trol the opinions of the
members, but merely to direct them. She should be in entire sympathy
with the objects of the meeting, and have a full and complete
understanding of all its aims, objects and purposes. This latter is a
very important consideration. Members, and especially new ones, are
constantly asking for information, and unless the presiding officer
can furnish it briefly and at once, delays are sure to occur, and the
meeting be anything but pleasant or satisfactory to the other members
present.

Order of Business.

Having been chosen to preside, the first duty is to call the meeting
to order. If it is a first meeting, the objects for which it is called
should then be stated clearly, but in as few words as possible. If it
is not a first meeting, but a regular or constituted one, the
presiding officer should have the roll of members called by the
secretary. The minutes of the last meeting should then be read. Next,
the presiding officer should appoint her committees for the session;
or, if it is a regular meeting, the reports of the various committees
appointed at the previous session should be heard. Next, the regular
business should be taken up, and having been disposed of, the
presiding officer should allow the introduction of any new business
that may properly come before the meeting.

It is of the utmost importance that a presiding officer should be
possessed of good eyesight, so as to be able to perceive a member as
soon as she rises. There must be no hesitation or nervousness about a
presiding officer. She must be ever on the alert, with all her
faculties about her. She must be broad-minded, liberal, and
clear-visioned, with a readiness to instruct the members when any
mistakes are made, and always willing to grant the full liberty of
debate to all; for out of the widest differences will come the very
best conclusions after full and fair discussion.

SOCIETY

[Illustration]

Women are our only leisure class. This has been so often repeated that
it scarcely matters to whom the credit of the saying must be given.

In this country the burden of social work rests upon women, while in
all European countries, men, young and old, statesmen, officials,
princes, ambassadors, make it one of the duties of life to visit,
leave cards and take up all the numerous burdens of the social world.

Here it is the lady of the house that does all this. Husbands,
fathers, sons, are all too much engrossed i