A WOMAN’S CLUB IN LONDON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVII, Issue XI, 12 September 1896, Page 346

A WOMAN’S CLUB IN LONDON.

A genuine brand of new women constitute the Pioneer Club of London, England. The Club was organised four years ago, and has its headquarters at 22, Bruton street. Now the membership numbers 500. The Clubhouse contains sleeping apartments for the use of suburban members ; a dining-room, and, it is said, a smokingroom. Whether the members really sit there and allow their minds to dream in masculine fashion over the rings of smoke that go up from their cigarettes or cigars cannot truly be stated, as visitors are never admitted into this room. Lady Henry Somerset has long been a power in the Club, so that no wines and liquors are permitted. Some other famous members are Olive Schreiner, Sarah Grand, Lady Florence Dixie, Lady Haberton, and Mrs Sophia Howe. Aside from Lady Henry Somerset, perhaps the most interesting of the women is Mrs Massingbred, the Club’s president and founder. Mrs Massingbred is about 40 years of age, and looks to be much younger. She wears her hair short, and parted at the side. Her usual costume includes a coat fashioned like the ordinary swell cutaway, a white waistcoat and plain skirt. She wears a white linen shirt, standing collar and four-in-hand cravat. A little fullness in the sleeves and a slightly increased breadth of the lapels are the concessions in the matter of dress which Mrs Massingbred makes to the traditions of her sex. The club’s motto is the old one : ‘ They say—what say they—let them say.’