Cary T. Grayson Diary
Title
Cary T. Grayson Diary
Creator
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938
Identifier
WWP17160
Date
1919 May 9
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
The President arose early and after breakfast he went to his study. At 11:00 o’clock in the morning and at 4:00 in the afternoon the Big Four discussed the procedure to be following in framing the Austrian-Hungarian treaties. Although Orlando was present no reference was made to the Adriatic. As a matter of fact, it has been totally agreed to that the Adriatic problems will be allowCed to take care of themselves for the time being, and that the other matters which deal directly with Austria and Hungary will be hastened as much as possible.
In the evening the President attended Sir Thomas Barclay’s dinner. It was a small affair, with twenty guests present. The gathering was a representative one -- people in different walks of life - some in very humble circumstances - were present. Very laudatory speeches were made in behalf of the President for what he had done for the peace and justice of the world. Speeches were made by Sir Thomas Barclay and by ex-Prime Minister of France Painleve and others. The Prince of Monaco made a fine address in English. The President in his address referred to the laudatory remarks which had been made and which, he stated, made him feel uncomfortable because they could see him at such close range at a small gathering like this. He said it reminded him of the story of an old woman who went to the circus for the first time. She was very much disturbed by seeing a magician read a newspaper through a two-inch board. Getting up suddenly she said: “This is no place for me to be with a thin calico dress on.” The President afterwards asked that this story be not given to the press as part of his speech. (SEE SPEECH).
Some of the “better” class in France rather frowned on the idea of the President going to a dinner where there was such a mixed gathering. But the President is a real democrat and he loves to get in elbow touch with all classes of people. He thoroughly enjoyed the evening.
In the evening the President attended Sir Thomas Barclay’s dinner. It was a small affair, with twenty guests present. The gathering was a representative one -- people in different walks of life - some in very humble circumstances - were present. Very laudatory speeches were made in behalf of the President for what he had done for the peace and justice of the world. Speeches were made by Sir Thomas Barclay and by ex-Prime Minister of France Painleve and others. The Prince of Monaco made a fine address in English. The President in his address referred to the laudatory remarks which had been made and which, he stated, made him feel uncomfortable because they could see him at such close range at a small gathering like this. He said it reminded him of the story of an old woman who went to the circus for the first time. She was very much disturbed by seeing a magician read a newspaper through a two-inch board. Getting up suddenly she said: “This is no place for me to be with a thin calico dress on.” The President afterwards asked that this story be not given to the press as part of his speech. (SEE SPEECH).
Some of the “better” class in France rather frowned on the idea of the President going to a dinner where there was such a mixed gathering. But the President is a real democrat and he loves to get in elbow touch with all classes of people. He thoroughly enjoyed the evening.
Original Format
Diary
Files
Collection
Citation
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938, “Cary T. Grayson Diary,” 1919 May 9, WWP17160, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.