On April 14, 1897, an essay by Paul Laurence Dunbar was published in which he described some of his recent experiences in London. Paul was in England for a recital tour and to find an English publisher for his book Lyrics of Lowly Life.
The great Savage Club invited me to a big dinner. I was the guest of the secretary of the Royal Geographic society. You would be surprised at the enthusiasm with which they received my reciting, when I was asked to take part in the post-prandial program. They cried "hock, hock, hock," and gave me two recalls. My host was more than gratified, because he said he had trembled for me, as the men are very severe and scrape their feet and call out loud when they do not like a thing.
"Paul Dunbar's Reception in England." The Piqua Daily Call (Piqua, Ohio). April 14, 1897. Page 8.
The Savage Club of London was founded in 1857 and still exists today. A few weeks before Paul's visit, a journal article described a similar dinner, also presided over by the Secretary of the Royal Geographic Society.
The Savage Club, the most cosmopolitan institution of its kind in existence, had a field night on February 6, when Dr. Nansen, the returned Arctic explorer, visited the club. Among the 300 Savages who were present on the occasion, there were men from all quarters of the globe. Appropriately, Mr. J. Scott-Keltie, the distinguished Secretary of the Royal Geographic Society, occupied the chair, and around him were hosts of others whose names are famous in the realms of literature, art, science and the drama. After dinner there was an entertainment such as can be found at the Savage Club only.
"Cosmopolitan Notes." The Colonies & India: A Weekly Journal of General Information (London, England). February 13, 1897. Page 6.
Paul wrote that on the evening he visited the Savage Club, the evening's entertainment included music and singing, a "sword dance," a drawing demonstration, and "some very creepy card tricks." Paul recited his own poetry, which was warmly received. Savage Club members could have responded rudely if they hadn't enjoyed his recitations.
I had the pleasure not long since of being a guest at a dinner given by the "Savage Club," where I saw and met a number of prominent workers of London. There were painters and sculptors, actors, musicians, authors and scientists. I do not remember about the dinner. It was the post-prandial feast that was all in all. The informal program began at 7:50 and ended at 11:30.
"Dunbar, One of the Lights of Modern Literature." Wood County Sentinel (Bowling Green, Ohio). December 8, 1898. Page 4.
When I was at the Savage Club, I was astonished by the interest they showed in some of the verses I read to them, particularly in those written in dialect. I don't believe, you know, that they could understand the dialect. But they felt the spirit of it, understanding it or not. I took a man whom I knew pretty well to one side afterward and asked him about it.
"Is it pure politeness," I asked, "that makes these people receive me so kindly?"
"Politeness?" he said. "No. Why, man, that crowd is just brutally frank enough to have scraped its feet and coughed until it stopped you, if you had bored it."
"Dunbar on London Ways." The Sun (New York, New York). September 5, 1897. Page 5.
Paul also mentioned his experience at the Savage Club in letters to friends, including his fiancée Alice Ruth Moore.
Last night as I started out, I took your letter with me and read it as I drove downtown. "It will give me heart," I said. It did and I have never had before such a brilliant success. It was at a dinner of the Savage Club, artists, litterateurs, scientists and actors, where every man could do some thing. I was an honored guest and held a unique position as the representative of a whole race. I took my turn with the rest, and -- dear, is this egotism? -- was received with wonderful enthusiasm. You were with me all the time! You do not leave my thoughts.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Alice Ruth Moore, March 7, 1897. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 5).
At present I do not feel very sanguine of a reading success here though I have had most excellent notices from the press, and the Savage Club has dined me with much enthusiasm. I am not tired of writing, but I am tired of trying to sell, and running about acting as a curiosity. I know that you are acquainted with London and so there is nothing I can tell you about this great dingy hive.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Dr. F., March 15, 1897. "Unpublished Letters of Paul Laurence Dunbar to a Friend." The Crisis (New York, New York). June 1920. Page 73.