The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-05-30
SOCIAL CLUBS.

Doncaster, Cnaplain-in-O Ordinary to the
Queen, selected Is his theme "Cluo-Liie'
introducing his topic with an account OF the
visit of the Apostle Paul to Athens and his
encounter there with epicuresns and stolcs'
the temples, affairs, statues, paintings, palaces
which he saw, the life led by the gay Athe-
mans in the market place, etc. Even a. the
learned preacher bridget over the period
from the days of Paul to the present. from
ancient Athens TO modern London, and from
the Agora at Athens to the London club Of
this era, SO will we as briefly skip from the
text to the concluding paragraphs in which
clubs are described, their characteristics
noted and their faults pointed out.
A club wss real comfort and advantage to a
large section Of society. II presented combi-
nation Of all classes opinions, pursuits, profess
sions; it gave opportunities OF intercourse with
the men most famous in all walks Of life; it was
Epicuruss quiet nook, liesurely lounge, a
grateful rest from the strain OF active life; it
gave zest to life and lifted it out Of it its COM
Ionplaces and oven out of it's mOnotOny All
we're agreed that clubs had their value in attract
ing Young men from questionable society and the
coarser pleasures. As q rule the tone OF club
was higher now than it was in days gone by.
There was a certain recognized discipline and
consensus of restraint, and to belong to club
was a guarantee itself against any thing out
wardly at least that was Inconsistent with the
character Of an English gentleman.
sual was not overlooked I; for the buildings were
palatial carpets were soft chairs and sofas IN
yited repose; liveried servants were numerous,
sharp and attentive; eatables and turntables were
earthly Paradise, all this might be enjoyed for
small annual payment by one brought up as
child amongst very different circumstances, and
with certa nty which elsewhere large income
could not insure. Was there no advantage,
asked the man Of three or five hundred q year, in
all that IS compared with life passed IN dIngy,
dreary, scantily furnished lodging, with meals
indlfferently prepared and badly served? For
the bachelor club was home.
Even for the married man, II his wife should
happen to turn out dull, unarliabe, querulous
and nagging, of no real companionship in the
great interests of life, impractical, and bad
manager, the temptation was great to take refuge
in club. If home, which should be the spot on
earth to which a mar fondly turned, was that
from which he turned, there must be something
radically wrong in our social life. Club life
largely and materially affected domestic life. 1t
affected what were called the "preliminaries Of
married lile." II parents made up their minds
that certain income was hopelessly necessary,
and that happiness could only be secured by a
certain style of living, the blame rested with
themselves il men OF moderate wishes shrank
means.
Abiding to the evils connected with cub life,
the preacher went on to observe that the luxu y,
spleDdor and society OF clubs were great
q man for the plainness, simplicity and monot ,ny
of married life, and for that self-denial and con-
tentment with the state in which God has placed
us, on which our own happiness and that OF
marked, were exposed BY club life to the tempta-
ton of forgetting those dignites, sanctities and
obligations Of married life which wife, whether
she were amiable or uuamiable, cheerful or dull,
had a right to expect that he who had married
her would remember. Not one of the least of
the evils or abuses Of club life consisted in sell
fish habits engendered and style OF living con-
tracted, in many cases not in keeping with our
private means or uniting us for the c,mp "a
clubs also afforded peculiar facilities for gambling
and drinking, the preacher complained OF the
want Of interest shown in the clubs generally in
religious objects.s =
When the reverend orator speaks first of
the cost of clubs it is to commend their
economy for men of secondary incomes; but
when he next speaks Of them again in that
connection it is to complain Of their luxury,
splendor and society-s little inconsistency
which we will leave to him to reconcile.
Unless our idea Of the average London club
Is incomplete, we cannot concede all the ad-
vantaees claimed for it, nor admit that it is
liable to all the objections raised. As organ
ICED and conducted in this country, q social
club is very far from being substitute for a
home, and equally far from tending to disquali-
flying members for the enjoyment Of homes
adapted to their tastes. That . bachelor
ought to have his club is proposition not
necessarily true. That no married men
should belong to club is not an axiom. It
is question of taste and convenience with
both.
Some bachelors are out Of place, even at a
club, and some benedicts please most when
least at home, and not very welcome at their
club or anywhere else. If homes were always
what industry. good taste, frugality, good
temper and intelligence should make them,
young married men might be less disposed to
60, after business hours, tQ their clubs for re-
pose and companionship.
The club is in all respects self.regulating
concern. Men do not form clubs unless they
need them. They do not join clubs unless
for convenience, pleasure Or advantage OF
some kind. The essentially uncongenial do
not unite in clubs As 20 attendant expenses.
after what custom, propriety and courtesy de-
mand, there is in clubs wide margin for
those who are able and willing to expend
money lavishly, but whose example no one is
expected to initiate, unless he deems it fit
Much money is unwisely spent everywhere.
There is no reason why membership of club
should increase or diminish the spendthrift
propensity. .
The effects Of social clubs upon manners
and morals of members are various. 1t is a
subject too expansive for our running COM
ments. A "muff, bore, or an ignoramus,
If by accident member of a club, will not be
cured by it. Members of clubs spend less
time in general society than they might if not