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The Windsor and Eton Express.
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Some Selected Reports from The Windsor and Eton Express



3rd September 1842

Windsor Bridge Tolls

On Tuesday last, the tolls arising from the gate at Windsor Bridge, were let by auction for one year. This is the first occasion of letting these tolls by auction, as they have hitherto been privately let, and for very many years past they have been collected by the late Mr.Cocken, and his equally civil assistant, who continued to perform that duty for Mr.Cocken's widow, until Thursday, when other parties took possession of the gate. The new lessees are Messrs. Levi and Co., of turnpike-gate notoriety, and they have taken the Windsor Bridge gate for �1,500 , being �400 more than it has ever before been let for. We hope we shall be favoured by one of Messrs.Levi's civil collectors, and that at the end of their term they will merit similar remarks from us to those we have made above respecting their predecessors.

Narrow Escape

Yesterday evening, as Mr. and Mrs Moss, of Park-street, were riding through the Park, in their pony-chaise, the pony, when descending the hill leading from Snow-hill to Sandpit-gate, at a good pace, suddenly turned from the road on to the turf, and completely turned the chaise over, thus throwing Mr. and Mrs Moss on the grass with great force. Mr.Moss escaped unhurt, but Mrs.Moss was much shaken and alarmed by the accident, which, had it not occurred on the grass, might have been attended with serious consequences. Captain Martyn happening to pass at the time of the occurrence, kindly conveyed Mrs.Moss home in his carriage, and Mr.Moss with the assistance of a friend who was accompanying him on horseback, having extracted his pony from the chaise, which were both lying on their sides, drove home with it, the chaise being but slightly damaged, and the pony quite uninjured.

Accident with Fireworks

A serious accident occurred on Saturday to a lad living at Eton named Herbert. The boy in the morning found a large rocket or maroon in the neighbourhood of the Castle, which had been discharged from one of the set pieces from the top of the round tower, on the previous evening, but had not exploded. The boy returned home, and thoughtlessly set light to it while he held it in his hand. A tremendous explosion instantly took place;[please email me for details at the email address above], and he received a severe contusion on the shoulder. Mr.Pearl, surgeon, of Windsor, who was in immediate attendance upon the sufferer, considered it necessary to take away the whole of the remainder of the joint, an operation the boy patiently submitted to, and he is now doing well.

Coroner's Inquiry

On Wednesday last an inquest was held at the Duke's Head public house, Peascod-street, before Mr.Marlin, coroner for the borough, on the body of Anne Neale, a widow, aged about 74 years, who had resided in Haines-court. It appeared from the testimony of Mr.Pearl, surgeon to the Dispensary, the Rev.Mr.Dyer, a dissenting minister, and other witnesses, that for several days before her death the deceased had been unwell and had been attended professionally by Mr.Pearl. On Monday night one of the witnesses endeavoured to get some person to sit up with her during that night, but did not succeed, and she was left alone in her bed at half-past 11 o'clock. On Tuesday morning, when she was visited by Mr.Dyer, he found her lying on her face on the floor quite dead. Mr.Pearl was of opinion that her death was called by apoplexy. The jury returned a verdict of "Died by the visitation of God."

Theatre Royal

As the season draws to a close the house is usually better filled than at its commencement, no matter what the attractions then are, and this has been the case this season, for this week the audiences have been tolerably numerous. Besides the benefits of Mr.Clinton, Mr.Baker, and Mr. and Mrs.Warren, this week the performances were under the distinguished patronage of Col.McDowall and the Officers of the 2nd Life-guards on Tuesday. Last night was what is termed a general ticket night, and to-night the Officers of the 15th Regiment of foot patronize the establishment, and, as on the bespeak of the life-guards, the excellent band of the regiment will attend. The performers generally throughout the week have done their best to please the audience, and among the most successful of the company in this particular, and the most deserving of praise, we may with justice mention Miss Mitchell. Mr.Mulford, Mr.Baker, Mr.Clinton, and Mr.Warren; the latter is a famous comic singer as well as a good actor. Of the two dancers Miss Fairbrother merits a word of praise; as does the manager Mr.Dodd, for his performances as an actor, if he is not entitled to it as a manager. It will be seen by an advertisement that the season finally closes on Tuesday next. On Monday Mr.Dodd takes his benefit, and we hope his old friends will rally and give him a "bumper at parting." On Tuesday, positively the last night, the performances are for the benefit of Mr.Cook, a very necessary and deserving member of the establishment and we hope to see the house well filled on that night also.

