The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-10-17
MoRMoN1sM IN THE METROPOLIS.


One of the Peculiar Ins.itations Of New YORK
Described and Explainesi-A Mercer ssa ss,
EstabISshment In Broadwcy-.;As ~ pros,,"s.
or the N,nstssniS Csntury-yres Love Ia |
Mode dc Paris What q Lady Eap Wsss.r 10
Eait"r,s Cpanion-scc iaiisnn In New Form
Life Behind tho Scenes ~, &C.
condenssd from IL. Ns Slss rourerts tie Womao
gan of the Free Loseites socians's' foufeteS "o'as
Rights-ites snd Maine iaw.res.l x. sks A..
there i place in Broadway, number ooo, up three
NIGHTS az stairs where large number OF progressive Ia
dies and gentlemen meet every Monday and Thursday
evening indulge in free and unconstraned social in
tecouse which intercourse has received the distinctive
title sfiIee Love.
This asBocation, which called ne League the Club
formed in the winter ~ 1853 Previous to that time
the doctrine of the societywhich Is simply the French
theory chat may take mistress and throw her OF
o man and that marriage is all humbug-had been
disseminated by the works of woman named Nichols
braoed by number Of ladies and gentlemen generally
believers in socialist and spirituast doctrines and in
October, 1853 Mr.. s. p Andrews held the first meeting
at his residence The parties we're continued during tue
winter ard spring and until the heat of the summer
oceasioncd of the members OF the circle to absent
themselves for few weeks in the country The circle
gradually increased until 1t had reached double the
original number They We're ladies and gentlemen Of
high order Of intellect oil persons Of inte
gence and cultivated minds some Of afiuence also and
too well known to fame The evenings were passed
mostly in conversation, though the enjoyment was coca
soraliy heiRhtened by vocal ami instrumental music
Another feature which occasionally introduced was
the called modern spirituasm, inconsiderabe NUN
ber being 81 irituahsss, and some, mediums Wll!lam
North tie student u guist, writer and poet, whose
death by suicide took place subsequently, in November,
On the return If the cold weather the parties
sumed and they continued the numbers who gave n
their adhesion the free love doctrines gradually aug
mented In December very general desire was
ed to have the circle enlarged and acting IN
gagged small hail situated in Bond street the Bowe
ry coaduor in the sent invitations 70 some
tam evening The night was intensely cold; but about
thirty ladies and forty gentlemen responded BY their pre-
sence, most Of whom had been members o. ,ne crcle
which bad been accustomed to meet at sr Andrews re-
s;dence
The ob!ect then announced was to form the nucleus
secret society the object Of which should be the mu
tus epo. men Of its members, and in the meetings OF
which everything like stiff conventionasm to be
tabooed-where no subject was too sacred Tor dis.
law governing indvidul conduct. The plan Of or.
gani.ation explained II was to be conducted
Under the auspices OF individual head, he taking
all the responsibilities, icing accountable 10 no
body and he requiring Of the members their opera
tion only so far as they were attracted give it. ami
when they in any way dissatisfied they we're at full
liberty to Withdraw their cooperation They were par
tcuariy to do nothing FROM tense OF duty, but every
thing from OF individual enjoyment Mr. Andrews
that he had elected himself to the position Of
chief If the organization, which he chrisened The
Club and that he should require OF each member, whe
Their lady gentleman, the of ten cents each
he should rendey mo- Of the ia which he
managed the treasury In conclusion, he read the form
Of Obligation which he oked ench lady ant gentleman
to subscribe to. II was substantially as follows:-
xss % asa Ss
place q meetings
with g Chief ha; WIN quietly Withdraw and under no
The obligation tai but as there are ladies in the
case, it has been broker many times.
The Club was afterwards removed to the location
where il held in Broadway, and which house has
long been sort of spiritual headquarters The Club has
gradually increased till it Low numbers 200 lEss-
sold at ten each aes and gentlemen to ethcr
gentlemen without ladies pay two shitngs There Is
regular ticket seller and who takes charge oil
hats and umbrellas a. the moderate charge Of two cents
Novces must he introduced by member The Clad IS
entirely supported by the Admission fees Inc intend
died The opened 8, and closed at II P NJ.
1he Club will be open hereafter to the members
during the dny time social home, which may be
visited without charge, with the request however, That
meie visers will not disturb classes which they may
find in session. Tho men generally ou,uumoer the
women.
At these semi-weel,y meetings the members, Of tht
club, and the strangers whom they introduce walk tap
waltz sing firt and endcayor t. enjoy themselves a
best they may, each selecting his or her associate ac
cording 10 attraction and aihnes, aud always with
due regard to individual Sovereignty Occasionally ht
audience amused, entertained or bored as the ease
man in the Free Lave Israel who may impressed will
the idea that he has important message TO commun
cate, Although the exercised topics ana anasenent
tpduleed in take wide rauge, the main ttea which
and holds together this tey party Is Free Love-
fasiona Attraction, as some OF them prefer to eau
it, They repudae the present system Of marriage deny
the right of society the State to interfere in any way
with The sujec. any further than it may shsfay later
may be limited life partnership at the option Of the
man woman, who the sole and rghtfu Judges OF
the time and Of its beginning and terminate D.
One Of their favorite dogmas IS that has tho
right TO choose tie father OF her child This theory
has we understand been reduced to practice 70 saa
withhold, had considerable difficulty in convert.
ing his wife to the new theo hut b nd
months later that his wiic was "aitractei in an
other direction than to himself. He took the mat
Mble law Of passionai attraction finally discovered
his true partner in the person OF another mans wife
under the fame roof Another is that Of woniar
Of talents and accomplishments and rather pretty
withal, who actually believes in the new theory an
whose wor,er half not being the right selected the
ID her Of her child hort time since, In the person OF
respectable young married gentleman ana Is now hyns
much unnotced by the fraternity OF free lovers ant
lessuers. Instead Of sustaining her a. they ought
portion them at least shrus their shoulders and
they sorry this lady took the course she did they
thinL il very unwse and premature; that society
not quite esdy for the reception and experimental illus
traton Of their ideas, while they go on preaching thu
reducing to practice The father ofhee child who il said
lie abundanty able to support her. declines ding So
fee bat put her in bonds &c. is due to her to say
thai he 4 very heroic and in reply to- letter of condo
en.e vas quite indignant at expressions o. ply and
very well What she IL about she knew b-f rehand what
she was taking upon herself This the way by which
socie,y vas 10 be reformed and purified, and she
wiirg-nay even prou6-to her full share OF the
disgrace II the world chose 10 call IL at
teuding such reformation.
THERE'S special female police. Any one has right K
app this Police r Information or atrodueti IN Ate
the 1ction II there is passonal attraction the par
ties settle matters for themselves and arrange meeting
e'fewhege II there IL attraction, the Individual sove
erns theii ways take heed ofeach other lad,
being introduced TO Of the members also lady the
member clicked her on thus shall be very happy t.
bccm me acquainted with Miss Il at some future tile
said Mrs.. e, "but at present am engaged. When
tak 10 her should like TO be interesting to her. Just
am interested in s'merns else. 50 please excuse
me-
The female pesen:an , Who made the fam pas SAID
hat Is very good iias . o oas nossrine o.
ed in her conversation with that gentlemen and did not
wish TO be interrupted; she dismissed us and you
know Of first princpse entre personal iree-
DOM
correspondent who is 'spiri,nast, but not free
loyer.M snYs: Iatsly he lAndrewAl has introduced