WORKMEN'S TEA—The clickers and machinists employed by Mr. G. Denton drank tea together in the National Schoolroom on Saturday. The meeting was a very pleasant one, and was much enjoyed by all who were present.

WORKMEN'S TREAT— On Saturday, the 25th ult., the workmen and their wives, in the employ of Mr. Cave, with a few friends, to the number of 140, met at the Temperance Hall for tea. After tea the following programme was gone through and thoroughly enjoyed, Mr. P. Cave in the chair:— Part-song, "Love at home," Miss Sherwood, Miss Mackness, Mr. Crick, and S. Sinnet; song, "Close the shutter," Miss Edwards; song, "Courting in the snow," S. Desborough ; song, "Castles in the air," M. R. Mail; reading, "the bashful man," Mr. B. Vorley; song, "Bonnets trimmed with blue," Mr. T. Edwards, (encored); song, "Mother kissed me in my dream," Miss E. Sargent (encored) ; song, "Very awkward man," Mr. C. Stringer; song, "Under the Willow," Miss E. Sherwood; song, "Little Sam," Mr. D. Crick ; song, "I want to go home to Mamma," Mr. R. Rice, (encored); song, "Kiss in the ring," Mr. W. Skinner. A vote of thanks to Mr. P. Cave and family terminated the proceedings.

Mr. Claridge and his Workpeople
On Saturday, the 1st inst., a supper was provided in the newly-built warehouse, of Mr. W. Claridge, shoe manufacturer, when the whole of the men boys, and females employed by him, both on and off the premises, comprising the rivetters, finishers, carpenters, masons, machine girls, fitters, and all who had assisted the firm in any way whatever, sat down to a good substantial supper, provided by Mr. Hulatt, of the Coach and Horses Inn. About 200 persons were present and partook of the repast.

After the cloth was drawn an overture was played by the Band, under the leadership of Mr. Bacon.

Mr. W. Claridge, the chairman, proposed the health of Mr. S. Knight, junr., who, in response, said it gave him great pleasure to see the firm of Messrs. Claridge in such a prosperous condition. He thought it was a great blessing to have plenty of work to do when there was such a depression of trade all over Europe. He had known Mr. Claridge for a great many years, and they had differed in a great many things, but that difference did not destroy the friendship existing between them. He congratulated Mr. Claridge on the business abilities of his three sons, and hoped they would enjoy for a long time the prosperity they were now having. He further impressed on all present the advantages that would be gained by regular work and regular pay, and urged on them the necessity for preparing for a rainy day.

The Chairman next proposed the health of Mr. J. Clark (manager), who, in responding, touched upon the disadvantages of Trades Unions, he being non-Unionist, and also spoke of the good qualities of Mr. Claridge. He (Mr Clark) had been with him from his commencement in business, and he had always found him a fair master in all his dealings. He hoped they would try to cultivate a good feeling between themselves and their employer. He then proposed the health of Mr. Claridge, their employer. Mr. Claridge, in responding, spoke of the good will which was necessary for the carrying on of business between master and men, and hoped that they would always endeavour to do their best for each other, as he believed they were doing at the present time. They, as employers and employed, were under great obligations to the firm of Messrs. Darnell, of London, for had it not been for the connection that existed between that firm and himself in all probability he would never have had the occasion to make the improvements he had made. Mr. Darnell had been the means of bringing into the village a large quantity of trade during the last 25 years, not only to him but to other manufacturers, and he had no doubt that they would still have plenty if they only did justice to it, and not give that gentleman occasion to send it elsewhere. He was very pleased to be able to employ so many hands, and hoped he should still be able to do so. In conclusion, he wished them all a pleasant evening, and hoped they would enjoy themselves. (Loud applause.)

Singing was then commenced by Mr. W. Knight who sang "Say a kind word when you can," which was followed by Mr. A. Walker with "Waste not, want not." "Far away," (duet) was sung very nicely by the Misses Bull and Wrighern; recitation, "The burning ship," Mr. W. Clark. Mr. E. Clark then followed with the "Wreck of the Princess Alice," and Mr. Clayson with "Silver threads among the gold."

Mr. Bayes here reminded the company that there was one more duty to perform, which they had overlooked, and that was the health of Mrs Claridge, the mistress. He thought they had been very negligent indeed to miss an important person like Mrs. Claridge, who had had more to do with this affair than a great many were aware of—a great many of the good things they had had that evening might he attributed to her. (Applause) He had much pleasure in proposing the health of Mrs. Claridge.

