SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
(AMENDMENT NO.  __  )

Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [_]
Check the appropriate box:

[_] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[_] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only 
    (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[ ] Definitive Proxy Statement
[X] Definitive Additional Materials
[_] Soliciting Material Pursuant to ss.240.14a-11(c) or ss.240.14a-12

                      THE DREYFUS THIRD CENTURY FUND, INC.
                (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

     (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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        3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction  computed
           pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which
           the filing fee is calculated and state how it is determined):
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[_]      Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[_] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange  Act Rule
0-11(a)(2)  and  identify  the  filing  for  which the  offsetting  fee was paid
previously.  Identify the previous filing by registration  statement  number, or
the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
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                   The Dreyfus Third Century Fund, Inc.



May 19,1999


Dear Stockholder,

Enclosed please find a proxy statement  describing  certain  proposed changes to
the Fund's  Charter  which,  among other things,  would permit the Fund to offer
multiple classes of shares.  Fund  stockholders of record as of May 17, 1999 are
asked to vote on the proposal.

If Fund stockholders approve the proposal,  the Fund will offer five new classes
of shares and existing Fund shares will be designated as Class Z shares, thereby
changing the Fund from a singleclass,  no-load structure to a multi-class,  load
structure.  The Fund currently expects to adopt the multiple class  distribution
structure on August 31, 1999 (the "Effective  Date").  Holders of Fund shares on
the day prior to the Effective  Date will be eligible to purchase Class Z shares
for their existing Fund accounts without the imposition of a sales charge. Also,
the Fund's name would be changed to "The Dreyfus  Premier  Third  Century  Fund,
Inc."

If you  have  any  questions,  you  can  contact  a  Dreyfus  representative  at
1-800-645-6561.

Sincerely,

/s/ Marie E. Connolly
    Marie E. Connolly
    President


      THE DREYFUS THIRD CENTURY FUND, INC.



                                Important Notice



Thank you for your interest in The Dreyfus Third Century Fund,  Inc. Please note
that  the  fund's  prospectus  and a  prospectus  supplement  detailing  several
important changes potentially taking place to the fund are enclosed. Please read
the prospectus and the supplement  carefully  before  investing.  The supplement
notifies  investors that he fund, subject to shareholder  approval,  will change
from a single-class structure to a multi-class structure.

Fund  shareholders  will be asked to approve  changes to the fund's  Charter to,
among other things, permit the fund to offer multiple classes of shares. If fund
shareholders  approve the proposal,  the fund's existing class of shares will be
closed to new  investors  on or about  August  31,  1999 (the  Effective  Date).
However,  new  investors  will be eligible to purchase  fund shares prior to the
Effective  Date and to  continue  to  purchase  shares for their  existing  fund
accounts after the Effective Date on a no-load basis.

Additionally,  if the proposal is  approved,  the fund's name will change to The
Dreyfus Premier Third Century Fund, Inc.









(C)1999, Dreyfus Service Corporation, Member NASD                 May 1, 1999
Premier Mutual Fund Services, Distributor                           WS/035PRX