March 1876
Isle of Wight Observer:
Mar 4th 1876: A MEAT TEA – The members of St. Mary’s Catholic Association were entertained by their pastor to a meat tea on Tuesday evening. After the tea the evening was passed in a very pleasant manner.
Mar 4th 1876: LECTURE – We would again remind our readership that Mr. John DAMP will give his lecture this (Friday) evening in the Town Hall upon “America.”
Mar 4th 1876: SOUTHAMPTON & ISLE OF WIGHT STEAMPACKET CO – The second of the new vessels which are about to be added to this company’s fleet, was successfully launched last week. She is called the “Leopold” and is a sister ship to the “Carisbrooke” which is expected at Southampton in a few weeks.
Mar 11th 1876: THE NEL’LA BROTHERS – These great illusionists gave two of their entertainments on Monday and Tuesday evenings, in the Theatre, and in spite of many other attractions had good houses on both occasions. Some of their illusions were most startling and wonderfully clever. The entertainment was pleasingly varied by excellent character singing by “Yankee Heart.”
Mar 11th 1876: MESMERISM VERSUS SHAKERISM – On Monday evening, Sergeant-Major MILLIN, of Southampton, who is well known as a mesmerist, gave the first of a series of lectures in the Town Hall, in which he compared Mesmerism and Shakerism. There was a tolerably large audience, amongst whom we noticed a considerable number who are disposed to be friendly with the Shakers, and these had doubtless been attracted by the announcement that Sergeant-Major MILLIN would denounce and expose Shakerism. The lecturer is an officer of the Legion of Honour.
Mar 11th 1876: ALTERATIONS – The old museum in connection with the Philosophical Society is now undergoing extensive repairs and alterations in order to convert it into an auction room for Messrs. WALLIS, RIDDETT, and DOWN. The place possesses the advantage of being in a very central position.
Mar 11th 1876: THE ASSIZES – Emma BUDDEN, the girl who was charged with stealing a number of pieces of ribbon and other articles, was honourably acquitted at the assizes, as some of the things had been lent, and others thrown away by the prosecutrix.
Mar 18th 1876: “CAPT. HANS BUSK” LIFEBOAT – The coxswain and his crew were ready on the pier with the lifeboat, on the look out to render any assistance when required. A row boat with five men in her was observed at anchor to the eastward of the pier, off the Esplanade, but no signal being made from her, and no danger apparent, the coxswain did not put to sea, till urgently requested to do so by some of the lookers on from the shore, when the lifeboat was launched, proceeded to their assistance, and safely landed the five men. The coxswain himself, H. SOTHCOTT, narrowly escaped a severe accident. Hauling up the lifeboat on her return, a piece of the pier gave way, and he fell forward into the sea, getting an ugly cut over his forehead.
Mar 18th 1876: PRESENTATION – The members of the Ryde Choral Union have presented Miss M. FOWLES with a gold and ivory bâton of considerable value and beauty, as a slight mark of their appreciation of her talent and patience as their musical instructor. The presentation was made by Mr. E. M. HILLS, the secretary of the union.
Mar 25th 1876: FALL OF A WALL – Early on Thursday morning about 40ft. of the wall opposite Appley Beach House, which is just past KEMP’s baths, fell down, blocking up the way completely. It was a stone wall, and it is thought that the heavy storm of the week since had loosened the foundations, and the work was completed by the frost and snow.
Mar 25th 1876: PARISH CHURCH – All the sittings at the Parish Church are Free. A large number are necessarily reserved for the use of Parishioners. When the bells cease vacant seats are absolutely unreserved.