The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1866-11-27 00:00:00

MANAGE.

Surely the town of Swanage, with its one long narrow
street, and quaint stone houses, never wore such a gay
and holiday appearance as on this occasion. Innumerable
garlands of evergreens interspersed with Rags were
stretched across the road, and mottoes breathing •
welcome to the lifeboat and her crew, and sucoess to
their endeavours, were displayed from almost every
house and shop in the town. A flag floated from the
church tower, bands of music enlivened the scene with
their performances, and the people turned out
ea muse in honour of the occasion. The demonstration
was arranged by the following committee :--Mr.
Burt, Mr. T. Domini. the 1t... It, D. Travers, the
Rev. G. Hinds, the Rev. R. Harper, Captain Burgess,
Mr. G. de la Motte, Mr. J. T. Smedmore, and Mr. J.
Pope, hon, secretary and treasurer. It would be im-
possible to give anything like an enumeration of the
decoration., and we must therefore be content with
describing some of the more excell. nt amoupt them.
Near the obelisk erected to "Albert the Good" there
was • fine arch surmounted by many flags, and having
an inscription, "Welcome to the Lifeboat A few
yards further on was a decorated polo with • string of
large flags spanning the road. At Mr. fitiekland's,
I growl., was a motto "God Sneed the Lifeboat;" whilst
I a display of evergreens and flags was made opposite Mr.
Bonfield's Swan Inn. At Mr. Green's, room was •
similar display of evergreens and flags with floral device,
and from Mr. Smolnaore's, builder and ironmonger,
to the Congregetional Chapel, were suspended rows of
many coloured flags At Mr. Cleall's there wax • gaudy
display of banners, whilet Mr. Tatchell, bootmaker, made
a creditable show of flags. Ac. Mr. White, upholsterer.
had • numerous collection of flags,
.with festoons of
evergreens and flowers and floral demo.. In front of
Mr. Hibb's New Inn were strings of flogs &nom the
I street, whilst over the door were the mottoes, "God
bless the Crew" and "May your Hearts never Fail."
The best triumphal arch in the town and one
of the handsomest we have ever seen, spanned the
mad near Purbeck House, the residence of George
Burt, Req., and it was jointly providsd by that gentle-
man and Docwn, Esq., of The Grove. The design of
this triple arch was by the Mimes Dann and Burt,
and it won general admiration, In the centre of
the eross•nam wss • crystal star, which was illuminated
In the evening, and on either side of it was the inscrip-
tion, "Th•nks to E. M. R." and "Nov. 21st, 1866,
cleverly formed in holly berries on • white ground, and
these were tanked by splendid chrysanthemum plants,
while underneath was • well-executed motto "Welcome."
The whole was surmounted by • floral crown and • pro-
fusion of gay coloured fisgs. On the other side of the
arch there was a star formed with variegated lamps, and
underneath the motto "God speed the lifeboat." The
supporting columns of the arch were wreathed with
garlands of flowers and decorated with floral devices
The long wall in front of Purbeck House was draped
with flags and the parapet adorned with a splendid
a-ray of dowers, the whole forming a very pretty
and tasteful display. An excellent evergreen arch
wag erected by Mr. T. Randall over the attunes
gate to his residence. From the middle of the
arch was suspended a floral crown with the initials
" Vat ." and also a motto expressive of • wish
that the lifeboat may be successful. The whole
of this arch was illuminated with coloured lamps
In the evening. The palisades in front of the house
were adorned with evergreera and flowers. There was
a line of streamers at the Anchor Inn, Mr. Fowler,
draper, decorated his premises with a wreathing of ever-
greens and • variety of Gaga and displayed the motto
"God speed the lifeboat." The Swan Inn was orna-
mented with a garland of evergreens interspersed with
bunt-intr. and • similar display was made by J. Pope,
Esq., at Alma Villa (the Donetshire Bank). Mr. Biddle-
comb... house was decorated with wreaths of greenery
and flowers, various nags, and the mottoes "Success to
the Lifeboat," and "May God protect the crew of the
boat from danger when they are afloat;" this last being
formed in gilt letters on • blue grounding, having an
edging of lowers. G. de la Motte, Req., had fir-trees
planted in front of his residence, and a pleasing display
of newt and other deeorations. A line of streamers
intermixed with laurel was extended across the road
from Mr. C. Burt's office, and • similar adornment was
made at the residence of J. llowlem, Esq. The Shin
Hotel was festooned with greenery intermixed with
flowers. and • quantity of bunting was displayed. We
then come to the Royal Vietotia Hotel, in front of which
fir trees were planted, and the stone steps and balcony of
the hotel were elaborately decorated with evergreens
and gags. Just beyond the hotel, there was another
grand piece of decorative work. This was. triumphal
arch of massive proportions with intersected beams.
On one side was V.R. ,• underneath a transparency
representing • wrecked ship and • mariner on deck in
the attitude of prayer with the motto, "God help our
men at sea," and on the other side, there was •
transparency of the Prince and Princess of Wales,
surmounted by • crown and sceptre • the span of the
arch and the side columns were looped with variegated
lamps. At the Grove, the residence of T. Danis,
Esq., there was a display of Rags and other decorations.
In the evening when the illuminations were made the
Iwhole town had • fairy-like aspect.

