sts of thirteen members, all of whom on
entering it, as a sort of architectural baptism, receive new names, and,
ye gods, what names!

What more is to be desired when one may, when he dines or designs, touch
elbows with such choice spirits as Ictinus, Michael Angelo, Vitruvius,
Vignola, Piranesi, San Gallo, Bramante, Christopher Wren, Inigo Jones,
Charles Bulfinch, Viollet le Duc, Gamier Freres (N.B.--There is only
one of him), and Brian Boru.

[Illustration: A GALA NIGHT IN THE ROOMS OF THE "P. D.'S."]

The one requirement for admission is good fellowship with the saving
clause, that this good fellowship, like Faith, must be accompanied by
good works.

Its organization is of the simplest character, there being no
constitution or rules of any kind, except the joke known as the
specification be regarded as such. Much of the charm of the club is due
to this absolute freedom from restraint.

The officers are the president, treasurer, and secretary, who manage the
affairs of the club during their term of office. Each member presides in
turn, the term of office being one month, the succession being arranged
by lot.

A well-known writer deplores the lack of humor in the fiction of the
day, and the tendency of those who should know better, to constantly
preach us sermons upon our least admirable failings.

Alas! it is not fiction alone that has taken to the pulpit, for
Architecture has also its preachers, and our journals are loaded with
their sermons, which fortunately for architecture, very few ever read.

While acknowledging the fact that a little seriousness now and then may
be relished by even a P. D., a good hearty laugh is the one thing in
this dreary old world of ours that they most appreciate. No one realizes
more thoroughly than they that,--

"Care to our coffin adds a nail, no doubt,
And every grin so jolly draws one out."

The principal object of the members, then, is to amuse themselves. The
club is not intended as a workroom, but as our P. D. poet expresses it,
a place where,--

"Freed from the fret of routine's slavish toil,
They meet once more in freedom's jollity.
No thought of care comes to them now to spoil
The merry jest, the gay frivolity."

Nevertheless they have found time for much serious work, but inasmuch as
work is said to speak for itself, we will confine our attention to some
of the things by means of which the members have passed many happy
hours.

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