"THE DAUGHTERS OF THE COURT"

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 10273, 16 February 1899, Page 5

" THE DAUGHTERS OF THE COURT"

• A large number of ladies and a few gentlemen assembled at the City Council Cham bers yesterday afternoon, when Mrs Bevan gave an address on "The Order of the Daughters of the Court." Mrs Cunnington presided. Briefly put, the objects of the order are to do away with scandalous gossip and to encourage a spirit of helpfulness, the fundamental rules providing that there shall be no evil speaking, and that members shall each day do at least one deed of usefulness each. The order was divided, Mrs Bevan explained, into coteries of not more than ten women each, and were known by such names, which explained their work, as the Hospital Coterie, Nursing. Library, Study Music, Sketching, Painting, Do;eas work. Zenana work, Ac. Each had its own set of officers, and did its own soecial work, reporting periodically to the Chapter, which approved of the work or name before it was undertaken or adopted, and tbe coteries elected the officers of the Chapter. By the system of coteries it was found that the Chanter kept in closer touch with members and their doing 9 than was the case with single members, who, however, did good work. To make the order a little out of the common mediaeval names were chosen. The president was the grand-dame, the vice-pre-sidents were companions, the secretary was the scribe, and the treasurer the chancellor and so on. A regalia was worn bearing the symbol of the coterie, and a monthly magazine was published in connection with the order. A badge was worn, which was a little silver eros. with a pearl. The order tfas very economical. Its entrance fee was 2s 6d, which paid for badge, books and ribbons, and there might be a lew which was not to exceed .Is a year, so "far it had only reached 6d. An address was also given by Dr. Bevan. Afterwards the meeting approved of the principles of the order, and many of the ladies signed their names for membership and paid their halfcrowns. Mrs Cunnington undertook to be the corresponding scribe, until at least the institution was established. A vote of thanks was passed to the Mayor for the use of the Council Chamber, an* the proceedingclosed.