Jones faithfully attended the Club in late 1780: on 31 October; 14, 21, 28 November; and 12 December. He only attended seven of the sixteen meetings of 1781, and six of the sixteen in 1782. As his resolution had authorized expansion to thirty-five members, the meeting of 21 November 1780 was important. However, Bishop Beilby Porteus and Earl Camden were black balled: “When Bishops and Chancellors honour us with offering to dine with us at a tavern, it seems very extraordinary that we should ever reject such an offer; but there is no reasoning on the caprice of men” (1:451). Camden's hopes may have been compromised years before, when Goldsmith had complained that Camden had paid him no notice at a gathering, and Johnson had answered that Camden should not have neglected Goldsmith.

No bishop had ever been elected directly; Barnard had been consecrated when a member. Now Jones nominated Shipley, the second friend whom he added to the Club. The nomination of a Whig extremist naturally raised the question of Johnson, though the two were social acquaintances. Jones still recalled a night at Shipley's, when Johnson remained silent at dinner and then poured forth invective against music: “Montboddo could hardly get in a word, and was indignant, nor has his indignation yet ceased” (1:359).