The fortnightly gathering of this Society was held on Saturday nicht, and a heavy gale and frequent rain sou hall was very well attended. Mr. C. P. Blethen, as usual, occupied the chair. A goodly number of seamen and marines were again t.. The proceedings were commenced singing a chorus to the spirited air, "Marching through Georgia this was followed by an address by Mr. A. Gordon, the Secretary, who in the course of his observations succinctly proved, by mean of figures, the too great preponderance of ublic houses over the number of inhatants in Hongkew—a hint aufticiently sug-festive to those entrusted with the renewal and granting of licensos.—Some sailor \ds were announced to sing, but they not put in an appearance, but this, credibly informed, was not due to defalcation on their part. Before entering, in a programme, it should be clearly ascertained that persons can ronsonably promis, at least, to be prose: The Rev. Mr. Muirhead gave one of his lucid expositions of temperance, especially urging its adoption by young men. He Iso spoke in terms of congratulation of the excellent means both of mental improvement and innocent enjoyment held out to sailors by the promoters of the Temperance Hall, and hoped to seo its usefulness more and more appreciated and—Mr. A. G, Merrilees next sang, There's nae luck about the house," which of course could not apply to the Hall.—A member of the A. D. 0. then read, from The Old Curiosity Shop," a portion of th pathetic story of Little Nell," including the death scene, followed by the incredulity of her grandfather as to her end. Such a reading as this would command attention before any audience, especially when rendered so attractively as it here wus.—A gentleman "amateur now came for-wid, and sung Henry Russell's song of the }Lifeboat," in such excel style, that loud applause encore followed. in, appropriately batituting Goodnight," a song dem ing both ex pression and power, which the singer proved himself equal to giving it. The piano nccompaniment to each of these songs was finely played.—This brought the programme ton fi and Mr. Blethen, After thanking the yeutlemen who had ably assisted that evening, announced that 'a'*freo.tea meeting" would -be held in the hall on Saturday evening next. The Indies connected with the Society, and some of their friends, were desirous of doing something practical of this kind, and especially to promote a gathering of sailors. There were now many ships in port, and it was felt that the time was Very appropriate for that purpose. The Temperance Hall was intended more particularly to look after the interests of sailors, and he hoped, therefore, to see a large muster of them not only on Saturday next, butatall convenient times. (Applanse.) He might say, it was just possible that Admiral Shadwell, with some of the officers of the fieat, would be present at the tea meeting, and he need not say how heartily they would be welcomed. Tea and its accompaniments would be provided for all who might come, and he had little doubt a pleasant evening would be spent. Mr.
lathen also solicited a supply of English newspapers for the Branch Hall in Flongkew. Many British seamen frequented that hall, and remained there reading for an hour or two at a time, what lit happen to be on the table. "Many Ameri-pers were to be found there, ould be better if there were more English papers as well. If friends would, therefore, kindly send some of their English journals after reading them, a very would be conferred. They either to himself, to the Secretary, or to the manager of the hall.—The closing hymn was then sung, the meeting separated.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.