New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-04-25
TILE RABELAIS CLUB.

WAGING WAR ON CURRENT PRlGGlSM.
THE AUTHORS AND ARTISTS WHO HAVE FORMED A
SOCIAL UNION FOR THE PROMOTION OF MANLI-
NESS AND HEALTHY HUMoR-AN INTERNATIONAL
MEMBERSHIP AND INFLUENCE.
lFROM AN OCCASIONAL CORREsPoNpESr OF THE TRIBUNEl
LONDON, April 1O.-The Rabelais Club, or society,
recently founded in London. is o peculiar institu-
ton, with decided aims In taking as its title the
name of the great master humorlst 1t indicates not
merely that its members will study his writings
but that it WILL in his spirit oppose the Prggism or
current folly of the day. which renders ridiculous
IN literature and art that which would other
wise be worthy Of respect. An instance of its tend
ency may be seen in the sketches of G. Du Maurier-
n member of the Rabelas-in his late sketches in
Punch, satirizing the Cimabue Browns, Prigsby and
others, Mr.. Walter Besant, one of the original
founders of the club, has also In his Monks OF
ThelcmaD described with exquisite anatomy the
literary aesthetic prg of the present day. The aim
of the Rabeais is however, less satire than the en-
couragement and culture Of hearty manliness and
healthy humor such constituted the true force OF
all great writers of cheerful tone but purified as the
spirit Of the age requires, OF tho grosser ele-
ments which society once tolerated but now con-
dennis. The Bohemian of mere talent believes and
lives in the faith that license is nseparable from
ioyousness and happy results in writing, but the
true man OF genius huOhb DoblCls AhOAO 10 HoPpJ
medium between puritanism and reckless freedom,
proper road on which free thought, or free art
may advance as rapidly as it will, and this is the
course sought by the Rabelais.
The Rabelais has no settled place. It's members
dine together when they choose at some rendezvous,
inviting guests who arc commended to them by
letter OF otherwise 1t is INTENDED that branches
shall be established In different countries. The
mere fact Of membership constitutes an intro
ducton. Thus any foreign member, or any one
with letter from member, on coming to London
and calling Oh one of the society will be received,
advised and aided in his sightseeing and
investigations. Every traveller can realize
the advantage of being thus able to find
at once in q strange city number OF
acquaintances willing to make him at home. 1t
will be readily understood that the members OF
such club can, with little trouble to themselves,
greatly facilitate the wishes Of any traveller The
Rabelais is decidedly American in Its sympathies,
containing quito number OF our tellow'oountry-
men in proportion to its aggregate. The branch
established In America consists thus far of II. W.
Longfellow, DR.. o. W. Holmes, George H. Boxer
and W. d. Howells, Editor of Tho atlantic Monthly
The English members are Lord Houghton, Sir Fred.
Pollock, with his son Walter Of The Saturday Re
Uieo, Knight, of The AthenGum, brilliant writer
and lecturer, well-known In leading literary circles;
Walter Besant, the novelist Hardy, Bret Harte,
Henry James, George A. sala, Henry Irving,
the tragedian; Alma Tadema, G. Du Maurier,
"Jackn Collier. recently married to Miss
Huxley; Professor E. H. Palmer, Of Cambridge
University famed for his skill In Oriental Ian
RuaRes, and who has Just completed his transla-
tIon of the Koran for Max Muer's great series Sir
Patrick Colquhoun and Charles @. Leland; and in
Paris, Edmond About, and believe about the world
miscellaneously, Captain Richard Burton. who
probably combines a greater knowledge Of coun-
tries languages and books than any other man living
Il is needless to say that the dinners of the Rabelas
are brilliant since like brings like and among the
invited guests the first wits and scholars of London
NAV be found. The dinners are plain, bylaw in-
sisting that they shall never cost moro than five
shillings, which is very low for London, but then
the chief aim Of the dinneris not eating.
II is expected OF every member that ne snail once
n wear contribute something, though IL be only an
cpigram OF couplet, to the papers OF the society,
which will be published in volume. The Rabelais
ia remarkable In this, that, having no expenses its
members are free from oil taxes or fees. 80 far 1t
has preserved successfully all Its original character
istica and succeeded admirably in It's aim. 1t em.
braces no member who is not known in the world
of letters Of art every one brings to 1T marked
individuality, and all earnest in their interest IN
H. Although so recently established it Is recognized
eyerywhere I'm London that 1t Is decided mark OF
character and Of distinction to belong to the Rabe
laia.