The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1861-10-22 00:00:00

FORESTERS' FESTIVAL AT DORCHESTER.

The anniversary of the members of the " C,orirt Pro-
gress.," of the Independent Order of Foresters, was held
at Brother Host Loveless's, Decoys Inn, on Thursday
evening last. One of the mostAileming lentufiS if
unions of this kind is the general cordielity wh ii
shown between the nieuibers, and which la ' d,
especially, at those friendly gathmings when the
brothers assemble to eelebrate their anniversery. About
Ina-past 'even the nieuibens assembled, mei were
quickly round-the well-spread tables, which
did Jnes--hoste- Both "'roast end
those boi My nothing of morn delicate but
eatilliyestaintes ffideth ere seat to the appetite, were
;Med haaelatteibeadatitee. Greet etedit is also due
thenweelsweesiMed iin elsomatiascalse moan. Behind
the 'Wall; was suspended, encircled with wreaths, the
wpoi r riop.i.4o. ...-% Ito suitable motto for a young
society, and 000 which the members will do well to
Firm to attain to; while Milts opposite end-" Uuity,
lasegmolemei; ilia Cionfibrd'ta-tb• memo of the society
with the Div...taloa of the Order beneath, mpt
gaze, remittal . them preheat that without these to
necessary tessB Ilse es/fare of the society could
nut be attained. " Somme to Forestry." and " Pros-
Peri? to the Tiede of Derehester," with several horns
of p only, ped evergreens hung in festoon*, graced the
walls. Tie *hair was taken by M. C. Weston, Esq.,
soppotted on hie right by Dr. Aldridp and Mr. T.. Ben-
nett, md on his left by H. N. Howard, Esq. of Wey-
mouth, ConneMor Freud, of Dorchester, ;ad other
gentlemen. An excellent band was in attendance, :.n.i
contrihntel in no slight degree to the hilarity atid plea-
sures of the *ming.
After fun justice had been dose to the good things
provided, the usual loyal toasts were proposed from ths
*hair, and most heartily responded to, the band after-
male 'Wag the National Anthems
The CUM WAN then said, that though we were now
happily at pam, still, se the comae of mute were In-
had sot loag ago suffered through war,
we should always have the welfare and interests of our
gellaote delimiters. at heart, and he therefore proposed
Tie
' stehmay and Nan."-(Etrank with cheers.)
lisaa.-.-" Hearts of Oak," and "Britannia Reties the
Wane."
"lice Majesty's Ministate" was then preptied front
the 'Moir and Impended to.
Bends-" Tim it Tan Borer."
The "Heaths of the Members for the County" was
then drank, followed by the band playing Gm " Der-
cheMee Mareh."
T4ill CH AIRMAW ha girl " Success to Court "'Form
of 6 Ancient Order of creators," slid, that perhaps
no issitintry could boast of so many benevolent and me-
tal Bocitiess as England; and DODO claimed • greater
right to their support as those, who like the one
whom anniversary they bad that evening met to ogle-
brale,'imataboted to raise the working cleaves tea state
of independence. Unfortunately, be knew but kale of
yurafitry. If he understood rightly they claimed to
have had their origin from the time of the celebrated
Robin Heed, and he was surprised, until informed of
the reason by one of the members, that they did not
cheery° the first of May as their anniversary. Of
Robin Hoed many things might be said ; he was • boll
fearless man, and though at the pr...sent day what he did
would not lie countenanced, yet he was anything but •
bed man )if he took front the rich, it was to assist the
poor "mil distressed; he Was very polite and courteous
to the ladies, if that was any recommendation -Haugh-
ter)=lind he was openhearted. All such moieties as
Mein deserve i more of the patronage and support of the
great body of the people, especially tbe higher classes,
and be hoped that they would increase both in numbers
and prosperity.-He now celled upon them to fill their
glosses, and drink - "Success to Court Progress."
(Drank with musical bonoure.)
