the Society, the Rev. T. Holme, who in a very affectionate manner invited his hearers to adopt the temperance principles. Messrs. Dakyn and Johnson next addressed the meeting. The chairman then called upon the Rev. G. W. M'Cree, who in a thrilling speech, pointed out the folly and misery attending the degrading habits of those who indulge in drink. EAST LONDON TEMPERANCE ASSOCIATION, PEEL-GROVE HALL, BETHNAL-GREEN. During the past few weeks large and attentive audiences have much encouraged the committee of this association in their efforts to build up a "faithful Temperance band." Mr. W. Bell, of the Band of Hope Union, gave three stirring lectures on the 9th, 16th, and 23rd of June, to good assemblies. On Monday, the 27th, the Rev. R. M. Johnson, gave an interesting lecture to a large assembly. On the 30th, Mr. S. Sims, of Greenwich, gave a good practical address, which was well received. On the 4th inst. the hall was crowded to hear an oration from Mr. John De Fraine, who was loudly applauded. On the 7th Mr. Joseph Bormond gave an eloquent lecture, which was well received. On Saturday evenings music holds its sway to increasing and appreciative audiences.

FITZROY HALL.-Dear Sir,-We were well pleased with Mr. Bell's addresses on June 30th. The early one to the children engaged their attention, and met with their hearty approval. The address to the adults at eight o'clock was still better; he well proved "that Temperance men were the friends of all, and the enemies of none." At both portions of the evening there was a good attendance, and both companies were equally delighted. J. P. DRAPER.

A PLEASANT LETTER.

8, Carlton Road, Mile End, 24th June, 1864. My Dear Sir, I think you will be very much pleased with the spirit which has taken place since your kind appeal, and with such earnestness, few could but feel impressed.

They considered that my having for three years carried it on so successfully, that the time had arrived to relieve me from some of the labour; therefore they commenced their first meeting of their fourth year, by choosing a President, Vice President, 22 years total abstainer, Treasurer, Secretary, and Committee consisting of twelve.

They also, I find, have passed resolutions-to have immediately a pledge book-all above 14 years of age to sign, without requiring Band of Hope Certificates. I have had made for them a very nice cupboard, so as to induce them to get a nice library, as also to contribute a small sum weekly for other purposes, so that with the continuance of divine favour every blessing will be abundantly bestowed.

Your Record, Melodies, Pledge Cards, &c. &c., I will bring under their notice, if you send me any copies that you consider most useful, and I hope in time they will testify their zeal in the cause.

Twenty tickets for the Palace will not be sufficient, as I always average twenty-three for Mr. S. and E. Hall.

Yours respectfully,

The Rev. G. W. M'Cree.

W. BROWN.

KETTERING.-Mr. W. Bell preached two very good sermons here on Sunday, July 3rd, to attentive congregations. Mr. Bell is always well received here, and has made himself many friends among all classes, drinkers as well as teetotalers.

KETTLEWELL. On the 16th of June, the annual festival of the Kettlewell Temperance Society, was held under the most propitious circumstances, when there was a large gathering from the thickly inhabited part of the neighbourhood. The tent was pitched on a piece of table ground in that mountainous and romantic district. The brass band of the village, followed by a large number of the Band of Hope children, formed an interesting sight as they winded up the hill, animated by the cheering strains of music.

ONE TUN BAND OF OPE, WESTMINSTER.-In regard to a recent visit of Mr. Bell to two meetings in connection with the above, and the Working Men's Club, Miss A. M. Cooper writes as follows:-" We have to thank you very much for Mr. Bell's kind assistance. His two visits have given great pleasure to all-men, women, and children—and on the occasion of his address last Tuesday to my Band of Hope, I think the Noble Marquis of Westminster, who was on the platform, and remained all the evening till the meeting was over, was as much pleased as any one. We have now a Temperance Meeting at the Club, every Tuesday evening, and the Members of the Temperance Society have hinted to me, that should you have any evening disengaged for Mr. Bell, how glad they would be to see him again."

REETH.—On Tuesday 28th of June, a Temperance Festival was held at Reeth, at which 1000 adults and the same number of children sat down to tea. The most remarkable and the most pleasing feature of this festival was the procession of 1000 children upwards of 900 of whom were members of the Band of Hope attached to various societies in that district. G. A. Robinson, Esq. president of the Society, has succeeded by his kindness and indefatigable efforts, in winning over so numerous a band of youthful teetotalers in that romantic but sparely inhabited district. We are mistaken if he did not feel a rich reward as he stood up in the midst, while they sang several of their beautiful melodies.

