LONDON CLUBS.
London Clubs : their Histories and Treasures. By Ralph Nevill. (Chatto and Windus. 7s. 6d. net.)—Some of the clubs of which Mr. Nevill writes have disappeared; it would be safe to say that all have changed. What should we say nowadays to the "Ever- lasting Club " ? Its principle was to keep up an unceasing attend- ance as to the sacred fire of Vesta. On the whole, as we read this book—a very interesting book it is—we cannot help feeling that we are somewhat wiser than our fathers. This "everlast- ing" business was a trifle ; but some of the stories are serious enough. Politics are never quite amicable; but we have certainly improved on days when a member of Brooks's who had never passed the club door before followed Brougham in and insulted him at the luncheon table ! And here is a page from the story of Charles James Fox : Tuesday evening to Wednesday, 5 p.m., at Almack's, losing £11,000; Thursday, a speech in the House on the Thirty-nine Articles ; at White's drinking till 7 a.m. Friday ; to Almack's, winning £6,000 ; from Almack's to Newmarket, where he spent the Saturday. " Well for him," com- ments Mr. Nevill, " that there was no Nonconformist conscience in those days! " Good stories abound. Fox spoke disparagingly of the gunpowder issued by Government ; an official member challenged him, and they met. Fox stood fullfront ; "Stand side- ways," said his antagonist. " I am as thick one way as the other," answered Fox. The other fired and missed. Fox refused to fire. As the two shook hands, he said, "You'd have killed me if it hadn't been Government powder."
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