The Express.
London, England, 1866-05-15 00:00:00

UNITED KINGDOM BAND OF HOPE UNION.

The eleventh annual meeting of the Band of
Hope Union was held last night in the large room, Exeter-
hall, which was densely crowded, the platform behind the
par; appropriate.' to speakers being occupied by 600 of the
Band of Hope children, who in the intervals between the
speeches sang in a very effective manner a collection of
hymns and secular pieces. In the absence of Mr. C. Ju,
who had come to town to take the chair, but was unforpe-
tunately prevented from doing so by an attack of illness,
it was occupied by Mr. J. G. Rutter, of Mere, Wilt-
shire, who opened the kiroceeilings in a short speech,
in which he bore testimony to the value of the
association, not only in promoting temperance
among the rising generation, but as an educational agency.
The Rev. G. M'Cree, the secretary of the association, then
to state the results of the society's operations
Cettildmist year, from which it appeared that Bands of
Hope are growing in numbers and influence in the pro-
vinces, and very numerous meetings had been held in the
country, especially in the west of Engluid. There bad been
also numerous conferences, and a very successful fête at
the Crystal Palace. The committee acknowledge the
services to the society of various clergymen and gentle.
men, including the Rev. C. H. Spurgeon, the Rev. J.
P. Chown, Mr. S. Gurney, M.P., the Rev. It. Seddon, the
Rev. J. Doxsey and the valuable agents, Mr. W. Bell,
Mr. G. Blady, Sir. D. DI, Mr. F. Smith, and Mr. W. H.
Whitbread. The connnitteo recorded the existence of
Zi Bands of Rope associated with ragged schools, one of
which had 1,528 members; and they rejoiced to state that
in this movement they had the co-operation of the Ragged
School Union. The publications of the society bad
enjoyed a fair sale, the total number disposed
of during the year being 75,891 ; and in addition to these
no less than 190,000 copies of a new edition of the Band
of Hope hymns and melodies had been sold. No less than
1,740 meetings had been held during the past year, of
which 500 were attended by honorary deputations, and
1,169 by the agents. The committee acknowledged with
thanks the invaluable services rendered to the society by
Mr. Haynes, the treasurer, and Mr. M. W. Dunn, the
financial secretary, and they rejoiced to be able to an-
nounce that the income for the past year, although still
inadequate to the pressing wants of the union, was the
largest that had been hitherto received, amounting to
1,2888. He concluded by expressing a hope that the in-
come of the society would be greatly increased, and that
ita operations would be still more successful. Effective
addresses were delivered by the Rev. W. H. Hooper (of
Walthamstow), Mr. G. Cruikshank, Mr. W. Bell, the
Rev. .1. S. Pearsall, the Rev. Newman Hnll, the Rev. C.
Garrett, and other gentlemen, an 1 the proceedinp pawed
off very satisfactorily.

CB.EYOBNE GARDENS.—This popular resort WAS
opened for the season yesterday, a little earlier in the year
than is generally the case, but not too early, in spite el
cold weather, to bring large nurnbirs of visitors by river,
road, and rail. Cremorne has lost none of its attractions
during the winter, but, on the contrary, numerous ins.
provements have been made in the grounds, and the
various buildings have been beauthied wherever possible.
Mr. E. T. Smith, the resident director, annul:nem that he
has striven to make the present season Lis crowning
triumph, and while time alone can show how far such •
success will be realised it is certain he has done all he
can to deserve it. The programme yestenlay was long,
excellent, anal varied, including • large painting of
Florence ; performances in a commodious and handsome
circus ; acrobatic feats of • first class character ; ballets.
comic and serious, on an extensive scale ; performances
from Signor Farini (who made an attempt to cross the
Niagara on stilts) ; fireworks and abundant illuminations ;
dancing and helicon ascents. A considerable num-
ber of scientific men interested in ballooning came
to witness the ascent of Mr. Jackson, of Derby, in order
to see an invention he has made and now worked for the
first time. He claims to have attained Cie power so many
have sought for in vain, of guiding the ba:luon, and even
propelling it when the wind fails. The machine is in-
genious and simple. The aeronaut sits on a long, slender
frame-work above the ordinary car, and the turning of •
small crank sets in motion • long oir projecting frost
either side, spiked with large goose feathel 3, and simul-
taneously a cross of feathers at the front end of the frame,
which, when in motion, resembles the toy windmill
children run with in the streets. Behind the voyager's
seat, and easily guided, is a large rudder of goose feathers.
The oars at the side may be worked together or singly.
The balloon started briskly, and rapidly rose high above
the tall poplars, Mr. Jackson from his perilous perch above
the car taming the crank et the apparatus. When it was
in full motion, it seemed as if a large bird were flapping
its wings in the centre, while the revolutions of the wind-
mill in front gave the whole affair a comical appearance.
The balloon in about half an hour disappeared in the mist,
in the direction of Clapham, and many gentlemen who
watched it out of sight, will wait anxiously to hear how
the invention answered. On the Derby and Oaks nighty
the gardens, according to custont,will be open till daylight.;
and next Monday Blondin will perform for the last time
in this country previous to his departure for India. On
that day also, Jackson, should he terminate last night's
voyage safely, will make another ascent.

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