The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-06-18
WITH A BOOM.
Athletic Association Begins
Life Lively.

That the Providence Athletic Associa-
tion is the popular fad Just now has been
already demonstrated.
Its projectors were bound to make il SO,
and some nine hundred men who had the
acquaintance of its projectors had cor
responding confidence that, once estab-
ilshed In its home, the =. A. A. would be
simply "out of sight" as club.
That's what II Is, all lightweight.
lHE NEWS OF Thursday last gave a COM
plete, elaborate and lavishly illustrated
description OF the new club house and
since the opening Of the institution Sat-
urday night, when upward of five thou
sand persons passed through the door, its
beauties and attractions are become the
talk OF the town.
AS THE NEWS informed its readers. the
public could have no idea OF what sort OF
an institution the great establishment
was like without a personal inspection.
Those that visited it found more to sur
prise and delight them than they had
ever dreamed OF.
The fact Is the Association has the most
complete and best appointed club house
in the United States. There is nothing
wanting. Thellhouse and its equipment
are the result of nearly three wears
OF work and study on the part of he yari-
detail has been slighted. The committees
have visited all the big clubs in the East,
including the famous Boston A. c.
the Columbia at Washington, ID. O..
which Is the next latest to the Providence
to be set up, The New York A. c., and
also also the big gymnasiums at Har-
prominent social clubs in New
York and Boston. They have worked
hard and exercised a heap of intelligence.
The result is that every department in
the p. A. A. is right up to date.
ana indeed pronounced not only equal
To but better than any similar
clup can snow. The scheme is big one
and the detail OF 1t is absolutely complete.
The gymnasium outfit of apparatus is
simply unequalled for variety and perfect
ness OF setting up and every feature of the
clubhouse bears the same evidence of
thoroughness and expert consideration.
In It's social aspect the Providence Ath-
l,e 1etlc Association will have no superior.
The large and elegantly appointed dining
room, the tables set off with a particue
iariy handsome service, Is supplied with a
bill OF fare of great eiaborateness
while the prices are so arranged that
club men can breakfast, lunch and dine
most economically, as well as indulge in
as a., much luxury OF feasting as they choose.
The reading room supplies eyery
home and foreign publication that can
be readily thought OF, and access to these
alone is worth good deal more than tho
modest annual dues.
The ladies' department as Il is compre- |
hended, is a unique and special delight.
The wives, sisters and daughters |
OF members have free access TO |
these beautiful rooms and cafes |
without the payment OF any dues what |
,oever, while other ladies may be admitted |
TO the privileges for the matter OF a very |
small fee. There are children's davs /
provided Tor also, when the gymnasium |
and swimming pool privileges will be |
open TO the little ones. All this has few /
in modern club life and the
experiment Is an interesting one
Upward OF one hundred applications
Ior membership have gone in since
he saturday night opening, and the
board OF governors will pass upon them
ionight. The big, broad, democratic ma
ure OF he institution, the moderate dues.
he institution OF the ladies' club and |
he general wholesomeness OF the club
makes II almost a public organization and
'ommand for IL public support beyond
'nything that private means have ever set
W In the city.