The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1894-12-29
LONDON lotteries.

The lIaschisch Club is not known by
that name to its members, nor to the Lon
don directory, but that will serve as well
as any other. This club is ii coterie of
foolish young men. which occasionally
holds meetings in order to indulge in has
chisch-an Oriental drug something of the
nature OF opium, Of which the effects are
very similar Those who have read the
scene in the cavern at Monte Cristo can
imagine what goes on at these symposa.
The room where they take place is filled
up in Oriental fashion, and the walls are
lined with comfortable divans and arm
chairs. Reclining III these, the members
of the club partake Of certain ulobules
which are handed round. When the drug
begins to work they fall into a motionless
delirium, during which they enjoy visions %
the most enhancing character, and imagine
themselves the heroes Of the most deliyht-
full adventures. the club, in fact, exists
merely to enable Il few foolish bows to in
dulge in a drlctcrlOus habit which they do
not wish to become known to their friends.
Another queer circle is what | will call
the King OF the Occult. This is not ex-
gularly once week at the house of one
of the leading members, in order to narrate
and discuss supernatural experiences and
illustrate the occult sciences by actual az
hibitlUns. The experiences may be rough
ly described as ghost stories narrated
by believers, who affect semi-sclentilic in
crcdullty, which they obviously do not feel
and the manifestations take the form Of
spirit writing, mesnerism, crystal gazing
palmistIy ana other parloT magic | suallv
there are several distinguished amateurs
present, and on the last occasion that was
there there was Il real adept from India,
who did extraordinary things. The num-
Der OF the audiences vary very consider
ably from time to time, but the list of
regular and limited to give tins coterie the
semblance OF "A club. still it has no club
premises and no club existence beyond
what is decmbed above.
The MaSquers' Club, on the other hand,
is regular amateur dramatic club, which
exists only tor the purpose OF giving dra-
matte representations. hcse take place.
as a rule, in drawing rooms lent for the oc-
casiOn. The taste OF the club inclines di-
rcctly in the direction OF the lighter forms
OF the drama, such as comic opera burlesque
pastoral play and comedy OF to-day. The
performances are always private and so
closely is this rule observed that the club
refuses to pay for the benefit OF charities.
The Gallery Club is ii musical club, but
though it numbers many excellent musi-
clans among its list oil members, it does
not give musical performances IN its cor
poraUe capacity. ON the contrary, it hires
leading musicians to perform ON club
nights for the entertainment OF members.
These concerts take place IN the biz room
OF Il well known picture gallery, which is
arranged with chairs for the evening like
concert room. Smoking is allowed, re-
ireShlnentS are provided, ana those menu
bers who do not care for music can stroll
about in the other rooms, and amuse
themselves with conversation, on ny nspec-
ton Of the pictures which are on exhibit
ton. The meetings take place on Sunday
evenings during the spring and summer
seasons, and also for "a short time in the
,,.i,, last .,1 II
The Cosmopolitan is ii small and eXclu-
sive society, which meets twice a week in
the evening, simply Tor the purpose OF con-
vcrsation and discussion, 1t is recruited
largely from politicians and thinkers of
various kinds, and the evenings are decid-
eddy intellectual.