The Watermen's Regatta

The following is a list of the winners at this regatta yesterday week, in honour of the birthday of his Royal Highness Prince Albert: - Single Sculling - 1st prize, Lewis; 2nd prize Allen; 3rd prize, Bristow. Double Sculling - 1st prize, H.Cannon and G.Lewis; 2nd prize, J.Haverly and H.Windsor. One pair of Oars - 1st prize, Gurney and Quelch, Brads steerer; 2nd prize, Talbot and Windsor, Talbot steerer. Four oared matches (Water Lilly) - 1st prize, T.Gurney, T.Cannon, E.Windsor, and H.Windsor, J.Brads, steerer; 2nd prize, (Water Sprite), R.Brads, W.Quelch, R.Allen, and J.Kempster, J.Cannon, steerer. Punting - 1st prize, T.Cannon; 2nd prize, J.Butler.

Foot Race

At the return cricket match, which took place last week at Eton, between the officers in garrison at Windsor and the Windsor and Eton Junior Club, a foot race was got up between Captain Dickenson, of the 15th regiment of foot, and a celebrated Eton pedestrian, who had beaten the well-known runner "the Antelope." The race, the distance being 100 yards, came off yesterday week in the Long-walk, and attracted considerable interest. At starting Capt.D., had a slight advantage in the lead, and won by some yards. The distance was gone over in 11 seconds. A second race then took place between Captain Dickenson and a well known runner named Swaine, the latter being given two yards. This was won by Swaine by half a yard only.

The Office of Vestry Clerk of Windsor and Clewer

It appears that the late election of a Vestry Clerk for Windsor and Clewer is a nullity, as the following letter from the Poor Law Commissioners will show:-

Poor Law Commission Office
Somerset House, Aug.26. 1842
Sir, - I am directed by the Poor Law Commissioners to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 16th inst., forwarding a letter received by the Board of Guardians of the Windsor Union, from the Churchwardens of the parishes of New Windsor and Clewer, and an extract from the minutes of a Vestry Meeting, respecting the appointment of a Vestry Clerk for those parishes.
"In reference thereto, the Commissioners desire to state that the Vestry are undoubtedly competent at any meeting to appoint a Clerk, or person to record their proceedings, and such an appointment is not subject to confirmation or approval of the Commissioners. But it is clear, from the language used by Lord Kenyon, in Rex v. Croydon, 5 TR, 714, that the appointment is not one of a permanent character, neither can any salary be awarded out of the poor-rates. Lord Kenyon is reported to have said -"This is an office of merely a private nature. It depends altogether on the will of the inhabitants, who may elect a different clerk at each Vestry; neither is any salary annexed to the situation." As to any supposed agreements made by the parishioners, that each should hold annual office, it cannot be obligatory longer than the parties choose to fulfil it, for it may be revoked at the next vestry.
I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant,
Wm.Cole Long, Esq., Clerk to the Guardians, Windsor.
W.G.Lumley, Assistant Secretary.




Windsor and Eton Royal Horticultural Society

The anniversary exhibition of this society took place to-day at the Town Hall, Windsor. It had been announced to be held in the pleasant gardens at Frogmore, herRoyal Highness the Duchess of Kent having kindly granted her permission for that purpose, but , owing to the unsettled state of the weather during the greatest portion of the week, and the consequent apprehension that the weather to-day would be unfavourable to the exhibition under a tent in the open ground, the committee felt it expedient to change the place for the show to the Town-hall, which was speedily got ready for the occasion. Over the principal entrance of the Hall were the letters "P A," and a Star, under which were the words, "Windsor Royal Horticultural Society," all formed in dahlias, and supported on pillars, around which were entwined dahlias and laurel, the whole being surmounted by banners. The staircase leading up to, and the interior of the hall were similarly ornamented. All the arrangements of the day were under the superintendence of Mr.Turner, of Eton, and they were excellent. By the time the public were admitted, the excellent band of the 2nd life-guards arrived, and were stationed at the upper end of the hall. They played a number of lively tunes during the afternoon. The hall was appropriated to the exhibition of flowers, of which there was a great variety, and were much admired, although we have seen better exhibitions of dahlias. In fact the season has been rather unfavourable for the cultivation of this beautiful flower. The council chamber was appropriated to the reception of several admirable devices, and also for the exhibition of the numerous prizes in silver, on a table, of which Mr.Hanson, who had the supplying of them, had the charge. The police-court was filled with cottagers productions, which reflected great credit on the producers. The company attracted to the Town-hall was very fashionable and numerous, and comprised many of the principle families resident in the vicinity of the two towns. The fineness of the day also contributed much to swell the number of visitors.

