The age-herald., 1901-12-08
Club Life in Paris

From an Englishman's point of view club life hardly exists in Paris, notwith- standing the fact that there are num- | Der of clubs in the gay French capital, some of which include among their members good percentage of represen- tative Englishmen. Many of the Frer-n clubs, says a writer in the London Daily Mall, while comparing favorably with the English clubs in buildings and ap- pointments, differ radically from them In many features. The French club is al- ways under all circumstances salon where men gather to chat, and where high play is more often than not la regle. Amusement is the principal object which induces a French man to frequent his club, but the vast libraries where the English club man goes to read and write are usually. missing. the Frenchman treating his club as an incident In his daily life, and not as part of his exist ence, as Is the case with an Englishman. In England one may almost rank man by his clubs, but in France quite the contrary is the case. A mans club is not the same guarantee of his social stand ing, as, save in one or two clubs, much less caution is exercised in the matter of admissions than in England, and many men of authentic nobility and high social standing belong to no clubs, while men in official situations are rarely club mem bers. with the exception of army of ficers, who have their military club.
 The salon feature of the French club prevails in them all, from the exclusive fashionable Unicn Club, the most famous in, poria ThA Jrntnn Ia noted for it's elegance and the perfume of aristoc- racy which preyades it. Founded in 1856, its first president was the Due de LuxembuIg, who was succeeded by the Due de Lauzon. Prince de Montmorency- Luzembug occupied the pi esidental fau- teuil from 1863 until 1870, and his suc- cessor, the Duo de Reyiere, remained for over twenty years the head of the Union and was succeeded by the Duo de Neailles who in turn was followed by the Duo de Rohan. A club which boasts of always having a duke or a prince for president can safely be counted upon to represent the aristocratic set, and 1t may be added that the membership of the Union has been kept within the narrow limits of what is best in the nobility of Frence. The admissions are rare and ex- ceedingly difficult to obtain, the Union in this matter being the exception to the
 
 The members have always shown a de- sire to remain to themselves, and a new member Is rarely welcomed. There are 3G4 permanent members and PA honorary members in the Union Club Among the permanent members are His Majesty the King of England, the Due de Chartres, Prince d'Arenburg, Due d d'Audiffret-Pas quier Due de iRohan, the Prince de Grog- lie, Prince de Lucinge, Prince Czartory- ski Due, de Rochefoucauld, Count d Haussonville, Marquis de Vogue. The honorary members include, the Russian grand dukes, the Due de Leuchtenburg, Prince Galtzine.
 The club quarters occupy two floors In the celebrated historic hotel on the boule- yard de la Madeleine. There Is less card playing than in other clubs in Paris, the game mostly in favor being a mild lieu de beziqne.' The dignity of the Union Club has never been compromised in the political quarrels and scandals that have shaken France during the last few years, and in no way implicated in the shocking attack upon President Loubet at Auteuil shortly after his election to office. The Marquis de Gallifet, former minister of war and a prominent figure in French military and social circles, makes his home at the Union Club.
 to the Automobile Club, which. organ ized by aristocratic men, Is open to most chauffeurs, and the membership a short time ago passed the 200O mark. The Marquis de Dion founded the club, and