The Society was formed by a band of twelve students in 1871. However, they apparently had no written rules about the purpose or proper operation of the society until 1872, when this constitution was printed by the famous Edinburgh printers and publishers, Murray & Gibb (latterly Morrison & Gibb). It outlines the different kinds of membership – ‘Ordinary’, ‘Extraordinary’ and ‘Honorary’ – along with the duties, priveleges and membership fees associated with each. It also details the nature of the Committee and the duties of Presidents, Honorary Presidents, Treasurers and Secretaries. Finally, it sets down how the society should meet, with weekly meetings at a fixed time alternating between ‘Essays’ and ‘Debates’, and provides a detailed Order of Business that these meetings should follow.
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