Our "Old Folks" In East Lancashire.

OUR "OLD FOLKS" IN EAST LANCASHIRE .

For several years past , the brethren of Manchester and district have subscribed annually £ 10 for the purpose of augmenting- the funds for the Christmas entertainment of the "Old Polks " in the Asylum at Croydon . At thc end of IS / 9 ( notwithstanding the limit placed upon the subscriptions , viz ., lialf-a-crown ) so popular had this

movement become , that the Committee , after remitting thc usual £ 10 to 13 ro . Terry , had a balance in hand . " What must be done with it ? " became the question , which was soon solved by a worthy Bolton brother , who suggested that the Kast Lancashire annuitants should lie invited to a substantial tea , at the Masonic Hall , Manchester , simultaneously with the entertainment at Croydon . The proposal metwitti the hearty approval of all concerned , and , although but a

few days remained to carry out the arrangements , the entertainment took place , and passed off with such great success that its annual repetition at once became an established fact . This year the Committee , with more lime , and after remitting- the £ 10 to London , a larger balance at their disposal , were enabled to improve upon their first attempt , and on Wednesday , the 4 th inst ., tlie " Ok ) Folks " again

assembled at the Masonic Hall , Cooper-street , to partake of the good things of this life , provided for them by their more successful brethren . Thc railway and omnibus fares of each annuitant were defrayed hy the Committee , and cabs were at the various railway stations to convey them to the hall . At five o ' clock the company sat down to a substantial dinner served by Hro . Phillips , the Steward of the club ,

who took good care that nothing was wanting to add to the comfort of the visitors . The chair was occupied by Hro . Broadbent ( aged 76 ) , and the vice-chair by Hro . W . Robins Colville ( aged 72 )' , there were also present Bros . Charles Turner ( aged S- ) , Hro . Hiram Morton and Mrs . Morton , Bro . Thos . Higson and Mrs . Higson , Bro . Geo . Haig , Mrs . Fletcher , Mrs . Charlton , Mrs . Wilkinson and Mrs . Moorhouse . The following acted as Stewards , viz . Bros . 'Thos .

Fntwistle , P . P . G . Supt . nf Wks . ; T . ] . Hooper , P . P . G . Treas . ; J . II . Sillitoe , P . P . G . D . of C . ; and W . Nicholl , W . M . . 317 . On the withdrawal of the cloth the following subscribers to the fund joined the . party , vi / .. Bros . | . L . Hine , P . P . G . S . W . ( chairman of tlie Past Lancashire Charity Committee ) ; John Chadwick , Prov . Grand Sec . ; John W . P . Salmon , P . P . G . D . of C ; Prank Huet , W . M . 10001 W .

laffrey , P . M . 15- ' ! Thos . Shorrock , P . M . \ G ; J . R . Lever , P . M . 317 ; C . Stanley , 1 . 187 ; W . Cunliffe , 31- ; ) . Wilson , 317 ; John Mountain , P . M . 1 : 04 ; R . Dottie , W . M , 1161 ; R . Timperley , P . M . 993 ; and Orlando Starlop , P . M . o-MThe CHAIRMAN proposed the usual loyal , and some appropriate Masonic toasts in a manner which showed that Ins seventy-six winters had not impaired his oratorical

powers . After which the following programme was gone through . Pianoforte Solo—Waltz , " Le Juif Frrant , " Iiro . Cunliffe : Trio— "When thc winds whistle cold , " Bros . Lever , Stanley and Shorrock ; Recitation , in the Lancashire dialect , "Lubbers afloat , " Bro . P . Dottie j Toast—The annuitants of Past Lancashire , " proposed by Bro . Fntwisle ; Trio— " Thc Bellringers'GIce , " Bros . Lever , Stanley and Shorrock ; Toast— " Thc Charity Committee

of Kast Lancashire , " proposed by thc Chairman ; Recitation—" Johnny and Peggy , " Bro . Dottie . •Bro . J . L . rllNE responded to thc last toast , and . in his remarks , stated that the Chairman had initiated him into thc mysteries of the Craft many years ago . At this stage of the proceedings a telegram was received

from Bro . Terry , conveying the best wishes of the " Old Folks , " at Croydon , to their brethren and friends assembled at Manchester . " The Health of the ' Old Polks' at Croydon " was pioposed and drunk with great enthusiasm , and a tele-gram was sent to Bro . Terry , in reply to the one received from

