By 7:30 o'clock in the evening the Central Hall was packed to the walls, no reserved seats were sold, and the rule was observed "First come, first served," which brought promptly the audience. Season ticket-holders had the exclusive right to the hall till 7:25 o'clock, when a limited number of single admission tickets were sold. A large force of polite ushers assisted in seating the people, and in keeping order. At 7:30 all the entrance doors were closed, so that late comers never disturbed the audience. The musical prelude, or orchestra concert of thirty minutes closed at 7:30 with a grand chorus by the audience standing; following this, precisely at 7:30 was the half-hour lecture-prelude on some scientific or practical subject. Among the topics treated were "Wrongs of Workingmen, and How to Right Them," "The Terminal Glacier," "Sewerage and Ventilation," "The Pyramids," "Wonders of the House we Live in," "Architecture Illustrated," etc. From 8:00 to 8:15 followed the popular Singing School, in which five thousand persons heartily joined, aided by an enthusiastic precentor, and orchestra, in singing national hymns and other music. During the singing school everybody stood, and with windows lowered, fresh air and music swept through the hall and the hearts of the audience. From 8:15 to 9:30 was given the principal attraction of the evening, a popular lecture, dramatic reading, debate on some burning question, or a professional concert. The entertainments always closed promptly at 9:30, as many electric cars were in waiting. During the season, free lectures on "The Art of Cooking," "How to Dress," "The Care of Children," "Housekeeping in General," "The Culture of Flowers," etc., etc., were given at 3 P.M. in the great hall to the wives and friends of all the ticket holders.