The sun., 1894-12-16
NEW MANHATTAN 4. O. OPENED.
The Handsome Club House Crowded with
Enthusiastic Members.

The doors of the new Manhattan Athletic
Club at Forty-fifth street and Madison avenus
were thrown wide open last night to admit ths
crowd that thronged TO the inaugural reception.
After sleeping for nearly two years the hand
some building walked mp last uight to the hum
of many voices. the tread of many feet, and the
cink OF many glasses. As the name implies
everything Is under new management, and from
tho success of the opening the club bids fair to
continue on a sound basis.
The For Rent" signs that have so long dis
figured the exterior Of the building were re-
moved some days ago, and last night 1t was
difficult to imagine that any such signs were
ever there. Flags draped the front OF the build
in z in a waving, nuttering mass Of color.
At tho corner tower q hugo .Cherry Dia-
mond " in red electric lights glared out in ruddy
welcome. The many windows Of the building
were ablsze with lights, and even the lamps in
the carriages in the street below added their
share.
arriving before o'clock. At the doorway stood
servant in wonderful uniform Of blue.
porters and walters stood inside TO show the
way to hat and coat rooms. The formal SER
vices OF opening took place in the theatre on the
There on the stage sat the otIlce;rs, backed up
minutes broke forth with the tunes s Of the day.
At sap ocioos s al the s sests and the gallery h
rose to make the opening address.
Chauncey NJ. Depew was to hnyo presided but
he sent regrets at not being able to he present.
Gen. James welcomed the members and guests
TO the club. and spoke earnestly on the success
that should crown the life Of the new under
taking. He was heartily applauded: Speeches
by Cornelius Van Cott, George w. Proctor
band blared out again.
The scenes below in the smoking and billiard
rooms were as full of movement as an ant hill.
The crowd increased every minute, and every
was In good humor. The billiard tables
were occupied from almost the time the doors
were opened and other tables near by. the small
round ones, were just as well patronized.
The servants OF the club are handsomely unl-
formed In a costume similar to the British
lancer. The coats are brilliant crimson and only
reach to the waist. The trousers are black and
tight. These relocated creatures lodged in and
about the rooms, giving pleasing touch of color
TO tho mass Of black coats and white shirt
bosoms.
Those more quietly inclined Of the members
sought the reading room. and there look ed over
the papers and listened casually to- the buxzing
came the booming of ten-pin balls laundering
along the alleys, and In deep contrast TO tho
nervous click OF billiard globes.
The crowd overran the building, looking into
every nook and Granny. Many Of the present
members were enrolled In the lists OF the old
club, but they went about just for old acquaint-
anCe's sake.
Tho main features OF tho new club are sub
stantially those OF the old one. The gymnasium
and rooms up stairs are the same, save for n
Frightening touch here and there. The sleep
ing rooms have been thoroughly renovated and
retitted and a great deal OF new apparatus has
been added to the gym"