SHADWELL TOTAL ABSTINENCE SOCIETY, MERCERS STREET.—On Saturday evening, the 11th of June, Mr. W. Bell delivered, in his accustomed spirit-stirring manner, an excellent lecture on the "The Great Curse of England, its Cause and Cure," which, with the melodies he sang, was well received and applauded by an attentive and delighted audience. His lecture on Saturday evening, June 18th, on "The Light House, and the Life Boat," was attended with very similar success.

SLOUGH.-On Thursday, July 7th, the Slough Band of Hope held their summer festival. This association was commenced about three years since; the number of children believed to be true to the pledge is about 200. On the 7th inst. 170 met together in the British School-room, all in holiday trim, with bright faces and light hearts. At two o'clock Mr. W. Bell, agent of the United Kingdom Band of Hope Union, spoke

to the children, and from the first exercised over them (so to speak) a mesmeric influence, and while they were held waiting at his feet, he related facts and anecdotes illustrating the principle of temperance, at the same time inculcating truths on which the happiness of youth depends, and in a manner so attractive, that we hope the good impression made will long continue. At three o'clock a procession was formed, headed by members of the 5th Bucks Volunteer Rifle Band, and other musicians, who kindly volunteered their services; many of the boys carried banners, and nearly all the girls had bouquets of flowers, together forming a pleasing and imposing spectacle as they went through the principal streets. Everybody came out to look at them, and numbers of outsiders followed, no doubt, wishing they could share in the festivities of the day. The musicians were supplied with lemonade, and acknowledged, as on former occasions, that it was much better stuff for marching and blowing than the beer with which they were generally regaled. The procession returned to a field, the use of which was kindly granted by the Rev. F. F. Fawkes, and after a short time for play, the children partook of tea and cake. Mr. Bell appeared quite in his element among the children; he was the Bell to attract attention, and the Beau to engross attention (at least among the girls, to whom perhaps his attention was somewhat partially given,) and on all made that impression, that doubtless on the next anniversary every hand will be held up for Mr. Bell to come. When the children had finished their repast the older friends of temperance had tea in the school-room, after which the public meeting was held, presided over by the Rev. G. Robbins, Congregational minister, who after expressing his pleasure at meeting so many friends, and his earnest hopes for the welfare of the rising race, introduced the Rev. T. Davies, of Wooburn. Mr. Davies spoke forcibly on the advantages and necessity of total abstinence, bringing forward many striking facts which had come under his own notice. Mr. Bell then spoke in a playful and telling manner, advocating temperance, love of home, and the exercise of those kindly feelings between households and neighbours, which so much tend to smooth the path of life, and alleviate its sorrows. The Treasurer and Secretary of the Slough Band of Hope spoke briefly to the parents of the children, and the meeting separated. The day had been remarkably fine, and the whole proceedings were carried out very pleasantly and satisfactorily.

SOUTHWARK.-On Friday July 15th, at the Southwark Temperance Society's Lecture hall, Newington Causeway, Mr. W. Bell, one of the agents of the United Kingdom Band of Hope Union, gave one of his interesting addresses from the subject of " Walks about London, or Dark and Bright Spots of London Life." The subject he used in a masterly manner, making the most prominent feature in his address, the "Bright Spots," and not as some of our lecturers do, put the dark side uppermost before their audience. He also gave some thrilling illustrations of the power of kind words, of the influence of Band of Hope children in their homes, and he most earnestly pleaded for the dear little ones, that they might be trained in the right path, and that they might receive kind words. He

also gave some very interesting details of the good work going forward in the hands of " Bible Women," and earnestly implored all who heard him not to attempt good works without asking the blessing of God upon their efforts. For nearly two hours he kept his audience wrapt in attention, and brought some rough hearts and faces to even weep. He is truly a noble "Bell." Would that there were a few more like him! The Hall was very crowded, and we have much pleasure in saying that whatever time of the year it may be, we have seldom much room to spare. The chair was occupied by Captain Poole, of H. M. 11th Regiment, who had been 11 years a teetotaler. A vote of thanks to Mr. W. Bell and the chairman was moved by Mr. Scott, of Peckham, supported by Mr. R. N. Bailey, and seconded by Mr. Loft, of the Balls Pond Temperance Society, and which was carried with acclamation.