him . Bro . Colville then gave a recitation , and Bros . Lever , Stunley and Shorrock sang the trio , "Willie Brewed , " after which Brn . Higson sang " Friendship , Love , and Truth . " The recitation by Bro . Robt . Dottie created roars of laughter , for never was this inimitable brother hoard in better form . The trios , which were exceedingly well

rendered , were highly appreciated , and Bro . I hoi . Higson was deservedly encored in his old Masonic song , which he sang with excellent taste . At nine o'clock the " Old Folks " started for their respective homes , one and all expressing their gialitude to their entertainers for having prepared for them such an enjoyable festival . 1

Bro. And Mrs. Edgar Bowyer's Annual Dinner And Ball.

BRO . AND MRS . EDGAR BOWYER'S ANNUAL DINNER AND BALL .

On Friday , the Oth inst ., Bro . and Mrs . Fdgar Bowyer , of Goswell House , gave their annual dinner and dance to several friends , and the heads of the different departments of their large establishment . The reception took place at the Freemasons' Tavern , where 100 ladles and gentlemen

assembled , and were most cordially welcomed by the host and hostess . The party sat down to dinner at a quarter to six to a recherche banquet , at which the admirable taste of Bro . and Mrs . Bowyer was at once observable , as every lady had a partner of the opposite sex . The chair was taken by Bro . Bowyer , who had Mrs . Bowyer on his immediate right and Mrs . Terry on his left . Bro . James Terry

took the vice-chair . Thc list of brethren , ladies , and gentlemen present included thc names of the Rev . J . II . Rose and Mrs . Rose , the Kev . Caseley and Mrs . Caseley , Ihe Rev . J . Nash , Lieut .-Col . H . Radcliffe , Capt . J . Law , Capt . G . A . Potter , Lieut . Adams , Mr . and Airs . Barlow , Mr . and Mrs . Crutch , Mr . and Mrs . Clarke , Mr . and Mrs . lohn

Constable , Mr . and Mrs . Evans , Mr . and Mrs . Goode , Mr . and Mrs . Knell , Mr . and Mrs . 'I ' . Hastings Miller , Mr . and Mrs . Robinson , Mr . and Mrs . Saunders , jun ., Mr . and Mrs . James Terry , Mr . and Mrs . C . 1 " . Hogard , Messrs . F . Wilmer , R . Baker , G . H . Saunders , Terry , jun ., Bonner , jun ., Clarke , jun ., C . F . Pierce , G . F . Cook ,

IL Price , Kirby , Godbold , II . Massey , Dr . Lowson , Misses Harrington , Terry , Bowyer , Halford , Crutch (;) , and about sixty of the principal employe ' s of Mr . Bowyer . When the repast was concluded , Pro . BOWYER gave the toasts of " The Queen , " " The Prince and Princess of Wales and thc rest of the Royal Family , " but as ladies

Bro. And Mrs. Edgar Bowyer's Annual Dinner And Ball.

are never fond of long speeches , his addresses were of thc briefest description but all immediately directed to the subject of his remarks . " The Army , Navy and Reserve Forces" found respondents in Col . Radcliffe , ( . ' apt . Law and Lieut . Adams . Col . RADCI . II- 'FE pointed out the grcatvalue ofthe volunteers as a supplementary force to the regular army . They

were a constituent part of the . defensive power of tlie country , and in the future would bc looked upo . i even more kindly than they had hitherto been by all classes . If we had not so man } - volunteers we must have had a iiiue-h larger standing army , every private soldier of which was estimated to cost the nation £ 100 . The volunteers might treble or quadruple the national armv . and if thev had not

yet had It ) defend the country they hatl shown by tncir drill 11111 ] discipline in time of peace that Ihey were able to de good service in time of war . After a few words from Capt . LAW and Lieut . ADAMS . Hro . BOWVEK proposed "Success to the . 'Trade of Goswell House . " lie hoped that success would be as great in the future as it had been in the past .

