New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-12
IER7n0rn701
g ASs z7lAkS'

The club is not what II used to be- sighed
the charter member. I often think OF the sOOu'
old davs when we met in Miss Smiths pafior
and discussed all sorts Of questions social or 1T
erarv-auythfng that appealed TO Us We wore our
ordinary street dresses AMI never gave a thought
TO fashion or decoration and our dues were y a
wear All the dear old club ism: what II was.
W. ,oore- members might as well get out It's
all show and fuss and feathers and outside talent
and big audiences and elaborate costumes
We'll" put in the hostess OF the OCCASION IS
the sneaker paused for breath. IF you prefer
small informal club there are several OF tneIn m
town As for the big one, II has grown III So
OF US and I suppose We shall nave 70 accepl =
as II is to-day 1t must I'll a need. or II would
not have grown. It isn't wha- II was tn1l ,
+r,7e b11t perhaps it is something just as good
as the shopkeepers say ,.
aOb nc no. u15urned the old member. shaking
her head How can T. be just as good X money
and fashion get hold OF it ard displace the s"oN'
-, -,e-,bars and the old club feeling"
.eT.-, inclined to synpathize with Mrs Fogey.
said another caller. who had hitherto listened n
silence I'm a comparatively new member. ana
vet feel overp0wered by the crowding ana the
style. and the elaborate dressing II does seem
as IL the poorer me nbers would be pushed 70 me
.-au 4 fashionable club is not institution Tor
r. many hut for the few who have money TO
keep il up.
CHATS it, That's f." cried Mrs Fosey- The
cub will simply become money power-a chance
or
+,,r,ae look consnicuously shabby The meetings
are mere costume shows. We listen to expensive
lectures and concerts. and our own talents are no
longer in demand. We give receptions. and nave
distinguished guests-oh, It's detestable! Inc oio
home feeling is gone I would resign. but helped
10 found the club and love its very name Bu1
7 can't conform 70 the new conditions"
IT wasn't a charter member" said the hostess
but I have been in the club FOR many years ana
I too love its very name see the 'eiue'leS
Ii H.
as regards the high standard 0f dressing set oy the
v-eaItbv members But truly. have yet 20 see
,nsnober s1ubbed for her plain clothes At1er an
we dress as we please. some plainly some eiaOoi
ateIv but il we have the courage or our 1as'ez anu
cir~I,rnstances nobody looks asksnce at rs We're
all on TIE same footing. I think some H'eiIue1S
have been improved BY a little extra care % ~
-, arneorance They dress more expen1iVeiy' II
il tine but they look happier and younger.
put is it worth WHILE interposed tae o'ner
=. .,ga-I, The standard IS changing. and
Co. many it is strain 10 keep up 20 IL az taxes
90 4-on below the standard. and that n
$50 r. a strain can't dress a. many members
40 and confess I'm weak enough 10 feel IT. ana
7 bought fancy waist last week under protest.
that could have done without. Just Cor the club
II must be wrong.
Il think on the whole. that It is wTons said the
ros+ass -, give the importance 10 dress that Is
NV given In the larger clubs do feel with both
OF YOU that display Is an element Of degeneration
But speaking generally OF the growth ana progress
OF the club and It's demand upon our purses m
afraid II Is inevitable We are large Oody ana
power In the community. and we must pay for our
privileges So far I have not observed that the
members who dress simply and who are not Lash-
ionable are treated less respect and considera
ton I think the brains OF the club viii De as mucn
a power II the capable members OF the con-
servative class hold their own with dignity and
avoid too much Subserviencs 20 the nnoneyed and
fashionable element which undoubtedly exists. We
must avoid Jealousy. too, We must Just try 70 De
simple and natural -
All the same" persisted the younger guest !
feel that dress Is spelling the club as u Is spolllns
our lives IN many other ways. Fashion - woman
moral enemy. I know IT'S a part OF our power 70
look well and call II duty. but It's terrible
question whether we don't lose more than we gain
BY it
we do. my dear. we do" sighed Mrs. Fogey,
You speak very wisely AS 20 dear old club. u
may be progress-I don't know But Il isn't what y
used to be. and / miss f. l suppose could go out
ion one the small clubs. where the members
mark NE worked. but IL wouldn't BE the sAHas>