TEMPERANCE FASTIVALS IN THE Yorkshire DALES.-Few persons are aware, beyond the bounds of the district, what a settled institution temperance fetes have become in the retired and beautiful valleys of Yorkshire, and what a great work of social reform is going on in connection with the temperance movement. Within the last few weeks, four remarkable gatherings have been seen. The first was at Searth Nick, under the superintendance of the Swainby teetotalers. This place is a pass, or gap, some 800 feet high, in one of the Cleveland Hills, running out into the great valley plain of Mowbray, or York, and commanding one of the finest views in England. Notwithstanding a terrific thunderstorm that visited the locality for many hours, above 2,000 people assembled, and some 700 took tea. Mr. G. A. Robinson, of Reeth (with his accustomed liberality), attended with his admirable brass band and presided at the meeting, which was addressed by Dr. F. R. Lees, the Rev. Mr. Thirkell, and others.-The second fête was held at Hardrow Scar, the beautiful glen and waterfall near Hawes, in Wensleydale. Many thousands of persons assembled in the grounds, and hundreds (gathered from long distances) took tea in the tent. The Reeth, the Bainbridge, and the Redmire Rifle Bands were in attendance. Mr. G. A. Robinson presided at the out-door meeting with his usual vigour, and Dr. Lees delivered an address of an impressive character. On the following evening, Dr. Lees reviewed the recent parliamentary speeches, before a large meeting at Hawes, held in the Friends' Meeting House.The third fête was held in the Market Place at Reeth, in which two large tents were erected, wherein many hundreds took tea. In the open air, 1,000 children of the Bands of Hope, collected from various parts of Swaledale, Gunnerside, Low-row, Arkendale, &c., sang in capital style a number of hymns, and also during the afternoon in the Wesleyan Chapel. There was a noble procession and four bands of music, viz., those of Reeth, Bainbridge, Gunnerside, and Arkendale. In the evening, Dr. Lees delivered a lecture in the chapel, at which Mr. G. A. Robinson presided. -The fourth festival was held at the Swiss Cottage, a mile above Jervaux Abbey, Wensleydale, a place which commands a view hardly to be surpassed anywhere for extent and beauty. The day was fine, and the people assembled seemed highly delighted. Mr. Robinson's band played at intervals a selection of choice music. Early in the afternoon, Dr. Lees addressed the audience; then came tea, capitally got up, and afterwards other speeches from Mr. G. A. Robinson, Mr. Hardy, agent of the British League, and others.

YEADON-Sir, I have attended meetings as under:-Kirkstall (festival); Otley; Horseforth (festival); Armley; Shipley; Yeadon; Castle Bolton ; Swainby (festival); Hawes; Kettlewell (two days festival). W. B. AFFLECK.

J. BALE, Printer, 78, Great Titchfield-street, Marylebone.

BAND OF HOPE RECORD.

A DAY AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE.

No ancient city, not Babylon, Nineveh, Persepolis, or Jeru salem, Rome, or Athens, had such a magnificent popular resort as the Crystal Palace. It is unique in its vastness, beauty, and resources. The National Temperance League did wisely, therefore, in devoting its energies to the promotion of a great fête at the Palace of the People. Good speakers, a noble choir of singers, cheapened refreshments, pleasant amusements, the Rev. W. J. Robinson's splendid model of the Jewish Tabernacle, the great fountains, the palace band and organ, and the Shakespeare house, promised an entertainment of colossal and attractive character.

The day came-the ninth of August-and alas! the rain also came; pour, pour, for hours did the gloomy skies, until the streets were like rivers, and the roads were like canals. As we drove to the railway station-the Victoria-we saw zealous temperance reformers scudding along like ships rounding Cape Horn, and groups of Band of Hope singers "standing up under archways to shelter themselves from the pitiless storm.

up"

Here we are at the Victoria! What a crowd of merry faces! These good people, you see, are making the best of it. That's the way to enjoy life. But who are these remarkable persons in a uniform, which is a mixture of the Garibaldian red shirt, the volunteer trousers, the army hat,-look at the bunch of white feathers!-and the men-of-war's collar? They are a "Teetotal Life-boat Crew." What folly! British workingmen will never be attracted to the pledge by such tinsel and frippery. But we are off to the palace in a long train filled to excess, and as we sped along we see belated Band of Hope children, with drooping banners and wet frocks waiting to be taken up. Bless the children! they are fearless and happy, and care not for the pelting showers. Here is the palace. Ladies, children, editors, working-men, popular and unpopular speakers, singers, provincial celebrities, and certainly a good many nameless, but earnest temperance men and women, all march together within its crystal portals, and then scatter to view its glories.

Let us call at the committee-room, and shake hands with this tall, genial, business-like gentleman, who, let us say is Mr.