The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-12-18
E.a.1don ClaE,s--strifkfng Features Oh
asfe I'm the British Metropolis.

METROPOLIS, whether considered in an aren't
70 tl,rh. a political, or social point OF view.
They. are unquestionably y power; ana
"what the clubs say" sometimes setties the
fate of Ministry or the social standing OF
an individual. 1t is in them that the socia-
bile qualities Of the EngliShman are SHOWN
to the greatest advantage. for they 40 not
shine much in the domestic circle or
at PARTIES. Practically the two sexes
live very much apart, although they
are constantly meeting; that Is TO say
they do not develop their inner Tue 10
each other. The men do not talk busl-
ness or politics with the women, ana seldom
venture on argument upon serious TOPICS
with them. In order to have conversation
upon something more important than the
opcya, the court, the fashions, the last mover,
party, picnic, or rout, or croquet-matcn,
the men resort to their "club." If they
take interest in politics, they 90 TO one
Of the political clubs; if they want con-
genial conversation, a game ut whist OF
billiards, or to bet on race, or to near
the latest news, they resort 10 one OF inc
sot.able clubs; and il they want tree anu
easy talk with artists, actors, authors, Jour
na,istS. and the like, they resort to the b.
hcmian" clubs. The London clubs may
thus he divided into three classes: the po-
liticll. the social, and the frec-and-easy.
There arc in all sixty EIGHT great clubs, sup
ported By leading men, and about twenty
minor ones, supported by men OF lower
stapdirg; but notwithstanding their number
they are full. and it is sometimes difficult TO
OBTAIN admission to membership. 1t lsalways
so in those where the number OF members
is limited. The Lighthouses are clustered on
a few streets-some Of which are Almost
wholly devoted TO them-such are faii-.hai',
Waterloo Place, and st. James street. mere
arc no fewer than twenty-one on the last
named street. which is short one; out
the largest and the handsomest, IN an archl-
tectu,nl sense, are on Pall-Mali. In one
popt they are alikc--thnt Is, in pro-
yidinr the members with luxurious comforts,
dinners and other meals, wines and liquors,
cigars, and all the newspapers, magazines,
and reviews Of the day, ut little over cost
price. together with the best attendance, anu
conyeniencas for bathing, dressing, and the
like The political clubs, like the Carlton,
Junior Carlton, the Reform, are the most i'm
portapt. TO one or other Of these the MEM
bers of both Houses of Parliament belong,
and in each Of them there IS tciegraphic
wire which communicates with the Houses,
and the information thus obtained Is sup
plemented by halt-hourly bulletin Of the
progress of the proceedings. These clubs
are thus species Of lobby to the Parliament
Houses. The selection of candidates for
Parliament, the party manGuver'uS, the
wirc.pulling, is mainly done at these clubs.
The social or fashionable clubs are more
exclusive in their character. Each has It's
particular "set," and man must belong TO
that set" or he stands little chance of being
elected member. Poor men and those
who are selt-made are Of small account In
these clubs, where "bood" and wealth are
the principal objects of veneration. TEidi-
ton Is power among them, especially ut
the most aristocratic and exclusive of all
viz. Brooks's and Whites; the former the
resort Of old Wings, the latter OF old
Tories. They have tlourished for more
than century. Arthur's and Boobies
haze been the fayorites of the young
yotarics of fashion, and the clubs con-
nected with the army, navy, and univer
sites are the resorts OF gentlemen be-
longing to these establishments. But the
knowing ones, who have studied life in
various ways, and revolt at being chained to
any particular set assert that the clubs of
the "Bohemians of London are by far the
most enjoyable. These are to be found in
the less aristocratic streets, such is Henrietta
street, Coycnt Garden, where is the Savage
Club, the fayorite resort of men connected
with journalism and the stage. On the
books Of this club MAY be seen the names
ri some Of the most eminent literary men
and actors, such as Thackeray, Dickens, Jcr-
rold, Lemon, Blanchard, Macrcady, Brooke,
ArtcmuS Ward, Swinblirne, Maclice, DC.
There they gave free vent to their wit,
ana were wont 10 set the table i'll
Il roar. Every Saturday there is a
O'Clock dinner, to which every member
comes who can do so. The club has Il
formidable rival, however, in the Arundel,
which is in Arundel street, Strand, and is il
great resort of authors, actors, critics, man
ayers. publishers, playwrigbts, and the like.
Here there is u daily dinner at O'Clock, but
he principal feature is its late supper, which
begins when the theatres close, and ends
when the editors of the morning papers have
duly refreshed themselves, after closing their
llbors ut = or O'Clock a. Nj. This is
genuine Bohemia" and at these suppers all
the latest news, scandal, anecdotes, and jokes
are rctaied, songs are sung, and the mrth
i, fast and furious. Thackeray, Jcrrod,
and Dickens had weakness for such re-
sorts. The Arts Club, in Hanover Square,
Is the special resort Of poets, where the con-
vivia!ity is of n refined order, but tobacco
rciGns supreme and Bacchus is duly honored.
The other noted bohemian clubs are
chiefly sustained by the theatrical profession,
<uch are the Garrick Club, in Garrlck street.
and the Junior Garrick, in the Adelphia, and
By gentlemen Of literary and artistic tastes,
rs the Beaufort, the Westminster, the Port
land, &c. There has been much discussion
Us to the tendency of clubs, but one Of the
manifest evils attendant on them is to
weaken the love of home and the desire for
marriage, and that ought to decide against
them.