Some Selected Reports from The Windsor and Eton Express
19th February 1842
We are pleased to hear that
T.R.Ward, Esq., of Englefield Green, who lately met with an accident while hunting in Northamptonshire, is going on well. In the fall
Mr.Ward unfortunately broke his collar bone, and fractured his arm.
Literary and Scientific Institution
On Wednesday evening,
Mr.W.Jones gave his concluding lecture in the Town-hall, on "Animal Mechanics." The structure of the human frame was explained in a very clear and lucid manner, and rendered exceedingly interesting and amusing, being interspersed with appropriate anecdotes, &c. The auditory , which was both numerous and respectable, frequently testified their approbation by loud-plaudits.
Theatre Royal
On Monday evening the Theatre was opened for the purpose of benefiting
Mr.Dodd, the manager, whose season has been a very unprofitable one; on which occasion the amateur performers of Windsor and Eton most kindly lent their services, and most valuable they certainly proved.
Mr.Dodd had also the additional aid afforded of the admirable band of the 72nd Highlanders, who were very handsomely allowed by their commanding officer to attend, and who played various excellent pieces of music during the evening in a very superior style. There were selected for the evening's amusement
Colman's comedy of the "Poor Gentleman," and the farce of "Love, Law, and Physic;" the only professionals who performed were
Mr.Dodd himself,
Mr.Clinton, his stage manager, and
Mrs.Romer (late
Miss Mayoss), and
Miss Darcus. The house was filled to even an overflow, and with the audience determined to be merry; even were they not so prepossessed they could not have been otherwise gratified at the very superior style of acting by the amateurs; avoiding publishing the names of the parties we cannot pass by the performances of some of them. The characters of Sir Robert Bramble, Miss Lucretia McTab, and Humphrey Dobbins, in the first piece, were especially worthy of notice, and elicited great applause. That of Lieutenant Worthington was most respectably performed, and indeed, all the performers went through their parts in the most creditable style.
Dodd himself was irresistible as Doctor Ollapod, and the two ladies were all that could be wished. The farce went off equally well, and every body returned home much gratified. At the commencement of the evening
Mr.Clinton delivered an appropriate address, written by himself, and at the conclusion
Mr.Dodd came forward and expressed his acknowledgements to the audience, promising that in the summer he would open his campaign with an efficient company.
Sparrow Shooting
On Thursday the Windsor Sparrow Club had a day's shooting in the Brocas. The chief prize was a set of silver shooting jacket buttons, valued at £4, for which twelve members contended at eleven birds each, and handicapped in the distance. The prize was won by
Mr.Bacon, killing ten out of his eleven birds.
Corporation of New Windsor
On Tuesday a special meeting of the town council was held in the Town Hall, it being called chiefly for the purpose of considering the application to parliament to renew the Windsor Bridges Act. The attendance of members was not very numerous, there being but thirteen councillors present exclusive of the mayor.
The Town Clerk having read the minutes of the last meeting, said the first thing on the paper was an application by petition of the trustees of the bridge, the act regarding which was about to expire, for a renewal and amendment of that act. The Town Clerk having read the petition.
Mr.Darvill enquired whether it was proposed in the new act to reduce the amount of the tolls ?
The Town Clerk answered in the negative. It was only proposed to renew the act. A great deal of conversation had passed regarding the tolls but nothing had been done.
Mr.Darvill said he had the pleasure on a former occasion to propose a way by which the council might be enabled to pay off their debt on the bridge, and showing that by enfranchising the corporation property they could effect a saving of £500 a year, besides reducing the tolls one half. A vote of thanks was then proposed to him, but he never heard that his proposition was thought any more of. He was convinced the tolls could be reduced one half, and that the borough would save £500 a year by his scheme, which would be better than obtaining another Act of Parliament to continue the tolls for 31 years longer. He thought if his scheme was feasible, they should embody all in one act, and they should relieve the borough of one half of the bridge tolls. He did not wish to throw any obstacles in the way of business, but if there was anything in the plan he had proposed, he hoped the council would take it into their consideration.