Till PRESENTI.TION AND Lloar NCR.

The ceremony of christening the lifeboat was per-
formed by Lady Augusta Fremantle, a sister of the
Bight Hon. the Karl of Eldon. At two o'clock
precisely the Committee of management and •
number of ladies and gentlemen interested in the
work, walked in prooemba from the Royal Victoria
Hotel, the volunteers and coastguard lining the way to
the beach. We noticed :—Colonel Hansel and Lady
Augusta Fremantle, Capt. pt Calmat, Rau, sad Lady
Selina Bond, the Rev. R. D. Travers and Mrs. 0. Hansel,
the Rev. O. Hansel, and Mrs. J. Backe., the Rev. E. 8.
Bankes and Mrs. C. Digby, Mr. Fremantle and Mrs.
Burgess, C. Digby, Fan. and Hrs. Morrice, Admiral
Gambier, Igo. The boat was then conveyed to the slip,
near the pier, where she was to be launched, and
when the company bad thronged around the spot,
addressing them

. -
Admiral usmanta, said : I &pow as the representative
of E.ILS., the lady who gives this lifeboat to the Royal
National Lifeboat Institution and to the country, who
has been known here of old u one generous in her
nature, and always ready to do a good turn, and more
(specially to seamen; and who may have been remembered
as often watching the waves in heavy gales of wind.
In reoollection of the happy days she 'Pent here. Le
well as of the wrecks she witnessed on the coast,
she was anxious to name Chapman's Pool as the plus
where this boat should be stationed. It is in her name
that I present this boat to the Royal National Lifeboat
Institution, and I trust that she will ever be manned by
a crew, who living in the fear and love of God and in the
faith of their Saviour who died for them, will themeelvea
net be unwilling or fearful to risk their livee in saving
those who are in peril, and that they may not only be
saved from a watery grave, but may be led to the true life-
boat—Christ Jesus our Lord, who died for all. I hope
the boat will receive God's blearing, awl I wish you all
woos= from the bottom of my heart.—(applause).
Captain Weal), Lie., Inspector of Lifeboats to the
National Life Boat Institution, said : As the representa-
tive of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
beg to return the thanks of that Institution
to the lady who has presented this boat, and to
the multitude who have assembled here to witness
the launch. The preparations which have been made
throughout the district indicate that the gift of this boat
' be. been appreciated in the highest manner. I beg that
Admiral Gambier will inform the good lady who has so
generously and BO nobly presented this boat, that the
Institution u a body &perm:date her goodness as
ouch as do those who are assembled here this day—
(applause).
Admiral Gallatin said be we. sore that E.M.& weed
hove been greatly gratified had she seen the pleura-
tines made for eriebrating that day and the greet in-
terest manifested in the lifeboat.

The Rev. R. D. TRAVERS, rector of Strange, then read
a portion of the Psalm evil., beginning at the 23rd verse,
and he then offered an appropriate prayer, followed by
the Lord's Prayer, and the benediction.
Lady AUGUSTA FRIPIANTLI then took up her position
against the stern of the boat, where a bottle of wits
had been suspended, and she performed the ceremony
of christening the boat by smashing the bottle on its;
side, and saying : name this boat the 'George Scott,'
and may God preserve her"—(cheers).
The boat, upon its transporting carriage, was then
taken down the specially prepared slip, to the as.. and
a minute after she glided into the water, and • loud
hurrah trim the thowianda of spectators asitembled
proclaimed • most suceesafel launch. Cheers for the
boat and her crew were then willed for, and heartily
reepen lerl to, followed by cite .rs for Lady Augusta
Frem guar, end for Captain Berge.. The two brays
h.es,l4 which were present then played "God save the

Qo•cn " _
The boat i.lO feet long.? feet wile. and rows shear.
singledetnked. It peewees the word valuable propertiee
aelf.right seldejettine water, sind other
charscteriaticto of the Institution's bode. The trans.
earth g merino., of the boat is also adoiiraltly adapted
to its peep.... It; en ingenious contriv mot,. the
boat, with It. crow on board, in launched off the
carri ge, with tiseir oars in their hands ; they
sro thus enabled to obtsin headway before
the breakers have time to beat the boat broadside
no the heeeh. n° hauling up of the lifeboat no
iS erriage it aecomeani. d with r quid facility.
Se William Knapp ps Mat eogswain of the beat, and
Mr. W. Mete, second ; Rod the six oarsmen
ace ourigurrd.mer ,f the St. Albsn's Head Station
Th y rowed the beat up and down the hay. and
nfterstsris she ens tsken up to the side of the
ttier, for the purpose of being coed. 01, to show
her righting trialittes. It was not thought worth
while thst the eres should retnsin in her &trine this
experiment, as it groold serve no geed purpose, and
would give the own, who were dressed in their best, •
rood snaking and perhaps a severe cold afterwards.
They therefore landed, and then • crane being brought
lets requisition, the beat was turned over and lay keel
uPeertoost. Immediately, however, that the ropes were
slackened, she turned and righted herself, and the three
tons of water which she had shipped passed through the
self-acting valves in the bottom of the beat in twenty
seconds. The experiment, which was watched with
great interest, was performed a second time. This eon.
eluded the proceedings connected with the launching.