Canary Societies, and Close and Open Shows. 387 



but few exceptions to this rule, either in England or 

 Scotland (I have never tried Ireland or Wales), among 

 that class of people who are justly entitled to rank among 

 the nobility of our land the great " Upper Ten " and these 

 exceptions are mostly either eccentric or crotchety individuals, 

 but more frequently parvenus. 



The plan I adopt in asking for patronage and subscriptions 

 is to send letters, and I think it by far the best, although it 

 entails a good deal of labour upon the secretary. The following 

 is a specimen of an application of this kind (presuming the 

 person applied to to be a peer of the realm) : 



B , Sept., 187. 



My Lord, At a meeting of the committee of the Ornithological 



Association, held in the K A Hotel on the inst., it was resolved to hold 



an exhibition in or ahout the month of November next in connection with this 

 society, and I am directed to communicate this fact to your lordship, and to ask 

 for your lordship's patronage and support, which would be cordially received and 

 highly esteemed by its members. The president of the association is C. L., Esq., 

 and the treasurer O. P., Esq. An early reply from your lordship would be 

 esteemed an especial favour. I am, my lord, your lordship's most obedient 

 servant, N. N., Hon. Sec. 



To the Rt. Hon. Lord H . 



It is hardly necessary for me to point out that it is advan- 

 tageous to get as many patrons as possible, for the success 

 of the undertaking depends very much upon this extraneous 

 aid, as few patrons will subscribe less than a guinea, and none 

 less than half a guinea, whilst some will give two guineas ; in one 

 case I knew three to be given, but this is quite exceptional, 

 the rule being one guinea. Besides the acknowledged aristocracy 

 resident in a town and neighbourhood, if a corporate body 

 exists, the patronage of the mayor, sheriff, and other official 

 dignitaries should be secured if possible. This is best done 

 by a select deputation waiting upon them personally. Two 

 or more members should likewise be chosen to wait upon the 

 principal tradesmen and shopkeepers resident in the town 

 where the show is held to solicit subscriptions. All patrons 

 and subscribers of half a guinea and upwards must be furnished 

 with a family ticket i.e., a ticket to admit the entire household, 

 and to remain in force during the whole time the show is open. 

 These tickets must be printed specially for the occasion. 



2 c 2 



