over them, and protect them from all the evils which arise from tampering with strong drink, and surely this is a highly desirable thing.

The Rev. I. Doxsey followed with a brief address, in which he stated that he had been as a deputation for the Union to Newark, Kettering, and Leicester, and had found truly satisfactory results to arise from Bands of Hope.

The meeting was then thrown open for discussion; speeches and remarks were made by the Rev. Thomas L. Marshall, Messrs. W. J. Haynes, M. W. Dunn, R. W. Reid, and others; and arguments for and against the movement were canvassed.

Refreshments having been served, and a cordial vote of thanks given to Mr. and Mrs. Barrett, the company dispersed.

LITERATURE.

Work and its Reward: an Illustrative Tale. By KATE PYER. W. Tweedie, 337, Strand.

This little volume will find a suitable place in Band of Hope and Sunday school libraries. It presents a forcible picture of the evils caused by drunkenness, both in the devastation of happy homes, and the demoralization of the human character. The heartless conduct of Esther's mother on Mrs. Ashton's second visit to her, shows how the finer feelings of our nature may be blunted, and its evil passions roused, when the drink-demon takes possession of the soul. There is also a sad instance of youthful drunkenness, and in Mr. Liston's case we see the bad influence we may unconsciously exert upon others, by yielding to the drinking customs of society. On the other hand is depicted the happy change which takes place, when the father of a family abandons the fatal draught; the inaugural meeting of a Band of Hope is well described, and children may learn from the example of little Esther, the value of a gentle loving dis position in gaining the affection of others. It is an interesting little work, and we can recommend it for the perusal of our young friends.

Stories for Sunday Scholars, No. 1. Milly's New Year. ELLIOTT STOCK, 62, Paternoster Row.-This is an interesting narrative of a spiteful, violent girl, brought to submission and goodness by affliction, and of the subsequent reformation of her father. It will make a capital book for distribution at Christmas.

The Moral, Social, and Political Effects of Revenue from Intoxicating Drinks. By a Temperance Politician. JOB CAUDWELL, 335, Strand.From the introduction we quote the following:-"The writer firmly believes that what is morally wrong can be neither politically right nor expedient; he believes that this axiom applied to the revenue raised from intoxicating drinks will be found equally sound as when it is applied to other subjects of legislation. These dnties have the sanction of long usage, and are very generally defended, not merely as taxes upon articles of luxury, but as morally beneficial. The assumption as to their beneficial influence he believes will be found, on careful investigation, to be erroneous. Direct taxation, if sound in principle, should be employed to raise the entire revenue of the State; and the legislation necessary to remedy the evils of

intemperance, should not be mixed up with revenue considerations, but placed upon the same basis as other criminal jurisprudence. Especially does he urge the consideration of this subject upon all friends of direct taxation, upon the members of the United Kingdom Alliance, and upon all moral, social, and temperance reformers."

Having thus explained his views of taxation, the author gives the following facts :—

"In the year 1840, upwards of 1,100 articles were subject to Customs duties; in 1859, the number was 460; in 1860, Mr. Gladstone made a still further reduction, and when the changes he then proposed came fully into effect, there were but 43 articles subject to duty, of which 15 were retained for revenue purposes, the rest on special grounds. The revenue now raised by indirect taxation is derived mainly from tea, coffee, sugar, tobacco, and intoxicating drinks, in the following proportions

Other articles, including corn, currants, raisins,

wood and timber, &c., also produce

1,781,821

Spirits, wine, malt and licences.

20,023,405

It will thus be seen that of the entire revenue so obtained, above twenty millions of pounds are levied upon intoxicating drinks.”

But is this right? The author denies it, and in objecting to this mode of raising a national revenue, he says:

"It is derived from a vicious source.-This is a serious and fatal objection. The object of Government is the repression of crime, and the protection of the community from its consequences; oblivious of its duty, it draws a revenue from that which is confessedly the source, the fountain, and occasion of the larger proportion of our crime. What should we think of a Government which should derive a revenue from licences issued to robbers, and which should share the proceeds of their crimes by taxing heavily their booty? Such a proceeding would most justly receive our universal execration, Such, however, is the position of the Government in respect to the traffic in intoxicating drinks; it is the cause of by far the larger proportion of our crime, insanity, disease, pauperism, and premature death, and yet its unholy profits replenish the National Exchequer to the extent of Twenty Millions of Pounds every year.”

We know the author of this tractate as an able and zealous advocate of our principles, and we heartily commend his work to the attention of our readers.

PRACTICAL HINTS.

Mr. G. M. Murphy kindly wrote a useful little manual for Conductors, which we have published under the above title. It is highly praised by the press. The Weekly Record says:-"In this little pamphlet, which is one of the most valuable we have met with for many a day, Mr. Murphy gives the results of a wide-spread experience in conducting Bands of Hope and Temperance Societies; and the fact that almost everything Mr. Murphy puts his hand to is successful, is a satisfactory proof that his plans are worthy of attentive consideration, if not of univer sal adoption. Every Temperance committee should purchase a dozen copies for the use of its principal members."

