Cary T. Grayson to Alice Gertrude Gordon Grayson
Title
Cary T. Grayson to Alice Gertrude Gordon Grayson
Creator
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938
Identifier
WWP15785
Date
1919 June 4
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
My dearest,
To-night I dined at the home of Mr. Anthony J. Drexel, 27 bis Avenue Bois de Boulogne. It was quite a swell affair. I paid for my rank. I enclose the cards of the name of the lady whom I escorted into dinner. As you see she is a Countess—
From the jewels she wore I observed that she was not poor. She is a native of Poland, and did not speak English distinctly. When she spoke I had so much difficulty in understanding her that I felt that my hearing was defective, and she never stopped talking long enough to swallow a mouth full of food. I guessed her age at 75, but well preserved with the aid of jewels and other decorations. On her right sat the Hon. AJ Balfour, who is a fine cultured gentleman but a poor sport. He neglected his duty on his left; but talked constantly to a charming looking lady on his right. This Countess said to me atleast five times if you talk to the lady on your left I shall feel jealous—On my left was Mrs. Harry Lehr—much nicer than I anticipated.
I am going out to parties and dinners quite often now. Until this week I have declined most of them, but from now on—as I expect to be going away soon, I am taking a fling out among them for the experience etc. It is all in the game and education. I miss you and wish for you—for I know well that you could derive more pleasure and observations than I—
It amuses me to see some of the Americans ape foreign manners, see them bow and kiss the ladies’ hand. It may be the thing—but it is not natural for your humble partner, and I can’t learn the trick at this stage of my life—
Another reason for going out to parties I find that I am getting stale by staying in so constantly, I need a change. I work too late and long at nights—mostly on the diary—Wagner has been fine and a true and loyal secretary every day and night. It is hard to make much or any progress during the day as I have so many visitors and telephone calls.
I have made a number of queer friends, and varied and complex. Mr. Lloyd George seems to like to me, and I see him and talk with him nearly every day. To-day, he put his arm on my shoulder and said—I wished you liked me as much as you do President Wilson. I replied that when I find that you are as fine as a man as the President, I will. That remark seemed to amuse him and he has repeated it to several people.
This afternoon I went for a motor ride with the President & Miss E. for nearly two hours. The President slept most of the time—and so did I—all three of us sitting on the back seat in an open car. I apologized to Miss E. She thought it was a good joke.
I had Mr. & Mrs. Howland—(Mr. Ross’ friends) to tea in the garden of the Ritz this afternoon—Also Major Hunt—Rebecca’s husband who is a smart fellow—and greatly impressed by his experience in the Army. He has made an excellent record.
Col. Charles K. Rockwell is on duty here now with me and return aboard the Geo. Washington. Major Burke—Dr Wilmer’s assistant is also attached to me and he will return when I do—We expect to sail from Antwerp But when? is the all absorbing question to me—I want to get back to my darling Trudie and the little boys—
Thursday June 5th To-night I went to a big dinner and reception given by the Duke and Duchess of Vendome—She is a sister to King Albert of Belgium, and very fine lady.
Cartier is here and I like him very much indeed, I see a great deal of him.
To-day, I lunched with Mr. Balfour—Ambassador and Mrs. Davis were there and Sir Eric Drummond, the Secretary General of the League of Nations. It is a most enjoyable affair and most informal. The way I touch elbows these days with the Kings, Queens, Dukes, Duchesses, Lords, Prime Ministers and so on—is a long jump from red old hills of Culpeper—but let us hope it will not infect my head with that awful bacillus of Ego.
A few more days of it and we are not ready to sail for home, I’ll return to my pen and diary and Wagner. Thanks a thousand of them for your dear letters, they make me so happy.
Dearest love and all of it, I send in this letter to you—my precious darling—
from Friday, June 6. 1919.
Paris—
Dearest Trudie— I called this afternoon on Mr and Mrs. Clifford Grayson; daughter Helen, aged 16—and son 14 years old. Clifford is exactly like Charlie Grayson in appearance. Mrs. Grayson is a fine, charming lady. It was a most enjoyable visit to me. They are going to America about the July the tenth, and live there permanently now. They have lived in Par France for the past fourteen years. He is an artist.
There is so much to tell you about the international situation but I dare not try to write it for obvious reasons. But, I am keeping a full account in the diary. I have not told any one here about the diary. If so, it would cramp and somewhat embarras, For the reason if any one suspected what they were saying would be recorded they would lose a certain amount of natural manner and speech. Wagner guards the records—the diary—like a miser dose a pot of gold.
I am constantly being told—“you, of all persons, should write the a diary of these historic proceedings.” I am afraid from my attitude—some people, think I am asleep and not much alive.
Grasty is back from a visit to his wife and step daughter in London. He is in fine shape physically again and very appreciative for my humble efforts in his behalf—professionally. He brought me from London a beautiful pair of ivory military hair brushes and a hat brush with monogram letters—CTG. They are all too beautiful for me, I want you to have them.
