290 THE BOOK OF THE LANDED ESTATE. 



farmstead ought to have a library open to all in connection with each 

 place. For the sake of giving a few hints to any one who may contem- 

 plate establishing a reading-room and library, I will here give a copy 

 of the Rules of the Wass Mental Improvement Society : 



Rides for the Members of the Wass Mental Improvement Society. 



1. The object of the society is the intellectual advancement of its members, by 

 means of a library, reading-room, lectures, conversational discussions, &c. 



2. Religious subjects not to be entertained. 



3. The committee may, if they think proper, promote occasional soirees. 



4. All subscribers of 4s. or upwards per annum shall be members of the society, 

 and each member shall be eligible to vote in the election of officers, and any other 

 business, at the general meetings. 



5. That parties, at the discretion of the committee, may be admitted members on 

 payment of 2s. 6d. per annum, and be entitled to every privilege in connection with 

 the society except the right of voting. 



6. That family tickets be issued at the charge of 6s. per annum, which shall entitle 

 the members of such family to all the privileges of the reading-room and library ; 

 but the head of the family only being allowed to vote. 



7. That ladies be admitted members on the same terms as in rule 5. 



8. All payments to be made quarterly, and in advance. 



9. The members shall elect annually a president, vice-president, treasurer, and 

 secretary ; also a librarian, to be permanent, or at the disposal of the committee. 



10. The society to be governed, in conjunction with the honorary officers, by a com- 

 mittee of five, to be elected annually ; they shall meet every quarter, when fair and ac- 

 curate minutes of their proceedings, and all other receipts and payments, shall be kept. 



11. The committee shall have power to make by-laws, not at variance with the 

 fundamental rules or declared objects of the institution ; to fine or expel .members for 

 misconduct ; have full control over the funds for the purposes of the institution ; and 

 have the management of the books, newspapers, lectures, and other departments : 

 but a member being expelled can appeal to the society at the general meetings. 



12. Every resolution put from the chair, at any meeting of the members or com- 

 mittee, shall be decided by a majority of votes ; the chairman to have a vote, and 

 casting vote in cases of equality. 



13. The annual general meeting of members shall be held in the month of January, 

 to receive the reports of the retiring committee, with a statement of their accounts, 

 and to elect by vote officers for the ensuing year. 



14. Non-subscribers visiting the reading-room shall for every such visit pay Id. 



15. Each member shall have the privilege of introducing in the reading-room a 

 stranger, who must sign his or her name in a book kept for that purpose, which must 

 also be signed by the member introducing. 



16. No book or newspaper shall be admitted until sanctioned by the committee ; 

 but any member may propose books for admission, by entering the title, size, price, 

 and publisher's name in a book provided for the purpose, and affixing his signature. 



17. The reading-room shall be open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, from 

 half-past five to half past eight P.M., during the winter months, and during the same 

 hours every day in the week (Sundays excepted) in the summer months. 



18. The librarian will attend at the library on the evenings of Saturdays, from 

 seven to eight o'clock, for the purpose of receiving and delivering books. 



19. The books to be kept according to the time and manner stated on them. 



