The Christian Association
This association inaugurated their discussion season at the Congregational schoolroom with a tea meeting, and which was afterwards made additionally pleasant by speeches and singing. Mr. Dean, the organist, presiding at the piano.
Special Dinners, Suppers, &c.
The friends of Mr. (now Lord) Brassey, the respected occupier of Beauport, near Hastings, invited him to a dinner at Birkenhead on the 14th of January, in connection with the late election at that place.
Corporation Dinner. On Tuesday, the 7th of January, F. North, Esq., entertained at dinner the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors. Much regret was expressed that the esteemed host was too unwell to join the party. In his absence, the honours of the table devolved on the Rt. Hon. Thomas E. Headlam, Judge Advocate General, who had been staying on a visit at Hastings Lodge. Among the company present were the Mayor (T. Ross, Esq.), the Deputy Mayor F. Ticehurst, Esq., Alderman Hayles, Councillors Bromley, Duke, Gutsell, How, Howell, Kenwood, Neve, Putland, Poole, Picknell, John and James Reeves, F. Tree, Rev. J. Parkin, W. B. Young, Esq., J. Phillips, Esq., W. Scrivens, Esq., and Capt. Gough. Several other gentlemen who had received invitations were unable to be present in consequence of illness or absence from town.
The Annual Club-Dinners. The Whitsuntide festivities were, of course, fully reported at the time in the local papers, and all that is intended here is to enumerat(sic) the various societies and to locate the places where they banqueted. As a preliminary, it may be said that five of these societies performed their customary round in grand procession with their handsome banners and distinctive paraphernlia, presenting a coup d'oeil at once pleasing and animating. Of the five clubs which thus went in procession, four of them were marshalled as follows:- The Friendly Society, with two bands of the 4th Cinque Ports Artillery; the Victoria Lodge, M. U., preceded by the band of the 2nd Sussex Artillery; the Benevolent Society, headed by the Battle band; and The Foresters, accompanied by a band from Wittersham. In this way 525 "clubites", exclusive of the bandsmen, wended their way through the principle thoroughfares between the top of High street in the old town and the Saxon Hotel at St. Leonards, returning each man to his respective rendezous, there to partake of substantials and delicacies for which his long walk must have well prepared him. The Old Friendly Society, about 240 in number, had their 47th annual festival at the Swan Hotel, where Mrs. Carswell was the hostess; the Benevolent Society dined at the Market Hall, Mr. Chas. West being the cuisinier; the Victoria Lodge of Oddfellows, to the number of about 200, banqueted at the Music Hall, the dinner being served up by Mr. Turner of the Havelock hotel; and the Ancient Order of Foresters, about 70, dined at the Have-
