The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1859-07-26 00:00:00

the rich and the poor—and that the taxing of
income from land, the solid and durable, in an
equal degree with the produce of the feeble
and ephemeral brain—should invite some discus-
sion ; but these points are more in place) and
must have greater weight, when the time comes
for considering tho serious question of the total
abolition of the tax. Still, there has been much
hasty and inconsiderate abuse thrown upon the
Government on account of the additional tax
which circumstances require us to submit to;
and the leading Radicals of the House of Com-
mons would have done better to abstain from
the violent declamation in which they have
thought proper to indulge on this occasion. Of
course the papers in the interests of that section
of politicians have followed in their wake; but
their arguments are everywhere inconsistent and
illogical, and their conclusions, in some instances,
ludicrously absurd.
Efforts like these have of oourso no weight
with public opinion; and those who employ
them—seeking no doubt "the bubble repute-
tion"—must be signally'disappointed. But it is
the privolege of Englishmen to grumble, whether
sincerely or affectedly, when they please; and
some there are who grumble in earnest, but they
pay up with the best grace in the world. Among
us, Englishmen, all this is perfectly well under-
stood ; but it is-not so abroad. Those of the
French people, for instance, who look with dis-
satisfaction at the increasing activity in our
dockyards and arsenals, look also with pleasure
upon the virtuous indignation of the English
economists lavished so profusely upon our aug-
mented expenditure for defensive purposes, and
fancy that in them they have powerful and zeal-
ous allies in maintaining the status quo with
regard to the means of our own protection. The
determination of Parliament, however, to hold
this country in a better state of defence than
heretofore against all comers, will show France
plainly enough the real nature of public opinion
here; while the expectation of any future dis-
union or discontent amongst us, as the result of
Radical carping* at the expenditure, will prove
to the foreigner a complete delusion.
That there is sufficient danger in the aspect of
affairs to warrant the additional expenditure in-
curred, very few indeed are bold enough to deny.
On this point statesmen of all parties are
thoroughly agreed. But we are sometimes
admonished to take our measures with more
modesty, and not to talk so much about it. The
plea is, that WO may offend the FRENCH
PERON and thus draw upon us the war we are
all anxious to prevent. If this be so, the rench
alliance is a very brittle thing indeed; and, on
the showing of these reasoner' themselves,
defensive preparations, though sometimes decried
by them, are proved to be eminently desirable.
Then, it may be just remarked that we cannot in
this free country vote millions of money in silence,
and that the British people have an obstinate
fancy for knowing the reason why—in all great
measures undertaken in behalf of their country.
Then the discussion of the estimates necessarily
brings on a debate on foreign politics and on
our foreign relations. There are certain things
done by a most powerful neighbour which are
both inexplicable and threatening—and are at
the same time inconsistent with an inviolable
attachment to the interests of European peace.
We say so muiffi among ourselves, and proceed
to make preparations for any possible emergen-
cies. Surely in all this there can be no just
ground of offence to the great Military Chief on
the other aide of the ChanneL No one denies
that our measures are purely defensive. Why
do the FRENCH Eerszoa and his organs com-
plain? Why does the Journal des Dthats take
the pains to lecture us, with such imposing
moderation, about what we are doing and saying
in relation to what we conceive to be necessary
to our own safety? The answer seems inevitably
to be—that the Emezaoa and the French
people would rather see us dependent upon their
own forbearance, than upon an adequate means
of resisting foreign aggression. No other ex-
planation seems capable of being given ; and it
is precisely that which is stimulating our Go-
vernment to alter with all possible speed this
relative situation of the two countries—a pni-
deutial step, which not only every statesman
but every man of common sense, with a know-
ledge of history and familiar with what is passing
around him, may be expected cheerfully to
support with his purse, and applaud with the
warmth of a patriotic heart.

DORCHESTER PITCHED CORN MARKET, Saturday.
—There WM & moderate show of wheat at matket
to-day, and in consequence of the weather being
rather unsettled, farmers demanded more money
than last week. The trade ruled slow at from Is. to
to 2s. advance. Barley and oats nominal.

