19th Century Life

  Of these we had a fairly constant succession.   We were fortunate in having among us a Mr Marshallsay, bank manager, who was wonderfully successful in producing and arranging our modest shows.   Somewhere in the late 60’s an amateur Dramatic society was formed which ran for several seasons afterwards.   Although in those days the amount of talent available in a small town was necessarily limited yet, somehow a number of residents were recruited who proved themselves quite competent in presenting the various parts required.   The company included, Messrs Marshallsay, CS rose, Rhesa Rose, Cheesman, Norman, Clough and Nelway, the latter hailing from Stout Provost.   Female parts were taken by ladies from outside the town.   The performances were staged in the Crown assembly room which, on such occasions was usually crowded to the doors.   Among the pieces undertaken at various times I recall ‘Paul Pry’, jolly young Watermanm, a gypsy melodrama and ...

  In 1847 the old South Western line was extended via Wimborne to Dorchester.   Next from Hamworthy to Poole, the latter place being the terminus for some years during which time visitors to Bournemouth were conveyed from Poole in vans and waggonettes. About 1858 the old Somerset and Dorset line was laid from a junction at Wimborne up to Blandford where a station was built a mile below the town on the Spetisbury road.   The first train to reach Blandford was hailed by a public holiday with processions of schoolchildren etc. Finally the line was extended via Sturminster, Wincanton and Glastonbury to Burnham –on-Sea.   During the summers 1862-72 crowded excursions trains ran weekly from all stations between Blandford and Burnham.   Return fares 1s Children 6d for a distance of 50 miles each way.   This was the fare from Sturminster.   Much money was lost by local magnates who financed the railway, one landowner being so badly hit that he was compelle...

  A few words are due to the memory of the above which enlivened most of our outdoor diversions down to 1900 or so.   I have heard that, when the band came into existence, probably in the early sixties , all it’s members belonged to one family (Elkins) their employment being that of farm hands and land workers.   The name ‘common’ referred to the locality beyond Broad Oak where most of the players lived.   This designation was somewhat unfortunate being employed, by local critics of musical art in a derogatory sense.   But considering that never, as far as I know, did the band receive any professional tuition or advice their self taught efforts must be acknowledged as most praiseworthy.   Their staying powers were wonderful.   On a Fete day or club-walking morning their vigorous strains might be heard from 10 O clock onward.   At 11 their duty and pride was to head the usual procession to the church.   At 12, with powers unabated they tramped...

  After consideration of our present conditions and surroundings it must seem incredible that so many inventions, improvements and developments could have been perfected within the space of an ordinary lifetime.   Commencing with some details of bygone domestic affairs. And the use of the old time flint and steel for striking a light – Although I never saw this apparatus in use I have heard of moving incidents, nocturnal emergencies in which a light was urgently required.   My informant spoke scathingly of the uncertainty of this operation, how sorely the fingers might be pounded during a frantic attempt in midnight darkness and ho, often the tinder might be damp.   Then came the old style ‘Lucifer’ matches, tipped with sulphur and phosphorus, dangerous things, igniting at an accidental touch and often causing dangerous fires.   They threw off flaming particles when first lighted while their sulphurous fumes stung the nostrils and throats of the unwary in a mann...

  Over a century ago there were cases of a malignant disease known as ‘king’s evil’. A remedy prescribed for this malady was the leg of a toad, cut from the living reptile, then sewn up in a thin muslin bag and hung round the sufferer’s neck, to be worn constantly next to the skin. Epileptic fits were supposed to be curable by the following ritual;- The patient collected a penny each from eleven different friends, a twelfth friend then gave a shilling for the eleven coins.   The silver coin was then beaten into a ring to be worn by the afflicted one.   I remember seeing a ring which had been so acquired, but no benefit resulted.

