The Blandford and Wimbourne Telegram. — 1881-11-11 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

SHERSORNE,  BONFIRE NIGHT.  The Fif h falling on a Saturday, the usual observance of Guy Fawkes' day was in many places shifted to the Monday. In other places, as at Templecombe (where there is a very energetic association) it was anticipated, and the display was on the 4th. It Mght be thought that a celebration on the 4th or the 7ch 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 gao I 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 meet. Their success, however, is so strongly marked in the field that the collection boxes showed over 1,000 c)ine, 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 mimed to be a anti-popiah 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 dangere of an infamous conspiracy? No loyal Catholic can have any more sympathy with Guy Fawkes and his murderous designa than with the Land Leaguers and assassins of the Sister Isle. To object to it only aca pageant which , does little good is a stronger argument; but then what becomes of all mere speatacles, the Lord Mayor's show included ? The prorvssion, fireworks, and 6!)14:6 of the Sher. borne Boys were great successes, although the moon and the weather had strong adverse influences. The number of characters its the procession was much greater than before, but tho light were bad, and the torch-s failed to throw the draws Alto strong relief, and probably many who think they saw the whole of the proceeeton will be surprised to hear that several of the disguises were rich enough for a Fancy Ball. Sir Walter Baleigh with two small pages, and a page in blue and silver with long flaxen ringlets, were the beet drawee. More of all mamma of regiments,  Husiors, Lancers, Artillery, and the Queen's and Devil's own, were intermixed with cap-and-gown, the umbrellas and pokes of Sairy Gamps, the spangles of the Harlequins, noses of every size and hue, and garments of every c &aim The Knave of hearts in a dress composed of playing cArds and "I go Nap" round his hat, 1179.3 cart dilly the most novel idea. Arabs, Indians, Crusaders, steel-helmed and red-crossed, Zulus and a baud of torch-bearers 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 soon nothing left but the stump of his cato'-nine tails ; a capital six-foot Irishman, r -presenting the " Guyof the day, Parnell ;" a " providential ' fire escape, "long looked for—come at last," very well get up, with firemen in attendauce ; E 'gland, Russia, and Fiance, represented by a Lion, a Bear, and a Gallio Cock, all elaborate compositions, and each containing a b y. Attended by throe bands, the long procession, under its old commandant, with two equerries also mounted, 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 fi!eworks, and a fire balloon, and a monster bonfire was set alight. By 11 some 209 people from Templecombe and neighb iurhood, and some 500 from Yeovil had left by special trains, and the town had resumed its usual quietness. There were probably 8,000 people collected.