The Sun.
London, England, 1858-06-17 00:00:00

THE WFIITTINGTON CLUB.

The provisional committee having at length ar-
ranged for the the immediate completion of the
new buildings of the Whittington Club and Metro-
politan Athenaeum, Arundel-street, Strand, a
meeting of the friends and supporters was held.last
evening in one of the spacious rooms of the new
club house, " for the purpose of inspecting the
building, and to decide upon the time and mode of

re-opening.„
Some time before 8 o'clock a large and influen-
tial party assembled at the club and went over the
various departments. Great surprise was expressed
at the forward state to which the building had been
advanced, and the style in which the various de-
tails had been carried out elicited much praise. We
might mention, however, that the building is far
from being completed.
At about half-past 8 o'clock Mr. Ald. Mecbi took
the chair, and after some preliminary business the
worthy alderman said that, from what he had seen
in their countenances as they had passed through
the various rooms, they were gratified at the
change which had come over the Whittington Club
during the past three and and a half or four years.
When the fire took place the club was in good
condition ; that was, they had 1,000 subscribers,
and were paying their expenses. He need not tell
them there bad been some difficulties with their
landlord but they had been surmounted, and he
believed the club would now be more sound and
useful than ever. As to the future, he had to in-
form them that another 1,5001. was required, not
to be given to the club, but to be invested, and if
they found they could not get 1,000 members at
two guineas a year, they had better at once let it
at a profit rent. He then dwelt at some length on
the merits of the institution, contending that it bad
always been conducted in that spirit which met the
great social want. In conclusion he paid a high
compliment to the committee for their exertions,
and wished the institution God speed, promising
all his support to the club, but at the same time
he warned them that they must do their utmost to
maintain the club. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. LAWSON in moving the first resolution, went
at some length into the history of the club and the
various matters of detail in reference to the delay
which took place in the rebuilding the club after
the fire. They had, however, now got a handsome
and useful building, hut still some 1,5001. was re-
quired to put some furniture in it. He trusted
what the committee had done was satisfactory, and
appealed to his hearers to support them now in
placing the club amongst the first institutions of
the day. In conclusion he moved the following
resolution :—" That this meeting is of opinion that
the Whittington Club and the Metropolitan Atha'
mom is worthy the cordial support of the public;
and having heard the statements made on behalf of
the provisional committee, declares its belief that
the opening of the new club house will be attended
with much success, and accordingly that energetic
endeavours should be made by all persona inte-
rested in the well-being of the middle classes to
carry into effect the objects of the institution which
are so well calculated to confer permanent benefit
on society."
Mr. SHAEN seconded the motion, and congratu-
lated those present on meeting once more within
the walls of their own club, and expressing his
pleasure at seeing so many old faces present.
The motion having been supported by Mr. Galt,
Mr. Morris, and others, and carried with exchange
t ion,r. HANNAN then proposed the next resolution,
and in doing so explained the plan of the Building
Fund and Furnishing Association for completing
the building, decoration, and furnishing the pre-
mises, being that of issuing shares of 1/. each at 5
per cent. interest, with other privileges. The re'
solution was as follows :—" That this meeting, 813;
proves of the plan adopted by the Building Fun°.
Association for raising the amount necessary
complete the furnishing of the club house, an
pledges itself to raise immediately the sum still re'
quired for that purpose."
The motion, having been seconded by Mr. Pea'
cock, and spoken to, was carried unanimously.
Thanks to the chairman closed the proceedings