“ Franklin saw in it the germ of a future aristocracy; and at a meeting held in Philadelphia in 1784 several changes were made in the constitution of the society, the right of succession being made conditional on approval in each case by the society. Membership descends to the eldest lineal male descendant, if judged worthy, and, in failure of direct male descent, to male descendants through intervening female descendants. The general society is composed of the general officers and five delegates from each State society, and meets triennially. ”

“ In 1854 it ruled that proper descendants of Revolutionary officers who were entitled to original membership, but who never could avail themselves of it, are qualified for hereditary membership, if found worthy, on due application. There are about 1,000 living members. ”