LONDON, June 3, 1892.
[DEAR FAMILY:]
I went out to the Derby on Wednesday and think it is the
most interesting thing I ever saw over here. It is so
like these people never to have seen it. It seems to be chiefly
composed of costermongers and Americans. I got a box-seat on
a public coach and went out at ten. We rode for three hours
in a procession of donkey shays, omnibuses, coaches,
carriages, vans, advertising wagons; every sort of conveyance
stretching for sixteen miles, and with people lining the sides
to look on. I spent my time when I got there wandering around
over the grounds, which were like Barnum's circus multiplied
by thousands. It was a beautiful day and quite the most
remarkable sight of my life. Much more wonderful than
Johnstown, so you see it must have impressed me. We were five
hours getting back, the people singing all the way and pelting
one another and saying funny impudent things.
My rooms are something gorgeous. They are on the first
floor, looking into Piccadilly from a court, and they are
filled with Hogarth's prints, old silver, blue and white
china, Zulu weapons and fur rugs, and easy chairs of India
silk. You never saw such rooms! And a very good servant, who
cooks and valets me and runs errands and takes such good care
of me that last night Cust and Balfour called at one to get
some supper and he would not let them in. Think of having the
Leader of the House of Commons come to ask you for food and
having him sent away. Burdett-Coutts heard of my being here
in the papers and wrote me to dine with him tonight. I
lunched with the Tennants today; no relation to Mrs. Stanley,
and it was informal and funny rather. The Earl of Spender was
there and Lord Pembroke and a lot of
women. They got up and walked about and changed places and
seemed to know one another better than we do at home. I think
I will go down to Oxford for Whitsuntide, which is a heathen
institution here which sends everyone away just as I want to
meet them.
I haven't written anything yet. I find it hard to do so.
I think I would rather wait until I get home for the most of
it. Chas. will be here in less than a week now and we will
have a good time. I have planned it out for days. He must go
to Oxford and meet those boys, and then, if he wishes, on to
Eastnor, which I learn since my return is one of the show
places of England. I am enjoying myself, it is needless to
say, very much, and am well and happy.
DICK.
During these first days in England Richard spent much of
his time at Eastnor, Lady Brownlow's place in Lincolnshire,
and one of the most beautiful estates in England. Harry Cust,
to whom my brother frequently refers in his letters, was the
nephew of Lady Brownlow, and a great friend of Richard's. At
that time Cust was the Conservative nominee for Parliament
from Lincolnshire, and Richard took a most active part in the
campaign. Happily, we were both at Lady Brownlow's during its
last few tense days, as well as on the day the votes were
counted, and Cust was elected by a narrow margin. Of our
thrilling adventures Richard afterward wrote at great length
in "Our English Cousins."
