THE ENTOMOLOGISTS 
WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER. 
No. 164.] SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1859. [Price Id. 
LOCAL SOCIETIES. 
We have already alluded to this sub- 
ject more than once; but it is a topic 
that will bear repetition, and having 
lately received the rules and regulations 
of some new Societies, our thoughts 
have naturally been again directed to 
the vast increase of the number of Local 
Entomological Societies. 
Time was when the Entomological 
Societies of London, Paris and Stettin 
were the three great powers ; Berlin, 
Vienna and Brussels were then un- 
dreamed of, and as for the smaller 
powers they did not exist. Now nearly 
every town which returns its two mem- 
bers to Parliament must have its own 
Entomological Society, and the Metro- 
politan Boroughs thrive above all in 
this respect ; the Chelsea and Hagger- 
stone Entomological Societies are now 
well known to all our readers. 
One of the new Societies to which 
our attention has been drawn is termed 
the “ Working Man’s Entomological, 
Botanical and Natural - History So- 
ciety.” 
A peculiarity in the constitution of 
this Society is its compulsoriness : or- 
dinary Societies leave their members to 
do pretty much as they like, even those 
selected for the Council of august bodies 
like the Royal and Linnean Societies 
may either attend or not as they feel 
disposed; but these “Working Men” 
intend to rvork — they will have no 
idlers — no drones. 
“ Those Members of the Committee 
neglecting to attend to be fined two- 
pence.” 
“ Members dwelling within two miles 
neglecting to attend two successive club 
nights during the Society hours shall be 
fined one penny ; those members residing 
beyond that distance to be exempt from 
such fine.” 
We fear this is too stringent? Is 
no allowance made for bad weather, 
or perhaps for the wife being suddenly 
confined ? 
Provision, we observe, is made against 
the possibility of the Society being 
locked out of the room on meeting 
nights. 
“ The President or Secretary neg- 
lecting to attend with or send the keys 
belonging to the Society by nine shall 
be fined sixpence.” 
We can remember when the Presi- 
dent and Secretaries of the Entomo- 
logical Society of London used to dine 
together on meeting nights, and, as 
might be anticipated, in the enjoyment 
of their wine they forgot the hour, and 
more than once the members of the 
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