OMAR SHAYAM CLUB.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1921, 2 December 1913, Page 2

OMAR SHAYAM CLUB.

The coming of ago of iho Omar K-havvaiu Club last week '(states an Kngiish journal .of October 23) was cf considerable interest to tlie literary world, for during its twenty-one years of prosperous existence the club has attracted to' itself a long -succession of tho brightest intellects of modern times. Eminent literary men have, not thought it derojatorv to their dignity to join the Omarians. "JlembeVs will wear red rose,3; siiul their guests roses of another colour.'' That stereotyped formula convoys an indication of the club's cu-stoni. Tlio wino is also red. It is obvious that the Omar Club was founded in honour of Omar the Tent-maker, the- Persian' astronomer-poet. It may interest samo to kuosv bow the club came to be formed, On October 13, 1802, three fno-iuis k'iliu' of ike Omar cult, to liine together at-Pagani's Ilestauraut, ;usd +o"ask a few friends to join them. Mr. j. H. jrCarl-hy was elected president, and the members wire limited to fiftynine. There have been- many notable gatherings in the history of the chtii, but there aro two which stand out with csnr'Til prominence. The llrst was when Uio late "Mr. George Meredith in 1595. et Ih'.vford Bridge, made his first and < 1111 v mil/lie speech. The tccoml was- tlie lield on March 31, 1009, in celebration of the centenary of Edward VitnOeralii. Jlr. Kdimuid Oosse pro„owd " Tllß Immortal Jlemory of b.ciIvard FitzGerald." By a singular iortiinaie eoiuculenee the president m tins year of coming of age is Sir A.ortmier Durand, a former JJim-star ot lclieran.