The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1859-10-11 00:00:00

D ebonsbire.

Exrrien. —Warty Recrption of Indian lleroeA.
The head-quarters of the 9th loyal Lancers, con.
resting of four troops, arrived at the St. David's sta-
tion, Exeter, from Portsmouth, on Saturday even-
ing week. The men left Portsmouth at half-past 8
o'clock in the morning, and it was expected that
they would have arrived in Exeter early in the
afternoon. With the view of giving this distin-
guished corps a hearty, popular welcome, the mem-
bers of the Exeter Ritle Companies, wider the com-
mand of Adjutant Macdonald, mustered in the
Castle-yard and marched to the railway station, pre.
ceded by the band of the let Devon Militia. l'he
band of the First Devon Yeomanry Cavalry was
also in attendance at the station. Several thousands
of people were present in eager expectation of the
arrival of the soldiers • but they had to wait from
2 o'clock in the afternoon until 7 in the evening.
By that time the platform of the St. David's station
was crowded by the officers of the depilt of the 9th
Lancers (which has been for a long time stationed at
the Exeter Barracks), the members of the Exeter
Rifle Companies, the two bands, and a number of
civilians. Outside the station there was an immense
concourse of people. On the arrival of the train, its
gallant occupants were greeted by shouts of applause,
again and again repeated, from the persons on the
platform; and the bands struck up appropriate
military airs. The officers of the depat having
warmly greeted their comrades, the me.n were drawn
up in line on the platform, and the muster-roll hav-
ing been milled, they marched out of the station for
the Topsham Barracks. The road from the station
to Queen-street was crowded by thowands of enthu-
siastic spectators, who lustily cheered the gallant
fellows as they marched along. In Queen-street it
was with difficulty that the men could pass, so great
was the crowd. From almost every window signs
of welcome were exhibited, and waving of handker-
chiefs, loud humas, and words of kindly feeling,
were seen and heard in every street through which
the men passed to the barracks. Some of the
veterans of the regiment (but they were very few in
number) had, we understand, left the Exeter Bar-
racks for India 18 years ago.
EXETER AND SOUTH DEVON VOLUNTEER CORP&
—lt was stated in the Time, a few days ago that the
Exeter companies of the above corps had been in-
spected by Sir Edmund Piiileaux, the Major-Com-
mandant, at the barracks. Since then that gallant
officer has issued a regimental memorandum, which
was read to the members of the corps at the Exeter
Guildhall, on Monday night, by Mr. Macdonald, the
adjutant. In this memorandum the Major-Com-
mandant lays be was much struck with the improve-
ment in the general appearance and steadiness under
arms of the Exeter division, which, he says, reflects
the highest credit on the members, as well as on
the system of instruction adopted by Mr. Mac-
donald. The movements were exceedingly correct,
and the firing especially was very credile ; show-
ing how much might he effected even in a few
weeks. The members of the Torquay company as.
pembled on Monday to compete for prises in shoot-
ing. It will be remembered that one or two of the
men belonging to this company distinguished them-
selves at the Hythe school of musketry. Many of
the resident gentry, as well as several members of
the family and suite of the Grand Duchene Marie of
Russia, were present to witness the practice. The
firing was pronounced by competent judges to be
remarkably good. The prises were awarded to Mr.
\V. D. Mader, Mr. J. T. Fisher, Mr. Henry Rowe,
and Mr. F. Itodway. In the evening the member.
and others dined together, Mr. 11. C. -M. Phillips, a
county magistrate presiding. The speeches were of
a coogratularly nature, and the necessity of maintain.
ing rifle corps in efficiency was warmly insisted
upon. Captain Rodway, the commander of the
Torquay company was highly praised for the effi-
cient manner in which he has trained the men.