  A mild form of magic, however, existed in Sturminster down to 1880, as practised by a ‘wart charmer’, a middle-aged woman who lived for many years in the locality known as ‘over bridge’, and who was so successful in her ministrations that I never heard of any failures in her undertakings.   This success I have never heard explained, But having once requested her beneficent treatment I can speak with confidence of my experience. In 1880 I was troubled by a number of warts which had appeared both on my hands and face, and which would not yield to any of the remedies I tried.   A fellow sufferer at the same time was a young lady visitor from London whose hands were badly disfigured by the same pest.   The blemishes had been treated in London by nitric acid, leaving unsightly scars in which the original growths flourished apace.   From information received the girl and I decided to consult the Charmer mentioned.   The treatment was a casual glance at the tr...

  Was known also in varying localities as ‘Conjuror@ or ‘Wizard’.   A subject on which it is extremely difficult to obtain any information at this period.   After many enquiries in likely directions, without success, I reluctantly concluded that the Cunning Man and his doings had dropped out of living memory.   Indeed the matter had become so obscured by the mists of time that I hesitated to mention it in this record, until in Hardy’s novel ‘Tess’ I found some details which inclined me to persevere in reviving a phase of rural life which is worthy of rescue from oblivion. In my early days the Cunning Mand was often mentioned being a sort of household word among elderly people. For example,- in the case of some small article having disappeared a housewife might exclaim – ‘Where can it be?   I must ask the Cm about this!’   A jesting remark implying that, in earlier times, the aid of such a personage had been regarded as a recognised assistance in other, an...

  About the year 1876 the prices of food sank to a level alarmingly low as it seemed that the lower the price of commodities the less money there was for purchasing the same. It was said at this time that, through over-production on the virgin soil of North America, wheat was such a druig in the market as to be shipped from the States as ballast in outward-bound vessels. I heard of a baker who sold three-quarter loaves for a shilling.   American salt pork came on sale at fourpence a pound, but this meat did not become popular among us as, by a local prejudice it was called Slated Tiger.   English cheese of a sort could be had for 2d a pound; I have seen it, a white and crumbly kind, in fact, a joke of the period was that some people carried a lump of this cheese to use as chalk! Good farmhouse butter at 9d, eggs at 6d a dozen, fresh pork at 6d, best beef at 9d, mutton still less and other prices in proportion. In 78-9 there came loss and disaster, to farmers, thro...

  During the first half of the 19 th Century a considerable trade with Newfoundland was carried on in the town, a sub depot was housed in the premises now occupied by Messrs Barnett where, in the room which formed the office, I am told there may still be seen traces of the transactions of that busy time.   The chief depot was established at Poole between which seaport and Sturminster. there passed a steady stream of traffic.   (See mentions of the old ‘Road Wagon on Page 4). The exports from our town were warm clothing, boots, gloves and other necessaries for the men engaged in the arduous labours of the distant fishing fleet.   The imports consisted of large quantities of codfish, salted and dried, barrels of caplin, a small dried fish of a peculiar flavour and cranberries in small wooden kegs.   The latter formed a most useful fruit for winter use, they were very juicy and tender, much superior to the tough, thick-skinned variety which is now the only kind ...

  About the year 1877 there lived for a period in the town one how afterwards became world-famous, the great Thomas Hardy.   IT is safe to say that some of his early works must have been written during his residence in Sturminster where he became well known to the inhabitants. In fact I remember that, as an occasional assistant at the counter of our local Post Office, I once weighted and stamped a bulky package of manuscript, most probably one of his earlier novels, which he handed in for posting. Then, shortly before 1914, when I was living in Blandford, two gentlemen called at my home who, I found, were John Lane the London publisher and Thomas Hardy himself.   They had come to the town and to the house in the hope of discovering some remaining traces of the work of Alfred Stevens, the celebrated sculptor, who designed the Wellington memorial, one of the chief ornaments of St Paul’s Cathedral.   An authority considers that ‘this important wok ranks Stevens amon...