Thc toast was drunk with enthusiasm , and Bro . IJowv I-IK next gave "The Health of the Visitors . " There wen many visitors present who had been there 011 furniL't occasions , but there were others who were there fur Ihc first time . To those who had been therein-fore lie gave . 1 hearty welcome , and lie thought their again coming was n guarantee that they hatl enjoved themselves on former

visits . 'To those who were there for the first limcj he and Mrs " . Bowyer hoped to see litem again , and lhat Ihey ivould enjoy themselves as much a- ; ( hey did ( hat evening . Both sections of visilois he and Mrs . Bo ' . vycr wished " A happy new year . " Bro . J CONSTAIU . E replied on behalf of all thc visitors . When thev saw around that fr _ -tivo board sn

many employees of their esteemed host ami hoste-.--, who had been there on many previous occasions , it spoke volumes fur the business that was superintended by Bro . Bowyer and his dear wife . The visitors might depend upon it that where any business was governed by principals it could not but be prosperous , and every one must wish Bro . and Mrs . Bowver , and their family , and en : ' -lev , ' ,-. ;

every success , prosperity and happincs-. All lhe wsitors hoped it would not be the last occasion of spending such a pleasurable evening . Bro . J AMI'S Ti-inuv proposed " 'The Health cf the Ibi .-t and Hostess , " to whom he said it must have bien a great pleasure to lind year liy year that tbey had to enlarge lhe dimensions of the tables , anil inctensc ' tlic amount of

provisions . ' 1 he worthy host had given lhe toast of " Success to the 'Trade of Goswell House . " ' 1 here v .-as not a person present who did not met sincerely and earnestly wish that success might be continued . lie ventured lo say that before many years were over theie would be even a loitgi-i pile of buildings erected for that lutsincs .- , and that there would not be thc prefix to thc business of " F . Bowyer , '

but that it would be " Bowyer , Sons , and Co ., Limited . " 'There were now nine sons and one daughter , and then might yet he more . Ife would ask each gentleman ami each lady round the lable whether there _ iu- > i \ moie hespitablc couple to be found anywhere . It was the greatest pleasure of their lives to make people comfortable , and it was tu them he called upon the company lo drink health

and prosperity . Bto . Bowviip ., on behalf of himself and Mrs . Bowye r , said they felt proud to entertain their friends that night . Being employers of labour they considered it was the right thing to do to gather around them those whom they employed . 'Toasts were afterward ; proposed iu honour of the different heads of departments , which were severally

tesponded to . Capt . Poller , Bro . John Constable , and other visitorentertained Ihe company with several songs dining lhe evening , and when the ladies retired to the drawing-room . Bro . Bowyer presented Bio . le . Dawkins , the manager ol Bro . Alfred Beit ' s business at Freemasons' 'Tavern , with a

valuable set of gold sleeve links , in recognition of Ills gieat attention to all visitors at the Tavern . 'The gentlemen then joined the ladies in the ball-reoir , and dancing wan kept up with unflagging spirit till a late hour . 'The Stewards of thc ball were Messrs . bdgar Bowyer , W . I . Crutch , C F . Hogard , II . Price , lames Terry , " and C . P . Webb .

'The evening was a most enjoyable one , and the expressions of satisfaction with it were universal ; but however much it was enjoyed by the visitors , no one seemed to enjoy it more than Bro . and Mrs . Bowyer .

The Drake Memorial.

THE DRAKE MEMORIAL .

The good people of Devonshire are to be congratulated on the efforts they are making to raise a memorial at Plymouth to that line old sea-dog , Sir Francis Drake , whom Klihu Burritt has described as the " first ol Fngland's I'ikiiigs . " It was from Plymouth that on the 1 j ; tl ) November , 1 = 177 , he , " in the first instance , sailed 0 : 1 his

adventurous journey around the world . It was Plymouth he reached on the 3 rd November , 15 S 0 , en the completion of that voyage . Itwas nt Plymouth he was engaged in a game of bowls when the near approach of the so-called Invincible Armada of Spain was signalled . Plymouth , therefore , is thc place of all others which should be the site of a memorial to this gallant sailor—the port associated

with some of his grandest exploits , situated , as it is , in the . county thr t gave him birth , is the fittest for such an object , though there are not a few who might suggest that a national monument within the sacred walls of Westminster Abbey would be fitter still . However , the Committee which have charge of the arrangements are more moderate in their designs . They are of opinion lhat "On

