Page 213 - Reading Mercury

taken from the enemy’s ships by the hero himself. The bas-relief is fourteen feet
square, and is cast in three pieces, the greatest, the one now alluded to, being perhaps
the largest sculptural bronze ever cast in this country. In a very short time it will be
seen in its destination.

th
Sat 14 July
HEALTHINESS OF WOKINGHAM
We can justly refer as an instance of the healthiness of Wokingham and
neighbourhood to the singular coincidence of a party of seven persons who assembled
last week to enjoy the social beverage at one of our worthy and respected neighbours
in the Market-place, whose united ages amount to 619 years being 75, 80, 89, 91, 92,
93 and 99; 99 and 93 are brother and sister.

REIGATE AND READING RAILWAY
th
On Wednesday, the 4 instant, this line was opened as far as Dorking, and a
considerable number of the Reigate went up to see “the first train,” which left the
Reigate station for London about eight o’clock. The first train down, due about 28
minutes past 8, did not, however, arrive till nearly nine. About a quarter of a mile
from the Reigate station there is a considerable incline, and here the engine “cowed”
and positively refused to go a-head, so that the engine-driver was compelled to do
what is sometimes done with sulky animals, that is, go back a bit, and went nearly to
the Redhill station to get into a swing, and then she gallantly took it in good style.
The mail here crosses the turnpike-road on a level, and shortly afterwards descends
by a considerable inclination, and passes through a deep cutting at the back of Mr.
Whitbread’s farm, and then over a considerable embankment, afterwards through a
deep cutting at Buckland to the Betchworth station, a small but neat structure; upon
leaving which you are whisked along on a high embankment about 50 feet, and a neat
viaduct over the picturesque and winding Mole; then to the Dorking station, which is
(although quite contrary to the wishes of the inhabitants) at the Western end of the
town. The country on each side is very picturesque, with a beautiful uprising to the
Murrey-hills on the right. There is abundance of good building stone at Reigate, and
at Betchworth, on the stone-quarries of Mr. B. Brodie. There is likewise the famed
Reigate and Dorking stone line. Judging from the very slight vibration or rocking of
the last carriage, which was empty, the line appears to have been well-constructed and
sound.

th
Sat 4 Aug
THE NEW TWO-SHILLING PIECE OR “FLORIN.”
Last night’s Gazette contains a proclamation, dated Osborne-house, July 30,
directing that the new two-shilling piece “shall be current and lawful money of Great
Britain and Ireland,” This new coin is to be called a florin.

1850
th
Sat 26 Jan
WINE VAULTS, WOKINGHAM
W.H. Ferguson begs to return thanks to the Nobility, Clergy, Gentry and Public for
the liberal patronage bestowed on him for the last ten years in the above business, and
to inform them he has disposed of the same to Mr. H.T. Dunning who he confidently
recommends to their notices as his successor.

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