The Town Clerk said
Mr.Darvill was correct as to what he had done, but he had omitted one important fact, which was that when that gentleman's statements were laid before the council those gentlemen said it was impossible to come to any determination without full consideration, and the time would not admit of it, for the lease was due to expire on the 31st of August last; and even now the time was very limited. Indeed he (the Town Clerk) very much doubted whether in an application to Parliament it would be allowed the council to mix up the bridge accounts, they being only trustees of the bridge, with the general borough accounts. He had been informed by a Parliamentary agent that it would be desirable not to mix up the accounts as the fees would be doubled, and in fact the bill would cost double the money. He hoped it would not be supposed that he was wishing to throw overboard the calculations which
Mr.Darvill had taken the trouble to make - calculations which the committee thought that gentleman had taken great trouble in preparing, but he thought the question should be confined to the renewal of the act for the reasons he had stated.
Mr.Darvill said he felt obliged to the Town Clerk for the explanation he had given and the courtesy that he had been shown: but he was slightly in error on one point. He (
Mr.Darvill) on a former occasion proposed his scheme and the council appointed a committee. He attended that committee, many of whom took notes of what he said, but they did not think his scheme necessary. He objected to the printing of his plan because it might have got into the hands of those who were opposed to them, but for which he might have got it printed and published himself. He thought if they were to have an act of parliament at all, it would not cost more if his present scheme were embodied in it. He wished to ask the Town Clerk how long it would take to pay off the present debt on the bridge tolls ?
The Town Clerk - You are not to consider the present maximum of the toll; but what benefit is to be derived from the reduction of it. For the last seven years we have been paying off £412 a year, and it is hardly worth while touching that by reducing the toll.
After some farther conversation,
Mr.Darvill assented to the petition, with the understanding that the council would give due consideration to any feasible or proper scheme relative to his proposition [hear, hear].
The petition to the House of Commons was then adopted and signed by the Mayor.
The Town Clerk said the next thing on the paper was that
Mr.Darvill he invited to make his promised statement relative to the appointment of a magistrate of the borough in the room of the late
Mr.Bovingdon.
[It will be recollected that at a former Council Meeting
Mr.Darvill had given notice that at the next quarterly meeting he should bring this subject forward]
Mr.W.Jennings said as he had placed that notice on the paper, he now wished to know if
Mr.Darvill intended to go on with his motion, and to make any statement in respect to it.
Mr.Darvill said he had at the last meeting given notice that he would bring the subject forward at the next quarterly meeting, and he had seen no reason at present to alter his determination.
Mr.W.Jennings said his reason for putting the notice on the paper was, that he was the person to move that the correspondence that had taken place with the government should be entered on the minutes of this court, and also because of
Mr.Darvill having stated that he had some documents to produce of a very extraordinary nature. After such insinuations as had been made by
Mr.Darvill, he (
Mr.Jennings) was anxious he should state his intentions, for those insinuations were calculated to throw some imputation on the council, and they should not be made unless they were followed immediately by a statement of facts. The public would expect that
Mr.Darvill was now ready with his statement.
Mr.Darvill - I said at the meeting I was not quite ready, I was then pressed to bring the subject forward, and then again there was the offer of a special meeting, but I stated then that I would bring it forward at the next quarterly meeting. No gentleman can expect me to do more than that, and I am not disposed to do more myself, and I will then carry out the intentions which I have.
Mr.W.Jennings - Then I understand you that you do not now intend to make any statement at all ?
Mr.Darvill - Certainly. I have my reasons for it.
Mr.Blunt said he certainly understood
Mr.Darvill to say that he would bring the subject forward at the next quarterly meeting; therefore if he said now he would do so that was quite satisfactory, and
Mr.Jennings had nothing to do but to wait until that time arrived.
