at a great political meeting held at Bradford, Yorkshire, on Thursday, 20th December, 1849, said :-"The Colonel did not tell you what I can tell you, that he is a teetotaller of ten or twelve years' standing. And you are all aware, or at least some of you, that out of the 658 members of the House of Commons, Colonel Thompson was able to endure the fatigue and annoyance of those long, dreary, and dull speeches better than any other man. He was more constantly upon the benches than any other member of that house. And I believe the member who came second to him was Mr. Brotherton. Now, it appears very oddly (and I tell it as a secret to those teetotallers who may happen to be present, that they may tell it to those who are absent,) that both Colonel Thompson and Mr. Brotherton are teetotallers. And from what I have seen in the house, I must say that I have the belief that the men who are the most temperate are the men who bear the fatigue of that house the best. I remember on one occasion that Colonel Thompson, Mr. Bright, and myself, went on an agitation tour, during the height of the league agitation, into Scotland. We separated, and went through Scotland, lecturing every night, and holding public meetings, and sometimes two meetings a-day. We rendezvoused together on coming back. On comparing notes, we found that during all our tour in Scotland, not one of us had paid a farthing for fermented or intoxicating drinks of any kind. I remember at one house where we met, we were visited by a number of bailies-bailies in Scotland correspond to aldermen in England-who called for glasses of whisky-toddy. And it was exceedingly amusing to see the very ingenious twist with which they managed to lift out the toddy—the way in which they twisted and turned it out from a large glass into a small one. I remember that Colonel Thompson and all of us tried to imitate that twist, but could not. These bailies stayed with us until two o'clock in the morning; they had glass after glass of toddy, and still they went on in the process of twisting it out of the tumbler into the wine glass. Just as they were going off, we told them the circumstances under which we could not join them; in consequence of the hard work we had to do, we were obliged to confine ourselves exclusively to the pump. And I remember one of these bailies looked up, with rather a maudlin expressionfor it was late, and he spoke at the bottom of three or four glasses of stiff toddy-and said, 'Hey, mon! but you water drinkers would upset the world.' I do think that water drinkers

will upset the moral world, and will turn it round with a much better face to us when they have done with it."

WASTE AND WANT.-The Board of Trade returns show that upwards of 43 millions of bushels of barley were consumed in the manufacture of these liquors during the last year; and when the destruction of grain in the production of the 22 millions of gallons of spirits, returned as manufactured last year, is added to the amount stated, we find a total of about 60 millions of bushels of grain abstracted from the food market of the country. Thus nearly eight millions of quarters of grain are destroyed annually in the production of liquors, described by some as a demoralising poison," but which all admit to be mere luxuries. Were this vast quantity merely wasted-thrown into the sea or burned in the fields—it would simply have the effect which a deficiency in the harvest to the same extent would produce. This, however, is not the good fortune of the country. The liquors produced are floated, not to say forced, through the nation, by the machinery of nearly 140,000 public-houses and beer-shops; and wherever the stream reaches, it carries with it the invariable results of increased pauperism, crime, disease, and premature death. Commercially, it materially limits the markets for our manufacture and industry, and is thus hostile to every useful trade of the country. Seventy-five millions of pounds sterling spent in the purchase of intoxicants, and passing into an unproductive channel, is surely a state of things challenging the attention of the political economist as well as of the philanthropist! The commercial and industrial classes are alike interested in the fact, that of this vast expenditure but a small per centage finds its way into the labour market, either for the benefit of the working classes, or their employers. It has been estimated, that, in the manufacture of a pound's worth of intoxicating liquors, less than a shilling is paid for labour, whilst in the production of cotton and woollen goods, hardware, earthenware, furniture, and useful articles generally, the average payments for labour exceed ten shillings in the pound. Only five per cent. goes to working men for the manufacture of liquors, whilst more than fifty per cent. is given them in producing articles contributing to the comfort and to the well-being of the community! In other words, where one man is employed in the manufacture of intoxicating liquors, ten would be required, if the money were otherwise expended. In view of these facts attention must be given to this question by all who claim the character of thoughtful men. Public opinion is ripening in

favour of a complete change in regard to our drinking-system, and the conviction is gaining ground that its influence-morally, physically, and commercially-is only evil.

OUR ANNUAL MEETINGS.

We earnestly direct the attention of our readers to the announcement of our annual gatherings. We hope they will excel all former anniversaries in numbers, influence, enthusiasm, and usefulness. The conferences will doubtless obtain the sympathy of all who conduct Bands of Hope, and the public meeting will, we are sure, be an occasion of profound interest. The Devotional Meeting deserves the attendance of all who desire that our movement may be endued with the favour of the Everlasting Father.

ANNALS OF THE BAND OF HOPE UNION.

Mr. S. Insull has visited the following Bands of Hope :Church place, Paddington, twice; Fetter lane Chapel; One Tun School-room; Mill Pond, Bermondsey, twice; Barnsbury Chapel; St. Clement's Danes; Tottenham, twice; Lant street, Borough; Palace Yard, twice; Fitzroy; Deverell street; Camden town; Marlborough Chapel, Kent road; Weigh House Chapel; Star of Temperance, Carr street, Limehouse. Adult Meetings:-Hawkstone Hall; St. Clement's Danes.

