The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1900-08-01
CHATS AND SKETCHES
About Town and Elsewhere.
MORE ABOUT CLUBS.


Clubs are of ancient origin. The
first club ever established was in the
reign of Philip, king Of Macedon, b:
G. 800. 1t was composed OF Greek
gentlemen, who from their numbers
called themselves "The S xty." They
met once a week, not at tavern, but
in the temple of Hercules, at Athens.
The secretary was young man named
Callimachus, who was 80 sprlghtly That
he was nicknamed "Grasshopper."
Every good thing said at the meetings
was entered in a book; and a witty
repartee must be kept on the tongue
until the Joke which caused it was
written down. This book was lent out
to princes and other dignitaries, who
deposited a security for its return.
Thus Athens founded not only the
first club, but the first circulating Ii
brary.
In England the club was not know
until about the seventeenth century.
The first was founded during the reign
of Henry Nv. and was called "La Court
de Bonnie Compagn,e; (The court of
Good Fellowship.D 1t met once
week, as dining-club. A celebrated
essayist has said, "All clubs are found
ed upon upon eating and drinking,
which are points upon which all men
agree, and in which learned and illit-
crate, philosophers and buffoons, can
all OF them bear part"
The writer was once present at
gathering of gentlemen who were met
to discuss certain matters not generally
understood. Among them was an ell
derly man who took no part in the dis
cussion. AT the close a servant enter
ed with a tray OF refreshments, both
solid and liquid. AT once the old fell
low frightened up, and said, "Welll
WE'LL Here is something l can under
standP
The second English club was called
"The Friday" or more properly, "The
Bread Street Club" 1t was founded
by Sir Walter Raleigh. The famous
club met at The Mermaid Tavern, in
Bread street, London. Among its
members were Shakspere, Beaumont,
Fletcher, Raleigh, Selden, Dome, etc.
Ben Jonson also had club which met
at the Devil Tavern, between Middle
Temple Gate and Temple Bar.
~
Shortly after this date, Cat the close
OF the sixteenth or the beginning of
the seventeeth century,, we first find
the word ''club." Aubrey says, eve
now use the soluble" for sodality in
taverne." In 1869, the club had
balloting-box for decision of all ques-
tons. In 1772 the "Civil Club" was
founded, which still exists. DR.. John
sons definition of "club" was, "An as
sembly of good fellows meeting under
certain conditions"
-.
The Apollo Club in the reign of
James was held in large room built
out from the tavern with the sign of
st. Dunstan pulling the devil by the
nose. Above the front door was the
bust of Apollo. "The Welcome" in
scribed in letters of gold upon black
tablet, was placed over the door at the
entrance into the club room:
"Welcome all who lead or follow
To the Oracle Of Apollo" etc.
Beneath these verses is the name OF
the author, 80 Rare Ben Jonson!"
a posthumous tribute from his grave in
Westminster Abbey. Over the clock is
the inscription, ISL nocturnal tibi noceat
potato vini, hoe in name bibes iteruna,
ct fuerit medicinal" Of drinking wine
al night makes you sick, drink it again
in the morning and it will be medi-
cine.D Or as the old proverb has it,
GA hair of the same dog cures the
bite"
Women were admitted to the meet
ings in accordance with one of the by
laws: "Prob9 feninoe non repudian-
tur," Reputable women are not bar
red"
Political clubs date from the Restora-
ton of Charles III. In most OF the
clubs of those days there was
much drinking,
;ttla -; nl