I went to a fashionable French Dance to-night in the company of that great International flirt—BMB who likes your no name for him—Vance McCormick and Andy Long. I remained only one hour but had a good time—much better than I anticipated. These folks are particularly nice to me. I think it because I have kept back in reserve all the winter. Then, they seem to have an exaggerated idea of my importance and position. I hope they will be the ones to entertain such ideas and not your humble partner. The swell head epidemic still rages here, and I hope with all my heart that I will naturally escape any such infection—I see quite a good deal of Cartier—the Belgian Minister to Washington, he impresses me more and more upon acquaintance as a fine gentleman.
good night, my sweetheart—it is very late—after one o’clock, but just your dinner hour in Washington, that thought makes me feel as if this French time is incorrect or the watch is temporarily pushed forward. A real good kiss and a hug—my love—and good night those two dear little fellows—
Saturday— June 6, ’19.
BMB, Grasty and I had a nice motor ride through the Bois late this afternoon—where we thoroughly settled all of the international complications—but the trouble is there are others that have some decisions in the matters that won't act according to our suggestions etc.
I had lunch with Peter Gerry and afterwards helped with a statement to be given to the p New York Times and other papers. But, of course, my part in this is a secret to every one but you. I like Peter very much, and I am here to tell you that he has a lot of good horse sense in his head. I was surprised to find him so able and wide awake. He is a real live hustler and unspoiled by his money; an position and beautiful blonde Matilde—Tell—Margaret that I have ordered Captain for Captain Gordon Grayson an identification tag—quite suitable for the young man’s taste and liking, I hope. I am afraid that I am a poor hand in selecting presents for the boys, but I love to give them little things that would please and amuse them.
To-night the President and Miss E. had BMB in for dinner alone. After dinner the President talked wonderfully on how a university should be run—according to his experiences—views—it was simply great to hear him. What he would do—if he had a boy to educate. I gathered all the pointers, I could, for our boys. I wished so for you to be present to hear him talk. He was at his best. It was a treat to be within his presence.
It seems to me that he has grown intellectually since his arrival over here. In fact, in this particular he is growing every day—but it appears very marked to me in the past two months.
I thought that I knew him intimately long ago—but we seem to be on closer terms than every before. Every day we have confidential talks on the issues of the day concerning the Peace Conference and frequently asks my opinion about individuals. He expresses freely his opinions about them, but I do not always agree with him about persons.
CTG
To-night I dined at the home of Mr. Anthony J. Drexel, 27 bis Avenue Bois de Boulogne. It was quite a swell affair. I paid for my rank. I enclose the cards of the name of the lady whom I escorted into dinner. As you see she is a Countess—
From the jewels she wore I observed that she was not poor. She is a native of Poland, and did not speak English distinctly. When she spoke I had so much difficulty in understanding her that I felt that my hearing was defective, and she never stopped talking long enough to swallow a mouth full of food. I guessed her age at 75, but well preserved with the aid of jewels and other decorations. On her right sat the Hon. AJ Balfour, who is a fine cultured gentleman but a poor sport. He neglected his duty on his left; but talked constantly to a charming looking lady on his right. This Countess said to me atleast five times if you talk to the lady on your left I shall feel jealous—On my left was Mrs. Harry Lehr—much nicer than I anticipated.
I am going out to parties and dinners quite often now. Until this week I have declined most of them, but from now on—as I expect to be going away soon, I am taking a fling out among them for the experience etc. It is all in the game and education. I miss you and wish for you—for I know well that you could derive more pleasure and observations than I—
It amuses me to see some of the Americans ape foreign manners, see them bow and kiss the ladies’ hand. It may be the thing—but it is not natural for your humble partner, and I can’t learn the trick at this stage of my life—
Another reason for going out to parties I find that I am getting stale by staying in so constantly, I need a change. I work too late and long at nights—mostly on the diary—Wagner has been fine and a true and loyal secretary every day and night. It is hard to make much or any progress during the day as I have so many visitors and telephone calls.
I have made a number of queer friends, and varied and complex. Mr. Lloyd George seems to like to me, and I see him and talk with him nearly every day. To-day, he put his arm on my shoulder and said—I wished you liked me as much as you do President Wilson. I replied that when I find that you are as fine as a man as the President, I will. That remark seemed to amuse him and he has repeated it to several people.
This afternoon I went for a motor ride with the President & Miss E. for nearly two hours. The President slept most of the time—and so did I—all three of us sitting on the back seat in an open car. I apologized to Miss E. She thought it was a good joke.
I had Mr. & Mrs. Howland—(Mr. Ross’ friends) to tea in the garden of the Ritz this afternoon—Also Major Hunt—Rebecca’s husband who is a smart fellow—and greatly impressed by his experience in the Army. He has made an excellent record.
