Non inter lances mensasque nitentes, Cum stupet insanis acies fulgoribus, et cum Acclinis falsis animus meliora recusat; Verum hîc impransi mecum disquirite. _Hor._ Sat. lib. ii. [Sat. 2. vv. 4-7]. O prodiga rerum Luxuries, nunquam parvo contenta paratu, Et quæsitorum terrâ pelagoque ciborum Ambitiosa fames et lautæ gloria mensæ. _Lucan._ lib. iv. [vv. 373-6]. [Sed] quæ non prosunt singula, [multa] juvant. [_Ovid. Remed. Amor._ v. 420.] Rusticus agricolam, miles fera bella gerentem, Rectorem dubiæ navita puppis amat. _Ovid. Pont._ lib. ii. [Ep. 2. vv. 61-2]. Desire of Country Gentlemen for Town Associations--Book-clubs--Too much of literary Character expected from them--Literary Conversation prevented: by Feasting: by Cards--Good, notwithstanding, results--Card-club with Eagerness resorted to--Players--Umpires at the Whist Table--Petulances of Temper there discovered--Free-and-easy Club: not perfectly easy or free--Freedom, how interrupted--The superior Member--Termination of the Evening--Drinking and Smoking Clubs--The Midnight Conversation of the Delaying Members--Society of the poorer Inhabitants: its Use: gives Pride and Consequence to the humble Character--Pleasant Habitations of the frugal Poor--Sailor returning to his Family--Freemasons' Club--The Mystery--What its Origin--Its professed Advantages--Griggs and Gregorians--A Kind of Masons--Reflections on these various Societies. LETTER X. _CLUBS AND SOCIAL MEETINGS._