Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-12-21
ALEyA. GAZETTE & VIRGINIA ADVERTIs

Marriage and Death Notices, when not exceed
ing eight lines fifty cents
London Clubs.
The clubs aud club houses of London are
aomng the most striking features of the great
metropolis, whether considered in an archteu-
tura a political, or social point of view They
are unquestlonably power; and what the
clubs say sometimes settles the fate Of Min
lstry or the social standing Of an Individual 1t
Is III them that the sociab!e qualities of the
Engllshman are shown to the greatest advau-
tage, tor they do not shine much in the do
meStc 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 life 10 each other. The men
do not talk business or politics with the wo-
men, and seldom venture on argument upon
serious topics with them. 10 order 10 have
conversation upon something more important
than the opera, the court, the fashions, the last
novel, party, picnic, or rout or croquet match,
the men resort to their club" If they take
interest il politics, they so to one of the polit-
cal clubs; if they want cungeuial conversation,
Il game at whist or billiards, or to bet on race,
ur TO hear the latest news, they resort to one OF
the Scciable clubs; and if they want free and
easy talk with artists, actors, authors, jour
nallSts, and the like, they resort to the ''Bo.
icmiau clubs The London clubs may
thus be divided into three classes; the political,
the social aud the free-and-eaSy. There are
iu all sxty-eight great clubs supported By
leading men, aud about twenty minor ones,
supported by men OF lower standing; but not
wlthstaudiug their number they are full, aud
ii is sometimes difficult to obtain admission to
membership. 1t is always so in those where
the number of members is limited Tne club
al, =
which are almost wholly devoted to them-
such are Pail Mall, Waterloo Place. and ST.
james street. There are no fewer than twenty
Que on the last named street, which Is a short
one: but the largest and the Handsomely IN an
architectural sense, are on Pall-Mall In one
point they are ake-that is, in providing tie
members with luxurious comforts, dinners anu
other meals, wines and liquors, cigars, and all
the newspapers, magazines. and reviews OF the
day, at little over cost price, together with
the best attendance, and conve' lences tor bath
ing. dressing, and the like. The political clubs,
ike the Carlton, Junior Carlton, the Reform,
are the most important. TO one or other OF
these the members of both Houses Of Para
ment belong, and in each Of them there is a
tcegraphc wire which communicates with the
Houses, and the information thus obtained Is
Supplemented by u half hourly bulletin OF the
prugress of the proceedings. These clubs
are thus species of lobby to the Parla-
ment House. The selection Of candidates for
Parliament, the party mauGuverlng, the wire
pulling. is mainly done at these clubs.
The social or fashionable clubs are more ex-
elusive in their character. Each has It's partlc-
uar . set, " and a maD must belong to that
set, > or he stands little chance OF being
elected a member. Poor men and those VINO
are self.made are of small account IN these
clubs, where blood y and wealth are the
principal objects of veneration. Tradition is
mower among them, especially at the most arls-
focratic and exclusive of all-y!z, Brooks
and Whites: the former the resort OF OLD
Wings. the latter of old Tories. They have
hourished for more than century. Arthur
and Boobies have been the tavortes OF the
Young votaries of fashion, and the clubs con-
nected with the army, navy, and universities
are the resorts of gentlemen belonging to these
establishments. But the knowing ones, VINO
have studied life in various ways, and revolt
at being chained to any particular set' assert
that the clubs Of the ''Bohemians OF Lon
don are bv far the most enjoyable. These are
to be found in the less arlstocratlc streets, such
as Henrietta street, Covent Garden, where IS
the Savage Club, the favorite resort OF men
connected with Journalism and the stage 20
the books of this club may be seen the names
Of some of the most eminent literary men
and actors, such as Thackeray, Dickens Jer;
rold. Lemon, Blanchard, Macready Brooke
Artemus Ward, Swiuburne, Maclce'. &c
There they gave free vent to their W.T.
and were wont to set the table IN roar. Every
Satnrdav there is O clock dinner, to which
every member comes who can 40 so. lhe cluo
has formidable rival, however, IN the aruo
del, which is in Arundel street, Strand ana Is
y great resort OF authors, actors, critics, map
ayers, publishers, playwrights, and the hSe.
Here there is daily dinner at O'CLOCK out
the principal feature is its late supper, when
begins when the theatres close, and enos "hgu
the editors of the morning papers nave auly
rofrashed themselves, after closing their lapor'
at > or 5 o clock A. NJ. This Is genuine Doue rs
mia" and at these suppers all the iatesI news.
scandal, anecdotes and jokes are retaea' T. songs
are sung, and the mlrth is fast ana lullouio
Thackerav. Jerrod, and Dickens had TGaA- %
ness for such resorts The Arts CLUB 10 hau
over SQUARE, is the special resort OF poe.s
who're the copviviality is of a refined order out
,nh.cco reirns supreme and Bacchus IS duly
hnnnred The other noted "Bohemaln cluos
ara ch;rav sustained by the theatrical proies
CO.. sncb are the Garrick Club In GarrlcS
street, and the unlor Garrlck, IN .it1 r,;.s;c r
phio and by gentleman Of literary ana at''st,s shs
tastes' ~ as the Beaufort, the Westminster; Tue
Portland, Sc There has been mucn ulsoIs u.s.
sion as to the tendency OF clubs, Dut one oi 'no
,n,n;e,st evils attendant on them IS to "eaheu
naD ,ia love- ot. home and the desire for marriage
ana that ouoht 20 decide against them.