sidered an act of great rudeness, but this course is sometimes adopted, by a wearied audience, to get rid of an uninteresting speaker.

14. Sometimes the resolutions submitted by a gentleman, or a committee, are not satisfactory, and require modification and a careful revision. If the matter cannot be reached by amendment, it is entirely in order to refer them to a committee, or to recommit with instructions. A resolution, however, may be withdrawn by the mover previous to amendment. After amendment, it belongs to the meeting.

15. As soon as the resolution is adopted, and so announced, the Chairman, if no other business immediately offers, should say,"There is no business before the meeting." This opens an opportunity to those present, to introduce fresh propositions for the consideration of the meeting.

16. In other than political meetings it is not customary to allow a speaker to occupy the floor, unless he rises to speak on a resolution already offered, or prefaces his remarks by stating that he intends to offer

one.

Much greater latitude in this matter is usually allowed in a Town meeting than would be tolerated in a well regulated Society. It not unfrequently happens that gentlemen are really desirous of reaching a certain point, but are much at a loss as to the proper mode. In such cases a desultory debate, if permitted, will often elicit an idea that will serve as a starting point, and relieve the meeting from its embarrassment.

17. When the announcement of "no business," by the Chairman, elicits no further resolutions or motions, it is usual to provide for the publication of the proceedings and then to adjourn.

18. A motion to adjourn, or a motion to adjourn sine die, must be decided without. debate. A motion to adjourn to a certain time, is debatable, and may be amended as regards the time named.*

*The form of a resolution to adjourn to a day certain, is as follows:-" Resolved, that when this meeting adjourns, it will adjourn to meet again, on-," naming the time and place. When this is considered and agreed to, it is usually followed by the simple motion to adjourn, which, having been put and carried, the Chairman will declare that "the meeting stands adjourned until," naming the time.

RELIGIOUS PUBLIC MEETINGS.

In public meetings or anniversaries of a religious or a benevolent character, the custom in regard to resolutions is essentially different from that laid down in the foregoing. In these meetings it is usual, immediately after the organization is effected, to present a report of the past year's proceedings, which is read by the Secretary, or the chairman of the Executive Board. After this the resolutions are brought forward singly, by different gentlemen present.

A gentleman will rise, address the Chair, offer his resolution, and proceed with his remarks. When he has concluded, another speaker will rise and say, "Mr. President, I second the resolution just offered," and then go on with his address. On the conclusion of his remarks, the President will say, "The following resolution has been moved and seconded, it will be read by the Secre tary," and being so read, the Chairman, finding the meeting prepared for a vote, proceeds to put the question. This course is pursued with all the principal resolutions offered.

This is a beautiful mode of doing business, and prevails, very generally, at all large anniversary meetings in England, as well as in this country. The plan affords an excellent opportunity for bringing systematically forward, a large number of speakers, and greatly adds to the interest of a meeting.

To carry out this design in the most effective manner, it is necessary that all the business proposed to be acted upon, should be arranged some time before the meeting. Those expected to address the meeting, should be furnished, some time in advance, with a copy of the resolution upon which they are desired to speak. It is exceedingly improper to defer this matter until the speaker is upon the platform, as without some previous knowledge of the particular point assigned him, he may find himself almost wholly at a loss, the current of his thoughts having taken another direction. This caution is also necessary in order to prevent two speakers from falling into the same train of argument. Sometimes the committee of arrangement request speakers to prepare resolutions for themselves.

When these matters are previously arranged, it is customary to have the order of exercises, resolutions, names of speakers, &c., printed on a slip, and distributed among the meeting.

COUNTY CONVENTIONS.

The organization of these bodies is managed, preliminarily, very much the same as that of a Town Meeting, excepting that the first organization is generally temporary. Af ter this is effected, it is usual to appoint a committee to nominate permanent officers, and another to examine and report on the credentials of the members. In the appointment of these committees, the Chairman will, of course, be particular to name no delegate whose seat is, or likely to be, contested. Such an appointment might lead to serious difficulty..

The Convention being permanently organized, it may be expedient to appoint a "committee to report what business is proper to be brought before the delegates," "to prepare resolutions for the action of

or