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CHAPTER 10 entre’acte i: ace of clubs (1896–1924) With his jovial personality and his love of camaraderie, it was the most natural thing in the world for Herbert to be an avid club man. He was attracted to the clubby New York world and it, in turn, welcomed him. Participation in that world represented more than recognition of one’s professional achievements. The private club was a refuge from the multiple stresses of the urban environment, a place where men of like mind and ability could enjoy themselves in the pleasure of one another’s company. At his death representatives of the Lambs, the Friars, the Lotos Club, the Society of Arts and Science, the American-Irish Historical Society , the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, the Friends of Irish Freedom, the Bohemians and the society he helped found, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers followed Herbert’s casket to its entombment at Woodlawn Cemetery. The literally thousands of men who marched in that procession were paying tribute to more than Herbert the musician. As an artist he was held in the highest esteem; but it was the man they had come to love in the environs of the club world who engendered this outpouring of tribute and affection. Of all the clubs in that line of march, the one closest to Herbert’s heart was the Lambs. The club had a distinguished history,1 both in London and New York. At both venues it gathered together the finest theatrical, musical and literary talents, for purposes of recreation and the cultivation of an informal synergy that gave rise to great achievement in all branches of the arts. The club had an informal beginning at the London home of Charles and Mary Lamb. These authors of the famous Tales From Shakespeare extended hospitality to prominent literary and theatrical luminaries. The brother and sister were held in high esteem and the Lambs, founded in London in 1869, was named to honor their memory. As more and more prominent British actors emigrated to New York they missed the Lambs, and in 1874 formed their own club. From its earliest days the New York Lambs included both professional and lay 307 members. Actors, musicians, authors, scenic artists and producers attracted attorneys, publishers and other nonprofessionals who looked forward to the stimulating atmosphere at the Lambs. Here was to be found a unique combination of intellectuality with fun and games. This quality set the Lambs apart from other clubs. In some ways the club was and remains conservative. Coat and tie is still the house rule for gentlemen; ladies dress ‘‘appropriately.’’ But beneath the coat and tie a spirit of relaxed friendship has been the invariable house rule. The Lambs is a welcoming place. In 1874 the American Lambs was informally established in the Blue Room of Delmonico’s restaurant at Fifth Avenue and 14th Street. From there it led a wandering life, moving from the Morton House and the Union Square Hotel in 1875 to subsequent clubhouses on Union Square, 16th, 26th, 29th, 31st, 36th, 44th and 51st Streets. The houses at 36th and 44th Streets were elaborate affairs, each of which contained a small theater where experimental dramatic or musical pieces too problematic for public consumption were tried out before audiences of members. When Herbert was invited to join the Lambs in 1896, the club was on 29th Street, and its members included, in addition to Harry B. Smith, two of Herbert’s most important future collaborators: Glen MacDonough and Henry Blossom. Other prominent members were Maurice Barrymore , John Drew, James O’Neil, DeWolf Hopper and David Belasco, as well as Barnabee and MacDonald from The Bostonians. Although there is no hard evidence, the fact that so many of the major players in the story of Herbert’s theatrical career were Lambs makes it probable that initial contacts leading to future collaborations were established there. The Lambs seems to have been the incubator for much of Herbert’s best work. Even though house rules discouraged the use of club facilities for business purposes, we know that Herbert did use the Lambs as a business club, most famously with respect to the founding of ASCAP. Although the story is given out that ASCAP began at a meeting at Lüchow ’s restaurant, the fact is that the process began with Herbert and eight associates meeting at the club, though not in the main rooms. Herbert favored the club’s rathskeller for...

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