Cary T. Grayson Diary
Title
Cary T. Grayson Diary
Creator
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938
Identifier
WWP17005
Date
1918 December 15
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
SUNDAY.
Following breakfast the President, Mrs. Wilson and myself attended church in the Rue de Berri. On leaving the church we drove to the tomb of Lafayette, where the President deposited a wreath which he had arranged for. On the wreath the President attached his personal card, on the back of which he had written in his own handwriting: “In memory of the great Lafayette, from a fellow-servant of liberty.”
After luncheon Premier Clemenceau called, and the President and he conferred for a little while. The President told Clemenceau several stories, the French Premier being the first to hear one of the President’s stories on the European side of the Atlantic. The story which seemed to please Clemenceau was that which dealt with a yachting adventure of the late King Edward VII of England. The King with his retinue were on a yacht in the Mediterranean, when it was caught by a sudden squall. The storm was severe and for a time the small craft was in serious danger of foundering. Finally, however, the wind died down, the sun came out, and then speculation began among the ship’s company as to the procedure which should have been followed had the vessel actually been wrecked. Whether the ladies on board should have been first rescued or the King—was the point that caused the discussion. “Should we have saved the ladies before the King?”—one of the crew asked. “Most assuredly”, was the reply; “we would have saved the ladies; let God save the King!”
At 4:30 in the afternoon we attended the American Church of the Holy Trinity, where a military service was held with Bishop Gerry of South Carolina presiding. We had our first experience at this service of the European method of watching the distinguished visitor through opera-glasses. On the right hand side of the church a man sat in a pew and he kept his opera-glasses levelled on the President during the entire service, not even taking them off once in a while to have a look at the Presiding Bishop.
At dinner that night the President told me that the reception he had received in France was so spontaneous and hearty that it made him feel thoroughly at home.
Following breakfast the President, Mrs. Wilson and myself attended church in the Rue de Berri. On leaving the church we drove to the tomb of Lafayette, where the President deposited a wreath which he had arranged for. On the wreath the President attached his personal card, on the back of which he had written in his own handwriting: “In memory of the great Lafayette, from a fellow-servant of liberty.”
After luncheon Premier Clemenceau called, and the President and he conferred for a little while. The President told Clemenceau several stories, the French Premier being the first to hear one of the President’s stories on the European side of the Atlantic. The story which seemed to please Clemenceau was that which dealt with a yachting adventure of the late King Edward VII of England. The King with his retinue were on a yacht in the Mediterranean, when it was caught by a sudden squall. The storm was severe and for a time the small craft was in serious danger of foundering. Finally, however, the wind died down, the sun came out, and then speculation began among the ship’s company as to the procedure which should have been followed had the vessel actually been wrecked. Whether the ladies on board should have been first rescued or the King—was the point that caused the discussion. “Should we have saved the ladies before the King?”—one of the crew asked. “Most assuredly”, was the reply; “we would have saved the ladies; let God save the King!”
At 4:30 in the afternoon we attended the American Church of the Holy Trinity, where a military service was held with Bishop Gerry of South Carolina presiding. We had our first experience at this service of the European method of watching the distinguished visitor through opera-glasses. On the right hand side of the church a man sat in a pew and he kept his opera-glasses levelled on the President during the entire service, not even taking them off once in a while to have a look at the Presiding Bishop.
At dinner that night the President told me that the reception he had received in France was so spontaneous and hearty that it made him feel thoroughly at home.
Original Format
Diary
Files
Collection
Citation
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938, “Cary T. Grayson Diary,” 1918 December 15, WWP17005, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.