Some Selected Reports from The Windsor and Eton Express
28th January 1837
Maidenhead, January 27
Although the prevailing epidemic , the influenza, has been very generally felt in this town and neighbourhood the number of deaths have fortunately been but very low. The medical gentlemen have been in constant request, and their mode of treatment has been very successful. The places of worship have been thinly attended lately from the above cause.
On Tuesday last, the children of the Wesleyan chapels of Maidenhead and Holyport, to the number of about 140, were supplied with cake and wine, and a suitable book given to each as a reward for their attention to their duties.
This day the followers of his Majesty's Stag Hounds came galloping through the town, the deer having crossed the Thames, made for Cookham, where he was captured.
On Saturday last, died at his residence, Bear-place, near this town, Sir Morris Ximenes. The deceased who was 75 years of age, was one of the oldest Magistrates of the county of Berks. He had, as he expressed himself at the last quarter sessions, for 56 years, served his country - this county in particular, 50 years - and had filled every office from the High Sheriff to the Overseer of his parish. Although so many years had passed over his head, Sir Morris was remarkably attentive and active in the exercise of his public duties, and his memory will be long revered by a large circle of friends.
Great Marlow, January 27
A public meeting was held in the Town Hall, Great Marlow, on Tuesday last, for the purpose of petitioning Parliament for the total abolition of Church Rates; Mr.Wm.Tyler (in the absence of their respected and liberal Member Sir Wm.Robt.Clayton, Bart., on urgent business) in the chair, when after a series of resolutions, condemnatory of the conduct of the Churchwardens in not producing their accounts relative to the new Church, and expressing a total want of confidence therein, a petition founded upon those resolutions was unanimously agreed upon, numerously signed, and directed to be presented as early as possible by their patriotic and admired Member.
Staines, January 27
On Tuesday week, the Rev.Mr.Stoughton, of Windsor, delivered a lecture on "a Plurality of Worlds." He began his very interesting paper by remarking, that as the different planets are governed by the same laws which affect our globe, there is every probability they are inhabited; nor should we fancy that our little world is the only bark sailing the immensity of space without a crew. The subject was very ably discussed, and appeared to give great satisfaction to a large meeting.
On Tuesday last, the Rev.Mr.Thompson, of Brentford, delivered a lecture on the subject of genius, and cited various authorities. He then proceeded to state the difference of genius from talent - the one being inventive and excursive; the other consisting mainly in a power of application, and in working out and perfecting the suggestions of genius. After a variety of lively anecdotes, and interesting quotations, illustrative of genius, he concluded by saying, that no genius compensated for the absence of moral worth, and that it was very easy and not uncommon to affect the eccentricities of genius without its reality. We regret there was, from the state of the weather, and the prevalent influenza, so small an auditory to listen to so admirable a lecture, so admirably delivered.