The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-12
H CREEK CLUB.
A Unique Organization or which the Late Prof.
Drisier Was n Founder.

If another month had been added to the life of
DR.. Henry Drisler he would probably have been
present at a celebration of the forticth ami
versary of the Greek Club. of which he and DR..
Howard Crosby were the originators in 1857.
This club is the Oldest organization of the kind
in this country.
1t was first talked Of among the scholars who
met frequently in a certain little barber shop
near the old site Of Columbia College. which was
in those days n centre of educational work in
this city. The club wns organized on Dec. 80,
1857, as a classical association OF large scope
with n comprehensive and elaborate constitu-
ton and set of bylaws. 1t was intended TO hold
regular meetings, at which carefully prepared
papers on a variety OF classical subjects were to
be presented and formally discussed; but the
great energy with which the association was
started soon dwindled. After a year or so, all
members who had been presenting their per-
sonal hobbies in their papers were retired. the
constitution, bylaws and formal organization
were given UP as well as all idea of maintaining
ANYTHING like a regular clubhouse, and the pres
ent Greek Club. consisting of less than n dozen
members. began the course upon which it has
been run ever since.
Informal meetings. under leaders selected n
rotation. were held on Friday nights during tho
the exercises consisted OF readings from Greek
authors. The reading for one night was done by
one member. while the rest; each with his own
plantations. and questions were proposed as
often az they suggested themselves to any ono
present, so that. the amount read at a sitting
varied considerably. After about two hours Of
reading and talk the club generally sat down TO
The, cali foi tho first meeting of the season
WINS always issued by Prof. Drislcr. the senior
tho first frosts of winter. From then until the
flowers appeared the meetings were weekly, OK
G %ssti for G %aTs Been IN ha ,h0 c iast few 3%r, yio6; d the
the season hns been shortened a little. There
have, never been any women in tho club. its
membership having been confined TO men OF
rather mature wears. with n solid interest in
classical study. Elections To membership have
been kccnly desired by many. but the member.
ship has rarely exceeded Twelve. That no new
name is remembered 10 have. ever been pro.
posed by any one member to which others have
made objections goes 10 show the perfect har.
nony and good fellowship which have always
existed in the club.
is DIR. Charlton 7. Lewis. After him ONE Col.
William =. Prentice. lawyer; +. c. Whitch0usc.
York University, and among others who are or
have been members may DO mentioned; Robert
Min s1rGnn 1n9FTGa aIG1 u Se' Gb LoT; a. t II tn, 'im cS Sl,o
giate Reformed Church; Austin Siickncy. CLASH
cal edit3g; NJ. Obrrheiser; teacher and business
William Lcggoti, bntnnist; ID. :. EvCrsOn and
J. Sachs, private school masters: j. "A. Morse,
poet; James g. PATTERSON. insurance man and
ington; Horace White Of the Ercning Post. and
trof. Thomas II. Price the Shakcspcprian scholar;
+. ID. Perry, successor of POT. Drisler, and j. Is.
Wheeler Of Columbia College.
1t is the custom of the members to read the
works OF II given author through COnseCutively
They have gone int" the, Hellcnist!c or post.
classical writings Of Polyhius, LuciHn. Strabo.
classical writer's. Homer, Iiesiod. pindar. and
the Other l{riga. wr,'grS. ana .l:schElms, soph'
ThucydideE, Aristotle. and Plato. many OF
whose work. have. 'C.n read again and again.
its founder a; he century clabs on the Hight Of
Prof. Drislor's funeral.