It was the creation of Miss Brentwood, an enormously wealthy old maid; and it was her husband, and family, and toy.

Its members were the wealthiest in the community, and the strongest-minded of the wealthy, with, of course, a sprinkling of scholars to give it intellectual tone.
The Philomath had no club house.

It was not that kind of a club.

Once a month its members gathered at some one of their private houses to listen to a lecture.

The lecturers were usually, though not always, hired.