Band-" Bold Robin Hood."
The Cualauto then called upon the Secretary to
nol hie report. from which it appeared that during the
first year, (18)9) the number of members was 20; in
1860,. 10; sod al the present time 80. With this in-
willeall PreePerity the amount of sickness bad de-
creased from OD days in the first year, to 44 dap Last
year. £4 2s. had been paid for sickness during the past
year. The auditors declared a balance of NI on the
last financial half.year ' • and the society hut DOD in
bend and in the hank tn. Tie total capital of the
District (South Western) unto March last, was £1,740.
Number of Courts in the District hut November, 41,
with 4,034 financial members. 11,917 14s. had been
paid for sickness since the courts had been opened; and
the 'total of their funds was £18.760 14e. 70. The
sggregote number of members of the order at the begin-
gesltilie year 1860 was 168,676, .nd they now num-
bered upwards of 200,000. The proportion of deaths in
lB.'lB, was one in 83, and in 1869, only one in 91 died.-
With such • statement before them he (the Secretary) I
considered they bad much came to be thankful, and I
therefore endeavouring to enlist as many as they pos- I
sibly could in their ranks, and carryingont the excellent
prlfiefples of their Order, let them take good heart end
persevemeia their work. With the Chairman's permia-
mina be would give "Success to Kindred Societies,"
toupikg with the toilet the name of Dr. Aldridge.
W. kl.1)111002 said that he could may amount for the
empliag lasmatem with the toast of "Kindred
tociTeri73' bemuse he had sleep taken • great interest
in the prosperity of those combinations of the working
classes which hut their best interests in view. This
wax, Mcleod, the lint time he lied met with • Conn of
Fore4ers, for the simple reason that he hail not before
been Witted; but he was a memlmr of the Odd Fellows'
Society, and the principles sad alms of both them
societies were identical. All such societies commended
I themselves to the support and assistance of all classes,
and Ire Waded that those who now stood aloof would
DIN it was their duty to moist tbein. He thanked Diem
elasserely for the honour they bad done him in drinkiug
his health, and be trusted that Forestry might become
,oreand more soceessful. (A p awe.)
Ilind-" Oli, flusenneh, don'tr;ou cry ler me."
The CHAIRMAN, in rising to propose the next toast,
mid, that be believed they would all agree with him
that nothing tended so much to the 'names of a society
as having good officers. From the statement which
their worthy semetary liad just read he was glad to
find that their society was 111 • fiouriehing condition,
and this he attributed in • great measure to their effi-
cient manners. Ile would, therefore, give them "The
Chief Hauser, and the other officers of the Court."
Dreamt E. Mimosa replied on behalf of the Chief
Ranger, whose Amoco he regretted. and Prelmeed the
limelthe of the honorary member,' and visiting brothers,
with the names of Mr. Bennett ad Mr. Howard.
(Loud cheers.)
Mr. Hunan°, in acknnwledging the toast, mid it
afforded Min van much pie...inns in being present that
*veiling. lie always was glad if in any way he could
iimist the excellent society, of which he was proud to
say he was a member. And he w.ould remind them
that Forestry was not confined to one pleas, that it wee
not like the old benefit societies, which had only a local
inaamee, bet that it was a mighty whole, of whit&
sash minimal*? Court was • part, and therefore they
should waist their teethes:it in other places by their pre-
seam and co-opera ion on such occasions as the pre-
sent • and as lie had come simaig them that night he
hoped to see son.e of their number on • future occasion
at Weyorrith. The objects of their moiety were
most praiseworthy; . they . were banded together
to. the purpose of asseit.ng each other iu the
jam of sickusse and distress, and thus giving
-the helping haul to each other, they carried out the
. dmitelleri priociples euibudied in their motto-
" Beuevolence." He was exceedingly pleased to find
that they had increased from 20 to 40, and thee from
40 to 80, end if they went on at that rate, they might
depend upon it theirs would soon Inc the largeet court
in the district. He trusted that they would so income',
as that other courts wight Inc formed; out WI rival*,
hut ae friendly companious to one another, so that the
principles of Forestry might extend on every band.
