and then Lord Stavordale whom many present
had not reviously seen, having ou the Saturday previous
been busily engaged in the harvest fields, were gratified by
her Ladyship allowing them to do so. The tables and
seats were then quickly removed. and dancing commenced
both inside and outside the Wilt. To be seen at one time
dancing was 0. Mundy and ABM Roper whose united
aged amounted to 180 years. Seats were placed round the
field for the convenience of the oompany, and Lord and
Lady Ilchester were most anxious that all should
thoroughly enjoy themselves. Shortly after six o'clock
they left the field for the Cootie amidst shouts of joy
from the company which lasted until they were out of
hearing. The dancing continual until dark. The
whole of the company then proceeded to the Castle to
view the fireworks, awl from the beach they had a very
pretty sight of the display. On the lawn fronting the
Castle a goodly number bad gathered for the same
purpose. The fireworks were specially conducted under
the superintendence of three gm n lemen from Mr. James
Pain's fireworks manufactory, Brixton, London, by whom
the fireworks were supplied, and it was really • magni•
Scent display, and greatly admiral by all. Many of the
villagers had never seen anything of the sort before, and
they were greatly pleased. Home of the fireworks were
, displayed on the water from a boat, and looked very
I beautiful; the water rockets in a line on the water at one
time were wonderingly admired. Three of the balloons
were stiocessfully sent up, one with fireworks at the
bottom was an admirable display. There was a gorgeous
dispersion of rockets, and a particularly brilliant display
concluded the whole, and the day's proceedings was
brought to a close, with some very hearty cheers for the
noble family of Ilchester. The workmen employed on tho
estate, who were busily engaged on Saturday attending
to the wants of others, were on Monday given a holiday
i and one Amin, each, with a Joint of meat and bread
according to the number of their family. Lord and Lady
Ilchester left Abtiotsbury for Melbury on Monday after-
noon. In the morning they had a short cruise for a few
hours in Lord I 'remoras yacht (her Ladyship's brother)
'in the West Bay.