New-York tribune., 1902-01-26
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL.
THE ATHENEUM CLUB. LONDON
SOME OBSERVATIONS BY MoNsIGNoR DoANE

THE ATHEN4EUM CLUB. LONDON
soArE OBSERVATIONS BY MoNsIGNoR DoANE.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: I glad 10 hnd there Is one thing on
which can enlighteu my friend Ex-Attache. and
that is with regard TO the Athenaum Club. OF
London. OF which he said words in his article
on the clubs Of London in to-days paper. "Experto
crede Roberto; write Of what know, I have
been four times honorary member Of the club
on different occasions when I have been in Lon
don enjoyed its hospitality again last summer.
1t is true, he says. that bishops and other dig
nitaries Of the Established Church are very much
in evidence but they naturally form a small frac-
ton OF the membership. Their presence has led
TO the Athen9urn being called Bishopsgate, and
the United Service across the way IN Waterloo
Place and Pail Mall, being called crippegate,
many old officers of both services congFegating
there. In August. while the Athenseur is being
cleaned, the members admitted 20 the United
Service, and in September the compliment is
returned good story Is told Of Of the
times when the Atheneum members were at the
United Service that the servants on strike
When the committee asked their reason they said
they did not Ike to tell; but when the committee
insisted they said they went on strike because
they could not stand the language of the hishopsl
have always thought the membership OF the
AtheAGum Club very ingeniously contrived. as It
provides for = constant influx Of blood. The
rank and hle are largely the OF old members
whose names put down when they are born,
they attain their majority. Their number Is re-
stricted to l.200 IN addition TO these the commit
tee may elect princes Of the blood royal Cabinet
ministers bishops. Speakers OF the House OF Com
mons judges and foreign agnbas sadors or min
listers plenIpotentary OF not less than three years
residence at the Court of st. James 10 be ex-
traordinary members OF the club In addition 10
these the committee is authorized TO elect d GER
tain number OF persons Of distinguished eminsnce
IN science literature or the arts, or for public
vice, not 70 exceed nine in each year. The
mittee may also invite heads Of foreign missions,
foreign members OF the Royal Society and for
elgners or cOlOnlSts who distinguished them
selves in any way 10 be honorary members Their
number IS not 10 exceed fifteen any one time.
all that IS most prominent in London life. The
tone is eminepLy literary. Silence reigns su-
prerne, and every one is free enjoy the peace
and rest that the club affords. and It's reading
writing facilities, which abundant and com
plete. There Is food there for the body and the
mind; for the body in the excellent coffee room 10
served is given almost at cost price. and for the
mind, in the splendid Lorary of 10000 volumes
the drawing room out Of which II leads. stocked
with newspapers and periodicals and magazines
and all the books the day.
Last summer I noticed two great improvements
introduced since had been there before one,
here. and the other new smoking built up
the top Of the house the size of coffee room
where the members who smoke can enjoy their
tobacco. Before. the smoking under
ground, though there a small room where
smoking allowed the library floor,
rear The old smoking room has now been turned
I am glad OF the opportunity Of letting in little
light the subject and OF speaking OF a place
where l have spent so many pleasant and prohta-
Bile hours. where | have met so many delightful
courtesy by all connected with II.
Newark, n. j., Jan. p, 1892. G.. Fl. DOANE.