A NOTABLE GATHERING.

Evening Star, Issue 8267, 12 July 1890, Page 3 (Supplement)

A NOTABLE GATHERING.

The first annual dinner of the London Thirteen Club was held in London on May 13, at Anderton'a Hotel, Fleet street. The club was established last year to " discourage belief in the ridiculous superstitions and omens which prevail in all ranks of society." A ladder wbb placed against the doorway leading to the dining-room, and the knives and forks on the table were crossed. It was noticed, however, that a member of the club firmly declined to be helped with salt by one of the guests. The members meet on the 13th day of each month, when papers are read on the superstitions of all countries. The menu card was illustrated in a humorous style by a

member of the club, and the toast list contained more or less appropriate scraps from Shakespeare. Letters were read from Mr Henry Irving, Mr Rider Haggard, Mr James Payn, and Oscar Wilde, excusing their absence. Ihe latter wrote :—" I love superstitions. They are the color element of thought and imagination—they are the opponents of common Bense, as common sense is the enemy of romance. The aim of your society seems to me to be dreadful. Leave us some unreality ; don't make us too offensively sane. I love dining out; but with a society with so wicked an object as yours I cannot dine. I regret it; lam sure you will all be charming, but I could not j come, though thirteen is a lucky number." Mr Irving wrote :—"lt would give me great! pleasure to drink with the club ' Confusion I to All Old Wivea' Fables !'"