Tux WATERION SHILLP-LITTING.—It Will be seen
by reference to our advertising columns that Mr. J.
Harding's eighth annual sheep sale and letting takes
place at Higher Waterson to-morrow (Wednesday)
week. No doubt from the widely known excellence
of Mr. Harding's southdown flock, the attendance
will be, as heretofore, very numerous.
DORCHESTER CATTLE BROW.-011 Saturday the
annual show of stock in connection with the Dorches-
ter Agricultural Society takes place in the Fair-field.
The annual meeting and dinner will be held at the
King's Arms Hotel on the same day. In addition to
the Society's premiums, 19 pieces of plate, valued at
.C 5 each, are offered for competition. J. C. Rad-
clyffe, Esq., is expected to preside at the dinner.
GOODWOOD Cur DAY.—A cheap excursion train
will run from the Dorchester South-Western station
to Goodwood and beck on Thursday, the cup
day:
MILITARY PRONOTION.—The London Gazette of
Tuesday contains the following announcement rela-
tive to the gallant brother of M. C. Weston, Esq.,
solicitor, of this town :—Captain Goulde Read Wes-
ton, of the 65th Bengal Native Infantry, to be brevet
Major in the army.
Onn FELLOWERIP. —A report of the festival of
the Odd Fellows of this town, held on Thursday, will
be found in our third page.
The Incorporated Society for building and pro-
moting the building, enlarging, and repairing of
Churches and Chapels have recently voted grants
towards the expewies of enlarging and restoring
(with the view of affording better and more ample
accommodation therein) the parish churches of
Sturminster Marshall, near Wimborne, and Homing-
ton, near Salisbury.
DORSET INFANTRY MILITIA.-011 Saturday this
regiment underwent a review in the Barrack yard
by Lord Alexander Russell, Lieut.-Col. of the lit
Battalion of the Rifle Brigade, who was attended by
Adjutant Blundell of the Rifle Brigade. The
inspecting officer, at the conclusion of the review,
desired Colonel Bingham, the commanding officer,
to express to the men his Lordship's satisfaction
with their general appearance, cleanliness, efficiency
in drill, and particularly their marching. The
inspecting officer was also gratified with the quiet
conduct of the men in quarters. We understand
the men will give in their arms and clothing to-day
(Tuesday), and be disbanded on Wednesday.
WEDDING TESTIMONIALIA—The parishioners and
the choir of All Saints' have presented the Rev. J.
F. F. Davidson, the curate of that parish, with an
elegant epergne, an inkstand, and a bread knife and
tray, on the occasion of the rev. gentleman's marriage.
So generally popular and so beloved by those who
attend his ministry, or become associated with him, is
Mr. Davidson, although he has not long been resi-
dent in Dorchester, that in addition to the presents
enumerated, several families and individuals have
testified their appreciation of his many excellent qua-
lities as a gentleman and a pastor, by offering gifts
on the happy event, amongst them a beautiful piece
of ladies' work wrought by eight sisters. We can
only add the hope that the rev, gentleman and his
amiable lady will live long to enjoy the high esteem
and cordial good feeling in which they are held by
their townsmen and friends.

CARPI:U*6Ith' hlctriNu.—A meeting of the car-
penters, joiners, and cabinet makers was held at the
Royal Oak Inn, on Saturday evening last, "to take
into consideration the best possible means whereby
to obtain air increase of the present low rate of
wages." There were about thirty present, which,
considering it to be the first assembly of the kind in
the town, was thought a good attendance. The
first resolution put to the meeting was, "That in the
opinion of this meeting it is desirable to obtain an
increase of wages, and we pledge ourselves to use
ever 7 legitimate means in our power to obtain it"
Carried unanimously. It was then proposed that,
tocarry the object into eMect it would be desirable to
meet those employers who raised any objection to
the request, and fairly discuss the subject. The
working men present took the opportunity to repu-
diate statements that have been made as to any
intention on their part to intimidate or coerce those
who may not feel disposed to join them, their only
motive being, as was stated, to obtain means to.
elevate themselves sod families in the social, moral,
and physical scale.