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The Divan Club was a short-lived Club in 18th century England , with membership open to gentlemen who had visited the Ottoman Empire . The club took its name from the Turkish " Divan ".

The club was founded in 1744 by John Montagu, 4th Earl Of Sandwich and Sir Francis Dashwood , who was also a leading member of the Dilettante Society . Members met for drink and sexual adventure dressed in Turkish costume, with "The Harem" as a regular club Toast . The club lasted for only two years, ending in 1746, when Dashwood founded the Hellfire Club .