London at the End of the Century:A Book of Gossip

a Beckett, Arthur William

1900

CLOSED FOR ALTERATIONS AND REPAIRS.

 

I suppose there are no worthier set of men than club secretaries, and yet it is said that many of the West-end would remain open all the year round were it not that the wanted a little shooting in August and September. I think the suggestion scarcely fair. On most House Committees there is a committee-man who would willingly undertake to act as for Colonel Chose or are always available. Both know the average cost of the servants' board (after taking into consideration the of the coffee-room), and

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both are ready to deal with and the other grievances incidental to humanity. Chose for many years was president of his regimental mess, and before he became to His Highness of Chutneypore, was an A.D.C. to the Governor-General, so they are equally qualified to perform the responsible duties incidental to the proud position of secretary to the Parthenon. Still, closure saves a world of trouble, and Colonel Pillington, under those conditions, finds it unnecessary to ask a favour of anyone. By Colonel Pillington I mean the average club secretary. He gets from £300 to £600 a year, and has been selected from about a thousand candidates. Many years ago, as a member of the committee of a well-known West-end club, I had to assist in the selection and election of a secretary. We had any number of applicants for the post-generals, colonels, barristers, and a couple of baronets. Strange to say, no sailor applied, and retired members of the Civil Service were also conspicuous by their absence. The selection of six was entrusted to a subcommittee, who duly reported to the main body. The half-dozen containing the secretary-elect were duly summoned to meet their electors face to face. Our chairman put several test questions, one of which was Five answered ; the last We elected the gentleman whose appreciation of the showed that he fully understood club requirements.

 
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 Title Page
 Dedication
 PREFACE
CHAPTER I: LONDON AT THE END OF THE CENTURY
CHAPTER II: STRANGERS IN LONDON
CHAPTER III: RELIGION IN LONDON
CHAPTER IV: A PEEP INTO STAGELAND
CHAPTER V: PARLIAMENT UP TO DATE
CHAPTER VI: A NIGHT IN THE HOUSE
CHAPTER VII: THE PREMIER CLUB OF ENGLAND
CHAPTER VIII: LONDONERS HOLDING HOLIDAY
CHAPTER IX: THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CLUB
CHAPTER X: IN RATHER MIXED CLUBLAND
CHAPTER XI: IN AUXILIARY CLUBLAND
CHAPTER XII: A PANTOMIME AT DRURY LANE
CHAPTER XIII: LONDON EXHIBITIONS
CHAPTER XIV: COACHING THE UNIVERSITY CREW
CHAPTER XV: THE SEQUEL TO THE DERBY
CHAPTER XVI: THE LONDON GONDOLA
CHAPTER XVII: LONDON ON STRIKE
CHAPTER XVIII: LONDON FIRES
CHAPTER XIX: PALL MALL AND PRIVATE THOMAS ATKINS
CHAPTER XX: CONCERNING THE LONDON VOLUNTEERS
CHAPTER XXI: SERVING WITH THE LONDON MILITIA
CHAPTER XXII: LONDON GUNNERS AT SHOEBURYNESS
CHAPTER XXIII: BECOMING A SOCIETY LION
CHAPTER XXIV: ENTERTAINING THE WORKING MAN
CHAPTER XXV: CHOOSING A FANCY DRESS
CHAPTER XXVI: PARLIAMENTARY SPEAKING
CHAPTER XXVII: ART IN LONDON
CHAPTER XXVIII: SPENDING BANK HOLIDAY IN LONDON
CHAPTER XXIX: A BANK HOLIDAY WITHOUT 'ARRY
CHAPTER XXX: LONDON OUT OF TOWN
CHAPTER XXXI: LONDONERS AND THEIR SUMMER HOLIDAYS
CHAPTER XXXII: LONDONERS AND THE CHANNEL
CHAPTER XXXIII: LONDON UNDER DOCTOR'S ORDERS
CHAPTER XXXIV: TWO CITIES IN FORTY-EIGHT HOURS
CHAPTER XXXV: THE LONDONER'S SEARCH FOR HEALTH
CHAPTER XXXVI: THE PARISIAN PART OF THE LONDON DISTRICT
CHAPTER XXXVII: A NOVELTY IN LONDON RECREATIONS
CHAPTER XXXVIII: LONDON SCHOOLBOYS AT THE END OF THE CENTURY