HENRY V. PELTON. 33 
mored. Formerly they were not limited to politics but 
covered a wide range. The society was especially fond 
of mysterious murder trials and great law cases, which 
they re-tried in all phases, sometimes occupying thus 
several successive evenings, and the verdict, taken by 
show of hands, often differed from that of the courts. 
Within half a dozen years, however, politics has driven 
all other subjects out of the arena. 
Other societies of the same sort are described, but we 
are also told of the establishment, in various English 
cities, of societies of a different character. These are 
veritable mock Parliaments. The first was formed at 
Liverpool, but they also exist in Glasgow, Bristol, Man- 
chester and other cities, and in London are half a dozen. 
These are debating societies, modelled almost precisely 
after the form of the House of Commons, with Speaker, 
Premier, Chancellor of the Exchequer and other minis- 
ters, leaders of the opposition, whips, &c., having rules 
of procedure and printed bills. ‘The members are princi- 
pally of the leisure class and members of Parliament, bar- 
risters and professional men, with a sprinkling of the 
aristocracy. Debates are upon the same subjects that are 
being nightly argued in the House of Commons. 
The existence of these societies brings prominently be- 
fore us one marked contrast between our own country and 
England. Here few deliberately enter upon a public 
career with the idea of obtaining honorable distinction 
therein. To start out with definite, acknowledged pur- 
pose to seek fame in public office is, among us, I am 
afraid, regarded as unworthy of one of high principle. 
But, as we all know, every Englishman regards it as an 
honorable ambition not only to seek for public office, but 
likewise to strive to fit himself to attain eminence and 
success therein. 
Of literary associations in our own country, I have 
much less to say. That they exist to-day in large num- 
