The San Francisco call., 1895-11-17

posing. You see only small, low wooden
door mum bered 131. 1t is only from the
opposite side of the street that you can see
portion of the roofs, and here and there
few French chimney pots.
In front of the door is the concierge s
all-trades, who by right of his position and
the license of freedom granted him has
become a veritable despot.
Within all is plain and substantial. The
picture gallery is of good size and has a
glass roof with sliding curtains. The
walls are covered with sober cloth which
shows off the pictures displayed to the
best advantage.
Concours for prizes are held here
monthly. These are friendly, but exciting
times. The works exhibited, whether
paintings or pieces of sculpture, are num-
bered and voted upon by ballot. The vote
is taken upon the five best. The money
for the prizes is obtained by voluntary con-
tributions. The prize pictures become the
property of the association and are perma-
nently hung in the parior.
This parlor is quite filled with the art
decorations of the students. He who
wishes to have hand in the decorations
must apply to the art committee for
"spaces.' In this room are held the i'm
promptu concerts, lectures and receptions.
The library and reading-room are well
fitted up with good selection of works
upon art, periodicals. magazines and comic
papers. 1t is a low, cozy place, warm in
winter, and makes good lonnging place
In dark weather.
The restaurant is still making a-history.
First it was run on cooperative plans. The
fellows were to pay so much per meal and
guarantee to come so many days week.
The cook was hired and the system began.
1t didn't work. Some came, many did not
There was nothing to be relied upon.
After three months trial of the above
system restaurateur was put In charge
Rooms, kitchen, stove and light were his
free of charge, and he agreed to furnish the
best food for the smallest possible amount
OF cash. Ali went merrily during the win
ter By the time it closed in June the
portions had dwindled into microscopic
atoms.
When it opened again in November a
woman was at the helm. She did her own
cooking, which was good. The concierge
and his wife were walters. But she did
not stay long, and now for some time past
the concierge and his wife have been doing
the honors and making the most profit.
The food is indifferently cooked and more
indifferentlv served.
The garden is quite the pleasantest part
OF 1t all. 1t runs some 15O feet parallel
with the Boulevard Montparnasse. A few
Oiu tlccS are SCdttereu duoue dAu Pieuty
OF vines and bushes run riot near the
walls.
The expenses are paid for by subscrip-
ton, outside of the sums paid in fees. The
house and grounds cost 1000 francs ($1400)
year. The running expenses per month
amount to 1000 francs $4,000. The income
OF the club is 5000 francs ($6OO) year.
These few figures tell their own story.
Each student pays $4 a year for privi-
leges OF heat, lights and paper for letter
writing, which are worth in cold money
exactly $40. Other professions than the
artistic are welcomed. They help to rub
Off the sharp edges of narrowness and
egotism.
The entertainments at the club are COM
paratively few, socially speaking, but
quite enough for the edifcation OF the
members. Several times during the win
ter the men don their best bib and tucker,
invite their lady friends and dance. To the