TESTIMONIAL TO CHARLES HARDWICK.

How shall we get up a testimonial to Mr. Hardwick, in which every Lodge in the Unity, if not every member, may take part? This gentleman has worked assiduously and admirably for the Manchester Unity and Friendly Societies for many years. He has written the best book on the subject that ever was written-the only one, in fact, that really grapples with the case, and works it out plainly. I feel a great interest in making his Manual universally known, because I am sure it is a good and valuable book. A few copies of the first edition only remain on hand, and a second is called for. Let orders for the book be immediately sent to C. S. Ratcliffe, and then you will be giving to Charles Hardwick the very best testimonial possible-the most flattering to him as an author-the most valuable to yourselves-the most useful and enduring-and, in brief, the only one he would really and fully appreciate. G. F. P.

TESTIMONIAL TO C.S. BURGESS.

On Friday, the 30th of August last, a large number of friends and members of the Manchester Unity assembled at Anderton's Hotel, Fleet Street, London, to do honour to Mr. V. R. Burgess, the well-known and respected Corresponding Secretary of the South London District, and member of the Board of Directors; Past Provincial Grand Master Fisher in the chair, and Mr. W. F. Bruty, present Grand Master of the district, in the vice-chair. There were also present several well-known members of the metropolitan districts.

A most excellent dinner was provided; and after doing it ample justice, the usual loyal and patriotic toasts were proposed and drunk with all the honours.

The chairman then came to the real business of the evening, which was the presentation to Mr. Burgess of a gold watch and chain, of the value of forty guineas. The watch, which was manufactured by Mr. G. Champion, of Walworth, bore the following inscription :-" M.U.I.O.O.F. Presented to C.S. Vincent Robert Burgess, by the members of the South London District, as a testimonial of their esteem, and in acknowledgment of his eminent services rendered to the above district. August 31st, 1860." In presenting the testimonial, the chairman dwelt with considerable eloquence on the great good which Mr. Burgess had been instrumental in affecting in connection with Friendly Societies, especially the vast and flourishing association known to the world as the Manchester Unity of Odd Fellows. In speaking of the services Mr. Burgess had rendered, the speaker said it should never be forgotten that it was to him, and such men as him, that the Friendly Societies of Great Britain owed their present proud position. The chairman then, in a few brief and touching words, presented the watch and chain.

Mr. Burgess, who was received with immense cheering, said he received that expression of their kind regard for him as even more important than the valuable gift he held in his hand, and which had been purchased with the subscriptions of his friends and fellow-members. After expressing, in suitable terms, his obligations to the district for the substantial testimonial

he had received, Mr. Burgess dwelt at some length on the progress made in the South London District during the last twenty years. The society was then without the pale of the law, and the weekly subscriptions of its members were insufficient to ensure the benefits promised. But now the South London District, to which he more particularly referred, possessed about 4,200 members, with a capital of more than £37,000. The prosperity of the district was due to the strict attention its members bestowed upon their funds, a proper valuation of their assets and liabilities, a good understanding of the science of vital statistics, and the judicious alteration they had made in the Widow and Orphan Fund-raising it from a state of insolvency to a safe and prosperous condition. He had been secretary to the district for eleven years, and it had been his main object and ambition to place it in a safe financial position. He was proud to say that he had achieved that object; but he had done no more than his duty-no more than any other good Odd-fellow, similarly circumstanced, would have been happy to have an opportunity of doing. He should reflect on this night's proceedings as the most important and gratifying in the history of his life. The speaker then again thanked the meeting, and resumed his seat amid great applause.

Several other toasts appropriate to the meeting were given in the course of the evening. G. F. Pardon responded for the "Press," and Mr. Jones, of Pimlico, for the "Metropolitan Districts."-It may be stated that the present is the third testimonial which has been presented to Mr. Burgess, one being a handsome snuff-box, and the other a valuable silver inkstand.As was said by one of the speakers, the value of the testimonial presented to Mr. Burgess is as nothing compared to the moral influence of such a demonstration; for by that night's proceedings young members may learn that if they exert themselves to advance the interests of the Manchester Unity and similar associations, they may be certain that their labours will, in the end, be fully appreciated by those for whom they labour, and not only by them, but by society in general.