Plymouth 1 loe alone , hallowed by such eventful associations , never to bc effaced Jrtim the page of history , can be the appropriate and chosen site of the Drake M . morial , whatever form it may eventually take . " 'There , Ihey say , " let it stand , that future generations , sons and daughters of lhe old country , from Great Britain , front vast colonies , from the myriad islands of thc sea , coming to this ' mother behold the noble

Plymouth sitting by the sea , may monument raised by men of this generation lo thc memory of him who opened up so many highways for commerce across the mighty deep , who cleared so many obstacles from the path of England ' s enterprise and glory . " The period at whicli Drake lived forms about the most magnificent epoch in the glorious annals of English history , lie was the subject of one of our greatest sovcr-

The Drake Memorial.

eigns , and the contemporary cf some of our forrniDst statesmen and warriors , as wel ! as of ( hat mightiest of geniuses—the immortal Shake-. peate . Cecil Lord Burleigh , Sir Francis W ' al-inghain . Sir Waller Kaleigh . Sir lohn Hawkins ( a connection by marriage of I liake ' sl , T- ' roliisher , the daring but ill-starred Kss ' ox , Sir Philip Sydney , Robert

, Far ! of Leicester , the poet Spencer—these constituted a band of worthies of which any nation and any age might be proud ; audit was iu Ihe reign of a sovereign , such as was Kli / ahelh , and when Fngktnd could point with pride to So long a roll of distinguished peisonagos , lhat Drake gained and fought his way into an eminence hardly inferior to anv of thus .- we have named .

Drake was burn near Tavistock , being - theeldi st of twelve children , in 15 ,- . anJ , ] j , t ] ; , t sea j „ , _ :,,. ; . ) | j s father was a mariner , but he wa-. taken in hand by Sir John IIawluns , who , as we have said , was a connection by marriage . I he lir-1 we read of Iii 111 is . that when he was about eighteen he was appointed purser to a ship trading with Biscay . At twenty he made a voyage lo Guinea , and two years later he v . a ¦ -. appointed in the command of a .-hip ,

greatly distinguishing himself in lhat capacity in the glorious action which tool ; place under his pation , Sir lohn Hawkins , at St . John de l . ' lloa . Mexico . Subsequently he made several voyages against the Spanish settlements in Ainewa , . ¦ :, -. < ., hi .. ' uks raifs _ .. g () . ' ___ ii . a __ e ! i ) . il . !« harm , obtained fur himself and his followers a considerable shaie of booty . lie nest fitted out three liiga ' . cs and sailed lor In kind , where he

served as a volunteer under Waller , Fad of Fsscx - not to be confounded villi Fli'abctir . s favourite Ksscx . Returning to F ' nglanel he ' was inlieiehiccil at Court by Sir Chii-tophe 1 Hatton . and was most generousl y received . In 157 ; he received a royal commission to tindeitake . the voyage wilh which his name will ever he associated , and sailed on the 13 II 1 November , 1 s 77 , ns wo have said , limn I'lvmoiilli , his expedition consistiiv of

five vessels , of whieh the Pelican , hi ; ilagship , was of a hundred tons burthen , while the rest were : smaller . Stress of weather , however , compelled him to seek shelter at Falmouth , and he eliel not ultimate ly h ave Fngland till the i . V . h December fi'ilnwing . Of thi ., voyage we must refer our nailers lor paitieuku - to any histuiyof Fnglanil or naval hi tory . Sull ' ice- it lo -ay lhat he made Plymouth , on hi , lelurii on the- . - . rd eif Novemhi-r , 1 ; : '¦> , having been

absent about two \ ear , and ten months . Shortly afler he : was knightetl b y lii . ' .-du th . on the elce k of his own vessel , which hail reached Deptford in the' interim . In 1 iS . s he . 11 'liiiiinniled , ' ui expedition again t lhe Spanish West liiilic-s , wilh his 11-iial . suite .-:,. 'Two yeais later In-attacked the naval forces ln-ing assembled al Cadi / , lor the invasion of this roini try . a tn I destroy eel some 1 . 1 . 1 . 0 . 1 ton . of shipping , e-alu . ive- of u .-ulike stuns . At the time of the Armada

