Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-08-22
London Club Life.

From London Letter in New York Times
Club life I'm London is indeed one OF the most
necessary elements of existence. The custom
Of practically living in clubs is SO widespread
and 90 deeply rooted that IL would be matter
Of practical impossibility to the average Eng
lishman 70 follow any otner method of passing
his time. 1t Is the custom among LondonerI
tobelong to half . dozen different organizations,
each one Of which has its particular and indi-
viduaa points OF attractiyeness. OF the semi
Bohemian clubs the Green Room, the savage and
the BeefSteak are the most attractive, the last
mentioned being considerably more strict In it's
adnissibie, / believe, in the Beefsteak for 3
member TO bring In a guest who does not be-
long to the club. though that is u degree OF
don clubs. Il is, however, not = matter IL dim.
Guilty, one IL acquainted, TO secure the privi-
lege Of honorary membership, which is alto
gether desirable. The Beefsteak il situated In
Tooae's theater building, . very convenient 40
cation for the people who are about the town
late = night The Green Boom is the most
uful, and toward midnight, when the theaters
are out, they are patrOnixed by the best OF
with London men to receive their mail At their
clubs. and TO write their answers to letters in
the same places. The heightened clubs are
James square. Some OF these are tremendous
affairs. conducted upon highly luxurious
basis, and very well worth seeing by those
trance. There are very many men who 20
about London with good deal OF elegance aud
whose only known addresses are these clubs.
the English metropolis he keeps pretty
thoroughly to himself, and his house is
rarely opened TO any but most intimate
tains ct his club; and much OF his business, un-
less he be q merchant with his own counting
house. IL done over the dinner-tabie OF one OF
the organizations to which he belongs. An
actor wishing to negotiate with a manager or
playwright invites him to dine, and the details
dial letter OF INTRODUCTION to the ordinary Lon.
dQner and he will courteousy invite you to dine
with him At his club. after which, having done
slide. 4 man has his tradesmen's bills SEMI to
his club rather than to his house, and q good
many men who accumulate bills md the Ar
man or collector calling at a club can ever by
debtor. and In the curiously long credit system
q pretty dif1cult matter TO exercise enough pa-
thence e collect debts rpm men S who have not
country. All man needs for almost hmitless
credit Is an Introduction from some one known
Ss he ss. ns with
paid then, the debtor probably hears nothing
he pays his creditor so or DO per cent on S &c.
count the man is just a. grateful as though be
had received more than his just due. With
now, when gentleman orders clothing, Tor the
q shis 81, suit Z, ms. S o
paying prsnlum for ready money, though, I
tailor puts on 20 per cent before he takes Oh ia.
II strikes an American - an exceedingly odd
way e doing businesa however, after he he's
peea used g dealing ef his life with men who
always figure on cash basis, and with whom
y = the exception rather than the rule to have
While credit . an exceedfngiy easy thing for IN
kngiishmaa 70 get In this country, It Is not gem
seally, extended to Americans Under ordin-
tFsAesmsn have not thai coniiding trust in
1enkee custonnen which might be commend
able g least % mr. - the customers are con-
have taken. advantage q tho child-ltke and
bland odtish shopkeeper, and that accordingly
eA American vis!ton are looked upon with the