The Athenwum Club and its Associations. By Francis Gled- stanes
Waugh, M.A. (For Private Circulation.)—Mr. Waugh has also published a record of the members of the Athenaeum. In this volume he tells us how the Club was thought of and set going, and illustrates his story with a few anecdotes. Mr. Wilson Croker must have the credit of the first idea. The start was made on May 26th, 1824; the present building was first occupied February 8th, 1830. To build and furnish it cost .243,101 14s. 8d. The names of celebrities associated with it are numerous. Few distinguished literary men have not belonged to it, and not a few famous books have been, in part at least, written within its walls. If one could only recall a tithe of the good things that have been said there, what a volume it would make ! Here is an amusing story. Certain Ministers had been wont to dine together. In process of time they ceased to be Ministers. " They have always had a Cabinet pudding," said one Club official. "Is that to be the same ?" " Yes," replied another." Thereupon the first added, " But without the plums, I presume."
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