Upper Mill.

Friendship Tent.—On Shrove Tuesday, about 50 of the members and their wives sat down to an excellent knife and fork tea in tha Mechanics' Institution, provided by Bro James Robinson, confectioner. A public meeting afterwards took place, presided over by Bro James Lawton. The secretary, Bro John P. Wild, lead the report as follows:—The Friendship Tent was opened in December, 1843, with nine members, five of whom are still alive and four are in the room. Our Tent has steadily increased, at the present time numbering 59 members, holding 201 sick shares and 117 funeral shares; also 16 wives, holding 28 shares, and two widows holding three shares in the funeral fund. The Good Templar movement has added to our ranks about 20 members, and the same number has been drafted from our Juvenile Tent. Our total worth at present is over £200 in the sick fund, and about £2 per member in the funeral fund. We are worth per member in the sick and funeral fund £5 15s 5 ¼d. Our average age is 30 years and 4 days. During the last year we have had 10 members sick, to whom we have paid £12 17s 6d. The average sickness of the 59 members has been 3 days and 11 hours, an average of 4s 4 ¼d per member during the year. We have during the year added nearly £20 to the sick fund. Our Juvenile Tent meets monthly, nnd now numbers 13 members. There has not been a single case of sickness during the year, and their fund is over £20. I wish to impress on our members the advisability of attending their Tent meetings, instead of sending their contributions by other members. Nothing looks better than to see our Tent room filled with its members, and the officers at their posts.—Bro W. R. Buckley gave the "Postman's knock" Bro. Henry Sharpies, B D, of Manchester, explained the working of the Order in a homely style. He advised the brethren to look after the juvenile members, and instruct them in the affairs of the Order, as in the course of nature the older members would have to succumb and the young ones take their places. Several very important questions were asked and replied to by Bro Sharpies. Bro James Bradbury gave a recitation and a temperance song. Bro Tyas made a few remarks, and votes of thanks brought the meeting to a close.

I know of no manner of speaking so offensive as that of giving praise, and closing it with an exception.—Sir Richard Steele.

Say nothing respecting yourself either good, bad, or indifferent; nothing good, for that is vanity; nothing bad, for that is affectation; nothing indifferent, for that is silly.