e Local Society. It
would be distinct from all party politics; it would have nothing to
do with individual disputes or grievances between landlord and
tenant; it would most carefully disclaim all sectarian objects. It
would meet in a friendly genial manner, and if a few bottles of
sherry could be placed on the table the better. A formal, hard,
entirely business-like meeting is undesirable and to be avoided. The
affairs in progress should be discussed in a free, open manner, and
without any attempt at set speeches, though to prevent mistakes
propositions would have to be moved and seconded, and entered in a
minute-book. Such a society would be the means of bringing gentlemen
together from distant parts of the parish, and would lead to a more
intimate social connection. It would have other uses than those for
which it was formally instituted. In the event of a serious
outbreak of fever in the village, or any infectious disease, it
might be of the very greatest utility in affording assistance to the
poor, and in making arrangements for preventing the spread of
infection by the plan of isolation. It might set apart a cottage for
the reception of patients, and engage additional medical assistance.
The influence it would exercise in the village and parish would be
very great, and might produce a decided improvement in the moral
tone of the place. In the event of disaffection and agitation
arising among the labouring classes, it might be enabled to
establish a reasonable compromise, and, in time, a good many little
petty disputes among the poor would be referred to the society for
arbitration.

In large villages it might be found advantageous to establish a
ladies' committee in connection with such a society. There are many
matters in which the ladies are better agents, and possess a special
knowledge. It may, perhaps, be thought rather an advanced idea; but
would not some instruction in cookery be extremely useful to the
agricultural girl just growing up into womanhood? The cooking she
learns at home is simply no cooking at all. It is hardly possible to
induce the elder women to change the habits of a lifetime, but the
girls, fast growing up, would be eager to learn. With the increase
of wages, the labourer has obtained a certain addition to his fare,
and can occasionally afford some of the cheaper pieces of butcher's
meat. But the women have no idea of utilizing these pieces in the
most economical and savoury ways. Plentif