New-York tribune., 1905-02-26
DINNER FOR SIR PURDON.
SPEAKS OF THE III. M. Il.
Guest of Lotos Club-WOn't Be
Happg TIL He's Back.

To welcome Sir Purdon Clarke to this country,
the Lotos Club gave last night one of the din
which have Become noted in the entertain
ment of visitors of prominence. The heads of
art institutions Joined with the club members in
telling Sir Purdon how glad they were that he
had decided to join hands with America in art
life. Sir Purdon himself acknowledged that in
some respects he would not be able to improve
American conditions any. He had been hard at
work for the last week. he said trying to learn
the Metropolitan Museum. Some twshty-one
years ago he had visited here. and then went
over the Museum carefully, but in the mean
time It had grown beyond recognition. Several
collections had doubled in size, while
things which he had been trying to keep in
Europe had come here.
There was some discussion of the tariff on art
objects. President Frederick Dielman of the
Academy of Design hoped that Sir Purdon would
work with the Americans in getting rid of that
Objectionable feature, which, supposed to be for
the protection of American artists. received
their hearty condemnation. William D. Evans.
chairman of the art committee of the club said
that the recently incorporated Society Of Art
Collectors was going to take hand in the
campaign against this tariff, and do all it could
to remove the odioUs tax.
Frank r. Lawn ence, president Of the club,
acted as toastmaster. At his right hand was Sir
Pludon. Others at the table with him were
John Lane, Robert w. De Forest Frederick
Dielman, General Henry L. Burnett Carroll
Beczwith Frederick Crowninshield. George w.
Perkins, George F. Kunz, George H Daniels,
George H. Story, H. NJ. MacCracken the Rev.
Thomas R. Slicer and Charles Stewart Smith.
President Lawrence welcomed Sir Purdon
heartily in the name of the club He said that
ell hoped, under his management the Museum
would become an institution national in char
acter while his high reputation and well known
industry led to the hope that its reputation
might be even International 1t might be that
men would not always come from the other
side to lead in art affairs, but American artists
might one day go abroad TO take important
places He believed that under the new re-
gime American artists would receive proper
recognition at the Museum while he was GER
tain that Sir Purdon would receive the support
of all art lovers in this country.
Sir Purdon, greeted with cheers, was the
! first speaker. He said:
This evenings event, now in the course of realiza
ton was my first warning of the claims that
American hospitality would have on my time and
New-York. A cable dispatch from Mr.. Morgan, a
;: me Inc that you had invited me and that he
had accepted your invitation ion, on my behalf o,d
but they brought up in my mind visions and memo
res Of romance ana 1eallles te LoIophag IN & tieIs
ago in a houseboat on the lakes Of far Cashmere.
! An American friend. artist resident in London,
/ congratulate me, / TOOK advantage OF
/ the opportunity ask respecting the special sub
sect which the Lotos Club regarded as qualihca-
fion for membership, and listening a few
was probably an equivalent TO the Savage Club in
London but my friend remarked that 1t was 50,
I with a difference. The Savage Club Is decorated
with the weapons of abor.ginals from many
! distant lands and its presidents hammer is a
Formidable mace from West Africa. The members.
however are savage only in name, and are other
wise a gentle as doves. But the Lotos Club. with
lis dolce far niente" title is not to be taken SO
/ lightly as its name implies; its members live in
a1ofher atmosphere TO that of London, and, al
| though the new word strenuous may be a soften
ing down of the old word snap they are sttu
terribly In earnest, and unless you can get them
10 nlIrr they may scratch. and perhaps bite.
This NAV be a libel, and the quality OF the dove
| possibIy dominates your gathering but make q
frank confession of the state Of mind in which
came here with the hope that the spirit Of the
Iotos OF the Light of Asia viii, at least this
I DO not know sufficiently how TO thank you for
the very cordial reception which you have extend
"a to me not only here but everywhere. since my
arrival And / must also frankly state that was
/ ,,ot ,Innrepared for such welcome, knowing that
% many American visitors. year after year TO the
South kensngton Museum have generally, when
/ saving pOodby concluded with the advice TO Come
( out TO America -, ? -, .Lt.
f,rtber 10 add 10 the stray remarks which already
| have appeared in the press. and can only ask
! vou 10 receive my assurance that am taxing
Continued on second page.