''The Anchor's Weighed" was then sung in good style by Mr. Moor, after which Mr. Clark proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Claridge, the principal of the firm, which was also carried with applause.

The company then divided, some preferring dancing and some games, both of which were indulged in, in different rooms.

The National Anthem brought the evening to close at twelve o'clock.

It is very gratifying to be able to state that, although there is a general depression of trade over the country, the manufacturers of Rushden have been able to keep their usual staff of hands in full employment.

LECTURE—On Tuesday last, a lecture was given by Mr. Bent, formerly rector of Melchbourne, in the Infant schoolroom on "Palestine," illustrated by diagrams. The Rev. J. T. Barker presided. The room was crowded to excess.

CHANGE RINGING—On Thursday evening, Feb. 13th, the Higham Ferrers and Irthlingborough, change ringers met at the Parish Church for practice, by the kind permission of the Rector, the Rev. J. T. Barker. The bells in the ringers' respective parishes are mostly necessarily silent. The Church at Irthlingborough is in such a dilapidated condition that it was deemed advisable to stop the ringing; no change ringing has been performed on the Irthlingborough bells for the last three or four months. At Higham Church the bells are very much out of order, and it is very difficult to ring them, owing to the laborious effort required on the part of the ringers to keep the bells up at all, in consequence of the bells being so far away from the belfry.

On Thursday, Feb. 20th, Mr. Bent, formerly of Melchborne, concluded his lecture on "Palestine," illustrated with diagrams, in the National School, the Infant School, where the former portion of the lecture was given, being found to afford insufficient accommodation for the large audience, Mr. Bent gave great satisfaction in both parts of his lecture, and was listened to with marked attention. The Rev. J. T. Barker presided.

FOSSETT'S CIRCUS visited this place on Saturday last. They paraded the village at noon and gave an evening performance in Mr. Dickens' field. We believe this is the first time a circus has stopped at Rushden.

RENT SUPPER— On Saturday evening, the tenants of Mr. Joseph, and the executors of the late Mr. J. Gross sat down to a capital supper, served up in Mrs. Wood's best style, at the Waggon and Horses Inn, Rushden. The room was prettily decorated. Mr. W. Gross, who presided, proposed the health of the tenants, after which the health of the landlord was duly honoured, and the evening was spent in a convivial manner, some amusing harmony being contributed by several of the company. The health of the host and hostess was cordially drunk. Their catering for the occasion was much admired.

PIGEON SHOOTING—A Pigeon Shooting Party will meet at Mr. Wood’s, at the Waggon and Horses Inn, Rushden, on Tuesday, 24th of February 1880, when all gentlemen interested in the neighbourhood are invited to attend. Five traps on the grounds and first bird at 11a.m. A Hot Dinner will be provided.

MR. SHERWOOD AND HIS TENANTS—On Monday evening Mr. Sherwood, as is his custom once a year, entertained his tenants and friends, to the number of about 50, to supper at the Wagon and Horses Inn, a very excellent repast being provided by Mrs. Wood, the estimable landlady. Mr. Sherwood proposed the health of his tenants, and observed, in the course of his remarks, that this was the sixteenth time he had had the pleasure of entertaining them. His property was now the cheapest in Rushden, and it had become necessary for him to raise the rent of his houses; and for the future his tenants would pay their rent quarterly instead of yearly. Mr. Sherwood also proposed the health of his friends.—Mr. S. Knight, sen., responded, and regretted that their old friend, Mr. J. Goss was prevented by indisposition from being present.—Mr. Sherwood proposed the health of his agent, (Mr. J. Packwood,) and expressed a hope that next year each of his tenants would have a Parliamentary vote, and exercise it according to their honest convictions.—The remainder of the evening was spent in an entertaining manner.

RUSHDEN—On Wednesday and Thursday evenings, the Jubilee singers performed in the Temperance Hall to very fair companies.

GUY FAWKES' CELEBRATION —An attempt was made this year to celebrate Guy Fawkes' day. An effigy was prepared, and made fast to a chair deposited in Smart's field, on the Newton-road, and fired. Owing, however, to the counter attraction at Higham, and the unfavourable state of the weather, the attendance was not large. There was a plentiful supply of mud; more, indeed than fire.

CONVEYANCES will meet the Trains at Higham Station, London and North-Western Railway.