Foreign News: Princely Pilgrim

The chronological account of Lord Renfrew’s visit to the U. S. is herewith continued:

¶Precedent was flagrantly flouted when the noble lord planted a tree on the Burden estate to commemorate his visit. Usually royalty, even if it is disguised, plants only acorns. Renfrew’s tree was a handsome, upstanding young red oak of 20 summers.

¶Rain and the consequent postponement of the international polo match (see SPORT) persuaded Lord Renfrew to postpone his departure. While waiting, he spent a typical day. Rose at 10 a.m., took a plunge in the Burden pool, played seven chukkers of polo, lunched with Mrs. Harrison Williams at Glen Cove, teaed at J. P. Morgan’s home in the same place, dined and danced at the home of Mrs. W. K. Vanderbilt.

¶Captain Lascelles, assistant private secretary to Lord Renfrew, said that his lordship had been reading The Life and Letters of Walter Hines Page, and that he was very fond of Mark Twain, had read some volumes twice. The secretary also said that numerous presents, ranging from chewing gum upwards, had been sent to him by firms and individuals. The rigid royal rule of not accepting gifts from strangers was adhered to and the gifts were all returned by registered mail, allegedly costing the Baron no trifling sum for postage. It was stated that from 10 to 40 letters ‘daily are received from admiring females whose sole request is for an autographed photograph. Even this trifling comfort has to be denied them. But they receive a form letter, expressing profound regret.

¶A bath in lieu of a sleep, a fox hunt in which all barriers were taken, though many others flunked them, six chukkers of polo after breakfast and then a sleep, followed by unknown pursuits, rounded out a regular, royal day.

¶Slipping out of the servants’ entrance of the Burden home, the Baron bounded into an automobile, was driven to Manhattan. At the Pennsylvania Station he took a subway to Park Place, walked to the Woolworth Building, was taken skywards by a neatly-uniformed and much impressed “indoor aviator.” From the top the Baron himself became impressed with the wonders that were revealed to him. From the Woolworth Building he paid a visit to the New York Port Society, inspected the building, chatted with the seamen. He was much interested to learn that British and American seamen sing in unison God Save the King and My Country ‘Tis of Thee, the economy of music being made possible by both songs being set to the same tune. The visit to the seamen over, the Baron was driven up busy Fifth Avenue, did some shopping, returned to his Long Island home.

¶A vast crowd assembled one fine day at Meadow Brook to witness the much-heralded polo match. Several times that crowd was seen to rise hesitatingly as a succession of young men wearing clothes a la Renfrew arrived. His arrival was unmistakable; the vast hordes of photographers gathered at the main entrance to the field suddenly went “mad dog”, scampered hither and thither, stopped, snapped and retired. Cheers and handclaps were absent, but most of the spectators strained their necks. All present were impressed with the Baron’s good sportsmanship. He smiled throughout the game, despite the fact that the British were losing. ¶Next day, lunch with Harrison Williams, a motorboat ride, dinner with Julius Fleischmann, yeast man.