And the South London Chronicle states:-"The briefest and highest praise which can be given to this pamphlet is, that it is at once practical and comprehensive. There is no pretence or attempt in any of the twelve essays it contains. The subjects are of practical importance, and the method of handling them is sound and judicious. Mr. Murphy employs no waste words, but expresses clearly his meaning upon the points he discusses. Were we desirious of addressing or concerned in managing a Band of Hope, most gladly would we hail Mr. Murphy as a counsellor.

Annals of the United Kingdom Band of Hope Union.

PRESENTATION TO MR. DUNN.-The autumnal soiree of the Union was held on Thursday evening, Oct. 27th, at Shirley's Hotel, 37, Queen square, when W. West, Esq., presided, and conducted the business of the evening in his usual efficient and pleasant manner. After tea, coffee, cake, &c., had been served in good style to a numerous company of ladies and gentlemen, Mr. S. Shirley introduced a very interesting matter, namely, the presentation of a testimonial to Mr. M. W. Dunn, financial secretary, consisting of a handsome Family Bible, with an inscription done in beautiful style by Mr. C. W. Dowdeswell, of Chancery lane, a silver inkstand, and tea and coffee service—the whole forming a most valuable and elegant gift. For many years Mr. Dunn has conducted the affairs of the Union with great ability and zeal, and all present concurred in the eulogiums passed upon his services by Mr. Shirley. Mr. Dunn having replied in suitable terms, addresses were delivered by the Revs. J. Clifford and G. W. M'Cree, Joseph Payne, Esq., and Messrs. W. J. Haynes (treasurer), Wood, Chapman, Fusedale, and Tucker. During the evening, the North London Choir, conducted by Mr. Nott, sang some select pieces, and Mr. and Master Thwaites performed on the piano, and sang several choice compositions. The company parted highly delighted with the proceedings of the evening.

During the past month, Mr. F. SMITH has lectured with the Dissolving Views at the following towns:-At Bradford, Yorkshire, in the Temperance Hall, twice; Greenfield; the Friends' School; and Hallfield School. In Ireland, at Brookfield, Dromore, Coleraine, Maghera, Seapark, Newtownard, Comber, Lisburn, Carrick Fergus, and Belfast. Four consecutive nights in Liverpool, and in London, at Eden Street, Hampstead Road, and Barnet. The meetings, with only one exception, have all been well attended, many of them crowded.

During the last two months, Mr. BLABY has attended the following meetings :- -Denmark Street, four times; Deverel Street, twice; Northey street, Limehouse; One Tun, Westminster; Working Men's Club, Duck Lane; Lansdowne Place; Great Queen Street Sunday School; Meadow Row, New Kent Road; Whitfield Chapel, Long Acre ;. St· Matthew's, Princess Square; Arnold's Place, Dockhead; Southville, Wandsworth Road; Paddington Chapel; Esher Street, Kennington ; East Lane, Walworth; Mission Hall, Five Dials; Dalgleish Place, Limehouse; Stafford Street, Peckham; Lambeth Baths; Stepney

Meeting; St. John's Wood; Exeter Building; Haverstock Hill; Mansfield Street, Borough; Isleworth; Old Ford; Gray's; and Tottenham. He has also preached twelve sermons, and addressed five Sunday Schools.

During the months of October and November, W. J. LAY has attended meetings as follows:-Walworth; Limehouse; Esher Street, Kennington; Barbican; Cottage Green, Camberwell; Bloomsbury Chapel; Whitfield Chapel, Long Acre; One Tun Ragged School; Somer's Town; Blackheath; Allan Street, Clerkenwell; Arnold's Place, Dockhead; Henry Street, Borough, twice; Packington Street, City Road: Wilmington Mission, Clerkenwell; Caledonian road; Lambeth Baths; Stepney Meeting; Cromer Street; Walworth; Haverstock Hill; Old Mile Stone, City Road; St. James's Walk, Clerkenwell; Southville.

ANCHOR BAND OF HOPE, CAMBERWELL.-The above society continues to prosper, the fortnightly meetings being well attended, and fresh members often received. Kind aid has been lately given by Mr. Davies, Mr. Lay (from the United Kingdom Band of Hope Union), and the Rev. W. K. Rowe, all of whom addressed meetings numbering above 200. On Oct. 25th the quarterly tea meeting was held, when a large number assembled in the evening to enjoy the entertainment of music, singing, recitations, and the diorama of the “Temperance Sketch-book,” exhibited by Mr. F. Baron; Mr. S. Shirley also addressed the meeting. On Wednesday, Nov. 9th, the second annual social tea meeting for old members took place. Between 80 and 90 young people partook gratuitously of an ample repast, and the meeting, which commenced about eight o'clock, was addressed by the Rev. John Pillans, Mr. Winsford, Mr. Eaton, and Mr. Davies, and chiefly presided over by Wm. West, Esq., whose cheerful sallies called forth the laughter of his hearers. Music, singing, and recitations enlivened the proceedings, and it is hoped good will result from this effort to keep up or revive the interest of the young people, most of whom, being engaged in business, are unable to attend the usual meetings of the Band of Hope.

