Isn't it interesting how the use of words change? Here, under Charity Concerts, the reporter lauds the performers who showed "zeal and disinterestedness" - exactly the opposite of what people expect today. And in some advertisements previously posted, employers wanted applicants with "unexceptional" references! Not precisely what employers want today. Julia ......................... WEST BRITON AND CORNWALL ADVERTISER Friday, 12 September 1856 . LOCAL INTELLIGENCE . CHARITY CONCERTS, BODMIN - These vocal and instrumental concerts took place on the 5th instant, and it is with pleasure we report the admirable manner in which the performers acquitted themselves, and the zeal and disinterestedness with which they cheerfully undertook and accomplished their parts. The harp, piano, and violin pieces were admirably executed. . Miss OLIVER and Mr. SQUIRE, who gave their valuable services last year, and received most deserved applause, afforded evident proof of great advancement since that period, under the talented masters with whom they have studied. The accomplished young harpist, MISS GILL (whose parents kindly allowed her to play on behalf of the charities) excited surprise and admiration by her exquisite performance, and the committee are extremely obliged for the great trust and assistance she has afforded. Miss SQUIRE sang the songs "Alone," by Stoch, and "Wild Rose" by John Barnett, in extremely good style and voice. . The committee much regret that they are likely to lose the future assistance of Dr. BOISRAGON, who has ever been ready and anxious to render his valuable services to the Bodmin charities, at the same time aiding much in a pecuniary way. As a highly accomplished musician and gentleman, his leaving Bodmin is greatly regretted, whilst at the same time he is heartily congratulated on his new appointment. Mr. A. DAWSON with his usual kindness, materially assisted, and was much applauded in the songs "Phillis is my only joy," by Hobbs, and in Hatton's "Good-bye, Sweetheart, Good-bye," which he rendered with his usual ability and good taste. . We are sorry to say there was a sad falling off in the attendance at the morning concert, which is specially appointed for the wealthier classes in the neighbourhood, and through their absence of course a great diminution has taken place in the receipts. In the evening, however, the spacious room at the Guildhall was nearly filled, and the audience at both concerts were highly delighted with their entertainment. . Mr. ROBARTES, M.P., has with his usual charity intimated his intention of sending a donation; Dr. MICHELL, M.P., has forwarded 21s.; the Rev. W. P. FLAMANK. 21 s. and we must not omit to mention the very liberal assistance by the purchase of tickets on the part of some dissenters in the town, who are always prominent supporters of the charities of Bodmin. . HELSTON HARVEST FAIR - This fair, held on Tuesday last, was well supplied with cattle. There were very few fat beasts, but a great number of half-fed and low-conditioned bullocks. Only a small amount of business was done, few buyers being in attendance. Prices underwent no change. . WADEBRIDGE CATTLE MARKET - The supply of bullocks and sheep offered for sale here on Tuesday last was larger than usual. The demand, however, was brisk, and most of the cattle sold at good prices. Beef fetched from 60s. to 63s. per cwt. And sheep 6d. per lb. . THE COLLISION AND LOSS OF LIFE IN THE CHANNEL - The American merchant ship which was in collision with the "Ocean Home," off the Lizard, on Friday morning was the "Cherubim" of 1,800 tons, bound for London. The collision, which was one of terrific violence, took place at two o'clock in the morning. The "Cherubim" was proceeding up the channel for London, the "Ocean Home" was on her way from Rotterdam to New York, with German emigrants and a general cargo. It is supposed that the absence of a proper look-out was the cause of the collision. The vessels do not appear to have seen each other until they were in contact. They were at the time in sight of the Lizard lights. . Within twenty minutes from the collision the "Ocean Home" went down bodily. The captain (MERRIMAN) and twenty-two of the passengers and crew were taken on board by the "Cherubim," and on passing Plymouth they were received by the "Perseverance", No 3, pilot boat of that port, and about three o'clock landed there. Not one of them succeeded in saving more than the clothes he had on at the time. Immediately after the collision, the second mate, the steward, and four seamen, anticipating the catastrophe