The record-union., 1893-06-24
Especial Correspondence of the RECORD
sUNION. Copyright 1898.

UNION. Copyright 1895.
LONDON. June y, 1898.
Beaumont and Fletcher, Jonson, Shake
speare, Goldsmith, DR.. johnson and Bos-
wen, Sir Joshua Reynolds, Addison,
Burke, Steele, Walpole and scores more
famous men of letters and art, in their
time resorted to little, dingy old public
houses for coffee, ale, gaming and eX
change of a sort Of intellectual savagery,
the friction OF which undoubtedly pro-
vided u virile and needful inspiration;
and the history Of these ancient coffee
houses, the forerunners of the great Lon
don clubs of to-day, comprises almost the
social history OF English art and ltera-
ture.
While there are at the present time
more than one hundred wealthy and
noted London clubs, there are really no
resorts answering the same purpose as
'Ton's," WHIPS" and "Button's' of the
Augustan literary period OF Anne. The
Joyful neighborhoOd Of COVent Garden"
as 1hackeray remember it and iniIult-
ably described ii, Is only a joyous neigh
bOrnOOd OF mellow memories; and the
old-ume genial clubland about St. James
palace is transformed into a somber
neighborhood which, like the newer club
lands OF Picadilly and Pail Mall, is op-
pTesslVe III It's splendOr and statelineSS.
OF the very old clubs OF London sulI
existing, like Arthur's, Brooks, W hite's
and The COcOa-tree, all located in st.
James street, Whites is by far the most
noteworthy ana aristocratic. 1t is older
than the Bank Of England. 1t was really
the first of the great English clubs as
they are known to-day. But it was never
the resort OF literary men and wits. 1t is
purely a social club, and Its members
We're chiefly uoblemen and those leaders
OF arlstocratlc government, including
all of England's Prime Ministers from
Walpole to Peel and their powerful col
leagues, who shaped national measures
and controlled natural acquisition. Steele
clearly defined its earliest status as well
that OF the noted "MllPS' and Gree
ian" when he wrote In the Iotler that
all accounts of gallantry, pleasure and
entertainment shall be under the article
of Whites Chocolate House," while
"Wills" was to furnish the poetry and
the Grecian the learning.
Whites is still undoubtedly the most
exclusive ana aristocratic CLUB in the
world. Its windows look out upon the
Corinthian facade of the almost as aristo-
cratic and architecturally more stately
Conservative Club, opposite, on st. James
street. Its dinners are the most ceremo-
niOus known. All OF the old-time Eng
lish formally is here sacredly preserved
And undou bIedly more blue bIooded
Englishmen have ogled fair ladies from
its famous bOW-windOw than from any
other single place in Britain. Perhaps it
has not been the scene OF the most dan
gerous gaming in England, but there is
no other purely social resort in all the
world where betting has been so con-
stant, universal and provoked on so
slight preteXt. Its betting book, which
could be sold for thousands OF pounds for
II hos
preserved and is still III use. Thousands
of these registered bets are of the most
whimsical character, comprising every
conceivable difference of judgment on
affairs OF love, marriage, intrigue and
politics. Here are a few literal transcript
tions with their dates;
Id. Lincoln bets Id. Winchilsea one
Hundred Guineas to nifty guineas that
the Duchess Dowager Of Marlborough
does not survive the Duchess Dowager OF
Cleveland. Octr. ye 5, l743."
Lord Montfort bets Mr.. w. Fanquier
Fifty guineas that Lady Juxon has
child born alive before Lady Burleigh
June S, l749."
'Mr. Baltour bets Lord Coyngham ten
guineas to i've that Bonaparte is alive six
months after the commencement of hos
tllities between England and France
May II, 1906"
Mr.. Talbot bets Charles Cornewan ten
guineas that we are at war with America
this day six months. August l, 1872"
Lord Falmouth bets the Duke OF Rich
mond 10 that an Esquire is qualified to
kill game. February 10, 1925"
Lord Glasgow bets Lord Bentinck elOO
that Sir Robert Peel continues First Min
lister OF the Crown until three years
hence. January p, 1916"
Lord Stanley bets Lord Barth ESQ to e25
that Mr.. Disraei does not continue to be
Chancellor of the EXchequer from this
day until March 10, 1852"
Lord Barth bets Lord de Lisle - that a
Jew Peer takes his seat in the House of
Lords within five years from this date
June Is, 1906"
The political division of London clubs
is most notable with and between the
Carleton ana Reform Clubs, the palatial
headQ Quarters and homes OF the two great
political parties of England. They are
both located IN Pail Mall the windows of
the one almost looking into those of the
other; ana entirely aside from the ire
concIlaDIe disparity OF their political
teachings aud efforts, they are equally as
famous IN their rivalry as to what might
be termed the extravaganza OF modern
club life.
The Duke OF Wellington was founder
OF the Carlton, a little over tiftv wears
ago. Ii gradually became the headGuar-
tiers of the landed aristocracy. Then those
great corporate institutions of Britain
manufacturing and monetary, whose in
terests were identical with those Of the
hereditary aristOcracy, came To have repre-
sentation in il. 1t Is notable fact that
more money has always been instantly
available through the Carlton Club for
political purposes than through any other
single party influence IN Europe.
Whether IN or out OF power it is the
actual fighting headquarters of the entire
Conservative or Tory party OF Britain.
The dignity and grandeur of the Carlton
are splendid. The exterior of the build
ing is most imposing. Massiveness,
strength, simplicity ana splendor speak
from the granite walls and flashing col
umns. The interior is grand, grave.
stately and impressive. Rock -rooted''
the structure, appointments, regime and
the very manner, air. dress and language
OF the habitues, seem TO convey. But the
splendid establishment is sombre and
dull, ana only during general elections or
in times of great political excitement are
there flash and go OF d stirring character
about the tine, nrm place. Then an on
locker is made 10 know strength that has
tremendous outreachings; power which
is mighty ii often silent; and 10 feel al
most a thrill of admiration for the very
adamantine character OF those men and
measures in England that have, by
simply clutching, holding and warding,
gained so much and so long.
The Reform Club is about sixty years
old. It's origin was through the infiu-
once OF Golden and Bright, and was d.
rect national response TO pressing need
for reform headquarters during the IN
tense interest awakened by the famous
bill of Is30-32. Its members comprise
more London and provincial editors and
political writers than perhaps belong to
all other clubs in London. but IL mas
tremendous wealth and many Titles IN us