The herald., 1898-01-09
ENGLISH CLUBS
AHEAD OF OURS.
Members Do More and Talk
LeSS-.-"PiOneer" and "SO-
rOsis" Compared.
ROYAL PATRONS.
Club Houses Where Every Menu
Der Has Her Own Re-
ceiving Day.

| modern progress of women. They are
told delicately, politely, perhaps, but
nevertheless there is no denying the
fact. Naturally, after a time, the Eng
lish woman comes to regard herself in
these matters as a most unprogressive
sort of person. Meanwhile the Amer
ican woman has been held up by the
non-conservative portion of the Eng
lish press as an example to English wo-
men of the self-reliant, independent,
all-around desirable creature.
In view of this state of affairs it may
seem somewhat hazardous for the
writer to take up cudgels in defense of
| the English woman, and to assert that
| the English woman is not behind. but
ahead of her American cousin when i.
comes to real, honest, helpful work
among her kind.
| Woman's work for women can only
be gagged by the clubs and various in
stitutions originated for and main
tanned by women. In New York, the
most progressive American city, there
are many clubs of the social kind for
women, but few of the practical, help
full kind of which there are so many in
London.
| SOROSIS CRITICISED.
| For instance, in New York Sorosis is
the club most talked of, and member
ship in it is a thing greatly to be de-
sired from an American standpoint.
What are the functions of Sorosis? AS
| far as the writer can ascertain, they
are purely social
Sorosis tells it's members that the
pressure of everyday life in New York
| is high, and it reads papers upon the
best method of reducing this high pres
sure. But, while it's theories are, per-
haps, good Sorosis does not furnish it's
members with ways and means with
| which to reduce this pressure, a do
| the "unprogressive" English clubs.
Soross has no building, no home
nothing more practical than theories to
offer it's weary members.
Who are the officers and women most
talked of in connection with this fash
ionable club? Certainly not the strug-
Cling women of New York; not the wo-
men who have need of just such things
as Sorosis should supply them with
The wives of rich men control Sorosis;
the wives of rich men, as a rule, enjoy
what benefits there are to be derived
| from such club. Yet every American
woman in London cites Sorosis as an
illustration of American club life for
women.
P. w. L. IS MORE PRACTICAL.
| The Professional Woman's League is
more practical, more on the lines of the
English clubs; yet it falls far short of
the same sort of club in London in real
helpfulness. The Professional Woman's
League not only theories, but it puts
some Of it's theories into practice. Its
J ~ .t1 l,,.,,1 -
house when they please-at least, so !
am informed. They can write their let
ters there and, under certain condi-
tions, can receive their friends there.
The Professional Woman's League is
made up chiefly of struggling women.
not of ladies of leisure and I am told
that, under certain circumstances,
when a member gets into trouble. SUBJ
stantial help is rendered. Yet the OBJ
jects of the club are mainly social, not
broadly humanitarian.
There are also several smaller and
less pretentious clubs for artists and
working women in New York which
have practical aims, and which in most
cases attain them. The girls club in
connection with Grace Church is do
ing particularly good work, and the
work is done without noise or ostenta-
tious display.
The newspaper women of New York
have a club which has been in exist
ence eight years, and has now, if the
writer is correctly informed, a MEM
bership of only 1913.
LONDONS FOREltOST CLUB.
The Pioneer Club Of Bruton street,
London, is the foremost club for women
in England. The clubhouse is a mag
nificent private dwelling, located in a
convenient yet aristocratic quarter, for
Bruton street leads off Berkeley square,
one of the select residential quarters of
| London.
| The home has it's liveried servants
and other appointments, such as one
finds in aristocratic homes in England
or Europe. The drawing rooms are
enormous in size; much Of the furni-
ture is antique, the tapestries are al
most priceless, and the bric-a-brac is
worth a small fortune. The tea-room
and dining rooms are large, and are
writing rooms, library, cloakroom, re-
ception room, and two floors of this
great house are used exclusively for
sleeping rooms.
The membership Of the club exceeds
8, 900, and includes journalists, authors,
artists, actresses, women Of leisure
mothers of families, and many noted
society ladies. The dues are only e5
($25) year.
PRACTICAL WORK
The object of the Pioneer Club Is mu-
tual help, and, of course, broader de-
velopment for women. One of the
Pioneers methods Of helpfulness is that
of bringing together on it's public days
those of it's members who are pro-
ducers and those of it's members and
guests who are consumers.
In other words, the unemployed jour-
nalist is introduced to the well-known
editor; the illustrator who needs more
work, is introduced to the author and
editor; the artist is commended to fu-
ture patrons; the actress is introduced
to Henry Irving, Forbes Robertson. and
Others OF the kind, who can give her a
helping hand in her profession.
No matter how poor or how unfortun-
ate the member may be, an introduce
ton to the most honored guest is her
right, and some member of the receiv-
ing committee will see to it that the in
PRODUCTION, with some kindly speech.
takes place. Thus are brought togeth-
er those who need help-and there are
few of us that do not some time during