The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1911-07-27
bULL|ED THE CLUB
A London DueIiSt Who Forced His
Way Into Brooks.
VETOED HIS OWN REJECTION,

After Having Been BaIloted For and
Unanimously BlackbaIled He Made
Every Member Deny His Vote and
Then Declared Himself Elected.
1t was witty bishop who once de-
fined club as a place where women
cease from troubling and the weary
are at rest" Another amusing defini-
ton was that given by George Au.
gustus Sala. "A club" said he, lis a
weapon used by savages to keep the
white woman at distance" Nova
days. however, as Ralph Nevill re-
marks in his book. London Clubs"
things are different. within the last
twenty-five years or so the spirit of
London club life has entirely changed.
The old fashioned clubman, whose
whole life was bound up with one or
other Of these institutions, is now
practically extinct"
Perhaps the most striking story
which Mr.. Nevill tells regarding
Brooks club is that concerning the
famous duelist, George Robert Fitz-
gerald. who was executed for murder
in 17SG. No first class London club
would admit him. His name does not
appear in the club list, though he must
in sort of way be regarded as having
belonged to the club. He was, how
ever, in it only once, though it was his
boast that he had been unanimously
chosen a member.
Owing to Fitzgerald's we'll known
dueling propensities no first class
London club would admit him. Never.
theless he got Admiral Keith Stewart,
who knew that he must fight Fitz-
gerald or comply, to propose him foS
Brooks.
Accordingly the duelist went M
the admiral on the day of the election
to the clubhouse and waited down
stairs while the ballot was in progress
The result, a foregone conclusion
was unfavorable to the candidate. not
even one white ball being among the
black. the admiral having been among
the first to deposit his. Mr.. Brooks
eventually went to tell Fitzgerald, who
was waiting in the hall. that there
was one black ball and that therefore
his candidature had failed.
Thrusting aside Brooks, who pro-
tested that nonmembers might not en-
ter the clubrooms, Fitzgerald few up
stairs and entered the room. Walk
ing up to the fireplace, he thus adj
dressed Admiral Stewart.
$50, my dear admiral, Mr.. Brooks in
forms me that I have been elected
three tines
'You have been balloted for, Mr.
have not been chosen" said Stewart
well, then" replied the duelist. did
you blackball me?"
my good sir" answered the admiral,
"how could you suppose such thing?"
ooh, I supposed no such thing, my
dear fellow. I only want to know who
it was that dropped the black ball in
by accident, as it were"
Fitzgerald now went up to each in
dividual member and put the same
question to all in turn, did you black
ball me. sir?' until he made the round
Of the whole club, and in each case lie
received a reply similar to that Of the
admiral.
When he had finished his investiga-
tons he thus addressed the whole
body: you see, gentlemen, that as
none of you have blackballed me l
1@ ~ 4ol r.
has made the mistake"
After this nothing more was said by
the members. who determined to ig-
more the presence of their dangerous
visitor. who drank three bottles of
champagne in enforced silence, for no
one would answer him when he spoke
When he had gone it was agreed
that half a dozen stout constab les
should be in waiting the next evening
to bear him off to the watch house if
he attempted again to intrude. but
Mr.. Fitzgerald, aware probably of the
reception he might get. never did,
Apropos of blackballing Mr.. Nevill
mentions the greatest instance of
blackballing probably ever known
which took place some years ago at
ladies' club, where one candidate re-
ceived three more black balls than the
number of members present-a case
Of excessive zeal indeed.
The practical joker is naturally not
unknown in the most solemn of clubs.
and ''some irrepressible jokers have
paid for their love Of fun by having
to resign their membership. One of
them, whose escapades were notorious
in London twenty years ago. sitting
half asleep in a certain bohemian
club, became annoyed at a very red
headed waiter who kept buzzing about
his chair. The sight of the fiery locks
was eventually too much for this
wild spirit, and. darting up and seiz-
ing the man. he emptied a bottle of
black ink over his head before he
could escape. The result. of course.
was expulsion from the club. besides
which very substantial compensation
was rightly paid to the waiter"