The following is a list of those who obtained prizes :-

Open To All England. Dahlias
First Class (36 blooms) - 1st prize, Mr.Brown, Slough; 2nd, Mr.Willmer, Sunbury; 3rd, Mr.Stewart, Salthill.
Second Class (24 blooms) - 1st prize, Mr.Ford, Pinkney's-green; 2nd, Mr.Cooper, Bray.
Third Class (24 blooms) - 1st prize,Mr.Bragg, Slough; 2nd, Mr.Warne, Uxbridge; third, Mr.Howard, Burnham.
Fourth Class (12 blooms), - 1st, Mr.Goodchild, Windsor; 2nd, Mr.Skelton, Eton.
Seedlings (1841) - 1st prize, Mr.Atwell, Uxbridge; 2nd and 3rd, Mr.Brown, Slough. (1842) - 1st, Mr.Brown, Slough; 2nd, Mr.Thompson, Iver.

Flowers
Heartseases - (In stands of 30 varieties) - 1st prize, Mr.Thompson, Iver.
German Asters - (12 varieties) - 1st prize, Mr.Fowler, Esq.; 2nd, Mr.Cooper, Bray.
Cockscombs - (six plants) - Mr.Weedon, Hillingdon.

Best Cut Flowers - Mr.Stewart, Best specimen plants (collections) - 1st prize, Mr.Jackson, Kingston; 2nd, Mr.Stewart. Single Specimens - 1st prize, Mr.Brown, Slough; 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, Mr.Stewart, Salthill.

Fruits
Pine - (Best Single) - 1st, Mr.Toward, Bagshot; 2nd, Mr.Patrick, Stoke.
Black Grapes - (Best three bunches) - 1st, Mr.Brown, Forest Hill.

Melons - (By flavour, not weighing less than 1lb) - 1st, Mr.Hall, St.Leonard's; 2nd and 3rd, Mr.Weedon, Hillingdon.
Peaches - (Plate of 12) - 1st, Mr.Toward; 2nd, Mr.Weedon.
Nectarines - (Plate of 12) - 1st, Mr.Weedon; 2nd, Mr.Hall.
Plums - (Plate of 12) - 1st, Mr.Toward; 2nd, Mr.Weedon.

Apples Dessert - (Six varieties, 12 on each plate) - 1st, Mr.Toward; 2nd, Mr.Brown.

Culinary - ditto - 1st, Mr.Brown; 2nd , - Fowler, Esq.

Pears - (Plate of 12) - 1st, Mr.Hilton, Chalfont; 2nd, Mr.Brown.

General Collection of Fruit - Mr.Hall, St.Leonard's

Device - Mr.Toward, Bagshot

Celery - Mr.Fowler, Datchet

Cottagers
Thomas Kamester, George Clarke, Edward Dicken, James Appleton, John Wiggins, John Cooper, Mary Appleton, Thomas Haynes, School of Industry, Winkfield, Eliza Willmot, David Willer, Georgina Hore, 18 others were rewarded.

This evening the members of the society and their friends dine together at the Castle Inn.




Marlow, Saturday, September 3
Presentation of a Testimonial to Colonel Sir W.R.Clayton, Bart., Late M.P. for Great Marlow



It having been determined by the ladies of Great Marlow to present their late representative of the borough with a testimonial of their affection and esteem, the electors thought this the fittest time to entertain Sir William Clayton at a public dinner, and thus express their approbation of his conduct as their representative , and their respect for him as a neighbour and friend. The dinner accordingly took place on Tuesday week.

At four o'clock the chair was taken by Mr.W.Wethered, supported on his right by Sir William Clayton, Bart., who looked exceedingly well, and was received by his late constituents with the greatest cordiality. W.Clayton, Esq., H.Clayton, Esq., Gilbert East, Esq., W.Cooper,Esq.,&c., were also present; and the arrival of Sir East George Clayton East, Bart., at a later period of the afternoon, was hailed by the whole party with the most enthusiastic cheering. Upwards of 200 gentlemen sat down to an excellent dinner.