The Mayor said he also understood that the next quarterly meeting was named. Several other members said they had so understood it.
The Town Clerk - I thought that some officer or other was to be complained of as to the way the correspondence got on the minutes.
Mr.Darvill - I never thought anything of that kind of you Mr.Town Clerk.
Town Clerk - Nor of the late Mayor ?
Mr.Darvill - No, nor of the late Mayor.
Mr.W.Jennings - I understood from
Mr.Darvill that he had some curious correspondence to produce -
Mr.Darvill - I did not say correspondence, but some documents which might appear curious to the council.
Mr.W.Jennings - Well, documents. Now, I am anxious to disabuse the public mind as to anything they might have heard, and therefore I shall put a few questions to the Town Clerk.
Mr.Darvill - I beg to be understood that the discussion took place on certain documents being proposed by
Mr.Jennings to be entered into the minutes of the court, on which occasion I said I should at the next quarterly meeting advert to those documents. That I shall do. I was then pressed to state what I intended to bring forward, and I said what I should bring forward would perhaps amuse the meeting. I shall, at the stated time enter upon the subject.
Mr.W.Jennings said an impression had gone abroad which he was anxious to remove, in order that the late Mayor and the Town Clerk should not labour under any insinuation. He should therefore ask the Town Clerk, first, "Whether the letters presented by you to the court on the 9th of November last, comprised what took place on the subject of the appointment of a justice of the peace for the borough, in the room of the late
Mr.Bovingdon ?"
Town Clerk - They do contain the whole of the correspondence.
Mr.W.Jennings - Secondly, "Whether you are aware of any communication having been made at the instance of the late mayor or yourself, either at the Home Office, to the Lord Chancellor's Secretary, the Clerk of the Crown, or any other officer beyond those disclosed by the correspondence entered on the minutes of the court ?"
Town Clerk - I am not aware of any such communication, nor do I believe any such have taken place.
Mr.W.Jennings - Thirdly, "Whether pending the correspondence you were informed or led to believe that any proceeding had been adopted or representation made to either of the officials referred to with a view to annul the recommendation of a successor to
Mr.Bovingdon, which you had forwarded to the Secretary of State by order of the council ?"
Town Clerk - I never had any information or hint thereof until the receipt of Lord Normanby's letter of the 13th of August last, to the Mayor.
On the motion of
Mr.Blunt, the questions and answers were ordered to be entered in the minutes, and the council then broke up.
Eton Police - Wednesday
[Before C.Clowes, Esq., and the Rev.Thomas Carter]
Mr.Charsley, the Auditor of the Eton Union, attended to prefer a complaint against
Mr.John Dyson, acting overseer of the parish of Wyrardisbury, for having neglected to attend at the appointed time for the audit of his accounts.
The defendant did not appear, but the case was proved. It appeared that
Mr.Dyson did not attend to have his accounts audited, as required by the act; but since the information was laid he had attended, and his accounts had been properly investigated. The magistrates therefore mitigated the fine of £5 to 5s and 20s costs.
The non-attendance of the defendant at this meeting in accordance with his summons, was stated to have arisen from his having met with an accident.
Staines, Saturday, February 19.
On Wednesday last Mr.Field gave his Morning and Evening Concert, in the theatre of the Literary Institution, which by the excellent arrangement and the superior talent engaged for the occasion, produced a crowded audience. The principal performers were
Miss Mecovino,
Miss Parsons,
Signor Cittadini,
Mr.Field,
Mr.Watkins, and a gentleman amateur, named
Budgen.
Signor Cittadini presided at the piano-forte, and played the pieces in a brilliant and masterly style. The concerto played by this gentleman was a performance seldom heard in this country, and was received with rapturous applause.
Miss Mecovino and
Miss Parsons sang some beautiful songs and duets, as well as assisting in the choruses, which were executed in a manner that could not fail to please all present.
