Caucus
in the political nomenclature of the United States, a gathering preliminary to a public meeting of citizens for election or for other purposes, generally political; a private conclave designated to influence the general body of the citizens. Also a secret preliminary meeting of the leaders of a political party to determine on a course of action, place is only about 1,500, but it is annually swelled in summer by about 50,000 visitors, for whose accommodation numerous sumptuous hotels and bathingestablishments have been built. It is a good center and guide-station for ascents among the Pyrenees. The sulphurous springs, 25 in number, and varying in temperature from 60° to 131° F., are the most abundant in the Pyrenees (330,000 gallons per day), and have been known from Roman times; though their modern reputation dates from the 16th century, when Margaret, sister of Francis I., held her literary court and wrote much of her "Heptameron" at Cauterets.