From the archive

F.E. Smith on ‘The Influence of the House of Commons From the Whitefriars Journal, vol. IV, no. 1, June 1913, pp. 17-18 Sir Robert Hudson1 was the Prior, and the topic was ‘The Influence of the House of Commons’. Sir Robert paid a graceful tribute to the guest, touching on his rapid distinction both at the Bar and in the House of Commons, and said wittily Mr. Smith had so impressed his personality upon the public in a few short years that, if anyone of a frugal turn of mind desired to save in a telegraphic message to him, theContinue reading →

‘Should Theatres be Municipalised?’ Bernard Shaw’s speech at the Whitefriars Club Dinner, 16th February 1906 From Whitefriars Journal, vol. III, no. 2, April 1906, pp. 23-24. Mr George Bernard Shaw was the Club guest on February 16th, and there was an unusually large attendance, the company numbering about ninety. Friar Clement Shorter acted as Prior for the evening. The topic of conversation was ‘Should Theatre be Municipalised?’ Mr Shaw said Yes. He declared that he had nothing more to say, and at once proceeded to make a singularly fluent speech, full of paradox and epigram. He spoke of actor-managers andContinue reading →

Sir Ernest Shackleton CVO on ‘The Antarctic’ From Whitefriars Journal, vol. III, no. 12, February 1910, pp. 191-93. The Autumn Session opened auspiciously on Friday, October 1st, when some 250 members and guests assembled at De Keyser’s Royal Hotel to do honour to Lieutenant Sir E. H. Shackleton, CVO. Friar Sir W. P. Treloar, Bart, was the Prior, and the subject of conversation was ‘The Antarctic’. In proposing the health of the Club guest, the Prior made a racy speech, and Lieutenant Shackleton was toasted with musical honours. Lieutenant Shackleton said that since his return to civilisation he had metContinue reading →

Captain Scott RN CVO on ‘Why I want to reach the South Pole’ From Whitefriars Journal, no. 5, May 1901, pp. 11-12. On Friday, February 25th 1910, the Club Guest was Captain Robert Falcon Scott, RN CVO. Friar Sir Robert A. Hudson was the Prior, and the topic of conversation was ‘Why I want to reach the South Pole.’ The Prior, in introducing the guest of the evening, said that he had read with very great interest everything that Captain Scott had written about his wish to reach that uncomfortable and inhospitable spot on the map, the South Pole, andContinue reading →

The Annual Dinner was held on March 7, 1913, the Prior being Friar E. Clodd, and the guest of the evening Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch. The Prior extended a cordial welcome to Sir Arthur and the other guests and Friars, whom he invited to drink ‘Prosperity to the Whitefriars Club.’ From the Whitefriars Journal,vol. II, 8, April 1905, pp. 175-81. Friar Sir Robertson Nicoll was warmly greeted on rising to propose the toast of ‘Literature’. Sometimes in submitting such a toast, he said, there was a certain difficulty in establish ing a connection between literature and the gentleman who was toContinue reading →

Major George Haven Putnam on ‘America in the War’ From the Whitefriars Journal, vol. V, no. 4, July 1918, pp. 115-21. On 29 May 1918, many distinguished guests were present to do honour to Major (he is also ‘Dr.’) Putnam. The attendance of Friars was one of the largest on record. Our Prior, the Rt Hon. Sir Gilbert Parker, Bart, MP, was admirable and the guest of the day held his audience in one of the most poignant and thrilling speeches ever delivered at the Whitefriars Club. The Prior submitted the toast of ‘The King, and the President of theContinue reading →

Sir Horace Plunkett on ‘Is Ireland Worth While?’ From the Whitefriars Journal, vol. III, no. 13, June 1910, pp. 246-47. On Friday, 29 April 1910, Sir Horace Plunkett was the Club guest, and took for his topic ‘Is Ireland Worth While?’ Sir Francis Gould was Prior, and there was a more than ordinarily large gathering of Friars and guests. Sir Horace took up Irish problems in a speech that was at once philosophical, humorous, and statesmanlike. He confessed to the difficulty of talking about Ireland without infringing the understanding in the Club that religion and politics were to be avoidedContinue reading →

Mr Henry Newbolt on ‘Our Club’ From Whitefriars Journal,vol. II, no. 8, April 1905, pp. 182-83. On 10 March 1905 on the occasion of the Club’s Annual Dinner, held at the Empire Hall, in the Trocadero, Friar Winston Churchill, M.P., proposed the toast of ‘Literature’, coupling with it the name of Sir Edward Grey, M.P., who then spoke. It was at the conclusion of Sir Edward Grey’s speech that the former Prime Minister, the 5th Earl of Rosebery entered. The Prior took the occasion of a momentary interval to propose his Lordship’s health, which was cordially honoured. Lord Rosebery wasContinue reading →

‘Wireless Telegraphy’ Chevalier Guglielmo Marconi’s speech at the Whitefriars Club Annual Dinner, held in the Empire Hall of the Trocadero Restaurant on 19th February 1904. From Whitefriars Journal, vol. II, no. 5, March 1904, pp. 117-18. Chevalier Marconi, who also responded [to the toast], said he regretted that the task of replying for ‘Science’ had not fallen upon one who could respond in a better manner. Science, it was true, had done very much for modern civilisation – so much indeed that they could hardly conceive or contemplate civilisation existing without it. It would be useless for him in aContinue reading →