386 The Canary Book. 



one with the requisite qualifications resident in the town, 01 

 closely adjacent thereto, where the exhibition is about to talce 

 place, one or two influential members who are interested in 

 its welfare should be deputed to wait upon this personage 

 and explain the matter to him, and endeavour to obtain his 

 consent to undertake the appointment, or the secretary could 

 write to him something after this fashion : 



Sir (that is, if he is an untitled gentleman, but if titled, then address according 



to his title), I am directed by the committee of the Ornithological 



Association to inform you that, at a meeting of its memhers, held in the 



Hotel on the inst., you were unanimously elected to the office of president of 



the aforenamed society. I may inform you that it is merely a post of honour, and 

 does not entail any service of any description. If you will kindly inform me 

 at your earliest convenience whether it is agreeable to you to accept the office, I 

 shall feel greatly indebted for your kindness. I have, &c., your obedient servant, 



To C. London, Esq. N. N., Hon. Sec. 



Botheram, Sept. , 187. 



Having met with a suitable president, it will behove you 

 in the next place to appoint a vice-president, or chairman ; 

 a man holding a good position in society, and one likely to 

 be esteemed and respected, so that he will have no difficulty 

 in maintaining order an essential consideration at all times. 

 He must be acquainted with the duties which will devolve 

 upon him. Having secured the services of some one likely 

 to fill this office satisfactorily, a treasurer must be chosen. 

 I hardly need point out, I should imagine, that it is desirable 

 to have a highly respectable and thoroughly trustworthy person 

 to fill this important office. Beyond these officers all thai 

 is needed is a committee of management, consisting of six 

 or eight fanciers, men of good repute and respectability. Do 

 not have more, for there is an old saying, which is as true 

 as it is ancient, that " Too many cooks spoil the broth." These 

 preliminary arrangements completed, a list must be compiled, 

 which should include all the ladies and gentlemen in your 

 town and district who are likely to become patrons, which 

 means, of course, subscribers. 



PATRONS. I have always found the aristocracy of this 

 country willing to lend a helping hand to their fellow men 

 to curry out an object of this kind ; at least, I have found 