BELFAST.-My Dear Sir,-Your Mr. F. Smith, having completed a fortnight's engagement with our League, left us on Saturday evening for Liverpool, where he is, no doubt, long ere this, safely arrived.

Our Committe, at the weekly meeting on the 19th inst., nnanimously adopted the following resolution, which you will kindly submit to your

executive

"That the services of Mr. F. Smith, of the London Band of Hope Union, who has been lecturing for us with dissolving views for the past fortnight, are highly appreciated by this Committee; not only on account of the excellence of the Views,' but also from the admirable tact and ability displayed by Mr. Smith in his descriptive lectures.”

I have much pleasure in adding my entire personal concurrence in the foregoing; and, as an old member of your Board, I am truly pleased that you are still so well represented.

I am, yours very truly,

Rev. G. W. M'Cree. H. CHARLES KNIGHT, Secretary I.T.L. BRADFORD BAND OF HOPE UNION.-We have been favoured, in connection with the Bradford Band of Hope Union, for the last nine weeks, with the valuable services of Mr. W. Bell. During this period he has been engaged, with scarcely an exception, every night lecturing, and on the Sabbath preaching. All the meetings have been large and most enthusiastic. Mr. Bell's large-heartedness and genial earnest manner, with the interesting and instructive addresses he has delivered, have

endeared him to all who have heard him. We are anticipating with the greatest pleasure another visit from him shortly. In connection with the termination of his engagement, a social tea meeting was held in the Independent School-room, Greenfield, on Friday evening, Nov. 4th, when a large number of the friends of the Union sat down. The meeting subsequently held was presided over by Mr. W. S. Bray, and was of a most interesting character. A resolution, proposed by the treasurer, and seconded by the secretary of the Union, was unanimously passed, expressing the warmest and most cordial thanks of the Union to Mr. Bell, for the valuable and efficient manner in which he had discharged his duties during the term of his engagement, and praying that the Divine blessing might go with him, and make him even more eminently successful in the future than he had been in the past. The proceedings were varied by singing, addresses, recitations, &c., in which Messrs. W. Bell, J. Phillips, T. Carter, A. Frith, and others, took part. Also, on Saturday evening, Nov. 5th, at the West-end Temperance Room, Bradford, Mr. Bell was presented with a splendid photographic album, containing the carte de visites of a large number of the leading friends of the movement. On behalf of the Society, Mr. H. Sewell, in appropriate terms, made the presentation. Mr. Bell feelingly responded, stating how sincerely he appreciated their kindness. We have also been favoured with a visit, during the last month, by Mr. F. Smith, who has given five exhibitions of the splendid Dissolving Views belonging to the Union. instructive and pleasing manner in which Mr. Smith conveys valuable information on a great variety of subjects, by means of the pictures exhibited, has given universal satisfaction. At each exhibition there was a large audience, who evinced the greatest delight and pleasure. The attractive nature of these entertainments cannot fail to be always popular with our young friends.

The

COMBER (IRELAND) TEMPERANCE SOCIETY AND BAND OF HOPE. -On Tuesday evening, 15th of November, a very large and interesting meeting was held in connection with the above flourishing society, in the School-house connected with the First Presbyterian Church. The Rev. J. M. Kellen, M.A., in a few appropriate words, introduced the lecturer, Mr. Fred. Smith, of London, when a most attractive and instructive lecture was delivered on "Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress," illustrated by dissolving views. The pictures were admirably executed, and elicited the praise of all present. At the close of the lecture, thanks were accorded to the lecturer on the motion of Mr. W. D. Watt, seconded by Mr George Morrow, when the company separated, highly pleased with the proceedings of the evening. A children's meeting had been held at five o'clock, when Mr. Smith lectured on the "Franklin Expedition" in a most effectual and attractive manner, taking the opportunity of mentioning the advantages of abstinence in various climates. The views exhibited on the Arctic Regions were magnificent, especially the Aurora and the Halo. If Mr. Smith should visit Comber again, he will meet a warm and cordial reception, for many will remember his last visit with pleasure and profit. We have never had anything which has captivated the people so much, and good to our cause has been the result of the meetings.

Dromore, Co. Down, IRELAND.—On Tuesday evening, 8th November. Mr. F Smith, Agent of the Band of Hope Union, visited this place, and delivered a lecture on 66 Lights of the World," illustrated by dissolving views, to a densely crowded audience, in the Protestant Hall. Both the views and the lecture gave entire satisfaction, as indeed they could not fail to do; and it is believed that by means of Mr. Smith's