which so soon followed, got into the long boat, and much to the annoyance of Captain Merriman left the vessel and landed at Mullion.. . The "Ocean Home" had in crew and passengers 105 persons on board at the time of the collision. Six went off in the long boat, and twenty-two, as was said, were landed at Plymouth, but of the seventy-seven remaining there is no intelligence, and in all probability they have drowned. At the time of the collision all passengers were in their berths, and most of them were asleep. The poor people brought into Plymouth were at once received into the Sailor's Home, and their wants attended to. They were forwarded by the Shipwrecked Mariners' Society and by the Consuls of the countries to which they belong to their various destinations. Of course the circumstance under which the collision took place will form a subject for inquiry, probably in London, whither the "Cherubim" was bound and has proceeded. . WRECK OF THE "ZEBRA" - the wreck of the "Zebra" as it is in the water, on the Lizard point, with the engines, and every thing found in connexion with the vessel not salved already, was sold in one lot, on Thursday last, for GBP 115, subject to reservation of such cargo as may still be recovered through the buyer, twenty-five per cent, being paid on the value for compensation for its recovery. . FIRE AT HELSTON - On Saturday morning a fire broke out in the dwelling house of MR. HENRY PASCOE, tailor, in the market-place, Helston. It appeared that the kitchen chimney had been on fire on the previous day, and the soot had ignited a beam which was laid close to the flue. This continued smouldering for some hours, and about four o'clock on Saturday morning flames were observed in the sitting room by a person in the street, and he immediately alarmed Mr. Pascoe, who was sleeping in an adjoining room. The fire had broken through the sitting-room floor, and although there was a good supply of water, and two engines quickly on the spot, most of the furniture, a large quantity of books, and some bales of cloth which had been deposited in the room, were consumed. Mr. Pascoe's property was uninsured, and he is a loser to a considerable extent. . TRURO POLICE - On Monday, before Mr. NANKIVVELL, MARY ANN THOMAS and CATHERINE STEVENS, of Redruth, and MARY ANN WILLIAMS, of Liskeard, three abandoned females (the two former having been a long period in the county prison on previous commitments) were charged with being disorderly in the streets, and using obscene language at half-past one in the morning. They pleaded guilty to the charge; Thomas and Stevens were committed for twenty-one days to hard labour, and Williams, it being her first offence, to fourteen days' hard labour. . JAMES TRURAN, a miner, was charged with assaulting MARY ANN SOLOMON, a married woman, in Kenwyn Street, on the 4th instant. MARY ANN SOLOMON was going up the street in the evening, when she was accosted by the prisoner with improper language. She remonstrated with him, upon which he struck her with his fist a severe blow over the eye. He now said he was very sorry for what he had done, and that he was drunk at the time. As he seemed to regret his conduct, the magistrates allowed him to settle the case. He then paid the complainant a sovereign and expenses incurred, altogether GBP 1.15s.11d., and the case was dismissed. . CAUTION TO MARINE-STORE DEALERS - At Truro, on Friday last, before the Mayor and Mr. NANKIVELL, magistrate, THOMAS JOSE, marine store dealer in Pydar Street, was charged with neglecting to make a good and sufficient entry in his book of a quantity of old brass wire sieves, as required by Act of Parliament; and with neglecting to make a proper entry of a quantity of lead he had purchased. The insufficient entries were discovered by means of Mr. NASH, police superintendent, and police-constable WOOLCOCK going to Jose's shop to make inquiries about some lead, for stealing which, at Zelah, a man called WILLIAMS was in custody. . On questioning Jose, and examining his book, Mr. Nash found he had entered SAMUEL WILLIAMS's name, but not the articles purchased, or place of residence. Jose's book for the last two years was deficient in every entry, in not mentioning the residence of the sellers, and sometimes only the christian or the surname. Jose also admitted that he never entered anything under a shilling purchase, whereas the act requires that even the smallest purchases shall be entered. It appeared further that Jose was in the habit of immediately melting into small blocks any lead he might purchase. For