and then, when it adjourns, the chairman declares it adjourned to the time fixed upon.

It will be seen that the foregoing form, by varying the call, and changing the business to suit, will answer for any other political party, or for any other purpose.

When a public meeting is called by any executive or other committee, the name of the chairman of that committee should be appended to the call, and the committee itself should prepare business for the action of the meeting, as much as possible.

The duty of the secretary of a public meeting is nearly nominal, unless it is desired to publish an account of its proceedings. In the latter case, the record of the foregoing meeting, which is a form for any other meeting, varied, under the circumstances of the case, would read thus:

"At a meeting of the Democratic citizens of Blandon, held pursuant to public notice, on Saturday evening, September 9th, at 7 o clock, at the house of James Pidgeon, Mr. John Brown was called to the chair, and Mr. John Thompson appointed secretary.

"On motion of Mr. John Smith, a committee of three, consisting of Messrs. John Smith, Henry Magraw, and Caspar Evans, was appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting.

"During the absence of the committee, the meeting was effectively addressed by Andrew Butler, Esq. "The committee, through its chairman, reported the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted: [ Here the secretary inserts the resolutions.] "On motion, the meeting adjourned."

The great point for the officers and actors in a public meeting, as in the meetings of deliberative bodies, is to

combine dispatch of business with correct form, and to preserve harmony and good order. It is allowable in the president, on taking the chair, to make a short address upon the purpose which calls the meeting together, but he should never mingle in the debate, or make observations on the matter before the meeting, except to explain something, or give his reasons in deciding on a point of order. Other remarks about his conduct may be gleaned from that part of this work which treats upon the duties of presiding officers.

II. Of Organizing Associations.

When it is deemed advisable to form a society, club, or other association, for any specific purpose, those who agree in regard to its formation may meet upon private notice or public call. If it be intended to make it select, or to have it composed mainly of those well acquainted with each other, then a private arrangement is the best; and the meeting had better be at the house of one or other of the parties concerned. If it be desirable to obtain persons out of reach of the projectors, or if the purpose be one of general interest, then a public call will be necessary; to be given either by written or printed handbills, or advertisement in a newspaper, or both. The mode of organizing the meeting is similar to that of any other, and the reader will see the way to proceed, under the head of "Public Meetings."

So soon as the meeting has been organized, and the chairman announces that it is ready to proceed to business, some one of the originators, previously agreed upon, should rise, and advocate the formation of the club or society required for the purpose set forth in the call,

and end by moving the appointment of a committee to draft a constitution and by-laws. This committee should be instructed to report at the next meeting. A convenient time of adjournment is then fixed on, and if there be no further business, the meeting adjourns.

During the interval between the two meetings, the friends of the proposed society cause the matter to be discussed as much as possible, in order to obtain more members, and a larger attendance.

When the time for the second meeting arrives, the same officers continue, without any new motion. If either be absent, his place is supplied, on motion, by some other. The Committee on the Constitution and By-laws report. If the constitution is not acceptable, those present suggest amendments. So soon as it has taken the required shape, it is adopted, and signed by those present. The by-laws are treated in the same

way.

The society is now formed, but not fully organized. The officers provided for by the constitution have now to be elected. This may be done at that meeting, or the society may be adjourned over for that purpose. So soon as it has been done, the chairman of the meeting gives way to the newly-elected president, or, in his absence, to a vice-president; the secretary of the meeting vacates his seat, which is taken by the newly-elected secretary or secretaries, and thus the organization of the new body is complete.

III. Of Public Celebrations.

Our festival days are not many. Formerly it was customary to celebrate Washington's birthday. The anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans was, until a

few years, made an occasion of rejoicing by the members of a political party. These have been neglected of late; and now the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence alone remains. It is to be hoped that the Fourth of July will not be forgotten.

These public celebrations may be made by some public society, or by the citizens at large. If by the latter, a meeting is generally called, subject to the customary rules, and a committee of arrangements appointed, who take charge of the business. A society appoints a like committee.

The committee of arrangements meet, and appoint a chairman and secretary. As soon as this is done, the mode of celebration is determined upon. In the case of the Fourth of July, some fit person is generally invited to deliver an oration, and another to read the Declaration of Independence. A subcommittee is appointed to secure a proper room, unless the celebration takes place in the open air, when the committee has in charge the erection of a stand.

The proper subcommittees are:

1. On correspondence. The duty of this committee is to invite such distinguished guests as are desirable. 2. On orator. This committee invites the orator selected.

3. On place. This committee attends to hiring a room and fitting it up, or, if it be an out-of-door celebration, see to the erection of a stand for the officers and speaker, and seats for the auditors.

4. On printing. This committee attends to the necessary advertising and printing.

All these report their action to the main committee as it adjourns from time to time.

The day having arrived, at the hour named, the officers and speakers being ready, and the audience assembled, the chairman of the committee of arrangements calls the meeting to order, nominates the president of the day, and puts the question on his acceptance. The latter now takes his seat, and the other officers are appointed. So soon as this is done, a clergyman, if there be one named for the purpose, delivers a short prayer. The chairman of the day next announces by name the reader of the Declaration, and says:

"Mr. [naming him] will read the Declaration of Independence.'

The Declaration being read, the chairman says: "Mr. [naming him], the orator of the day."

The orator now comes forward, and delivers his oration, at the close of which, the exercises are determined, and after a benediction, if a clergyman be present, the meeting adjourns without any formal motion.

If a band of music can be had, it is always engaged on such an occasion, and plays national and patriotic airs previous to the taking the chair, at the close of the proceedings, and at the various intervals.

The public celebration of their own anniversaries by public societies, if done by orations, follows the same form, or similar.

IV. Of Public Dinners.

We are not, like the English, "a feeding people," but still we engage in public dinners at times. These may be either anniversary, as in the case of the Fourth of July, or society dinners; political, such as barbecues; or select, as in the case of honors paid to some distin