NIGHT CLUBS OF LONDON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18949, 21 February 1925, Page 2 (Supplement)

NIGHT CLUBS OF LONDON.

SIR lAN HAMILTON'S DICTA. "There are clubs and clubs in London; some I am proud to open, others 1 would be still prouder to shut down, said General Sir lan Hamilton opening a British Legion Club at South-Went Ham recently. "There are the night clubs." he continued, "festive places with the lurtive thought of a raid ever dangling like (he sword of Damocles at the back of the, minds of the drinkers. "The same with the dancers, these —ay young sparks in plus five skirts who imagine they are carrying on with an officer of the Dragoons in mufti, and may, f or all thev know, be twirling around a well-disguised officer ol the law. Ihey never know their luck; danger adds piquancy to their existence. "Some of the, grandest, clubs are based on class-consciousness," said Sir lan. "From those clubs may God preserve my few remaining grey haivs. Immaculate, waiters gliding noiselessly over velvet-pile carpets, emptiness of rooms, vacancy of mind, dreariness, deadlines indescribable; "There are women's clubs, too. Since babvhood my instinct has always moved me to regard women as the tountam ot all goodness; and yet, I must confess that there is a certain atmosphere of cocktails, scented cigarette smoke and bridge which is warranted to make a licensed victualler grow di/./v." Other clubs were the resorts ot the if ay and eager typist or the discreet private secretary, who mixed there with bustling .country cousins. 1 hose were jolly places, clean, bright and wholesome, humming with energy and lite.