the deficient entries on the 7th of July and the 28th of August, he was fined GBP 5 in each case. He said he was unable to read or write and had entrusted it to his son to make the entries. . MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT WHILE BATHING - On Tuesday morning last, a most distressing sensation was produced at Portreath, caused by a report that two gentlemen had suddenly disappeared while bathing just off the beach, which unfortunately proved to be true. It appears that Mr. HERBERT STEPHENS, and Mr. METFORD THOMPSON, of Bridgwater, who were on a visit to Portreath to see the sister of Mr. stephens, (who is at lodgings at the hotel) were seen to go into the water, and remained several minutes, when suddenly some one exclaimed, "the outer man has gone down." This caused the other gentleman to swim towards the spot, but only to share a similar fate. The bodies were recovered by the aid of the ever-ready kindness and assistance of Messrs. D. BAIN and A. RICHARDS, who had their sean shot immediately, which enclosed them. All attempts, however, at resuscitation, were unavailing, the bodies having been in the water nearly an hour, before they were recovered. It is supposed that the ! under outward current was too powerful for them, and that although good swimmers, they were irresistibly drawn under water. . SUDDEN DEATH - At Camelford fair, on Saturday last, about ten o'clock at night, CATHERINE COCK, a person who usually attended the fairs in that neighbourhood, fell down in a public house called the Masons' Arms, and expired in a few minutes. The corpse was carried to the union workhouse the same night, where a coroner's inquest was held on it the next day, and a verdict returned "died by a visitation of God." . CORONERS' INQUESTS - the following inquests have been held before Mr. HICHENS, county coroner: on the 7th instant, in the parish of Madron, on the body of MARY BAILEY, aged seventy-five years. The deceased occupied the lodge at Castle Horneck, in that parish, and on the 6th instant, shortly before her death, was seen by one of her neighbours (JANE THOMAS) to go into her house with an apron full of sticks and leaves, which she had swept up, and to leave it in about a minute or two after for apparently the same object, having her broom in her hand. In about ten minutes after, a woman who was passing the road, found her lying therein apparently dead, and immediately went to Jane Thomas's house and told her of it, when she forthwith accompanied the woman to the spot and found the deceased lying as represented, and lifeless. Help was procured, and the deceased was immediately taken to her own house. Verdict, "natural death." . On the same day, in the parish of Crowan, on the body of ALEXANDER PENALUNA, aged thirty-seven years. The deceased was a person of imbecile mind, and since his father's death (which happened about two years ago) being unable to gain his own livelihood, has been chargeable to the parish of Crowan, but lived with his mother as before. He had been subject to fits for many years, and on Wednesday last was taken ill and went to bed, and remained there till his death, which took place on the following day, about eight o'clock in the evening. His mother and sister were at that time eating their supper below stairs, when they heard him shriek, as he was accustomed to do when taken with a fit, but becoming quiet sooner than usual, they went up to him, and found him lying on his back, lifeless. Verdict, "Natural death." . At Portreath, on Wednesday last, on the bodies of two gentlemen who were drowned there on Tuesday whilst bathing. The particulars are given in another paragraph. Verdict, "Accidentally drowned." . PERRAN WHARF HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY . The fourth annual exhibition of this society was held on Tuesday last, by the kind permission of Sir Charles Lemon, in the beautiful grounds of Carclew Park, where the society erected their spacious marquee. The site is a very attractive one to visitors, and proves of great advantage to the society. The attendance on Tuesday was very numerous; the amount taken for admissions being GBP 5 more than last year's receipts. ' The show, altogether, was a very excellent one; larger, and better than that of last year. It included some fine collections of plants and flowers. A superior collection of ferns was exhibited from Carclew . [The following persons were then noted as producing excellent flowers: Mr. M.H. WILLIAMS of Tredrea, Mr. M. H. WILLIAMS, Mr. ROBERTS of Truro, Mr. H. C. CARNELL, of Perran