The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-10-04

RIDING AND
DRIVING CLUB
It has Attractive Quarters
in Suburbs.
A PICTURESQUE SPOT.
city's Brick and Mortar Will Soon
Cover II, However.
A PICTURESQUE SPOT.
GREAT CLUB FOR THE LADIES.

NEW YORK, Oct. 4.--[Special. l-Thcse
are great days for the members OF the
Suburban Riding and Driving club, whose
home is away, away up town, miles north
oil the heights whereon stand the now
Columbia university buildings, St. Luke &
hospital and the beginnings Of tho 60 be
most wonderful cathedral Of st. John the
Divine
There are probably / 900, 900 persons
living and working on Manhattan Island
who have never heard OF this club and
possibly as many who have no idea W hat
ever OF the picturesque beauties OF the
part OF tho island where the clubhouse
stands. Yet a moro charming spot il
would he hard TO find anywhere on this
green old earth.
On Depot Lane.
Depot Lane is a narrow, little known
thorougnfarc that takes its name from the
fact that its beginning is in the vicinity
OF far up town station on that spur of the
New York Central railroad over which
freight and a few trainloads of local pas
sengers are carried down the western side
OF the island. From the Hudson's edge
the lane climbs the steep hill leading TO
the summit Of the middle plateau, runs
ends at one Of the avenues running north
and south. The Suburban Riding and
Driving clubhouse is about midway be-
tween the beginning and tho ending of
the lane, set in the midst Of smooth
shaven lawn and surrounded by noble old
trees through whose green leaves and
sturdy branches the most delightful vistas
OF river and rocks and swelling green hills
arc visible
Though the clubhouse Is n comparative
ly cheap frame structure, itsspotless white
walls and grsNeful lines make IL lit with
the scheme OF the landscape perfectly, and
Its faultless interior appointments and
perfect service make IL the most ideally
rcstful resort within Manhattan's bound
aries
And In its way IL il one of the towns
most exclusive social organizations, since
whose would become member Of it must
not only bo agreeable to those already be-
longing but also possessed OF mt least one
good driving nag. Few of the Four Hun
dred so called, however, are on its lists.
Those who belong to this club are largely
TammaDy folk, Wall street men and those
personally interested In racing Thus, Col
onei Lawrence Kip, president OF tho Coney
Island Jockey club. and Nathan Strnus,
brother OF the new minister TO Turkey, is
a mcmber, and 30 arc George Ehret, the
big brewer; the Bonner boys, sons of
Robert, Tho Ledger man and friend of
Beecher In his prime; Colonel Appleton,
the publisher; Hugh J. Grant former |
mayor; Vanderbilt Cross and tho like.
Great Club For the Ladies.
Every member of the Suburban Riding |
and Driving club is enthusiastic whenever |
be has an opportunity to dilate upon its |
good points, but Colonel Kip is perhaps
moro wrapped up I'm it's success than any |
Of his fellow members. The colonel, in
deed, would rather talk of the club than
Of racing or prize taking at the big Mad
lson Square horse show. His greatest
pride In the organization comes from the |
fact that the wives and sisters and moth
ers and daughters Of It's members enjoy
It's cool and airy rooms, it's broad verandas,
It's velvet lawn and it's romantic surround
ings so much.
But IL should not be understood that
the house lacks any Of the comforts craved
oy the most seasoned clubman OF political,
Wall street or turf proclivities. It's chef is
up IN all matters gastronomical, the head
u its department of liquids knows every
hing worth knowing about rare wines
L
" his profession, and what it's stablemen
md drivers don't know about horses is
,ardly worth the knowing.
In the summer time all these minister
most gratefully every late afternoon and
vening 10 the comfort of such members
70 remain In town during the heated sea.
on, and the daily attendance IL enthusi-
stic IL not large. In the early fall. when
he preliminary bite OF the coming frosts
, in the air and the vacationers are begin
ing to flock homeward, the house grows
, favor cvery day. And this timo OF the
BAR IL Is the most popular place in all
ew York TO those who have the right to
o there. IL 10 just the spot, they say, for
inner following an afternoon spin over
10 macadam reaches OF the beautiful
dge road, the smooth stretches of the
)eedway, the asphalted levels and slopes
Fifth avenue, tho winding tree shaded
,ads In Central park or the delightful
srspectives Of the Boulevard and the
iverslde drive.
It's Days Are Numbered.
No one can visit the home OF the Subur.
IN Riding and Driving club and note its
sauty and the beauty OF tho surrounding
rritory without regretting the obvious a
CT that, after all, they must be regarded q
J something ephemeral, fleeting. Yet I
Tery one who has watched the resistless q
orthward growth Of tho city proper dur 7
" the last ten years must admit that IL
IN be matter OF q few years only before
ne green slopes, the tree crowned heights. Q
he romantic roads of the upper island. I