NORTH LONDON DISTRICT.

THE financial statement of this district has been issued to the Lodges. To statists, as well as members, it affords important information as to the Sick and Funeral Fund of this vast society-the chief fund for providing_the benefits assured. At the commencement of 1860, the North London District contained 7,611 of the 305,214 members forming the Unity. A year before the numbers were 7,227. The entrance fees during 1859 amounted to £411 6s. 9d.; contributions, £7,840 9s. 6d. ; interest, £1,419 17s. 8d.; together £9,671 13s. 11d. The amount paid in sickness during the year was £4,165 158. 4d., and funeral levies £1,217 16s. 4d., together £5,383 118. 8d., the net increase being £4,288 2s. 3d., and making the total capital of the district £50,241 10s. 3d. The number of deaths were-members 82, and wives 60. Our society has falsified the predictions of actuaries; for, if comparison be made with former years, the Lodges are in a better position, and strange to say, though the members must be increasing in age, this district is younger than it was 15 years since (the average age of the members being 34 years 7 months), and the rate of sickness is not so high as the expected average; in fact, the sickness does not increase in proportion to the number of members. One cause of this is the influx of young men, but a suspicion gains ground that the true law of sickness has not yet been ascertained.

ANNIVERSARIES, PRESENTATIONS, &c.

[Several notices are unavoidably omitted for want of space; they will be inserted in the January No.]

ABERAVON DISTRICT.-A handsome rosewood writing desk, bound and inlaid with German silver, was recently presented to P.G. William Williams, of the Sir John of Avon Lodge, of this district. The inscription, beautifully engraved, recognises the able service rendered by Mr. Williams to the abovenamed Lodge. The presentation took place at a meeting specially convened for the occasion, presided over by Prov. G.M. Edward Jones.

ABERDARE.-At the quarterly committee of the Aberdare District, a splendid gold watch, the voluntary offering of the brethren, was presented to their C.S., Mr. Thomas Vaughan, in token of their obligations for duties ably performed, and as a mark of their confidence in him as a member of the Order for 30 years. The watch bears the following inscription :"Presented to Mr. Thomas Vaughan, 23 years C.S. to the Merthyr and Aberdare Districts, for pre-eminent services. 1860."

ALDERNEY NEW DISTRICT.-On Tuesday, the 10th July, the officers of the Island of Guernsey District, left that island on board the Queen of Isles, Brother George Scott, Commander, to proceed to Alderney, to open the new district granted by the last A.M.C. The district was opened in due form, and the officers elected. The following was the result of the ballot:Prov. G.M., John H. Wallace, P.G.; D.Prov. G.M., George Weysome, P.G.; C.S., John Vickery, P.G. The appointment of Examining and Relieving Officers followed, as also the election of a Treasurer and three Trustees; the whole being brought to a close by the new district adopting the laws of the Island of Guernsey District for the ensuing six months.

ALSAGERS BANK, STAFFORDSHIRE.-The brethren of the Farmers' Glory Lodge celebrated their 31st anniversary on Monday, July 16th. The members formed in procession, after attending public worship, and perambulated the neighbourhood, and afterwards dined together; Br. Samuel Emberton in the chair. The Farmers' Glory Lodge is going on very flourishingly, both increasing in young members and adding a good round sum each year to its funds. In the year 1858 the Lodge was in possession of a capital of £888 12s. 14d., and at this time have £1,110 18. Ild., and upwards of 200 members. A very gratifying portion of the day's enjoyment was a presentation of the emblem of the Order and Widow and Orphan's emblem, beautifully framed, to the Lodge Treasurer, Bro. Thomas Wilson, as a token of their esteem for the faithful discharge of the duties of his office for several years.

