THE BBITISH ASSOCIAT/OX MEETIXQ. 



487 



There is one custom always observed on such occasions, which the 

 American learns to recognize after a while as a part of English polite- 

 ness, hut which never ceases to amuse him. I refer to the speeches 

 made in moving a vote of thanks after an address. This custom seems 

 an invariable one; at business boards, at scientific gatherings, at char- 

 ity meetings the chairman or the speaker is always formally and 

 specifically 1 hanked. The process is as follows: First a distinguished 



The Cam, near Trinity College, with the Tower of St. John's College Chapel. 



member of the audience (the more distinguished the better) moves a 

 vote of thanks in a speech of greater or less length and full of personal 

 compliment for the speaker; then a second member of the audience 

 of equal distinction, if possible, seconds the resolution in a speech in 

 which he tries to mention all the good points not mentioned by the 

 first. A vote is then taken. It goes without saying that the resolution 

 passes unanimously. The most amusing part of this naive proceeding 

 comes when the original speaker rises to reply to the vote of thanks. 

 The mover of the vote of thanks on the occasion of Mr. Balfour's Cam- 