he served a , \ 'ie- c-Admiral lo Lend Ibiwaiel of Flliingb .- uu , and what he did toH .-. ids defeating that huge an ' ay ot wan-hip . is too well-known to be made lhe subject of even the briefest comment here . During tin- rest e , f his lid . he was busily engaged in atlai king the possessions of Ftigland ' .-. deadly enemy , and died in harms , at Noinbri : tie I lies , in January , i . a . ' i . 'There' are : those who con . ' ulcr Drake tohave been little

better than a kind of gentlemanly pirate , many of his expedition i haying been umlertnkiii when there was pcae 1 : bclwe-i-n Spain and Fng'and . F . nglishincn , however , could neit alle . nl to hcovcr-seiupulniis in it- ; dealings with a power which stood at nothing tosectne the ends it hail in view . Philip II . would as soon have sent I ' neli-h he -relics before , the Inquisition . is Gates would have dined ulf mast

Montezuma , or Pi / arro oil boiled Inca , had they found that by eloing -o they v . vnhl increase their stem- of wealth . Therefore ' , Drake , anil those' who fought with him , must not lie blamed if there were irregularities , such as would not be eaiununanee ' el in the e cane- adviiiueil days . Whatever he may have been , he-stain ! unit as une of the greatest warriors and .-. ailois in an . age which was prolific of greatness ..

The Tallow Chandlers' Company.

THE TALLOW CHANDLERS' COMPANY .

'I hi . company In-let a comt dinner ea the sth instant , after having sat n-veral bonis on the aliaiis of the Guild , which are not at all light , and after dispensing a large sum of niuiicv to veve-ral eh- _ erving charities and fund- ' , aiming which Pro . Ihe Lonl Mayor ' s Irish Fund was a gainer , lhe W . M ., Mr . II . It . ' 1 inner , presided , supported " by thc

Wardens , Mr . Jellkins , Mr . l'ear-un , and Mr . Mackey , and ii ge . eiel number ( if lhe couit of a si-. tant-. After justice bad been done lothe banquet , lhe Mater submitted the ton ts in short but appropriate language , 'lhe only ¦ •landing lea . tswcre tho-e of Iter Mnjc-lytlie Oucen ami the W . Master . Mr . Warden Jellkins returned thanks for the Waidens , and gave the he-all h of the Ma'tcr , which we , need scaicelv ., nv was well received . Mr . W . T . Reece

respeiuloil lor lhe Iicallli of the Court in a most eloquent manner . For the Visitors , which was drunk in a very eonlial way , Bru . Shopped , F . S . A ., P . M ., Armouieis' and Bra / ter .-. ' Company , replied in a speech which was particularly well received , anil must have been gratifying to him . We have not I 121 I the : iileasuie- of being a guest at the Ariiiou'crs' and Braziers '

Hall , but if Iiro . Sh . ippel is so popular in the halls of Guilds outsiilc his own , we leel we have cause lo regret not seeing him ilispeitsiug the eiutie ., of bust . In his speech he dwelt upon the gooel arising lrom a mutual interchange of hospitality , which no doubt tomb to keep up the solidity of lhe .-e ancient guild .-. per the Lively . 'Jr . Static first icpemded , but at tlie . call of several members the Ma-. tcr

asked Bro . Lieut . Henry V , light al .-. o to respond . 'The Clerk of the Company was ( lie In-., L ( oaf . . Mr . Bedford who was received wilh iheers , made a telling - speech on the whole subject of the City Compauic-. A very handsome , goblet , engraved with the Tallow Chandler ' s Arms , and the name of the donor—the present Master—was passed rotinil the table for lhe inspection of lhe guests .

Several snuff boee : of ancient pattern were also haneleel about for examination . 'lite ball of Ihis company is one'of 0 hie , I iu Ihe City , being built immediately after the lire of London , from ile--ig-s by Iiro . Sir Christopher Wren . We oannol In lp having a strong feeling of fraternity towards the .-e Civic Guilds , ct . nneclir . g one as they do with the past , and elemon-trating then and now the beauty

of brotherly love and charity . All of them carry out that last virtue very strictly according to their inesir . s . As they do not interfere with ihe Craft iu any way , uot having the secrets nor code we possess , we feel it only our duty to speak of them with Ihe greatest praise and affection . In the words of the 'Tallow Chandlers' Company , " Root and branch may they flourish for ever . "