One part of the report ho was exceedingly glad to hear.
end that wee that so few of their iininber had been ill
duriag the past year, and lie trusted that the number
might decrease every year, but at the mime ties, lie
woad reiniud them how uncertain was life, and the
boor of sickness and trial might soon come : he hoped.
therefore, that even if they had not up to the present
time received anything out of the funds, they would
not on that &mount think of kiving up their oonnectiou
with the order. Happily, in England, every man wes
free, who had health and etrength, *nil it was only in
,JSe day of hickums that the working man, if not •
• member of • benefit society, we.' likely to become
enslaved. And this he considered was of the best
ounsulta of mei' oweetiee-that they made the poor man
free, and independent ; for he could claim as his right
-out se charity -the weekly relief allowed to nick
i =smile' a, end a prat deal of hie suffering was alleviated
i by the knowledge that them he loved beet were not
dpprired of the neomearies of life by his inability to
work. He trusted the time was not far distant when
time who moved in the higher circles of society wouol
' give their shonntenancie to Forestry and all such societi. e;
end this they should do, if for no higher motive thee to
litenefit themselves ; for if, as they have heard, 200.1t50
roreitters, snit even more odd Fellows, and esthete
,
, joined together in thee providing in the time of health
i
1
,
i
r
i
Lii .
. against the day of eickurse, what a vast deal it mu,l
save the pockets of the rate-payers. The worthy gentle
man concluded his speech by again entreatiug the
members to carry out the benevolent principles of the
society, and resumed his seat amidst sothusiostic
own.
. Song by the Seeretary-" Alonso the Brave, and the
• • Ilair theuseue."
• , Tts " Mehl' of the Mayor Mid Town Conine of
•'lllorettainer, with the name Dr. Aldridge,was then given
,
. ' from the Maio
. Dr. Atonioos reepooded on behalf of the Town
. Canoga, olio, he said had the welfare of the inhabitant'
. the borough at heart, and he ins sure that with
stwipstitations as theirs they all fully sympathised.
étaki, with their permission, propose) the health of
aqemen, who, he holland they would oaf was the
tam la the right place. at Islet on the present
.011, though. considering his great legal &pain-
ts, probably they would not °wielder him so if
E...thooptrittthz in • mutt ofthe .2aw. He gave
The Quitman made • suitable reply, in which be
saki that be did aot sow with Dr. Aldridge. that "be
'WM OD right owl to ass right Plum," for lie thought
..eggeigheremield have doge better to have chosen ooe
. r,........ with the pinciplea of Forestry than
. ..„.440..0 . hewers:, they mast take him as they found
eiik if ha any way be yield amiet them he should
i , be wet happy to do so.. (Cheers.)
-- t;,ng b: Bristlier Hallos --" The Battle of Trafalgar."
"Town end Teede of Doreliester ;" "The
"Tflitla of the Host and Mosinee; "Th. "Adj...
w TIM Press," aud many other toasts and sentimenia
yrfre iivert arid resraded to, and thus the hours passed
awry in good min t inn jollity, all parties appearing
bia?py, and evidently determined to make the most of
'4lns yleasentrgethering.
-„.,_` On ale full series evening (Friday) the inamban sad
_ I leads, with Cosi; sweethearts and wives, joined in the
ealtillrethni dance, keeping time to the strains of an
JegitilbOt 'quadrille band engaged for the omesion.
i.--------.
~ . .
. lanTuan--On 'Monday evening, (14th), • WWII,
"COUtIR Caron'," was given in connection with
' 4 eturg Institution,- al the Town-bill, by Mr.
- of Fopol4ngf9li. The chair warn slay
liet. Ir. Barnes. - There was •
"de audience, including the
-itictury remarks by the

provl
to O'