Miss Mecovino sung an Italian song, composed and arranged by herself, in a manner truely beautiful, proving great skill not only as a singer but also as an authoress.
Miss Parsons gave "Kathleen Mourveen" in a chaste and effective style, and brought down great applause; this lady was called for and came forward a second time to the great satisfaction of the audience. These ladies sang also the beautiful duets, "I know what bank," "As it fell upon a day," and an Italian duet, in which they were loudly encored.
Mr.Watkins sang his songs with his usual good taste and judgement, especially the ballad "Woodman, spare that tree," which did that gentleman the greatest credit.
Mr.Field also sang his songs in an efficient and effective style - indeed we have not heard him in better voice for some time; and we are glad to find that he is well supported both in town and country.
Mr.Budgen played a solo on the violin in a masterly style, and was encored, and we believe if the audience could have had their wish, they would have heard him a third time. We understand
Mr.Field intends giving another concert at Easter, with the same strength, when, we are quite sure, he will be honoured by a bumper.
Uxbridge, Saturday, February 19.
The meeting of the master brick makers, barge owners and other traders on the Grand Junction Canal, which had been advertised some few days past, took place on Thursday at the King's Arms Inn in this town, to take into consideration the additional tonnage imposed upon them, and to adopt such measures as might be thought advisable respecting the same. The meeting, consisting of about 40 persons, called
Mr.Heron, of the firm of
Heron and
Rutter, of Yiewsley, to the chair, and that gentleman explained the manner in which the additional charge would effect more especially those persons who entered into contracts for the year, which they were bound to execute, and by which they would sustain a loss of some hundreds of pounds; also that it would materially effect the different tradespeople of the town, because not less than £800 to £1,000 were paid in wages in the brick fields in the neighbourhood weekly. The subject was fully discussed and five gentlemen were appointed as a deputation to wait on the directors the first opportunity. Thanks being voted to the chairman, the meeting separated.
High Wycombe, Saturday, February 19.
Steeple Chase
A steeple chase for £5 each, came off on Saturday morning last, between
Mr.Blandy's brown horse, and
Mr.James Edmond's chesnut mare; the former was ridden by its owner, and the latter by
Mr.John Clark, of Bassetbury. The run was over two miles of meadow ground, commencing in King's Mead, on the London road, and terminating in Wycombe Rye, being over several stiff hedges and fences, and also the mill-stream at the Marsh Green. The lead over the two or three first meadows was taken very prettily by
Mr.Blandy,
Mr.Clark being just behind him, but in crossing a meadow of Mr.Fryer's near Bowden's mill, where the ground was rather loose and boggy, the fore legs of
Mr.Blandy's horse sunk in a little and he lost his seat, and though it was not long before "their legs were up and off again,"
Mr.Clark went rapidly past him and won easily , leaving his competitor almost as far off as "no-where."
Immediately after this race was one between another of
Mr.Blandy's horses and one belonging to
Captain Ricketts, over the same ground for £1 each.
Mr.Blandy and
Mr.Clark were again the riders, but it was now
Clark's turn to come in second, for, on getting an unlucky capsize when about half way over the ground he was not able, though up in less than "no time," to recover his lost time, and was beaten by nearly a length.
Married
On the 14th inst., at Dover, by the Rev.W.Cookes, Geo.R.Stevenson, Esq., 7th Dragoon Guards, second son of the late John Stevenson, Esq., of Binfield-place, Berks, to Anna Maria Dewham, eldest-daughter of the Rev.C.Burrell Cooker, and granddaughter of the late Rev.Thomas Cookes, of Barbourn and Bentley, Worcestershire.
Died
On the 11th inst., at Ewell, Thomas Calverley, Esq., of Ewell Castle, and of the Broad, Sussex, aged 74.
On the 18th inst., at Slough, Mr.John Nixey[?], smith and wheelwright aged 72 years.