New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-01-20
WHERE THE LAMBS GAMBOL.
THE ACTORS SOCIAL ORGANIZATION.


city Of New-York is the Lambs Club, which has
now existed for severai years 1t Is a purely
bohemian club, based upon the idea of bringing
together representatives OF art, music. drama.
literature and the like. An organization bearing
the title Of the Lambs was founded as early as
1874 Among those identified with 1t were Henry j.
Montague the actor so long associated with Wal
lacks old theatre now the Star Theatre at Broad
way and Thrteenth-st; also Harry Beckett, Arthur
Wallack and George III. Mclean. The first quarters
occupied by the Lambs in 1874 and 1875 consisted
Of APARTMENTS in the Union Square Hotel. In 1876
tho headouarters were transferred TO No SiS Broad
way 1t while here that in the spring of 1877
the members became duly Incorporated a club
Two of the original corporators still identified with
the Lambs were James NJ Holland and John A.
Stow
In 1879 the organization moved to East Sixteenth
st year later to No. 81 West Twenty -sixth-st..
where II remained until 1892. when the members
established their fold at No. s West Twenty ninth
s.; In 1893 they acquired long lease of the house
at No % West Thrty-first-st. and there they con-
tinue TO have their home
AS rule all the social and political clubs of
the city have their chief officers president,
secretary treasurer steward and so on Ihe
innocent nature Of the personality of the LAMBS
suggested new names for their care;akers. so. in
stead of electing president, they chose shepheiu
Then they selected what Is known as the boy
who is always an auxiliary TO a flock OF iainos'
and who is the next functlonary. in point of au-
thori,y and honor. to the shepherd Inc TRADITIONS
Of every fold of the innocent creatures known as
lambs render indispensable the existence OF a dog;
but to call a man a dog. or to call lamb a
dog sounds heartless But there Is much ingenuity
among the members of this club. and in order to
overcome the difficulty, and in view of the fact that
the species of dog known as the collie is poetcaly
supposed least TO be the chief quadruped com
panion of the shepherd and the boy and as this
auxiliary to the fold expected to perform the
lpf, ~
members were inclined TO go astray. member was
chosen for this function and was denominated the
collie, his duties being to take general charge of
the Lambs and to provide for their entertainment
The newly elected member is known as the lambkn
Difference is always paid to the oldest sheep I'm
the fold. This post of honor just now is occupied
by John p Miley. while John A Stow is known as
the dean OF the fold.
Among the earlier officers OF the club were Mr..
Montague. Mr.. Beckett. Lester wallack and John
A. Stow. Lester Wallack shepherd In 1873. Mr..
Beckett elected that position in 1879: William
j. Florence In 1882; Lester Wallack recalled TO
the place in 1884: John r. Brady filed the place in
1883. Then he followed by Edmund NJ. Holland,
who on his retirement. was succeeded by Clay NJ.
Green. who now continues manipulate the crook.
John Drew boy in 1884. and Henry F.. Dixey in
1856 and 1856. Three years subsequently the late
Steele Mackaye held the place of boy.
Among the weknown clubmen who have served
on the council of the Lambs Richard NJ. Young,
Henry c. Mortimer. Jules A. Montant, A. Bel
mont Purdy. Valentine a. BlaCque. Allen W. Evarts.
David Croker NJ. V. b. Davis Gilbert NJ. Speir.
jr. A. Wright Sanford. Thomas b. Clark. Edward
+. Begelow Clarence l.. Collins. William G. Morse.
Vanderbilt Allen. Norman Cross. John Gisey.
Samuel Bancroft. jr.. and c. y. Wemple.
In the lis; of actors living and dead are the names
OF Edmund NJ. Holland. John Gilbert, Henry Ed
wards. John II. Reilly Otis Skinner. John Drew.
Nelson Wheatcroft. Edward Arnot Joseph J. Hol-
land William H. Crane. Paul Arthur Sydney
Rosenheld William II. Mcdonald and Henry c.
Henry Irvings name Is in the list OF honorary
members Arthur Waaek is the s only other hon on
Frederick p. Barton William j.. Florence, William
ern. A. Wright Sanford. Frank Worthwhile and
Among the present members who take an active
MsuTce b hs pg5y
Francis Carlisle Eugene Gowies Henry ~ re f.
R P c hc joseph Nat De- Hpp
TSsePh M Wilton o bacfays Mason George Ms
+. Nash. Chauncey Olcoi George Rgnoid stuart .n,,
Robson sydney KosenfeId John g. Savhls. cyri,
+. Wilder, Hubert Wilke and Henry woodford.
sSme Of he H Tef%SG cnr are 3ane
lam Cutting jr, Edward Du Niyier NJ W. LIVING
Schuyler. George Stow, Edward L. Wempie and
Lambs. whether bipeds or quadrupeds. must now.
and then indulge in gambols. These entertainments
consist occasional
son. sonnets are prepared by the members ana
period . public gambo is given AT one OF the
theatres, the tickets of admission being distributed
command sometimes high price when outsiders
desire 10 share In one OF these entertainments
sum for TIE seating capacity OF the theatre but
agSee to take so many tickets. say at $40 each. and
distribute them among those OF their acquaintance
and friends whose attendance Is desirable. Some
gambols. which exclusively for the benefit OF
the club. Much amusement is afforded by the
feature Of what is known the annual confession:
which is coincideni with the gambol Individual
members are required on these occasions 10 confess
In public their eccentricties OF conduct In the ca
Another ceremony associated with the institution
Is the annual washing Of the fold This In the pas
flock The ceremony has frequently taken place
Wallack's Island up the Sound. Here the lambs
their occupations Will permit. and during the hours
of daylight the service OF washing the interior OF
prepares the system for the ordeals OF evening.
IT Is at night and in the glow Of flaming torches ana
together and 10 Toggh the fSrm OF d
for the occasion.
The Lambs when in the fold are POSSESSED Of
Ioving-cup 1t Is loving-cup with three handles. II
who is drinking from the cup is unable (by
10 hold II by two OF its handles: he can always find
friend able to take hold Of the third handle and
ISOLATED win the passing OF ~ loVlHg-cup Is the
fact that when an actor. for Instance. is starring
in g. distant city on particular night OF the cere-
mony, he telegraphs that the cup may be filled for
the benefit OF his associates in the fold. and so he
thus into their special remembrance. IF 1t Is
good season Of town. and many members OF
the club are playing the cup Is always kept well
filled and constantly on It's rounds.
Some time ago, when times were better than they
are now. there little extravaganza In the
housekeeping OF the Lambs which resulted In sad
ding the club with considerable debt Efforts
were made. successfully to at least temporarily re-
move this burden. and negotiations were entered
INTO with creditors resulting in an arrangement
uhcer which the latter should receive 30 l3 per cent
on dollar. In order contribute 10 this
enc twenty life memberships created. The