During the past month, Mr. Blaby has visited and addressed the following Bands of Hope:-Bloomsbury Refuge, three times; Denmark street, three times; St. Clement's Danes, twice; Church place, Paddington; Charles street, Drury lane; Star of Temperance; Weigh House Chapel Sunday School. Addressed Adult Meetings at Denmark street; Wesleyan Chapel, King street; Havelock Temperance Society, Poland street; Bromley, and Staines. Lectured with Dissolving Views at Portman Hall. Addressed Sunday Schools at New court, Lincoln's inn fields, and Charles street, Drury lane.

WEST GREEN, TOTTENHAM.-On Easter Monday Mr. S. Insull delivered a lecture in the British School, upon the Manufacture of Malt Liquor, illustrated with Diagrams and Experiments. Some ale and porter were purchased from a public house in the neighbourhood, the alcohol was extracted and burned-Mr. I. explaining its poisonous effects upon the brain.

CITY ROAD JUVENILE TEMPERANCE SOCIETY.-A lecture was delivered in the School-room of the City road Congregational Chapel, in connection with the above society, on Tuesday evening last, by Mr. Smith, of the Band of Hope Union. Subject "The Fate of Sir John Franklin," illustrated by Dissolving Views. The lecture was a most interesting one, and the views of the highest order; at intervals during the evening a select choir sang several pieces, amongst which were "Rule Britannia," "The Frost," "Fox and the Grapes," and "Blow, blow, thou wintry wind," which reflected great credit on them and their able conductor, Mr. F. H. Rooke, of the Macclesfield street Tonic Sol-fa Singing Classes. The evening's entertainment seemed to be highly appreciated by a large and attentive audience, the large school-room being well filled, The whole proceedings were brought to a close by the choir singing, in a grand and masterly style, the National Anthem.

STAINES, MIDDLESEX.-Mr. G. Blaby, agent of the Band of Hope Union, delivered a highly entertaining lecture on the Beauties of Temperance Song, accompanied with vocal illustrations, in the Literary Institute, April 3rd, to a highly respectable audience, who listened with the utmost attention, both to the sentiments and melodies introduced. At intervals Miss J. Worms gave a choice selection of Temperance recitations, which afforded much satisfaction and delight to old and young, and the company (several of whom subscribed their names to the pledge), on retiring, appeared much gratified by the evening's entertainment.

SPA FIELDS BAND OF HOPE.-It is now two years since the establishment of the Band of Hope, in connexion with Spa Fields Chapel Sunday School. During that time 241 children have taken the pledge. The average attendance during the first year was 65, during the second 71. The meetings are held once a fortnight, from seven to half-past eight, which commence with prayer. Singing forms one of the principal features, and one or two short addresses, combining with temperance, moral duties, and above all, duty to God. These, with a recitation from one of the boys, is the general outline of the way we spend the time. The excellent hymns and melodies, with recitations, published by the Band of Hope Union, have been found of great service. The occasional visits of agents, and those connected with the Union, have also been very acceptable, and we trust mutually beneficial. With a view to get the minds of the children exercised upon the temperance question, we

offered small prizes at the close of last year, to those who could give the best reasons for being total abstainers, such reasons varying from two to six, according to age. The Band of Hope Union very kindly relieved us of the onerous task of selecting the best, and in addition, presented books for the two first prizes. The reasons given by the children exceeded our expectations, and fully proved that many understood the subject better than we anticipated. We have small frames at (cost price) 4d., 6d., and 10d. each, for the illuminated pledge card of the Union, which we always recommend should be hung up at home. We have also been very anxious to obtain the cooperation of the parents in our work, and have often through the children, invited them to our meetings. We also prepared a circular addressed to them, encouraging them to send their children regularly and punctually, and also to keep every temptation to drink out of their way. This address was enclosed in an envelope, with a suitable temperance tract. Often have we been encouraged by a kind word of gratitude from a parent, who has fully appreciated the effort we are making. In a few cases parents have come to the meetings to sign the pledge. One mother came with her boy who had broken it, and signed it herself to help him to keep it. We believe that good has been accomplished in several ways. The fact of a Band of Hope in connexion with any Sunday School, tends to keep the subject before the minds of the teachers and the church. This has been proved by ten of our teachers having signed the pledge since the establishment of the Band of Hope, in connexion with our own School, and several of them have rendered us the most valuable assistance. In one case a whole class of eight scholars followed the example of their teacher, as soon as she had signed

-a striking illustration of the power of example. We cannot conclude without referring to the kindness of our friend, Mr. James Tidmarsh, of Claremont Square, who has very liberally presented us with 100 copies of the Band of Hope Review, every month, since we commenced our operations. In conclusion, we trust the day is not far distant when every Sunday School shall have its Band of Hope, and that all who bear the christian name will join in holy alliance, to remove the greatest reproach from our beloved land-drunkenness !

ALBANY CHAPEL, REGENT'S PARK.-On Tuesday, April the 9th, a Tea and Public Meeting was held at the above place. The Rev. Dawson Burns presided. The school-room was densely crowded, and much interest manifested in the proceed