Page 225 - Reading Mercury

obtained almost universal respect and confidence. In the discharge of his professional
duties, he was indefatigable, and evinced talents of no mean order; and those who
employed him, whether rich or poor, soon found they had committed their concerns to
one who “cared for them.” The station in life of his clients was not a consideration
with him; the humblest individual experienced his kindly sympathy, and equally with
the nobleman, found his interests conscientiously and energetically attended to. That
he should have acquired an extensive practice in his profession can, therefore, be no
matter of surprise; but at the same time we regret to say that there can be no doubt that
his laborious application to business, exhausted prematurely, his physical energies,
and that, at the early age of 44, he has left a widow and six children to deplore his
loss. His remains were deposited in a vault in Wokingham Church Yard. It is
somewhat gratifying to learn, that the business will be continued for the benefit of the
family, by a gentleman of high standing in the legal profession; and that the eldest
son, Mr. Francis Larkin Soames, a young gentleman of considerable promise, is
studying the law, with the intention ultimately of occupying the position from which
death has removed, his highly esteemed and much lamented parent.

th
Sat 7 July
THE CORN MARKET
Now that this projected Market is fairly brought before the public, we are happy to
say that it meets with increased favour and promises of support, not only in our town
and neighbourhood, but from parties at a distance, and the assurances of support the
committee continue to receive leave no doubt of its success.. Indeed the only wonder
appears to be that no desirable and useful a scheme should have so long remained in
abeyance. The committee are busily engaged in making the necessary arrangements
under our Town Hall, for the convenience and comfort of those attending the market,
and great credit is due to them for the excellent manner in which their plans are being
executed. The expense is being defrayed by a public subscription, so that the market
will be entirely toll free. The first market as will be seen by advertisement, will be
held Tuesday next, at one o’clock, and we are trusting our next to be enabled to
announce the successful opening of a Corn Market worthy of the countenance and
support of the millers and dealers in corn, and we are sure that it only remains for
these who have so well managed the preliminaries to continue their exertions in its
support to ensure a successful result.

th
Sat 14 July
RE-OPENING OF THE CORN MARKET AT WOKINGHAM
According to the resolution of a Public Meeting, held in the Town Hall,
Wokingham, a fortnight since, the re-opening of the Corn Market took place on
th
Tuesday last, the 10 inst., and the interest excited by the undertaking, combined with
the delightful weather which prevailed, was the means of drawing together a large
number of persons thus causing the town to present a scene of animation and bustle
rarely before witnessed. It is due to the committee to remark that during the interval,
since the public meeting, they had exerted themselves in the most praiseworthy
manner, and the accommodation provided for the millers and farmers under the Town
Hall gave the greatest satisfaction. With respect to the market we have to report that
there was a fair show of samples of almost every kind of corn on sale.
There were some who expected to see a much larger quantity on offer, but
considering the fact of the prevalence of hay-making, and many farmers being busily
employed, there was no real ground for disappointment. Of millers and dealers, there

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