ATTLEBOROUGH.-On Sunday, August 12th, the brethren of the Loyal Howard Lodge met at the Lodge-house, at 6 p.m., and formed into procession to church, joined by some of the members of the Tradesman's Hope Lodge, when the sermon was preached by their Chaplain, the Rev. J. R. Quirk, Incumbent.-On Wednesday, the 15th, seventy of the brethren and friends celebrated their anniversary by an excellent dinner, John Estlin, Esq., their solicitor, in the chair; the vice-chairs being filled by P.G. Henry Clews and P.G. Thomas Winfield, supported by the Rev. J. R. Quirk, R. B. Nason, Esq. (their surgeon), P.P.Ĝ.M. William Taverner, P.P.G.M. T. Staton (of Coventry), and other officers of the Lodge. The Howard Lodge was opened in 1840, and now has 116 members, with a capital of £1,400-more than £12 per member.

BANBURY.-BRITISH QUEEN LODGE ANNIVERSARY.-On Monday, the 10th of September, the members of the British Queen Lodge, No. 2,429, celebrated their 20th anniversary by dining together. The chair was taken by W. W. Coleman, Esq., Mayor; P.G. Harding and Warden Herbert officiating as vice-chairmen. R. Grimbly, Esq., the Lodge surgeon, and Messrs. H. Flowers, T. H. Wyatt, T. Jarvis, and Willis, gentlemen connected with the town, supported the chairman. The following district and Lodge officers were also present:-Prov. C.S. Lancaster; P.P.C.S. Jakeman; P.P.C.S. Busby; Past Grands Dew, Greenaway, Thornton, Harding, Wilks, Shadwick, Harding, and Nason; N.G. Hitchcox, &c.

BERKHAMPSTEAD.-The Lodges in this district united to get up a grand day and evening fête in the Ancient Castle Grounds, at Great Berkhampstead, on Monday, June 25th. The use of the grounds was kindly granted by Lady Marian Alford and Earl Brownlow. A great variety of amusement was provided for the numerous visitors, and a goodly surplus remained for the benefit of the Widow and Orphan Fund of the district.

BECKLEY, OXFORDSHIRE.-The 15th anniversary of the Loyal Farmers' Home Lodge, in this village, was celebrated on Thursday, July 26th. The band of the First Oxfordshire Rifle Corps, which was engaged for the occasion, was met by the brothers of the Lodge at the New Inn, and marched in procession through the village to the Abingdon Arms, where the Lodge is held, when luncheon was provided. Afterwards they proceeded in procession to church, headed by the band, where an appropriate address was delivered by the Rev. T. L. Cooke, Incumbent. After the service the procession paraded the village to and fro, the band playing the martial airs, which quite enlivened the place. At half-past two o'clock upwards of 70 members and friends sat down to a sumptuous dinner, P.G. Green, of the Loyal Wellington Lodge, Oxford, in the chair. P.G. Grace responded to "The Farmers' Home Lodge" in a very able and telling speech, showing the progress made in the Lodge during the last two or three years, their numbers having increased, and their funds being in a very healthy state.

BRIDGE-END DISTRICT.-INITIATION OF T. M. TALBOT, ESQ., SON OF THE LORD-LIEUTENnant of the COUNTY OF GLAMORGAN.-The above-named gentleman, heir to the Morgam Estates, was duly initiated a member of the Manchester Unity in the Centre of Glamorgan Lodge, Kenfig Hill, on Tuesday, August 14th, 1860, at a special Lodge convened for the occasion, at the New School-room; and, as was anticipated, a large number of members attended. Prov. G.M. Edmund Jenkins filled the Lecture Master's chair, Mr. Talbot being introduced by Prov. G.M. Edward Jones, Aberavon, and P.G. Thomas Daniel. The meeting was one of the most pleasant and gratifying of the kind ever held in the large county of Glamorgan.

