The sun., 1895-03-31

sions. and such merchants and professional rsn.
would naturally be attracted by such a club"
Meiolotos but 1t was thought that this would
convey the impression that the orgn nization was
upon. Tire club adopted for lis motto This coup.
"t from Iennyson's Lotos Eaters:
In s. the sstsrnoon tbs came unto land
:, The frst officers OF the club were De Witt Van
President; Aibert Wiener, Treasurer: George ".
low, Secretary, and Montgomery schuyler
OF, and Harold w. Brakeman. Directors. IL LII
The in Initiation fee was placed at $50 for the
hrh 100 members. As the rent, OF the first club
% . wa. Hfss ssdS dos TO the hs4s s
were no FUNDS to draw upon for the Furnishing
issue bonds shy Gr sSs JG
House Committee. having three fnors to fur.
floor. rented out the uprer stories Of The clGS
house in unfurnished rooms to members and
thus the Club made jig modest start on its lnin-
terruptedly successful career. From the house
warming the social tone OF the club was taken,
and this has never been devia;cd from. IT was
recreation. of music and song aod art. The first
President died before he had completed years
Y M osy then .yo o
frat suggestions was that the CLUB members
should have social ente.tainT,nents in their
klderkin. from published Brief History OF the
Lotos Club these facts are obtained:
Thus came about the Lotos Saturday Nights
which have been feature of the CLUB ever since.
Pictures. music, vocal and INSTRUMENTAL: Illus
trated lectures. drawing and painting contests
against time, recitations. aud nearly every other
form OF evcntng entertainment known to tho
footlights In modern times have been witnessed
in the parlors of the Lotos ut its Saturday night
entertainments. On Dec. 22. 1870. the club
passed n resolution authorizing the acceptance
of works Of art from artists for their initiation
fees. This Ia still in force and has had an i'm
portant influence in maintaining the status OF
the Lotos "a All art club"
The good fellowship and conviviality OF the
ners. and at Lotos Club dinners scores OF pro m
tnent Americans. and probably m equal number
of foreigners prominent In art and literature
have been entertained by tho club The first
formal dinner 70 an invited guest was in honor
of samuel J. Tilden; the second to Jaaues Often
bach. who found no difficulty in establishing
acquaintanceship and perfect understanding
with his entertainers. altnough he did not speak
q word of English. His eloquent shoulders.
hands. aud eyebrows and his speaking piano
expressed all that he wishe to say to his hosts.
Mr.. Elderkln writes: The parlors Of the
modest house on Irving place on the occasions of
entertainments were crowded with men
whose presence would have lent distinc-
tiUn to any company. The club house had be-
come the common meeting ground in the city
Distinguished foreigners and nonresident t
Americans were welcomed to its privileges and
courtesies. There was prevalent IreemaSonry
and camaraderie which made every one who
entered its hospitable doors at home: and with
all the rollicking humor ana banter there were
ship and good manners. Mark Twain. in his
speech ut one Of the early dinners. set the key
for n good deal of the sarcastic drollery which
prevailed on many occasions. He said that he