Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-03-12
CLUBS OF PARIS.

Review OF the CercIes or the
French Metropolis.
Paris Correspondence London Times.l Tn
The Cercle de rUnion, the Cercle
Agricole, the Cercle Imperiale, the
Jockey Club, the Cercle de la Rue Roy
ale, the Cercle des Chemin de Fer, the
Cercles des Americans and des Merli-
tons are continually receiving access
sions, are full of gsyety and animation,
and profit by the general stagnation of
social life in Paris. The Jockey Club
alone has not increased its numbers
during the past year, but that arises
from particular cause. About year
ago a great 6nancier was proposed, who
had the rare i'll fortune to be blackballed
by l06 members. As each black ball
annuls twelve white balls, and as the
club only comprises $50 members in all,
the le6 black balls would have sutiiced
to outweigh twice the number of those
who might have voted for the proposed
candidate. But, since then, sixty
members, who supported him., have
resolved to vote against any candidate
who may be proposed, and, as their
black balls destroy the value Of 720
white balls, it is plain that no new elec.
ton can be made. In this the Jockey
Club justifes the theory Of government
by minorities, and in this case, as in
political assemblies, the minority, not
being able 60 achieve its own purpose, is
enabled to indulge la the qualification Of
disappointing others. Admission Is
more easily obtained into the other
clubs. Each OF the great Parisian CIR
cles has its special type, which, without
reference TO social sidargtions, is
chiefly determined by political views.
The Agricultural Club-Cercle Agricole
lis a serious club, which reckons the
best names in France among its mem.
bers. The character Of the Cerols I'M
peRiale is sufficiently indicated by its
name. The great functionaries of the
late regime, the members OF the old
Imperial household, civil and military,
a few foreigners and others who have
been attracted by chance or by personal
friendships. form the society of this
club, where of late the Emparor has
been much talked abont, but the Empire
yery little. The Cercle de Ia Rue Roy
ale, the petit" or Baby Club" is
survivor of 1880. This club retains
hind of perfume Of the bourgeois royalty,
which attracts jeuness doree Of all
shades nf opinion, and crowd OF cos
mopolitan hons yivants, Who are far
more anxious about the perfect cooking
of favorite dish than about any article
of the old OF new Constitution. The
Jockey Club has no strongly pronounced
political character, ImperiGllsts, Legiti-
mists and Orleansts meet together there,
the most historic names and the most
famous sporting characters, and during
the late war the Jockey Club had to
mourn the loss OF many of its members,
who having voluntarily abandoned the
betting ring for Che field of battle bravely
died in defense of their country. The
Cercle de lUnion is serious and dipl1-
matte club, liberal toward foreigners
but difficult Of access to Frenchmen. In
a political sense the Cercle de Union,
composed of Legitimists and Orleanists,
souseyhat resembles the Lake Of Geneva
through phich the Rhone hows--the
waters of the QFleanist stream not at all
mingling with the inpoyable lake OF
Legitimacy. The "kirlit9B IL an
artistic club. Politics there are lost
sight Of in pleasant concerts. at which
The great masters Of all countries meet
with .mpartial approval. Its President,
Of combined lyegitimist and Orleanist
origin, who was aiRost reconciled to the
Empire, is high fnnctiopSrg pnder the
Republic, and we'll represents Tbs tolegr
ami ideas which distinguish the " Mirli-
ton" In sll these clubs there is eating,
smoking and gaming. The play at the
Jockey, the Baby Club and the Imperial
is very high, and ct the AmeEeaR sun
higher. But al these clubs are admira
bly situated and comfortably provided.
They OCCUPY the finest positions in the
finest city OF tie world. The Agri-
cole faces the spleRSid Pont de la
Concorde; the Royal Is on the
Place de Ia Concorde looking upon
the Champs Elysees; the Jockey Club is
ON the Boulevard des Capucines, at the
angle Of the Rue Scribe, the American
faces the Grand Opera; the Imperial.
with a delightful garden. $ at the en-
trance to the Champs Elysees. Several
of thsEs clubs have boxes at most Of the
theaters. Which members can use in ro-
tation; others hsge : certain number OF
seats on the first tier OF bozes, whichsr
siaributed BY lottery. The cooker is
eCusi tc the highest French stasdard, the
vines arc choice and pure, and the
charges far nots moderate than those Of
ever second-rate rsslarrAuts. Il is true
that these clubs have their d14btiul sids,
even uithoui speaking OF The ineoefat-
bilitv betueea dam and family life. ior.
!, : al places in ths Hosl3, they are those
\ Which tAsi nssi YFes'ess p'u'ieT