Page 182 - Reading Mercury

Committee of Management, from which it appeared that the expenses of erecting the
building, together with the purchase of an adjoining cottage, intended to be converted
into a master’s residence, had all been defrayed with the exception of about £70.
Several ministers and gentlemen addressed the meeting on the advantages of
education, and on the blessings this institute must confer on the town and
neighbourhood of Wokingham, after which the meeting separated highly gratified
with the liberal sentiments and Christian feeling manifested on this important and
interesting occasion.

th
Sat 16 Oct
Monday being the Michaelmas Fair our town presented an unusual appearance of
business; at an early hour nearly a thousand sheep were in the town, with a great many
beasts, and the whole were nearly sold by two o’clock. The bidding was very brisk,
the day proving auspicious the lads and lasses in great numbers flocked in at an early
hour, and great part soon met masters; altogether the trade was very good; the show
displayed by the drapers attracted great notice, particularly Mr. Crewe’s, who
decorated his front with banners, and his shop was crowded to overflow. The
innkeepers fared well in the universal demand for Hayward’s brown stout, and the
evening presented many merry faces and careless hearts.

rd
Sat 23 Oct
The business of the market was somewhat dull this week, owing to the low price of
chicken, there being a great many brought, The higglers being few, they took the
advantage to agree together not to give more than 3s 2d per couple. Many baskets
were taken back unsold, with hopes of more purchasers next week to evade the
monopoly.

THE BRITISH SCHOOL
The opening of the British School in this town, has reduced the number of pupils at
the National School materially. It is in contemplation to enlarge the chapel for the
accommodation of the children to attend divine orders there.

th
Sat 13 Nov
NEW COIN
We have been enabled to examine a new “five-pound golden piece,” the production of
William Wyon, Esq., R.A., which, for chastity of design and beauty of execution, far
exceeds anything that has been hitherto issued from her Majesty’s Mint. The head of
the “royal lady” is clear and carefully defined; and on the reverse Mr. Wyon has
happily identified the exquisite fable of Una guiding the lion with our own Queen.
The likeness is preserved in both face and figure. When the coin comes into
circulation no cabinet of English coins can be without it. We sincerely congratulate
Mr. Wyon on this chef-d’oeuvre of his art; his pure and classic taste is of great value
to the country, and everything within his influence takes a high moral tone worthy of
his occupation. We must bear in mind that, above all others, the medallist labours for
posterity; his works are tests of the truth of history; they mark the period and
semblance of the age. It is pleasant to think that such labours cannot fail of being
“time- honoured.”—The Art-Union.

1842
th
Sat 7 May
180