The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-01-06
THE ALEXANDRA CLUB
The FRS, Ladies' Club OF London
Has 900 Englishwomsn as
Members.
Il Was Started Twenty Years Ago
and Has Since Grown
Steadily.
No one Il EuEibls whs wsuid ne Ex'
Guided From the QaesH's Draw
ting Room.

1--WE consider ours Is the first ladies club
IN London" So members Of the handsome
club In Grosvenor street are wont TO assure
the humble outsider. Stress IL must be
understood, is placed on the word ladies,
because the Albemarlc, with which the Al
exandra might be compared, contains mem
bers OF both sexes. And the Alexandrans
do well to be proud Of their club IL was
started % years ago Ii has grown steadily
until the present time, when Il has some 800
members, aud is life. 80 far as can be as
certained, has been untrouhled by momen-
tous incidents, for clubs at least may be
said to be happiest without history.
The superior merits of the Alexandra
must be taken ON trust by gentlemen, who,
together with dogs and such children as can
not remain perfectly quiet. are forbidden to
set foot within the doors Of ~ Grosvenor
street But for all that, one OF two men
servants may be- observed by envious MEM
bers Of their sex, stationed ON the privileged
side Of the portals. The adult female Wis
it0r, however, who presents herself under
proper auspices, will find the drawbridge
raised IN her favor, and she will presently be
IN the heart OF the feminine fortress. step
ping across the hall, she may peep into the
dining room. where she will not fail TO be
duly impressed by that air of staid soiem-
nifty which wine glasses and dinner nap
kins present when set in ordered array for
no visible guests.
Proceeding under the pleasant escort Of
Miss kinnear. the secretary, along the Tur-
key carpeted passages, she will note the
special sanctum of the manageress, who
undertakes all the housekeeping arrange
ments. She will cast a glance az the little
Office where members can interview serv-
ants in absolute privacy, and she will GER
tainly larry awhile in Miss Kinnears own
charming sitting room. Then, after pas
ing dressing rooms and a ground floor bed
room, reserved for elderly or delicate la
dies, she will come TO the reading room,
which has been built at the rear Of the
house TO meet the wants Of the growing so
ciety. Ii Is large reading room. well fur
nished with papers and periodicals, aud
comfortable withal.
But the principal room is tue double
drawing room, which occupies the first
floor. The decoration Is pleasing, without
being particularly striking. There are
plenty of reposeful chairs, and altogether
we see the type of drawing room in which
well born and prosperous English women,
with no special fads-poltioal artistic or
social-are won't 10 be found. This Is rather
a negative description of the Alexandrans.
But we counterbalauce it by an affirmative
statement in saying that they are smart.
OF this fact any one may judge who sees
the very elegant embodiments Of the new
est fashions that are set down from neat
coupes and victorias at the club door.
But there is also a considerable section
who, from preference, are not smart, and
In the matter Of general sociability the
Alexandra would probably yield the palm
to several clubs which comprise women
whose interests are at once vigorous and
tolerably alike. This, however, is not TO
say that much pleasant chat may not be
enjoyed at the Alexandra by small lotteries
Of friends
BY its enactment that mo lady is eligible
who has been OF would probably be pre-
cluded from attending her majesty's draw
ing room" the club laid itself open to some
Quips and did not, as will be seen, succeed
in drawing a line which should entirely
hedge of the gentle from the intrusion Of
the simple, since the phrase probably
would be excluded" leaves an awkward gap
In the barrier The clubs other rule that
ali candidates must be proposed, seconded
and supported by members probably serves
the social purpose more effectually.
The system of club management deserves
notice The proprietorship Of the club is
vested in the finance committee, consisting
OF Lady Vincent as president and five other
ladies. This committee undertakes the en-
tire financial management relieving the
members Of all pecuniary liability, and pub
fishes the annual statement of accounts.
The general committee comprises the mem
bers Of the finance committee as ex officio
members, together with from nine 10 four.
teen others, who are elected originally by
the whole Of the club members. IL is slip
ulated that two OF three should retire an
nually, bat as they are eligible for re-elec-
ton, and as the general committee also re-
serves the right Of filling two vacancies
annually by election among themselves
continuity Of management is secured at
some sacrifice OF direct representation.
Lady Knightley of Fawsley is president
of the general committee. and the club in
cludes among its numerous members Lady
Mary Hervey, Mrs. Byrne, Lady Henley,
the Hon Mrs. Courtney Vernon, Mrs. +.
Cavendish Beutinck, Mrs Quincy Buxton.
Lady +. Spencer Churchill, Mrs. Rider
Haggard, Mrs. Beresford Hope, Lady Emil
ly Fitzmaurice, Lady st. Leonaris, Mrs.
Mackworth Praed and Mrs. Taylor Of Chip
chase
The club gives itself additional distinction
by occasionally electing honorary life mem
bers. This compliment has been paid 70
Mrs Fawcett and 10 Mrs.. Townsend, foun-
dress of the Girls Friendly society.
1t remains TO add that there is excellent
sleeping accommodation at the Alexandra,
tina. the whole building is fitted with cleo.
trio lights, and that both the entrance fee
and the subscription are guineas-Lon-
don Queen.
Prettily Put.