London at the End of the Century:A Book of Gossip
a Beckett, Arthur William
1900
CLUBS FOLLOW THE FLAG.
It may be accepted, I think, that Englishmen are naturally Some little while since I was looking through a small book which purported to give all the clubs in the world. It really contained a | |
95 | vast amount of information, but the sum total of the news was this-that Englishmen had their clubs all the world over. It seems the right thing to do. Say that Brown, Jones, and Robinson visit a hitherto undiscovered island. After taking possession of it in the name of the Sovereign they begin to develop it. The operation entails the presence of Smith, Snooks, Jones, and McTab. There comes hundreds more, and after their arrival, thousands. Churches and chapels spring up side by side with shops and factories. Villas begin to appear on the outskirts of what was once a desert, but is now a rising town. Then the following conversation is held. |
says Brown, | |
continues Brown, putting a second question. And then the first in Undiscoverdia is founded. Brown (of the Garrick), Jones (of the Athenaeum), and Robinson (of the Conservative and the St. James's) are the | |
96 | first committeemen. Candidates rush in. Some are pilled, and the pilling creates a sensation. In a year or two the club becomes a most flourishing institution. It has a fine house, a good cellar, an imposing hall-porter. In fact, it is a colonial version of |
But what does the Frenchman, if he finds himself away from civilisation-that is to say, out of reach of ? He meets his equals at the . He plays dominoes with much skill, and sips absinthe. says Jules. There is a pause. Alphonse is not particularly interested, and Gustave yawns. continues Jules. replies Alphonse. returns Gustave. And so the matter is allowed to drop. It is said that I think we might add as a rider that | |