BRIGHTON.-The 27th annual fête of the Brighton Lodges this year consisted of a cheap excursion to Portsmouth, on Monday, June 25th. Unfortunately the state of the weather prevented the attendance of so many members and friends as could have been wished; but, nevertheless, about 1,200 persons joined in the excursion, so that no loss, though but slight profit, resulted. A dinner took place, at which Mr. T. Ancock delivered an excellent address, written for the occasion by Mr. Mullens.

CHELMSFORD.-The members of the Loyal Hope Lodge, Stepney District, celebrated their 16th anniversary on Monday, June 25th, when about eighty visitors and friends dined together at the Black Boy Inn, W. W. Duffield, Esq., in the chair; and Mr. Robinson, secretary to the Lodge, in the vicechair. There were present, Mr. C. Harvey, G.M. of the district; Mr. R.

Pitt, D.G.M of the district; Mr. David Love, C.S. of the district; W. J. Bruty, Esq., of Chelmsford; and Messrs. Heather and G. F. Pardon, who attended as a deputation from the Crystal Palace Excursion Committee. Many excellent speeches were made, and many capital songs were sung. In the course of the evening C.S. Love gave the statistics of the Stepney District, and Secretary Robinson stated that the Hope Lodge was in a very flourishing condition.

CUCKFIELD. The members of the Hayward's Heath Lodge celebrated their anniversary on Monday, September 3. The chair was taken by Robert Loder, Esq. (High Beeches, and Lieutenant 2nd Sussex Volunteer Rifle Corps), supported by Captain Meek (of Bantridge, Captain 2nd Sussex Volunteer Rifle Corps), the Rev. R. E. Wyatt (all members of the M.U.), and several honorary members and friends. The vice-chair was occupied by Mr. Wm. Curtis, of Brighton, the founder of the Lodge. In all eighty-five members and friends dined. The Hayward's Heath Lodge continues to flourish. It now boasts of 112 members and a fund of almost £120. Twenty-eight members have been made in the past year; four members only have left, and but five members are on the sick list. Its management is economically conducted. Its officers are good and tried men, and with such a host it cannot fail to prosper.

DONCASTER.-The members of the Lord Morpeth Lodge celebrated their anniversary on Monday, July 9, when upwards of one hundred dined together at the Saracen's Head. Mr. Joseph Hurst, of Spring Gardens, in the chair; Mr. C. Roebuck in the vice-chair. The number of members in this Lodge was on that date 200, with a capital of £1,369, of which £900 was employed as a mortgage on freeheld property.

DONCASTER.-The members of the Jubilee Lodge held their anniversary on Monday, July 16. N.G. Carmichael in the chair, and V.G. Marsh in the vice-chair. This Lodge is in a prosperous state, both as regards members and funds.

DUBLIN.-The members of the Emerald Isle (the parent Lodge of Ireland) held their anniversary dinner on Wednesday evening, September 5, which was numerously attended by the officers and brothers of that and other Lodges in the district.

ENNIS, IRELAND.-On Tuesday, July 3rd, the members of the Star of the West Lodge celebrated their second anniversary, when a large number of brothers from neighbouring Lodges were present. The financial position of the Lodge was reported as highly satisfactory, considering the short time it has been in existence.

EPWORTH, YORKSHIRE -On Friday, July 13, the members of the several Friendly Societies in this town held their anniversary festivals. The Oddfellows assembled in the Market-place a little before noon, and, with the members of other societies, proceeded to the parish church to attend divine service, when an excellent and appropriate sermon was preached by the Hon. and Rev. Charles Dundas, the rector. Afterwards the members and friends dined at their several Lodge houses.

FINNINGLEY, YORKSHIRE.-On Monday, July 23, the members and friends of the Good Intent Lodge celebrated their seventeenth anniversary. The members assembled about ten o'clock, and, after perambulating the village, headed by a band from Doncaster, proceeded to church. After divine service they returned to the Lodge house, and partook of a sumptuous dinner. This Lodge is in a very flourishing condition.