DOI issue:
No. 262 (January 1915)
DOI article:Churcher, Walter: The London sketch club
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.21211#0255
The London Sketch Club
during the writer's long association with its mem- and sword-bearers, proceed towards Piccadilly with
bers. On one occasion it was necessary to obtain those civic emblems projecting from the side
the signature of Phil May to an important docu- windows in true Mansion House form,
ment, as a member of the Club committee. Phil Prior to our occupation of the upper floor at
was in his most elusive mood, but at last one Wells Street, we were the tenants of the first floor,
Sunday morning I ran him to earth at a member's the top floor being then occupied by the Punch-
studio, outside which I found a cabman, who bowl Club, a wildly inconsequent institution run
requested me to inform " the gent inside with a by an eccentric sculptor with a distinct aversion
fringe," that he had been waiting an hour. I to paying rent. Whenever a new member was
advised him not to worry, but wait. The elusive shepherded into the Punch-bowl fold, he was
Phil when faced with a demand for his signature, expected to contribute a " diploma " gift. As there
"stonewalled," urged Sabbatarian scruples, &c, were no restrictions as to the nature of the gift,
but finally agreed to attach his autogragh to the the most extraordinary donations were made and
deed on condition that the thing was done " in hung up, the walls and rafters being hung with
style." An historic tableau was therefore duly pictures, arms, kitchen-fenders, flat-irons and odd-
arranged ; Phil impersonated " King John signing ments of every sort. One gentleman of frugal
Magna Charta"; Cecil Aldin as a baron, knelt tendencies purchased twelve penny china mugs and
with the pen and docu-
ment ; while Hardy as
another noble, armed with
a fearsome weapon, threat-
ened violence in case of
further reticence in the
autograph department.
Thus the deed was done
"in style." I have reason
to think that after our
drive homeward, the cabby
was able to congratulate
himself on accepting my
advice to wait for "the
gent with the fringe"—
Phil was generous. In
the early days of the
Club's existence we were
housed in a Bond Street
picture gallery, and in
keeping with our high art
surroundings, gave a re-
ception, at which certain
members impersonated
various public characters.
The attitude of certain of
these dignitaries was eccen-
tric within the Club, but I
shall not easily forget the
expression on the face of
a policeman when he saw
Dudley Hardy, as the
Lord Mayor, come out to
the kerb in his red
robes, blow a cab whistle,
and having entered a
"growler" with his mace " help!" water-colour sketch by harry rountree
252
during the writer's long association with its mem- and sword-bearers, proceed towards Piccadilly with
bers. On one occasion it was necessary to obtain those civic emblems projecting from the side
the signature of Phil May to an important docu- windows in true Mansion House form,
ment, as a member of the Club committee. Phil Prior to our occupation of the upper floor at
was in his most elusive mood, but at last one Wells Street, we were the tenants of the first floor,
Sunday morning I ran him to earth at a member's the top floor being then occupied by the Punch-
studio, outside which I found a cabman, who bowl Club, a wildly inconsequent institution run
requested me to inform " the gent inside with a by an eccentric sculptor with a distinct aversion
fringe," that he had been waiting an hour. I to paying rent. Whenever a new member was
advised him not to worry, but wait. The elusive shepherded into the Punch-bowl fold, he was
Phil when faced with a demand for his signature, expected to contribute a " diploma " gift. As there
"stonewalled," urged Sabbatarian scruples, &c, were no restrictions as to the nature of the gift,
but finally agreed to attach his autogragh to the the most extraordinary donations were made and
deed on condition that the thing was done " in hung up, the walls and rafters being hung with
style." An historic tableau was therefore duly pictures, arms, kitchen-fenders, flat-irons and odd-
arranged ; Phil impersonated " King John signing ments of every sort. One gentleman of frugal
Magna Charta"; Cecil Aldin as a baron, knelt tendencies purchased twelve penny china mugs and
with the pen and docu-
ment ; while Hardy as
another noble, armed with
a fearsome weapon, threat-
ened violence in case of
further reticence in the
autograph department.
Thus the deed was done
"in style." I have reason
to think that after our
drive homeward, the cabby
was able to congratulate
himself on accepting my
advice to wait for "the
gent with the fringe"—
Phil was generous. In
the early days of the
Club's existence we were
housed in a Bond Street
picture gallery, and in
keeping with our high art
surroundings, gave a re-
ception, at which certain
members impersonated
various public characters.
The attitude of certain of
these dignitaries was eccen-
tric within the Club, but I
shall not easily forget the
expression on the face of
a policeman when he saw
Dudley Hardy, as the
Lord Mayor, come out to
the kerb in his red
robes, blow a cab whistle,
and having entered a
"growler" with his mace " help!" water-colour sketch by harry rountree
252