The Poole Telegram. — 1881-11-11 (Poole, Dorset, England)

BONFIRE NIGHT.  The Fifth falling one Saturday, the usual observance of Guy Fawkes' day was in many places shifted to the Monday. In other plaxes, as at Templecombe (where there is a very energetic association) it was anticipated, and the display was on the 4th. It might be thought that a celebration on the 4th or the 7111 would have removed the last excuse of those who object to the November mummery on the sole ground that it commemorates a matter that ought to be allowed to die away, is offensive to the feelings of a good many loyal Catholics, and has been expunged from public observances by order of Parliament ; but this was still the only objection that the Sherborne Bonfire Boys were called upon to neeet. Their success, however, is so strongly marked in the field that the collection boxes showed over 1,000 coins' representing quite two-thirds of that number of individual and voluntary subscribers —that they can go "on without apology." It would be easy enough to show that even if the November carnival had not long since ceased to be a anti-popish demonstration it is quite capable of defence on its original ground. Why should it hurt the feelings of any Catholic if Englishmen continue to mark the day when this country escaped the dangers of an infamous conspiracy? No loyal Catholic can have any more sympathy with Guy Fawkes and his murderous designs than with the Land Leaguers and assassins of the Sister Isle. To object to it only as a pageant which does little good is a stronger argument ; but then what becomes of all mere spectacles, the Lord Mayor's show included? . .  The procession, fireworks, and bonfire of the Sher. borne Boys were great successes, although the moon and the weather had strong adverse ittlaences. The number of characters in the procession was much greatsr than before, but the light were bad, and the torchrs failed to throw the dresses hit., strong relief, and probably many who think they saw the whole of the procession will be surprised to hear that several of the disguises were rich en nigh for a Fancy Ball, Sir Walter Raleigh with two small pages, and a page in blue said silver with long flaxen ringlets, were the best drosses. Officers of all roamer of regimouta,  liussirs, Lancers, Artillery, and the Queen's and Devil's own, were intermixed with cap-and-gown, the umbrellas and pokes of Sairy Getups, the spangles of the Harlequins, noses of every eize and hue, and garments of every colour. The Knave of hearts in a dress composed of playiug cards aud " I go Nap" round his hat, was certsithy the most novel idea. Arabs, Indiana, Crusaders, steel-bylined and red-crossed, Zulus aud a baud of torch-hearers were grouped in the procession, which also showed in the way of novelties a full length figure of the assassin of the President, on whose back a youthful flogger laid it on so heartily that he had soou nothing left but the stump of his cato'-niue tails ; a capital six-foot Irishman, rvresenting the "Guyof the day, Parnell ;" a " providential ' fire escape, " long looked for—come at lest," very well get up, with firemen in attendance; Eoglanci, Russia, and France, represented by a Liou, Bear, and a Galli° Cock, all elaborate compositions, and each containing a boy. Attended by three bands, the long procession, under its old commandant, with two equerries also mounteld, and marshalled by a dozen of the leading "boys,' went its old route through the town, occasionally lighted up by coloured tires, and, on returning to Mr. Peacock's field, the terrace was lighted up. Wells let off a grand display of fiteworks, such a tire balloon, and a monster bonfire was set alight. By 11 some 200 people from Templecombe and neighb nirhood, and some 500 from Yeovil had left by specisl truce, and the town had resumed its usual quietness. There were probably 8,000 people collected.