The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-01-21
Club Life in New York,

A new club for this city has been incor-
porated at Albany under the name Of the
University Athletic Club. 1t is An offshoot
OF the University Club. a very sturdy and
prosperous association. whose rapidity Of
growth has been remarkable in the history
OF New York clubs. even at this period Of
their extraordinary development
The incorporators Of the new club are all
members of the University Club. and they
disavow any purpose OF entering into COM
petition with it. though they have fixed
upon much lower scale OF admission fees
and annual dues. Even IL such rivalry WAS
attempted. the experience OF all the we'll
established clubs Of the town indicates that
the present organization could afford to be
careless OF it.
The formation Of the Knickerbocker Club.
and. moro recently. OF the Metropolitan
Club. has not interfered with the growth Of
the Union. though both Of them were
organized from its membership. It's list OF
applicants eagerly awaiting admission Is as
large as ever. We believe, and it is now
meditatng removal and the building OF a
far larger and grander club house. The
prosperity of the Century Club has in
creased rather than diminished since the
University was established within its
ranks. and although the Authors. the
Players. and other clubs appealing
largely to men OF the same or kin
dred tastes have sprung into vigorous
life within recent years. Two great ath-
letic clubs. the New York and the Manhat-
tan. are maintaining healthy existence at
not very great remove from each other,
though the Racquet Club has gone into a
new and imposing structure in the same
vicinity. The Manhattan took a venture
some step in leasing the costly and spacious
STEWART house. at the corner OF the Fifth
avenue and Thirty-fourth street. but the
sagacity OF its managers has been shown
In subsequent prosperity corresponding
to its increase in expenses. Yet on the next
corner the New York Club is maintained
successfully.
During the period in which these changes
and developments have occurred, clubs OF
all sorts have multiplied in the town. They
have been established by the Roman Cath
olics and by different denominations Of
Professionals. Eating clubs for both profess
sonal and business men have been formed
down town. and are conducted on scale OF
much expense. Many Democratic and Re-
publican clubs lave been started without
affecting the prosperity Of the Manhattan
and the Union League, except to add to it by
serving as nurseries for them. The vast
increase OF the Jewish population and their
growth in wealth have caused the starting
Of Hebrew clubs remarkable for the ele-
gance OF their houses. though the barriers
OF prejudice against the admission OF Jews
OF cultivation to clubs not composed specifi-
cally Of their own race are not now as
strong rs they have been.
The new clubs seem to be prospering
almost invariably. and yet the lists OF appli-
cants for membership in the old show no
diminution. The new are therefore OF the
nature of colonies established to provide for
those who are crowded out of the old by the
limitations OF their membership. The Uni
velsity Athletic Club. for instance. expects
to fill its roll with the overflow from the
parent organization. the younger college
graduates who are impatiently waiting for
admission into club life. sort OF existence
which in these days they seem to crave as a
necessity. or as distinction due to their
merits. Membership In club. moreover,
may be OF practical advantage to very many
young men. II not a means Of actual economy.
Though they can AFFORD cheap and humble
lodgings only. the club offers them a luxu-
rious home wherein they can get we'll
cooked meals at moderate prices. and at
which they can have their addresses and
enjoy congenial companonship and extend
the range Of their acquaintance. This I'M
doubtedly is the explanation of the great
development OF the club during recent years
as feature of the social life OF New York
The wonderful growth OF the popular in
terest in athletic sports. which has occurred
simultaneously. has also made community
OF tastes with regard to them q sentiment
to which Q new club can appeal most sue