THE design of the "BAND OF HOPE TREASURY" is to form a repository from which may be obtained a regular supply of Music, Dialogues, and Recitations suitable for Bands of Hope. The great demand, from all parts of the country, for Recitations and Dialogues, evinces a need for a work devoted exclusively to this department of the Band of Hope movement. It is proposed, therefore, that each monthly number of the "Treasury" shall contain : TWO ORIGINAL DIALOGUES, SIX OR MORE RECITATIONS (original and selected), TWO PAGES OF FOUR-PART MUSIC, with suitable words. No labour or expense will be spared to render the work thoroughly useful, due regard being given to the sentiment and merit of each piece, so that the "TREASURY" may find its way into every Band of Hope in the kingdom. * * * The Editor will be glad to receive contributions of Music and words, Recitations, or Dialogues, from any friends interested in the Temperance movement. Address, W. HOYLE, 21, Richmond Street, Hyde Road, Manchester. Thomas. I'm in a pretty pickle at last; it's just what I might have expected-no money, no work, no prospect but a bad one. Some folks have all the luck in the world, and some have none. Shakspeare talked about every man having a chance once in his life, but how could he judge of my case? He never worked in a foundry, and if he had, he would not have had to suffer what we endure these times; at any rate, if every man has a chance, I'm sure mine has not come yet, for somehow I never could succeed. I have had constant employment for thirty years, and now I'm out of work, and not worth thirty shillings. I believe I belong to the unfortunate class. Longfellow says, "Something attempted, something done;" my experience says, something attempted, nothing done. I remember once I thought I could better my condition, so I saved up five pounds, and determined to open a draper's establishment. I thought I would begin in a small way at first, and sell neckties, collars, handkerchiefs, stockings, and such like, but just as I was going to complete arrangements and secure the shop and fixtures, who should I meet but Ned Collins. Ned and I had been old friends for years; so Ned said to me, "Old boy! you know what's coming off to-day?" I replied, no. "Why, man," he said, "there's going to be a dog-race down by the Green!" Nay, nay, I thought, it will not do for me to go and spend on a dog-race the money for which I have worked so hard. I looked at my watch and found I had just an hour to spare; then I thought, Well, if I do go, I'll take good care that I spend nothing; so off I went with Ned Collins. When we got to the Green some were shouting one thing, and some another, but Ned said to me, "Old boy! if you have five shillings to spare, put it on the white dog." I said, Do you think the white dog will win? Ned looked at me in his usual emphatic way, and said, "Do you think that the sun shines ?" I replied, I'm quite sure about that. "Well then, I'm quite as sure about the white dog winning." Well, thought I, what a fine thing it would be if I could take twenty pounds home to our Sarah, how she would wonder where it all came from. what a fine lift it do |