d besides have a pleasant
lounging place in which to pass their leisure hours.

The Century Club stands at the head of the list. It is considered the
most desirable association in the city, and numerous applications for
places made vacant in it, are always on file. It occupies a handsome red
brick mansion just out of Union Square, on East Fifteenth street. It was
organized more than thirty years ago, and was originally a sketch club,
and its membership was rigidly confined to literary men and artists. Of
late years, however, it has been thrown open to any gentleman who may be
accepted by the members. Its President is William Cullen Bryant. Its
roll of members includes men of all professions among them: Bayard
Taylor, William Allan Butler, George William Curtis, and Parke Goodwin,
authors; Rev. Dr. Bellows and Dr. Osgood, clergymen; John Brougham,
Lester Wallack, and Edwin Booth, actors; Bierstadt, Gignoux, Cropsey,
Church, and Kensett, artists; William H. Appleton, publisher; and A. T.
Stewart, John Jacob Astor, and August Belmont, capitalists. This club
has no restaurant, and is conducted inexpensively. Its Saturday night
gatherings bring together the most talented men in the city, and its
receptions are among the events of the season.

The Manhattan Club is a political as well as a social organization. It
is the head-quarters of Democrats of the better class. It numbers 600
members, about 100 of these residing out of the city. It includes the
leading Democratic politicians of the city and State, and when similar
celebrities from other States are in the city they are generally
entertained by the club, and have the freedom of the house. The
club-house is a splendid brown stone edifice, built originally for a
private residence by a man named Parker. It stands on leased ground, and
the building only is owned by the club, which paid $110,000 for it. The
annual dues are $50. Members are supplied with meals at cost prices.
Wines are furnished at similar charges. The restaurant has for its chief
cook a Frenchman, who is said to be the most accomplished "artist" in New
York. He receives an annual salary of $1800. The house is palatial, but
a trifle flashy in its appointments, and a more luxurious resort is not
to be found on the island.

The Union League Club is domiciled in a magnificent brick and marble
mansion. It is also a political organization, and is not so exclusive as
the Manhattan as regards its