The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1861-08-06 00:00:00

PORTLAND.
ODD FELLOWS' DEMONSTRATION.

The principle of mutual sasociation and co-
operation bee, in all ages, and under every
circumatanne, whether of a public or private nature,
been found most advantageous ; and that truth is
now so generally recognised, that it has become a
predominant feature in our social system. This is
strikingly developed in the preeent day, because
in every branch of study, whether of science,
literature, or art, the principle of association and
co-operation is the basis upon which each meta. It
is this which gives stability and effect •to
the various societies which exist for the
advancement of particular branches of study,
forming as it does a nucleus and a point to which
men, eminent in each, bring their experience and
their investigation to bear, and thus, by comparison,
! contribute to the elucidation of truth. There is
scarcely any great result which has tended to
advance civilisation, to spread refinement, and
promote the social and physical welfare of mankind,
! which has not been mainly owing to the efforts
I which have been made and concentrated by societies
I establishAl for the purpose of carrying such objects
into effect.

The munificence of the founders /ad benefactors, in
reference to our universities in particular,
together with grants voted by the nation in aid of
various public societies, to say nothing of the stream
of benevolence flowing from private enures', through
the channels of the varione societies—religious,
moral, scientific, literary, and artistic, which exist
throughout the length and breadth of the land, and
the system adopted by great mercantile bodies and
joint-stock companies, may be regarded 1111 • recog-
nition of the principal of on-operation, and as a
striking testimony in its favour. Co-opsratioa is
the strength of society. A number of persons will
do collectively what it would be imposiible
to do individually; hence a man may spend
a lifetime and live b the age of klethusileh
in attempting to build, equip, and launch a ship of
500 tons; yet 50 nun shall do it in twelve months.
11 is this 'principal that las laid our railroads, and
built our leviathan steamers, that has spanned our
rivers with bridges, and our valleys with viaducts.
The dew-drop is • smell thing, yet unitedly what
rich draughts do they supply to the thirsty earth.
A single rain-drop is • wadi agent in itself, yet
who can estimate the blessings they bestcw in
showers I so in society; Union is Strength.
We have often thought that the founders of
what may now be regarded as a great national
institution, chose a somewhat odd cognomen when
they named their society the Independent Order of
Oddfellows. A writer hassemewhere said, "A rose
by any other name would smell as sweet." That's
true. And yet a rose is a roes " for all that."
Call it by any other name, and England's national
emblem would loop half its charms. So with Odd
Fellowship. To an Odd Fellow's ear there is un-
doubtedly something euphonious in the name—
associating his ideas with a oneness of design, a
oneness of feeling, a oneness of purpose and effort
which is manifested among in members. ilp
knows that the society is founded on the principle of !
love, and that its fruits are charity arid benevolence ,
—that there exists amongst the members • unity
which bind heart to heart and man to his fellow
man. In their union lies their strength. Solomon
has said that there is "no new thing under the ann."
There were Odd Fellows in his days and long
before his time—Odd Fellows in deed, if not in
name. But when Solomon penned those words he
was not thinking about an Odd Fellows procession at
Portland. There is something new in that. Thuile
who had never been off the island—and there are
several such still living there—who have almost
brought themselves to believe that the principal
portion of the globe is concentrated in that one little
spot of some 7 or 8 miles in circaunfersooe, never I
witnessed such • sight before as they witnessed on !
Monday last. Triumphal arches were erected, flags !
were hoisted, sad streamers spanned the streets at
various potato. Business was almost at a standstill,
the beaux and belles were dressed in their holiday
suits, and even those who had passed their three-
score years and ten were on the tiptoe of excitement.
The veriest stranger entering Portland for the tint
time could not fad to observe that it was an eventful
day.
The morning was delightful and large numbers of
persons arrived by steam packet either to witness or
to take part in the proceedings. As Odd
Fellows always do on their festivities, so they did
on this occasion. They proceeded to the House of
God in company together. The church selected was ,
St. John's, and the Rev. H. Jenour officiated, taking
for his text the 130th Psalm—" Behold how good
and how pleasant a thing it is for brethren to dwell
together in unity." The Bev, gentleman exhorted !
to brotherly lore and unity. lie had read their
rulee and approved them, and he exhorted them to
abstain from drunkenness and dancing. Both before
and after attending church, the members formed a
procession visiting almost every nook in the island
in something like the following order:
_

Mounted Wardens withdrawn swords.
Banner.
Portland Brass Band.

