Evening star., 1896-08-22
was an improving spectacle to youth.
Smoking ParfleA.

It was at ''The Gardenia" that the prac-
tice. now universal in high-class night
clubs of having smoking parties originat-
ed. Once a week the best music hall per-
formers and even stars from the regular
stage were called In, to make finer enter
tainment than could be seen in any public
amusement place. For long time no wo-
men were honorary members. with the ex-
ception of about dozen privileged ones
In all other cases women were obliged to
come with members; and the class Of
girls was that of the "Gayety" type. bur-
lesaue actresses. chorus girls and flgur-
antes. together with a large number of fair
ones living in their own villas. neither
toiling nor spinning. Nevertheless MEM
bers had a right to bring in whom they
pleased. and many availed themselves OF
the privilege. The tendency was ineyita-
BILE. Other smart clubs of the same char
acter rose and declined, THE Carnation." :"
1.-THE Poppy" and 1.-The Nell Gwynn." The
history of one is the history of all, and
perhaps their best freQuenters would not
have 1t otherwise.
Anybody gets up night club. You nave
had one example of gentleman doing 1t
in the case Of Dudley Ward. Ordinarily
it is an adventurer with little capital
The secretary is regularly broken-down
swell, and the committee Is composed OF
men with good names. small or large
building Is hired. The situation must De
fairly central, near the clubs and places OF
amusement. and, above all. where there
are no neighbors to complain, near q large
shop or church. ''The Mandolin" In Baker
street, was out of the way. but it was en-
the road to st. Johns Wood, where many
of these ladies live. ''rhe Alsatians" is in
Oxford street; 1.-The Regent'-now a gam
bling "helr'-is in Regent street; The Sup
per Club is just off Piccadilly; The Car
melian" is near Oxford street, and The
Spooferies" is in Maiden Lane. At the
present moment THE Alsatians' Is by tar
the most aristocratic of the lot.
Entering the Club.
You walk down little entrance hall by
the side Of a shop, and you are met by
swinging doors with 1.-THE Alsatians"
painted on them. The doors swing freely.
and you meet barrier in the shape OF a
burly porter in a gorgeous uniform, who
makes it clear to you that only membere
are admitted. What would happen should
| a stranger in evening dress present him.
self and say: Il wish to become member
tonight; here Is my entrance fee OF five
pounds" Is a subject that would stand de-
batting. Perhaps he would get in. Sup
posing that you are with member, you
merely sign your name in a book.
Standing by the visitors book Is the sec.
| rotary, and behind the secretary there is
the cloak and hat room. You walk up
splendid staircase, as II you were goine
into a swell private house. Around the
staircase there runs kind of balcony. and
everywhere there are decorations OF now.
ers and ferns. The ladies' cloak and toilet
room Is to one side, with every possible
requisite from curling irons to hairpins
Passing the sacred spot one comes to
big bar. the only give-away OF THE AL
satians." I have been told by an American
that he was fifteen minutes IN the ball
room before he discovered exactly where
he was.
But in the bar room there Is no mistak-
ing. And were 1t needed for the minds
enlightenment, there is beside the bar q