idency, becoming what is called its sendatsu. When not thus self-appointed, the president is elected by the brethren for his piety, which is another name for the same thing.
Besides their simplicity, one great charm about these clubs is their cheapness. Whatever may be argued by domestically inclined individuals against clubs generally on the score of expense, these at least would hardly seem open to the charge. For the initiation fee is from three to five cents (five to ten sen), and the dues from two thirds of a cent to a cent and a third (one to two sen) a month, according to the club. And yet the president of one of them once told me that the principal item in his club's running expenses was the cost of dunning the members for their dues. So lamentably lax in paying its debts is humanity the world over. But indeed it was a serious matter, for it amounted, it appeared, to a fifth of the gross receipts. His club consisted of five hundred members each of whom was supposed to pay eight cents a year into the club treasury; which sum it took eight dollars to collect.
When his club obligations have finally been discharged, the member receives a
