36 An Attack upon the Clubs! [JAN. 



sence. It is unnecessary, however, to multiply reasons for the unsocia- 

 bleness of these associations, when the fact is susceptible of ocular 

 demonstration. Let the reader cast a passing glance at any of the 

 clubs, about the hour of dinner. He will see a very handsome hotel, 

 and, at various separate tables, he will behold solitary feeders, or small 

 detached parties, discussing their viands and their wines with a becoming 

 gravity and earnestness ; but he will find little companionship, little con- 

 versation, little intellectual hilarity, or none that might not have been 

 enjoyed just as well, though not perhaps so cheaply, at a tavern. We 

 are speaking of sociableness not of economy. I admit the latter, but I 

 deny the former. 



If the division of the male communityJnto grades and classes be a con- 

 fessed evil, what shall we say to the wide separation of the sexes which 

 this club-mania is daily and rapidly effecting. As this is unquestionably 

 the most mischievous and monstrous evil of the whole system, I have 

 reserved its exposure for the last. It will be admitted that man and 

 woman were meant for one another, collectively as well as separately. 

 Socially speaking, they are as naturally married to each other, in the 

 aggregate, as are the individual husband and wife ; and " whom God 

 hath joined together let no man put asunder." The beneficial, the 

 civilizing influences, which the sexes mutually impart and receive in 

 society, are best to be appreciated by the deep and instant degradation 

 which Nature, who never suffers her laws to be violated with impunity, 

 has invariably entailed upon their disjunction. For evidence of this 

 fact., it will be only necessary to refer to the monasteries and convents. 

 In the society of man, the softer sex, discarding some portion of its 

 frivolity and inherent weakness, acquires mental corroboration, and is 

 imperceptibly imbued with the best and finest emanations of masculine 

 character. In female society, the lord of the creation, losing the rug- 

 gedness, arrogance, and licentious coarseness of his nature, becomes 

 softened, courteous, and refined, chastening himself with feminine graces, 

 while he loses not a fraction of his proper manliness and dignity. Polish 

 is the result of collision, both morally and physically ; and man's iron 

 nature is not injured, or unduly nullified, but macle more useful and 

 attractive, by coming in contact with the magnet of beauty. Acting at 

 once as a stimulant and a restraint, the social intercourse of the two 

 sexes draws forth and invigorates all the purifying, exalting, and delight- 

 ful qualities of our common nature ; while it tends to suppress, and, not 

 seldom, to eradicate those of an opposite character. From this unre- 

 stricted communion flow the graces, the affections, the charms, the 

 sanctities, the charities of life ; and as benignant Nature ever blesses the 

 individual who contributes to the advancement of his species, from the 

 same source is derived our purest, most exquisite, and most enduring 

 happiness. 



From all this, our epicurean monasteries I beg pardon I mean our 

 clubs are as far removed as the nadir from the zenith. If the bachelor 

 and the misogynist chooses to hide and wallow in these Circean dens of 

 luxury, where 



" The soul grows clotted by contagion, 



Irabodies and imbrutes, till she quite lose 



The divine property of her first being" 



he may perhaps assert his independence, and claim a right to follow 

 what pursuits he pleases ; though this plea I might deny, for no man is 



