The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1873-01-17
The Clubs OF London.

THE Gibbs and the Club-houses OF LONDON
are among the most striking features OF the
great metropolis, whether considered III an
architectural, political or social point VI
view. They are unquestionably power; ana
.:what the Clubs say" sometimes settles tne
fate of ministry or the social standing OF an
individual. 1t ia in them that the social quail
lilies of the Englishman are shown TO the
greatest advantage, for they do 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 saw. they do not develop their inner life to
each other. The men do not talk business or
politfcs with the women, and seldom venture
ON argument upon serious topics with them.
| In order to have conversation upon some
thing more important than the opera, the
court, the fashions, the last novel, party, rout,
picnic or croquet match, the men resort TO
their "Club." II they take Interest Ia politics
they 20 to one of the political clubs; II they
want copgenial conversation, game at whist
or billiards, or 10 bet on race, or to near tne
latest newe, they resort to one OF the soclaple
clubs: and If they want free and easy talk with
artists, actors, authors, journalists, and the
like. thew resort to the Bohemian" clubs.
The London clubs may thus be divided into
three classes, the political, the Rocial, and the
free.and-essy. There are In all sxty-eight
great clubs, supported by leading men, and
about twenty minor ones, supported oy men
of lower standing; but, notwithstanding
their number, they are full, and 1t Is some
times difficult to obtain admission 10 member
ship: It is always so in those where the num-
ber OF members Is limited. The cluo.houses
are clustered on few streets, some of which
are almost wholly devoted to them; such as
Pail Mall, Waterloo Place, and st. James
street. There are no fewer than twenty.one
on the last named street, which is short one;
but the largest and the handsomest, In an
architectural sense, are on Pail Mall. In one
point they are alike; that Is In providing the
members with luxurious comforts, dinners
and other meals, wines and liquors, cigars,
and all the newspapers, magazines and re-
views Of the day, at a little over cost price,
together with the best attendance, and con-
veniences for bathing, dressing and the like.
The political clubs, like The Carlton, the Junior
Carlton, the Reform, are the most important.
To one or other Of these the members OF both
Houses of Parliament belong, and in each OF
them there is telegraphic wire which COM
municates with the Houses, and the informa-
ton thus obtained s supplemented by hall
hourly bulletin of the progress OF the proceed
ines. These CLUBS are thus species Of lobby
to the Parliament Houses. The selection OF
candidates for Parliament, the paFty man9uv-
ring, the wre-pulling, is mainly done at these
clubs.
The social or fashionable clubs are more
exclusive In their character; each has It's par
ticular s'set," and q man must belong TO that
"set,n or he stands little chance OF being
elected member. Poor men and those who
are selr-made are of small account In these
clubs, where ''blood" and wealth are the prin-
cpal objects of veneration. Tradition Is
power among them, especially at the most
ajstocralic and exclusive of all, viz-Brooks's
and White's-the former the resort OF old
Wings, the latter of old Tories. They have
aourIshed for more than century. Arthu.'s
and Boobies have been the favorltes 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,
who have studied LIE In various ways, and re-
volt at being chained to any particular set, as
sert that the clubs of the "Bohemlans" oil
i = h Tor ho QninvQhlp Thpap
are TO be found In the less arlstocratc streets,
such as Henrietta street, Covent Garden,
where is the Savage Club, the faVorite resort
of men connected with journalism and the
stage. On the books of this club may be seen
the names of some OF the most eminent lite
rary men and actors, such as Thackeray, Dick
ems, Jerrold, Lemon, Blanchard, Macready,
Brooke. Artemus Ward, Swlnburne, Macllse,
&c. There they gave free vent to their wit
and were wont to set the table In roar
Every Saturday there is four o'clock din.
ner, to which every member comes who can
do 80. The club has formidable rival, how
| ever, In the, Arundel, which is In Arundel
street, Strand, and is a great resort OF authors,
actors, critics, managers, publishers, play
wrghls, and the like. Here there is daily
diuner at five o'clock; but the principal fea-
ture 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 labors at two
or three o'clock A. NJ. There Is genuine
| Bohemia" and at these suppers all the latest
news, scandal, anecdotes and jokes are retail
ed, songs are sung, and the mirlh Is fast and
furious. Thackeray, Jerrold and Dickens had
weakness for such resorts. The Arts Club,
In Hanover Square, is the special resort Of
poets, where the conviviality Is of refined
order, but tobacco reigns supreme, and
Bacchus is duly honored. The other noted
bohemian" clubs are chiefly sustained by
the theatrical PROFESSIONALISM as the Garrlck
Club, In Garrck street, and the Junior Gar
rick, In the Adelphi, and by gentlemen of lite
rary and artistic tastes, as the Beaufort, the
Westminster, the Portland, &c.