Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-03-17
THE CLUBS OF NEw ORLEANS.
Their Names and PecuIIarities.

Club life in New Orleans can never
be as much sought after as in cities
where the long seasons OF severe
weather force men to find their pleas
ures and pursuits indoors.
There is SO short a period OF the
year (says the New Orleans Times)
that cannot be spent in out OF door
relaxation that, as a matter of course,
the saloons and chambers Of the club
house must be more or less neglected,
and on these grounds must be placed
the fact that few clubs in this city
have been permanently prosperous, no
matter how promising the auspices
under which they started. Neyerthe-
less, there are in the city several clubs
which are in a vigorous state OF pros
perity. rising upon the ruins OF the
past, with promise of a long life to
come. First upon the list of living
clubs in point Of age is the Boston,
dating its existence from 1910, accor-
ding to the information obtalnable.
1t took its name from agame OF cards,
Boston" or more properly Boast
ing in which the players were accus-
toned to boast or bet on the cards
held by themselves. The game was
much in vogue forty or fifty years ago,
and this club in that day was much
given to the sport in a suit of rooms
on Exchange alley. Says a chronicler
of its history:
From this unostentatious com-
mencement the club became immense
ly popular. numbering in its roll of.
membership during the course of q
few years many Of the most influential
men of the city. Among its other
members may be mentioned Hon.
John Slidell and Hon. Judah p. Ben
the senators from Louisiana,
and a host Of influential gentlemen
well known in social and political
life.
1.-The club at this time was famous
for its luncheons, and the dinners
served at their rooms, which then ex-
tended to the corner of Customheuse
street and Exchange alley. After the
war the Boston club was located at
the corner of Customhouse and Royal
streets, and in 1865 it purchased the
present building, No. 4 Carondelet
street, where it still remains"
The Boston club is composed of
solid and substantial gentlemen, and
still maintains its reputation as mag
nifcent dispenser of Inequalities when
the occasion and the guests seem to
justify the exertion.
The Pickwick, which appears to
have grown up on the ruins of an an
Gent club denominated the Or
leans" took its present name in 1851.
Says a historian
almost simultaneously with the
organization OF this new communion,
Comus made his first triumphant en-
try to the city, and from that day to
this the jocund wearer Of the mask
and Pickwickians have been boon
companions. Colonel GLADDEN., that
gallant soldier who fell at the head of
his regiment, was its first president,
but to the late Colonel Walter Mer-
riam and the late Mr.. Joseph Ellison
is the public indebted for as much
amusement and instruction as has been
contributed by the most public %sTirit-
ed citizen.
During the fearful epidemi, of
1878. the Pickwick club constit lted
itself the almoner of the most nee sssi-
tous within the city limits-the CON
valescent yellow fever patients, who
required suitable nourishment Cspe-
cially adapted to their critical ccndi-
ton. Several hundred pounds Of the
best beel reached the kitchen Of the
club at 3 o'clock every morning
throughout. the summer, and by 10
O'Clock am. the entire quantity had
been manufactured into strong beef
tea.
"a committee Of the club remained
on duty at the reception room of that
institution day and night, and %gratui-
tiously distributed TASKS Of the tea to
all corners who brought a physicians
prescription. Before the season term
mated hundreds OF articles of diet
suitable for yellow fever c%onvalescents
we're sent by friends Of the club from
the north, and all of these, through
the committee, found their way to the
bedside q the Hing"
The Pickwick is a close club, never
opening its doors to the uninitiated,
but doing its Offices Of charity and
philosophical beneyolence with Wig
orous but unseen hands. 1t occupies
a spacious building on the corner Of
Exchange alley and Canal street.
The Orleans, which occupies a lux
urious clubhouse on Canal street,
south side, between Carondelet and
Baronne, was organized 10 1874 as the
New Orleans club, and reorganized
last summer with its present name.
1t is noted for its hospitality, opening
its handsome drawing. rooms to parties
Of ladies on numerous occasions.
The Louisiana is a young club, but
apparently filed with vigorous blood
and well supported with the elements
OF prosperity.
1t occupies as a clubhouse the large
mansion No. $50 Canal street. It's
doors arc never opened to tho public,
aud as for a like reason the grand
street pageant Of the ''Krewe Of Ko-
mus are attributed TO the Pickwick
Club, as the gossips say the Louisiana
Club is the power behind the Knights
Of Menus. With these matters the
public have nothing to do. The PEG
pie are freely presented with these
magnificent spectacles, and are asked
for thanks ar remuneration he M