PETERSFIELD.

     ODD FELLOWS’ FETE ON CORONATION DAY.—For several years past the tradespeople of this town have been loyal enough to close their shops and suspend all kind of business on the anniversary of the coronation of our beloved Queen; but there being nothing going on to enliven the holiday-keepers, all were heard to say ‟how dull it is.” This year the ‟Loyal Pride of the Valley” Lodge of Odd Fellows were determined in their loyalty to change the aspect of affairs; and some weeks previous the town was ‟billed” announcing a fête on the day named. At 10 a.m. the members met at their spacious lodge room (Dolphin Hotel), and proceeded to Lodge business. The Rev. J. M. Sumner and the Rev. J. E. Coles were elected honorary members. Soon after the strains of the famous Petworth brass band were heard approaching, and after a short time the town was paraded (three beautiful banners fluttering in the breeze). Divine service was attended at eleven o’clock in the Parish Church; prayers were read by Brother the Rev. H. Haigh, and a most impressive sermon was preached by the Rev. J. M. Sumner. In the absence of the organist Brother George Marshall officiated on the harmonium. After divine service a little more parade was indulged in. About half-past one 117 sat down to an excellent dinner provided by Brother R. Crafts. On the removal of the cloth grace was sung by Messrs. R. Pocock, W. Caplen, and J. Gardener (who during the afternoon sung several glees, &c.). The Rev. J. M. Sumner performed the office of chairman, supported on his right by Brothers R. S. Cross, Esq., (Surgeon to the Lodge), and W. H. Jolliffe, Esq., M.P., and on his left sat Brothers the Rev. H. H. Haigh and the Rev. R. E. Coles. The vice-chairs were occupied by Brothers J. Soames and A. Grain, Esqs. The usual loyal, patriotic, local, and other toasts were given and drunk, the principal one of the day being ‟The Manchester Unity, with continued success to the Loyal Pride of the Valley Lodge.” Brother H. Bridger, c.s. of the district, responded in a very concise speech on behalf of the Unity at large, and Brother T. Barnes responded on behalf of the Lodge, after which the following address (which had been written by request) was read by Brother C. Marshall:

I’ve pleasure in giving you my short address,
Though devoid it may be of good pith,
So I beg you not to think I lay on it much stress
Unless you should deem it a myth;
For rhymesters we know are too common by far,
And poets there are but a few,
And we ought not to sing, the Queen’s English to mar,
Unless we tell something anew.

But now to my subject, for time’s flying fast,
Like the wind in a stream that’s unseen;
We may smile, shed a tear, a reflection may cast,
The day’s number’d with those that have been.
But an Odd Fellows true full of hope we pass on,
And peace from our principles borrow,
For if we are sad ere to-day shall be gone
The sun may shine brighter to-morrow.

To a brother in need we each lend a hand,
Charity nestles close to our hearts;
With faith as a rudder to steer our wide band
   Much good from our sailing upstarts.

Then we’ve friendship, we’ve love, and truth too upon it—On each of these now I’ll read you a sonnet.

FRIENDSHIP
Whate’er our station here in life may be,
Stern duties on us one and all devolve—
From king to peasant none of us are free,
And some are problems difficult to solve.
The noble ones who guide the helm of state
Have trials we who toil can never know;
Yet each one in his place may be just as great,
Though from day to day his hands shall harder grow.

But oft, like stars that glitter in the night,
We meet with friends who make more clear our way;
When all is darkness friendship throws a light,
And beams of fancy round about us play.
If happiness in life thou would’st attain,
Think well, act well, and lean on Friendship’s chain.

LOVE

’Tis summer now and beauty decks the earth,
The waving corn is bursting into ear,
The birds all sing as thankful of their birth,
The sky’s without a rift, so bright, so clear,
From out of these come happiness and love,
Odours emanating from a better sphere,
Sheltering vines transplanted from above
Life’s rugged way to emulate and cheer.
All human hearts their light’ning influence feel
The playful boy—the hoary-headed sire—
The balms of love into his pulses steal,
He looks on all to wonder and admire.
If there are seeds of Love, then Love must be
   A golden type of peace and purity.

TRUTH
Truth is spirit of divine control,
The base on which all noble actions rest,
The line by which Time’s countless ages roll,
A monitor of Heaven’s high behest.
Mark ye the planet in its onward round,
The fiery comet in its track through space—
Can aught by Truth and order here be found,
The slightest deviation can we trace?
Truth is the armour of the wise and just,
The sea where Error one day falls a wreck;
Without it man’s not worthy of man’s trust,
But with it honor e’er his brow will deck,
Pretension may win crowns and kingdoms stain,
   By keen-eyed Truth shall ultimately reign.

With watchwords such as these, O who would us stay,
Or ever strive to check the progress of our way?
Methinks I hear you all with one voice cry there’s none,
And echo rolls back in mine ear, ‟Go on, go on, well done.‟

The widow and the fatherless our sympathy e’er share,
We strive to do our best to soother their grief and care.
To the Queen we’re loyal subjects—our wishes are that sheMay reign through many a long long year and ever happy be.
Our hearts are free and open to her Royal line,
We know no other Monarchy more bright or more sublime.
We have peers and we have peasants—we claim them brothers all;
By clinging to our virtues none can ever fall.
To the uninitiated I would say, O then
Quickly come and join us, ’twill make you better men.
We hold together council to soothe each other’s care,
And all who come among us our legislation share.
With perseverance thus the humblest soon may rise;
To set out to do good in a noble enterprise.
Last year thirty thousand joined us rank and file,
Many in far distant lands and others in our isle,
May we thus go on and prosper till our flag shall be unfurled
In every clime and nation throughout the wide wide world

     The address received a hearty round of applause. About five o’clock tea was provided in a meadow known as the ‟Circus” meadow, to which several hundreds sat down. After tea various sports were indulged in. Brother Moon gave a silver watch to be climbed for up a greasy pole, and Brother Harvey gave a leg of mutton for the same purpose. The watch was suspended about thirty feet from the ground, and the mutton about twenty feet. Several attempts were mad to bring the prizes down, but a man named Ewens was at last successful in conquering the difficulty, and ‟handled” both watch and mutton. Other prizes were given in money. About 1,000 persons had assembled in the meadow in the evening, and all passed off well. The committee deserve thanks for their excellent arrangements, and also Mr. Wilmer and the members of the band generally, for their earnest endeavours to please.