Cary T. Grayson Diary

Title

Cary T. Grayson Diary

Creator

Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938

Identifier

WWP17021

Date

1918 December 31

Source

Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia

Language

English

Text

Tuesday,

The King and Queen accompanied the President to the Charing Cross Station, the start for Dover being made at 9:15 on the royal train. Their Majesties expressed deep regret because the President had to leave so soon and a very earnest hope that he would find time to return to London and again be their guests before he returned to the United States.

There was a really amusing incident in connection with our departure from Buckingham Palace, which gained notice all over the civilized world. In the hurry of getting ready for departure Brooks had failed to turn down both legs of the bottom of the the President’s trousers. The result was he walked out with a cuff turned up, while the other leg was plain. The King and Queen and the President and Mrs. Wilson with the Princess Mary posed for a photograph. This photograph showed the unusual character of the President’s leg coverings. Another picture taken at the same time, which had only the King and the President included, emphasized again the one turned-up cuff on the trouser. The British people, when the picture was published, felt very kindly towards the President and there were a number of editorial comments that this little freak of dress showed how little the President cared for personal appearances, and it strengthened him with people generally whereever the picture was printed. It made a particular hit with the man in the street.

On the way to Dover, the President sent a telegram of thanks to King George for the hospitality shown and best wishes for the New Year for himself, the Royal Family, and for peace, prosperity and happiness for Great Britain.

The authorities of Dover again met us at the station but this time our train was run well down on the pier so that it was only a short walk from the train to the Hospital Ship BRIGHTON, which again had been brought into service to carry us back to France. The Duke of Connaught was the last of the chief British officials to say goodbye to us at the Dover dock. Lloyd George and Balfour had been present at the station and said farewell on leaving London.

The trip across the Channel was uneventful. There was the same flotilla of destroyers—British to mid-channel, and then French; the overhead escort of aeroplanes and dirigibles, and the parting salute by the guns of Dover Castle. The weather was rainy and the Channel rather rough but none of the party suffered any discomfort from the trip.

The run from Calais to Paris was made without incident. We arrived at the French Capital at 9:30.

Among the guests of the President at luncheon while enroute from Calais to Paris was Viscount Acheson. The President told a number of good stories, and Viscount Acheson could not see the point of many of them and freely admitted it. The President said, “I will tell you one which I think you will understand, as it is an English story; A thoughtless gentleman was at dinner, and while engaged in conversation he had a habit of rubbing his head with his hands. He put his hands in the asparagus and rubbed it in his hair. The hostess seeing that he had thoughtlessly made this mistake said, ‘That is asparagus,’ whereupon the guest replied, ‘I beg your pardon, I thought it was spinach.’" The Viscount said, “I admit I don’t see any point to that, except that it was a nasty performance.”

DIARY ENTRY: Tuesday, . Left Buckingham Palace at 9 oclock for RR Station—1st carriage the President & the King George2 Mrs. WilsonQueen Mary & Princess Mary—3 CTG.
Sir CharlesLor Genl John Biddle—4 Lord Herschell—Genl Harts All shook hands with King & Queen at the Station—good-bye— usual inspection of Guard— Breakfast on trainArrived at Dover 11 oclock. Inspection of guard—soldiers and sailors—President sent telegram of thanks to King George for hospitality received—best wishes for new year for himself & royal family and for peace & happy circumstance for both Countries—Went aboard Hospital ship and off for Callais—France—The P. stood on bridge of ship across the channel—talking to ships officers etc—Arrived Callais 12,30—Boar Inspected guard—British & French— Board French train for Paris— At lunch—Englishman—Viscount Acheson could not see point of stories—fully admitted—Pres. told—many—among them—man thoughtlessly rubbed asparagus in air—attention called—you know I thought it was spinach— English could not see point except it was a nasty performance. Arrived Paris—7 o’clock PM.Drove Murat Palace—PresidentMrs. WilsonMiss Edith Benham—CTG dined together—Afterwards discussed the amusing incidents of trip to England— Tips—Buckingham Palace£2000gold g cigarette case inscribedTo Sir Charles Cust from Woodrow Wilson—$260—Gold match box to Lord Herschell$70How are you coming along, Englishmen, why I am here—

Original Format

Diary

Files

http://resources.presidentwilson.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/PCFT19181231.pdf
PCFT19181231A.pdf

Tags

Citation

Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938, “Cary T. Grayson Diary,” 1918 December 31, WWP17021, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.