    In the town there lived together, for many years, in a celibate establishment two old men, father and son, old Simon and young Simon.   Between them they carried on a singular occupation – that of making clogs, patterns and wooden hay makers.   Clogs were made of wood, fitted with straps, and were worn by women folk to keep their feet dry in rainy weather.   Patterns were similar, but were mounted on iron frames which raised the feet of the wearers some two inches above ground.   A later account of our muddy roads explains the necessity for such appliances. These old men also acted in a public capacity, they were our official town criers. I cannot say by whom, or by what authority this offices was conferred; our only corporate bodies being the Board of Guardians and the church vestry meetings, But the old men jealously guarded their prerogative which was never infringed by any unauthorised intruder.   Their announcements were made in a form whi...

  But I have often heard of two features which are no longer included in our programmes of Christmas amusements – The Mummers and the Humstrummers.   From descriptions given by some who remembered performances by Old Dorset Mummers it appears that the actors were a party of local lads and men, fantastically garbed to represent various characters, historical and mythical.   The chief character was St George who made great play with a long wooden sword.   After some preliminary dancing and speechmaking various obnoxious potentates (including Pauonfarte) and other men of evil repute, engaged the ‘Saint in single combat, preceded by a dialogue.   In every combat the latter was victorious, every opponent being laid low.   From a radio broadcast, a year or two ago, I learned that a version of the old play is till extant in another part of the country. The humstrum was a rudely constructed, home-made fiddle with a body of tin instead of wood.   It was playe...

A far more joyous melody was flung abroad when our ringers commenced to practise for Xmas, the familiar music bearing the promise of festivities to come.  On winter evenings it was a keen enjoyment to sit on a bench in the ringer’s loft, then situated on the first floor of the tower, during the weekly pealing of the six find old bells.  A curious sensation came as the ropes were pulled downward, straight and steady as so many metal rods, while on their upward journey the same ropes set up a snake-like wriggling and rattling which almost drowned the clanging of the bells themselves as they swing in their chamber, two floors above. Then cam Xmas itself when our ringers gave us full measure of their labours.   In my time those ringers were not so proficient in their art as later performers became.   The head ringer would shout out the sequence required for the next change; perhaps1.3.5.2.4.6. Then, ensued a dire confusion as the various bells found, or forced their ...

  Shurton Fair on September 25 th was a favourite fixture known to a wide district,   All of our people who could do so journeyed thither either in farm wagons, other kinds of horse power, or on their own sturdy legs.   This fair was formerly a noted market for clothing, rolls of cloth from Somerset and Wilts and many household requisites which could there be seen in greater variety than at home.   Many horses also changed hands, some good but certainly many indifferent, the peculiar faults and failings of the latter kind becoming painfully apparent in following days. Somewhere during the summer came the day of Blandford Races, mentioned here because of a bitter and long standing feud which would boil up on that day between the men of that town and those of Sturminster.   I will not attempt to suggest how such strained relations came about but I know that the one set bestowed on the other the name of ‘Sturminster Ashers’ and allusion to the long ‘ground ash’ ...

  Next came Haymaking, at a time before mowing machines appeared with their incessant monotonous rattle.   Instead we heard, from near and afar, the musical rink-a-tink of stone on steel as the mowers prepared to attack a fresh swath by sharpening their scythes.   Frequent refreshment was necessary which came from the tine wooden kegs then in general use, which were kept in cool spots carefully sheltered from the sun.   What endurance those men showed!   Usually a party of three would undertake to cut a field, being paid by the piece or job   In the blazing July sunshine, from early to late in the day this small procession kept up their steady march with little intermission, the best man leading, the others so spaced that at the boundary three swaths lay behind them.   The men took a great pride in their work, many were the tales of feats by themselves, or other more proficient exponents of their art in past years.   In the evening the mowers marc...

  I was told that in former times, on May Day it was customary to indulge in dancing on the green.   The decline in a charming old custom was thus deplored by one old lady who was my informant   ‘happy days when we all danced together on the first of May, gentle and simple alike.   Not as nowadays when people are all   ‘stuck up’ one above the other.   Oh! The paltry stinkien pride of today!’   After which would come a profound sigh at the memory of those well-remembered times.   The same kindly old soul I often heard as she crooned a fragment of an old song- ‘Garlands of roses and sweet pretty posies Excellent music on my loves birthday She was my lovely maid, she has my heart betrayed I am afraid I shall see her no more’ Those are the exact words as I heard them when a child.   Disconnected or distorted by length of time no doubt but bringing to me all the charm of an old world music with a faint scent of an old world nosegay – ...

