New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-04-02
THE OLD-TIME LITERARY GA1n@"1""'
WRITER'S WHO USED TO MEET AT ONE AN
OTHERS HOMES NOW GO TO THE CLUB.


OTHERS HOMES NOW GO TO THE CLUB.
What has become OF the old-time literary gnther'
inp7 There was a time. and not so iohe a6o '
men with gray in their hair cannot ren'e'"e. ~
when ON certain evenings OF the week ut cer'a'"
houses I'm This city writer's met and enjoyed lie US
:, seomed best TO them. Richard Watson Glider nhu
sucb gatherings at his home and those who atehaeu
them Will tell you that they were as ehIoyapie 10
ANYTHING that the "mOdern age has Drought ih'o
vogue.
There were In those days other places OF gathenna
than the homes of men who maze ther hV'"t' W
wrltinc-restaurants downtown where they went ior
tbe,r luncheons ate Il chop and drank nle OF any
thing else which they preferred and could Afford ahd
a. Tbackcray would say rode their hobby horses uh'h
they were lame enough TO drop Further "p'o""
tberc were other resorts where the same occupation
went OIL In them were always to be found groups
which came as regularly the day. new hs"'
would blaze forth there or an old one "ouiu " "''
occasionally but the group was thing which went
In those DAYS New-YOrk was not sprawllng all over
Manhattan Island, the Annexed District ana west
chester County with colonies In New-Jersey anu u"
LING island II was easier get to favorite meeting
poces then despite the fact New.fork was innocent
Of "Rapd Transit Men OF kindred occupations we''
nearer together I'm the field Of their WORK Ihey
were nearly all far enough south on the island 10 DE-
IN what would now be called downtown New YORK.
xou those same people or those who follow In their
footsteps are living and working over the ~"oe
island and good deal Of territory which Is not on
the Island. This In part accounts Tor the soc'a'
scattering OF the tribes. 80
But there is another explanation. II Is the club.
More sins ar. laid whether justly or not. at the
door of the club than tina. OF any other INSTITUTION
Of the day, with the single exception OF the Dhgh,"s
poroom People who ought to know declare ina.
tie club Is responsible for more things lett uhdohe
than could De- recounted. II Is such comfor'ao'e
poce-a good place to read n good place to SMOKE
a good place 10 sit around perhaps 10 hod' pu' INV
club Of to-day Is not a lively place. not good place
IA saw wood II Is too wen bred and too dccorous
The club wears evening dress ana Is excessively
formal. II IS the fn-dc-secc' dandy and very
popular dandy-among men,
Politicians have gone 50 lar as 10 say 'ua' 'he
club has killed politics, they know IL ana me IT,
Instead of going to he primaries men 60 to the cihp
instead Of voting at the district organizations they
MAY billiards al the club: Instead Of going out anu
drumming up the votes election day they SIT
I'm the club smoke good cigars. and discuss reiorn'
That /, the new way, they declare, VI becoming
statesmen.
w.l perhap, In. club has done all that has been
G arced ag inst II and perhaps II mas not b"'
there Is one accusation which II must face IL MS
mad. the literary gatherings at homes thing OF the
MIST Writer'S Ike men In other professions, ave
tb,Lr clubs, There they go and there they enjoy the
luxurrs OF life In a luxurious fashion. "nrh
w,,t,r ON SIX DAYS In the week in little black
walled room, with II dusty ceiling alb,st the mugs
.horo rl, crystal and drank ale. he was IA lively
.. good fellow on the seventh evening when h. met
b, friend, and lis friends wives and sisters ut the
hmm, 81 ON. of them. Whatever was brght ana
humorous was then shared with Il fair division ana
no tithcs for the church or the state. mat WIS
what gave to these receptions or entertainments or
gatherings or Whatever you please TO call thein' Il
sn,rhle Il pleasure and "A fascination not fu!ly 10 be
runcci with any substitute Of the present Gag ana
fashion H., 4, said TO The credit Of all clubs that
literary men, and Artists and musicians for That mat
Tor ara, I'm their clubs just like other cubmen They
like m. pleasant corners the most comfortable CHAIRS
the best walters the best lights for reading ana tue
most Trustworthy cigar in the clubhouse. Ihey nhd
# lust as pleasant put In an evenings LOAF NJ
+ .. club ~ ans one else finds NJ his club; And TINT
Is why the reminiscent man, VINO r'mrhip,s NV o'u
,tl.rirus and VINO sometimes gels urtd oil his easy
enair IN The club. threw away his ognr the o''cr
day ana said testify - . no.,
We have our fashions In women's gowns ana Don
nets and In mems Ovcrcoats hats and Ties. We once
thought the crinoline gown fashion very good incy
say 20 have II again. All thc nsnlo'' Vi w.,
come bar. 10 us to remind us OF our youth where
Is the crlnchn" fashion q iiteranrr wan! 20 .Is
az this club I'm tired OF our dinners. I'm never
gong 70 listen To another speech delivered mere IN
noy, going TO listen TO another poem Teaa mere.
I nm Waiting for the writer who Will bring our
crinoine fashion back. I'd do II myself II could
Then he lighted another cigar, found another chair
and another corner and any one IN me ana arr s,S
Come lets 20 around TO the scribbiers' ms :,
their night you know" no doubt he wond nave
Knocked the ashes of his cigar ana Wouid m'.e
answered with comfortable draw: I'm very eoni-
'' That Is what the demorazing club does.