XXX. THE FIRST WINTER MEETING. 



advertisement in the Gazette of Thursday, December ist, 

 1692 : 



" The Annual Feast for the County of Dorset will be held at Merchant Tayler's 

 Hall in Threadneedle -street London, on the 8th of December instant. Tickets 

 are to be had at Garways Coffee-house near the Exchange ; at Mr. Bissons at 

 the Pauls-head in the Old Change ; at Mr. Baxters, Engraver, within the 

 Middle Temple Gate, and Mr. Dunfords at the Seven Stars at the corner of 

 Katherine- street, over against Somerset House in the Strand." 



It was, indeed, interesting, observed the President, that Dorset 

 men in London should have had an annual feast in the City at 

 that remote period. 



WEYMOUTH AS A IJTH CENTURY SEAPORT. The PRESIDENT, 

 continuing, said that Weymouth as a seaport was also mentioned 

 two or three times in these few copies of The London Gazette of 

 which he chanced to become possessed. In the same issue, 

 December ist, 1692, appeared the following paragraph : 



" Weymouth, November 26. Yesterday came in the John and Richard, 

 privateer, Captain Humble Commander, with a French Prize of about 30 Tun, 

 laden with Brandy and Salt, which he took the 24th instant about 6 Leagues 

 N."W. from Guernsey, being bound from /St. Martins to Calais." 



It is significant that in this number of the Gazette precedence 

 was given to Weymouth over ports now so important as 

 Plymouth and Portsmouth. In the next issue of the Gazette, 

 December i2th, 1692, appeared the entry : 



" Weymouth, Dec. 7. On Monday last arrived here the Francis Ketch, of 

 London, John Avery, Commander, from the Canaries, whence he came about a 

 month ago. This Morning, the RooJce Frigat, Captain Mitchell, Commander, 

 came into Portland Road." 



The extent of the maritime depredations that were made upon 

 French craft at this period of history is illustrated by the 

 following entry in the number of Monday, May ist, 1693 : 



" Weymouth, April 26. On Monday last came into Portland Road the Ashby 

 Privateer, with a French Vessel of about 60 Tuns, laden with salt ; at the same 

 time passed by the William and Mary, and the John and Richard, for South- 

 ampton and Portsmouth, with two other prizes; which they took on the 18th 

 instant near the Isle of Bass, out of a Fleet of French Merchantmen that was 

 going under the Convoy of several Frigats from Rochelle towards Brest." 