The usual toasts having been given with all the honours a deputation of the ladies, who had assembled in an adjoining tent, waited on Sir William, requesting his presence among them, and on his arrival, Mrs.Miller, in the name of the ladies of Great Marlow, and in a neat address, presented him with a magnificent candelabrum (weighing about 100 ounces), the column, springing from the leaves of the acanthus tree, being fluted in alternate layers of bright and frosted silver. At three sides of the base were beautifully embossed figures of "Mercy," "Truth," and "Justice;" on one compartment of the base were engraved the arms of Sir William Clayton, and on the reverse was the following inscription:- "Presented to Colonel Sir William Robert Clayton, Bart., by 378 Ladies of Great Marlow, and its vicinity, as an expression of their esteem for his faithful services through a period of nearly twelve years, during which he has represented the borough in Parliament , and also as a testimonial of their deep sympathy and affectionate regard. - August 23, 1842." The other compartment, which had been left blank, was intended for the names of the ladies who had subscribed. This piece of plate was the workmanship of Mortimer and Hunt, of New Bond-street, and the design, no less than its execution, reflects credit upon their establishment. The worthy baronet having replied with much feeling to the address, accompanied by his friends returned to the dinner tent, where the health of the ladies was drunk with great applause.

Mr.Barnes, as an elector of Marlow, and in eulogistic terms, proposed the health of their distinguished guest and friend, which was drunk with three times three, and one cheer more.

Sir Wm.R,Clayton begged to return his friends around him his grateful acknowledgements for the honour they had done him, and especially for the gratifying invitation which he had received to become their guest on that occasion - a kindness which he felt more deeply than he could express, and which he should never forget. Having made that exordium. he would proceed to comment briefly upon a few other subjects. Since their last meeting in that place, they were aware that events had occurred which had displaced him from the representation of the town. By their generosity, and, by their liberal feelings and honest hearts, he was returned to parliament as their representative; he was however attacked by his opponents, and he trusted they all considered that, in defending his position, he only paid them that compliment which was due to them for having placed him there [hear,hear]. He defended himself as long as the fortress would hold out [loud cheers]. And of course, it was unnecessary for him to tell them that the scrutiny and petition , as was always the case where a great body of lawyers were concerned [laughter], was a very expensive affair. The cost grew excessive, and, seeing no hope of ultimately sustaining the high distinction which they did him the honour to confer upon him, he was under the necessity, at length, of foregoing that distinction; and he felt assured that every gentleman who voted for him at the election would give him credit for having done the utmost in his power to retain his seat [loud cheers]. Well, great events occurred, Parliament met, the people having thought it proper to return a majority favourable to the present government - a majority obtained by the professed advocacy of principles which they had now altogether abandoned [hear,hear]. What was the case ! The most reckless, delusive, and disgraceful statements were made from the hustings, by the Conservative candidates, by which upwards of a hundred old members, sound, constitutional representatives of the people, who had served with honour to themselves and with justice to their constituents for ten or twenty years, were displaced by individuals untried and inexperiened - the mere tools of men and faction [hear,hear]. Yes, and how was this end accomplished but by the specious pretexts - the despicable means of deception adopted during their canvas, and on the hustings, when principles were avowed and pledges made that were never subsequently entertained by them [hear,hear] !
What was their cry on their assembling in the House of Commons ! "Follow the leader," was the well understood order of the day [hear,hear]. They heeded no longer their pledges to the farmer - they cared no more for the grievances of the poor, but actually went further than their predecessors had gone in the introduction of what was termed liberal measures [hear,hear]. But was not this a most insidious mode of procedure - firstly, to remove the old members from their posts they had so long occupied, and then to follow themselves in the very steps which had been so recently trodden by their adversaries [hear, hear] ! Such a course he regarded as the most abandoned and dishonourable one that any class of men could adopt; and he had no hesitation in asserting, that if the measures recently passed had emanated from Lord John Russell last session, instead of Sir Robert Peel this session, they would have been opposed by the very same men who now supported them [hear, hear]. And after all, what had the people gained by their change [hear, hear]! Were they better off now than they were before [laughter] !
Had the farmer gained by it [hear, hear, hear] ! Had trade benefited by it [hear, hear] ! What had been done then [cheers] ! Great was the sound of triumph, and loud was the exultation of the new members of the House of Commons when they found themselves outflanking their opponents by a great majority; but how soon were they undeceived, and how soon they discovered that Sir Robert Peel had changed notes [cheers]. And did he (Sir.W.Clayton) not tell them on the hustings, that would be the case ! Did he not tell them , emphatically , that Sir Robert Peel would pursue just the very course that he had pursued [yes, yes] !
Yes, again and again he dinned it into their ears, and he regretted they did not believe him. He believed, in truth, on taking an impartial view of past history altogether, that the present parliament was the most corrupt on that had ever sat since the reign of Charles II.[hear, hear]. And why did he think so ? Because there were in that house some 140 members whose votes were diametrically opposed to the principles they had all professed to advocate, and upon which declared advocacy alone they were returned to the House of Commons at the last election [cheers]. These were the facts which no one could gainsay, however much they may lament the stigma with which they stamped the legislative body [hear, hear]. With regard to the representation of Marlow, he had been assured, over and over again, by adverse parties, that they were perfectly satisfied with it as it was. They stated that the town was fairly represented, inasmuch as half the constituency were Tories, and the other half Whigs; but what was the cause of this outbreak ! It was the insidious ambition of a few individuals who sought to control the town, and make fools of them all [hear, hear].
After directing their particular attention to the registration, the honourable baronet continued. One word with respect to the income tax [hear, hear and groans]. They were told, when the late government was in power, that they were the persons who produced all these evils, and caused all the deficiency in the revenue by their lavish expenditure of the public money [hear]. Let them take a review of the conduct of the Tory administration during their uninterrupted reign of nearly sixty years, and then see who were really to blame. [Sir William then read, from an official document, several extracts from a statistical report of the comparative expenditure of the two parties when in power.]
During a period of say 127 years, ending with 1815, England spent 65 years in war, and 62 years in peace. The French revolutionary war began in 1793, and lasted nine years - costing the country 464 millions of money. In the war which began in 1803 and terminated in 1815, lasting 12 years, the country spent 1,158 millions of money.
Who were in power all the time [hear, hear]! He was not quarrelling with them at the expediency of that expenditure, but merely defending the Whigs from having had any participation in it. The natural consequence was, that the nation became saddled with an enormous debt, and although he did not affirm that the Whigs would not have spent this vast amount of money, he contended that, as they did not, they were free from the charges brought against them of having imposed those heavy burdens upon the country [hear, hear]. For himself he could state that , during the number of years that he had the honour of representing their interests in the House of Commons, he never recollected being absent one division in which their welfare was materially affected [hear, hear].
He had served them to the best of his ability, a long time, and was willing to serve them again, if required to do so [loud and continued cheering]. The honourable baronet then urged them to unanimity and to exertion. He repeated his warmest thanks to his friends, male and female, for the kindness he had experienced from them, and concluded by proposing the health's of "The independent electors of Marlow." Several other toasts were then drank and responded to, and the festivities of the day were concluded with a dance which was kept up with great spirit till nearly two o'clock in the morning.




