The Blandford and Wimbourne Telegram. — 1879-10-10 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

WAIFS FROM THE ROCK.  The Channel fleet is once more with us. But it hs,ks quite diminutive after the magnificent show in the summer of last year. Yet there are our old friends with the five ina..ts, the Minotaur and Agincourt, with the Defence and Invincible.  Some surprise is expressed at Vice-Admiral Willes not being given the command of the Channel Squadron, for it was generally accepted that he would be given that opportunity of hoisting his flag afloat. It has been decided, however, that the Channel Squadron is far too small to admit of a Vice-Admiral in. command and a Rear-Admiral as second in command; so Rear-Admiral Hood will relieve Vice-Admiral Lord John Hay on the 10th of next month. Possibly China may fall to the lot of Admiral Willes, whose turn for employment afloat has certainly arrived, having been employed on shore for such a number of years.  A curious incident recently occurred. A man with his wife and family were about to voyage to Jersey, the luggage was shipped, the tickets taken, and the families about to go on board, when the mother was taken ill, and shortly there was an addition to the family. Of course their arrangements were all upset, and when a month hence they once more try to make the passage, we trust there will be no worse trouble than "a I ittle one.  The recent gathering in London of the surviving veterans of Lucknow, brings to our notice the fact, that the 32nd (Cornwall) Light Infantry now stationed at Portland, formed part of the garrison in the memorable defence of Lucknow, when attacked by the mutineers in the month of May, 1857. 130 men of the 32nd, under Colonel Inglis, formed the permanent guard for the Lucknow residency, and bravely they performed their duties on the eventful might of the 30th of May, when the mutiny broke out, accompanied by incendiarisin, rapine, and murder. In the Resideney at Lucknow officers did duty as private soldiers, and civilians fought side by side with them. The mutineers poured shot and shell upon them, and wearied them with perpetual assaults. Then sickness, a more dire foe than the mutineers, broke out amongst them, yet soldier and civilian alike found energy to repair their defences, and continue a gallant struggle. Though the 32nd men numbered amongst the heroes of Lucknow are not now serving with the regiment, yet we doubt not, that in the. event of emergencies, equal valour would be shown.  An ex-M.P. who for a number of years was a tenant at the Grove, has been lately visiting the old spot. Doubtless there are attractions here, and as he viewed familiar scenes, and saw his fellow men in a garb so familiar, and thought of his own experiences on the Rock, he probably, in a manner never before felt, tasted the true sweets of liberty.  If the two choirs, which strayed from the Naval Ground on the occasion of the late sports, will kindly return to their owner, all willbe forgivenand forgotten.  The individual who flitted from the Rock, and left his lodging bill unpaid, is respectfully informed that the landlady is not particular whether he sends the needful in stamps or P. 0.0.  The Chesilton young men's improvement class have commenced their winter session with some two dozen members, and we recommend the young men of Under-hill to throw in their lot with them. With Mr. Roper, as vice-president, and Mr. J. Comben as their energetic secretary, we anticipate a good and profitable session for them.  We suppose there is not much of the beautiful behind the bars and bolts of the prison, an,l the visit of that lady on Saturday last, who is said to be the most handsom, woman in urope, doubtless came as a gleam of sunshine upon the heavy hearts incarcerated within the walls of Portland Prison.