Col. Charles K. Rockwell is on duty here now with me and return aboard the Geo. Washington. Major Burke—Dr Wilmer’s assistant is also attached to me and he will return when I do—We expect to sail from Antwerp But when? is the all absorbing question to me—I want to get back to my darling Trudie and the little boys—
Thursday June 5th To-night I went to a big dinner and reception given by the Duke and Duchess of Vendome—She is a sister to King Albert of Belgium, and very fine lady.
Cartier is here and I like him very much indeed, I see a great deal of him.
To-day, I lunched with Mr. Balfour—Ambassador and Mrs. Davis were there and Sir Eric Drummond, the Secretary General of the League of Nations. It is a most enjoyable affair and most informal. The way I touch elbows these days with the Kings, Queens, Dukes, Duchesses, Lords, Prime Ministers and so on—is a long jump from red old hills of Culpeper—but let us hope it will not infect my head with that awful bacillus of Ego.
A few more days of it and we are not ready to sail for home, I’ll return to my pen and diary and Wagner. Thanks a thousand of them for your dear letters, they make me so happy.
Dearest love and all of it, I send in this letter to you—my precious darling—
from Friday, June 6. 1919.
Paris—
Dearest Trudie— I called this afternoon on Mr and Mrs. Clifford Grayson; daughter Helen, aged 16—and son 14 years old. Clifford is exactly like Charlie Grayson in appearance. Mrs. Grayson is a fine, charming lady. It was a most enjoyable visit to me. They are going to America about the July the tenth, and live there permanently now. They have lived in Par France for the past fourteen years. He is an artist.
There is so much to tell you about the international situation but I dare not try to write it for obvious reasons. But, I am keeping a full account in the diary. I have not told any one here about the diary. If so, it would cramp and somewhat embarras, For the reason if any one suspected what they were saying would be recorded they would lose a certain amount of natural manner and speech. Wagner guards the records—the diary—like a miser dose a pot of gold.
I am constantly being told—“you, of all persons, should write the a diary of these historic proceedings.” I am afraid from my attitude—some people, think I am asleep and not much alive.
Grasty is back from a visit to his wife and step daughter in London. He is in fine shape physically again and very appreciative for my humble efforts in his behalf—professionally. He brought me from London a beautiful pair of ivory military hair brushes and a hat brush with monogram letters—CTG. They are all too beautiful for me, I want you to have them.
I went to a fashionable French Dance to-night in the company of that great International flirt—BMB who likes your no name for him—Vance McCormick and Andy Long. I remained only one hour but had a good time—much better than I anticipated. These folks are particularly nice to me. I think it because I have kept back in reserve all the winter. Then, they seem to have an exaggerated idea of my importance and position. I hope they will be the ones to entertain such ideas and not your humble partner. The swell head epidemic still rages here, and I hope with all my heart that I will naturally escape any such infection—I see quite a good deal of Cartier—the Belgian Minister to Washington, he impresses me more and more upon acquaintance as a fine gentleman.
good night, my sweetheart—it is very late—after one o’clock, but just your dinner hour in Washington, that thought makes me feel as if this French time is incorrect or the watch is temporarily pushed forward. A real good kiss and a hug—my love—and good night those two dear little fellows—
Saturday— June 6, ’19.
BMB, Grasty and I had a nice motor ride through the Bois late this afternoon—where we thoroughly settled all of the international complications—but the trouble is there are others that have some decisions in the matters that won't act according to our suggestions etc.
I had lunch with Peter Gerry and afterwards helped with a statement to be given to the p New York Times and other papers. But, of course, my part in this is a secret to every one but you. I like Peter very much, and I am here to tell you that he has a lot of good horse sense in his head. I was surprised to find him so able and wide awake. He is a real live hustler and unspoiled by his money; an position and beautiful blonde Matilde—Tell—Margaret that I have ordered Captain for Captain Gordon Grayson an identification tag—quite suitable for the young man’s taste and liking, I hope. I am afraid that I am a poor hand in selecting presents for the boys, but I love to give them little things that would please and amuse them.
To-night the President and Miss E. had BMB in for dinner alone. After dinner the President talked wonderfully on how a university should be run—according to his experiences—views—it was simply great to hear him. What he would do—if he had a boy to educate. I gathered all the pointers, I could, for our boys. I wished so for you to be present to hear him talk. He was at his best. It was a treat to be within his presence.
It seems to me that he has grown intellectually since his arrival over here. In fact, in this particular he is growing every day—but it appears very marked to me in the past two months.
I thought that I knew him intimately long ago—but we seem to be on closer terms than every before. Every day we have confidential talks on the issues of the day concerning the Peace Conference and frequently asks my opinion about individuals. He expresses freely his opinions about them, but I do not always agree with him about persons.
CTG
Original Format
Letter
To
Grayson, Alice Gertrude Gordon, 1892-1961
Files
Collection
Citation
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938, “Cary T. Grayson to Alice Gertrude Gordon Grayson,” 1919 June 4, WWP15785, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.