Wharf, and Mr. MICHELL of Burncoose.] . In the department of vegetables, the cottagers, for whose benefit, mainly, the society was instituted, were superior to all other exhibitors. It was supposed by some persons to be rather an unequal match for the cottagers to have to compete with the amateur growers; the remark might apply as to flowers, but in vegetables the cottagers were unmistakeably triumphant. But they also exhibited some good flowers and fruit. Some of the cottagers' dahlias were good, and as to their asters they were very superior. Their nosegays evinced taste, the ornamental designs were creditable, and many of the window plants were very fine, especially the fuchsias. . In fruit also the cottagers were large exhibitors, particularly in collections of fine apples, and some very good pears for the season. Conspicuous at one end of the vegetable show were some immense gourds from Carclew, of the egg-shaped, oblong, and another variety; also some silver beet from Carclew. [There followed a list of vegetables, with descriptions, plus mention that MR. MITCHINSON, a judge, gave 10s . to enable separate prizes for both kidney and round potatoes, as they were so excellent.] The first prize wheat weighed 63 lbs.to the bushel of eight gallons, and was exhibited by Mrs. KNUCKEY, of Perranwell. . The ducks, Aylesbury and Rouen, were of such excellent quality that they gave the judges much trouble to adjudicate the prizes. Turkeys were not represented. . We should add that evergreens and flowers for the decoration of the place were given to the society by Sir CHARLES LEMON, Bart., M.P., Mr. ENYS, and Mr. M.H. WILLIAMS. The marquee was tastefully decorated by Mr. MURTON. About two thousand persons visited the exhibition, and more than GBP 35 were taken at the entrance. . We have received a list of prizes from Mr. H. C. CARNELL, the secretary, but in consequence of a press of advertisements, we are obliged to postpone their publication till next week. We should add, however, that the proceedings of the day were enlivened by the performances of the Constantine and Stithians bands. The former band performed in the marquee with excellent effect. . The annual festivities in connection with the society took place at the Norway Inn, where an excellent dinner was provided by Mrs. TRESEDER, and a party of about thirty was presided over by the Rev. F.H.A. WRIGHT, the vicar of the parish, and president of the society; the two vice-chairs being occupied by Mr. CARNELL and Mr. V. PEARCE. . After the removal of the cloth, Mr. WRIGHT responded to a toast, then said he would like to propose "the health of a very worthy gentleman and kind neighbour, Sir Charles Lemon," who had always been so kind as to lend the society his park for the exhibition, to which it owed a great part of its attraction. The toast was received with loud cheering, and responded to by Mr. WHITFORD, as the resident agent of Sir Charles, who said he felt sure that Sir Charles Lemon would always be ready to grant the society the use of the park, provided the people conducted themselves as they had hitherto done, and he hoped they would all have the pleasure of seeing Sir Charles at their exhibitions held in the park for many years to come. (Cheers) . Mr. SOWELL, of Penryn, one of the judges, strongly recommended the Irish Kemp potatoes, and said he had raised 210 Cornish bushels from an acre at Penryn, the potatoes being of excellent quality. Mr. MITCHINSON concurred in recommending the same sort of potatoes as one of the best for cultivation.

"Disinterestedness" means that they did it for love and were not motivated by a financial interest. Disinterested is not the same as uninterested. "Unexceptional" is a mistake - either by the writer, printer or transcriber; it should be "unexceptionable" meaning that exception cannot be taken to it, i.e. no faults. Not so much a change of meaning as phrases we don't use so much these days <grin> cheers Catherine -----Original Message----- From: Julia Mosman <jwmos99@msn.com> To: cornish <cornish@rootsweb.com>; cornish-gen <cornish-gen@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sat, 13 Oct 2012 4:10 Subject: [CORNISH] West Briton, 12 Sep 1856 News Isn't it interesting how the use of words change? Here, under Charity Concerts, the reporter lauds the performers who showed "zeal and disinterestedness" - exactly the opposite of what people expect today. And in some advertisements previously posted, employers wanted applicants with "unexceptional" references! Not precisely what employers want today. Julia