A Teetotallers Trip to London took place on the 11th of August, when from 70 to 80 persons marched from the Norman-road Temperance Hall and joined an excursion train of the South-Eastern Company. They appeared to be well provided with such comforts as would cheer but not inebriate, and their minds having been prepared for the “Sights of London by previous “Readings” to which they had listened, it soon became manifest that they had resolved to profit by their visit. There was but one drawback to their happiness, and that was by trusting too much to the slow movements of a Thames steamboat, about twenty of the party got back from the Exhibition to London Bridge in time to be too late for the train.
The Band of Hope, consisting of 70 boys, celebrated its inauguration on the 18th of August by a festive meeting in the St. Leonards Temperance Hall and by rural sports on St. Leonards Green. The muster took place at two o’clock, and the juveniles being formed in marching order, proceeded, with banners flying through the principal streets to the hill, calling on their way at the residence of their kind patrons, Mr. and Mrs. Mirlees, where they sang some temperance melodies, to the delight of all present. At the conclusion of the out-door sports, the party was marched back again to the Hall and were regaled with an excellent tea. The funds of this young society were contributed to by Lord Harry Vane, Mr. Lucas Shadwell and other well-wishers.
A Temperance Meeting of a somewhat novel character was held in the Norman-road rooms on the evening of the 26th of November. The platform was occupied by about twenty young teetotallers, and Mr. John Smith, a veteran abstainer and much respected working man ably filled the chair. Several appropriate addresses were delivered, among which those of Messrs. Macdonald, Hayward, Cripps, W. Streeter and B. Crittenden were especially worthy of notice. Mr. Charles Cope, jun., excelled in some chemical experiments, whilst Messrs. Farcey, Fuggle, Hayward and Upfield, with Master Tichbon, further enlivened the meeting by their vocal and instrumental contributions. The audience were so greatly pleased with the entertainment as to ask for an adjournment to the following Wednesday.
A Lecture on the Overland Route, as a variation from the usual course of temperance entertainments, was delivered in the same rooms on the 4th of December, by Mr. F. R. Flint. The lecture was illustrated with views of Southampton, Gibralta(sic), Malta, Alexandria, Cairo, Suez, Ceylon, Madras and Calcutta, by means of the oxy-hydrogen or lime light.
Saturday Evening Entertainments. These were inaugurated on the 13th of December, and continued afterwards to be very successful, the Temperance Hall being usally(sic) crowded, mostly, but not entirely, with members of the Workingmen’s Institute and their friends.
The year’s Later Meetings. Between the last named date and the end of the year there were four meetings in the Temperance Hall of a special character – namely a concert, a tea meeting, and two nights’ demonstration -