Dispensation of the Loyal Victoria and Albert Lodge.
Brethren. Banner. Brethren.
Di/peculation of the Loyal Portland Lodge
Brethren.
Union Jack.
2nd Dorset Artillery Drain and Fife Band.
Banner.
Wardens On foot with Drawn Swords.
Brethren.
Banner.
Yeovil Saxeshorn Band
Visiting Brethren.
District and Lodge Officers.
kn., kc.,
Tbe procession attracted great admiration from the
islanders, all of whom appeared to be congregated in
the streets.

The dinner took place in the cricket field, near
the Clifton Hotel, and was got up in excellent
style by Mr. B. White, Jun. No one could com-
plain of not having enough; there was an abundance
and to spare, and that of the best that could be
! proouied. Altogether the dinner reflected great
credit on the worthy purveyor.
The chair was taken by it. N. Howard, Esq., of
Weymouth, who, without hyperbole we may say,
acquitted himself in a way which deserved, as it
received, the appreciation of all present. Always
fluent, on this ooaasion many of his sentences as he
depicted the benefits of Odd Fellowship were truly
sublime, and we only regret that want of space alone
prevents our giving a full report of his speeches.
The vice-chair wee ably filled by Mr. W. L Smith,
steward of the prison, and there were present Dr.
Brodribb and several of the principal inhabitants
of the

The usual loyal and patriotic touts were given
and enthusiastically received, followed by various
toasts having reference to the Order and the various
officers who carry on the busmen of the lodges and
district. The chairman's health called forth pro-
longed cheering, as did also several others.
But while these intellectual proceedings were
going on in the tent, the visitors outside were
enjoying themselves to their hearts' content in various
athletic exercises, including footled', dancing, and
that sport so congenial to the feelings of the young,
vulgarly termed "kiss in the ring." Of course every-
body, young and old, have in their lifetime enjoyed
this ethiliarating gams, and a description of it from
oar pen as by no means uce,y. Pleasure lighted
Up every countenance, and all, so -far as outward
appearances went, was joyousness and hilarity.
eciiiit conclude oar notice of the premodify
without tendering oar thanks, which are be Patl!
dm, to ibe committee of management for their ad-
mirable arrangements of the entire proceedings of
the day. They laboured hard to promote in every way
this comfort of their guests, and Adminbly taw

performed their perk It may be that after their
proceedings had closed, on reviewing the events of
the day, thins would be seen where amendments
could have been made in the progremme. We know
not if such were the ease, but remembering that it
was the first Odd Fellows demonstration in Port-
land, we must pronounce it • complete SUOMI/.
EXPENSES or FOITIPICATIoNs.—On Thursday an
account was published of the moneys raised under the
authority of the Act 23 and 21 Viet. es. 109, to provide
for the expenses of fortifications, from which it appears
that the moneys raised under the Act up to 31st July
last was 1:360,000; the amount of annuities created ip
respect of the moneys so raised, via., annuities com-
mencing 6th April. 1861, and expinng sth April,
1885, being £22,820. The moneys issued out
of the Consolidated Fund in respect of the
sum charged thereon, under the said Act up
to lit July, 1861, was £150,000, which sum
was applied as follows: Portsmouth, 1:67,84) tts. ; Ply-
mouth, £43,257 Is. 10d. ; Pembroke. £2,425 6s. Gal.;
Thames, £267 3.. 7d.; Medway, Lt 29 12s. ; Chatham,
£42 3s. 6d.; Dover, £8,455 16e. 64. ; Portland,
worm 17s. 11d. ; miscellaneous works, C 241 7a. lid. ;
legal stag, he., 1.2137 13..; ye, k.. £4,969 15e. 7d.;
general expenses, £6,435 fe. 44. Consequently, out of
the amount issued, • balance of £4,907 th. 44. remains
unapplied. The amount remaining to be raised of the
sumo! E 2,000,060 authorised to be raised under the raid
Act is £1,640,000, and the amount remaining to be
Lamed or applied of the said sum of £2,000,000, is
£1,860,000.