Henley, Saturday , September 3
Horticultural Society

The last show of the season was held on Tuesday, at Phyllis Court; the display of ornamental plants was not so gay as we have seen at former exhibitions, but the deficiency was amply made up by the most choice display of fruits of every description. The cultivation of the dahlia seems generally on the decline; the blooms exhibited consisted principally of varieties which have been some time in cultivation but they were distinguished by the brilliancy of colour as well as beauty of form. The cottagers table was most abundantly supplied with nosegays, fruit , and vegetables, the latter were of the best description, and worth the attention of those who are desirous of promoting industry amongst the labouring classes; the potatoes we noticed particularly as being of the finest quality, proving the utility of the society, as well as showing the great pains taken by the cottager in cultivating his garden. In addition to the show there were some boat races on the river, and this, aided by a lively band of music, enhanced the pleasure of the day. After the show the members and their friends dined at the Red Lion Inn, and spent a pleasant evening. The prizes awarded were as follow :-

First Table.- Mr.Alleway, collection of pears, apples, and fruit, grape tree, apples, kitchen and desert and dahlias; Mr.Lynn, design in cut flowers, asters, potatoes and peas; W.P.W.Freeman, Esq., grapes and plums; Mrs.Hind, melon and vegetable marrows; Mrs.Ovey, lemon tree; Lord Camoys, melon, grapes, celery and potatoes, 3 prizes; Chas.Lane, Esq., design in asters, peaches, nectarines, cherries, gages, filberts, grapes, capsicums and endive; Mr.Vernon, dahlias, onions and beet-root; Messrs. Sutton and son, collection of green-house plants; Mr.Batting, collection of asters, zinneas, and marigolds, (and stands of 50 and 100 dahlias); Sir W.Clayton, nectarines, peaches and pears.
Amateurs Table.- Mr.Jeston, grapes, black and white, and peaches; Mr.Crouch, celery and potatoes; Mr.Goff, pears; Mr.Poynder, nectarines, plums, celery and onions; Mr.Hickman, specimen plants; Mr.Collins, celery, lettuce and vegetable marrows; Mr.P.Benwell, collection of pears, apples, plums and carrots; Mr.P.B.Cooper, asters, gages and carrots; Mr.Hoare, collection of stocks and zinneas, dahlias, design in cut flowers, and melon; Mr.H.N.Byles, cherries, grapes and apples.