On Good Friday the buns dedicated to the season were borne about the streets by a number of lads, each bearing a wicker basket lined with a fair white cloth. Now, be it observed that the buns of those days, the real Good Friday bun differs from the ordinary, everyday article both in flavour and appearance.   They had a distinctive taste (perhaps extra spice) and were scored deeply with deep cuts forming the cross, which further enhanced their attraction for us as being obtainable at no other time. When, by dint of much running and shouting, the baskets of the merchants had been emptied, the whole company adjourned to the field called ‘Rickets’ where they spent the afternoon in gambling at Pitch-and-toss with their hand carved cuppers.   Then disputes would arise passing into fights which on the occasion ended in a pitched battle and some bloodshed, after which the voice of authority was invoked and the argies came to an end.   It was in ‘Rickets;’ too, that fights wer...

  Shrove Tuesday brought an opportunity to which bands of children levied a mild form of blackmail on luckless householders.   The demand was levied in the form of a dogged chant. ‘I’m come a shrovin For a piece of pancake Or a little trouble cheese Of your own making Give me some or give me none Then your door shall have a stone’   That was the Sturminster version of this ‘chant’ which must have been handed down from very long ago.   I remember hearing it quite 70 years ago, about which time it disappeared. There are few differing versions still extant here and there: especially one at Durweston where the custom has been subsidised by a bequest

  Valentines Day was a great occasion among young people when our daily mail bag was distended to its utmost capacity by the seasonal offerings of lonesome swains.   Here and there are still surviving collections of such amatory tokens which, it is to be hoped, will be long treasured as interesting relics of a forgotten custom.   Frail cardboard boxes, containing concoctions of filmy layers, among which there nestled coloured prints of hymeneal altars, hears skewered together by a cupid’s dart, bouquets of bright hued flowers, much paper lace and white silk ribbon, while subject matter lurked within in the shape of printed verses ardent but most respectful in tone. Unfortunately beside those tender passions expressed by the foregoing tokens there were sentiments of a different nature in evidence.   For the 14 th was also a day when offended or disappointed lovers of both   sexes might give vent to their grievances or ill will by ‘valentines’ of even a malic...

From the conversation of my elders I gathered that in their early days rural life had many pleasures despite wars without and occasional lean times within their bounds.   Indeed, the general attitude of my informants was ‘those were the days’.   A motto, often engraved on ancient sundials ran ‘I mark only sunny hours’.   \the same sentiment must have coloured the memories of those old friends as they lingered in thought on the more pleasant incidents and adventures of their youth, many of their diversions lay in observing and celebrating the various times and seasons which came as , month by month, the year slowly unfolded.   Commencing at January 6 th ‘Old Christmas Day’ was kept up as a festival by many who preserved a sentimental attachment to the older system of the calendar which had been revised long before in 1752.   By that omission of eleven days from the month of September Christmas day now comes eleven days earlier than before the change was made. ...

  In   ‘62’ the American Civil war had commenced but I cannot recall that, in following years, any local interest was evinced in the events of that historic struggle any more than if the various battles had been staged on some distant planet.   But a few faint echoes of the strife came to us in the shape of some simple ballads, originating in the ‘states’ songs, which became generally popular and were often heard in our modest entertainment’s: ‘Just before the battle mother’    ‘When this cruel war is over’   ‘mother kissed me in my dream’ and another which surveyed in the district for long afterwards.   The chorus ran ‘On a bright may-day in sixty three All ready for the action On a battle field for liberty’ Stood gallant Stonewall Jackson’ who was a celebrated General of the confederate army.                  But the Crimean war of 1854 was often recalled and ...