The Diary has not
been transcribed for this period December to January 1935,but the entry
for the visit to Randolph Hearst's ranch has been put in its place.
Gareth noted in his last letter of 1934 on
December 30: ‘It has been a grand year and coming to an end in a lovely
place. But what a rush. I have just had a telegram from Hearst, "Glad to see
you any time. Let me know when you will come. W.R.Hearst."’
He boarded the train from Glendale to San Luis
Obispo, and arrived early in the morning at about 1.30 a.m. Soon a group
from the New Year’s party arrived at the station from the San Simeon Ranch.
They were mostly Hollywood stars including Harpo Marx. At about three
o’clock Gareth climbed into the car and he described his drive to the ranch:
It was a clear starry night. There were 52
miles to the ranch of winding roads with mountains here and there. I saw a
ship and on the shore of the Pacific the ranch runs 36 miles along the
sea. Then lights appeared at the top – Mr. Hearst s ranch. Underneath was
a series of bright red and white lights with light tower flashing. That
was Mr. Hearst’s Aerodrome so he can fly to Los Angeles in 1½ hours. Now
the aeroplane has got stuck in rather soft ground.
Gareth saw a notice which said "Danger Wild
Animals" and in his diary he described his impressions of the ranch:
Beside the road were buffaloes, bears, and
white antelopes. We drove through a series of gates which separated the
animals from the house. Then what looked like a great Spanish cathedral
came into view - huge and magnificent. We drove round the house and came
to the bottom of marble stairs. There was a wonderful scent of flowers. By
now it was past 4 a.m. There was a cathedral like entrance with marble
statues and oranges trees everywhere. I was taken to my room, which had a
Persian carpet, exquisite above the bed, a ceiling of strange gold and
dark red design, and a mirror with gilt oak leaf surround. Over the
mantelpiece was a medieval bible scene in wood and two angels, and below a
great fireplace decorated with angels - an ancient chest of drawers, a
great gold covered Madonna, a Persian design around the windows, arm
chairs covered with Persian tapestry completed the scene in the room.
Soon I was asleep and I was called at 8.30
a.m. Looking out of the window I saw a beautiful view of the Pacific
stretching away, and to the right the blue waters of new swimming pool
with classical columns and Cyprus trees slender white statues of goddesses
around it.
I dressed and crossed to the main building
where there masses of scented red and white flowers, oranges palm and
lemon trees. Entering the first room there were huge Christmas trees, and
on the walls hung grand tapestries. Next was the dining room which was
like the interior of a church with choir stalls taken from Spanish church.
The wooden ceiling had carvings of St George and Dragon. The whole hall
had been built around the ceiling from Italy. Six big Christmas trees with
silver tinsel and candles stood in the room.
The whole place was almost deserted. I
wandered about and took some photos. I went to see the dogs and there were
Irish wolfhounds, Great Danes, Boston Bull terriers, Dachshund, and smooth
and long haired English Sheep dogs. Then I explored the zoo and went in to
lions den and that of the Royal Bengal Tigers which were snarling and
growling. There were playful Chimpanzees, deer, beautiful specimens of
black leopards, Russian bears, sloth, bears, jaguars, elephants, and
monkeys.
Next, I explored the swimming pool with its
beautiful clear blue water, lined with gold and blue mosaic and surrounded
by white classical statues. I wandered about and everywhere there were
Babylonian, Greek, Roman, Persian and Egyptian statues and treasures.
Lunch was very late and eventually Marion Davies came in wearing brown
slacks and a red jumper. Later her sister in breeches and a riding habit
joined the company. I got hungry waiting for Mr. Hearst who eventually
came at 2.45 p.m. for lunch. The conversation at lunch was light hearted.
The telephone rang all the time and the news service kept coming in.
Hearst kept an eye on the news all the time.
Gareth made no note of any political
conversation except to some charges against Japan.
In his next weekly letter home on January 6,
1934, told his parents:
It was fine to get all the letters just after
Christmas and last week. Life is full of rushes and pleasures here that I
haven’t had time to write properly. I’ll give you the complete story of my
adventures which included a visit to Hearst’s Ranch, entering a man-eating
cage, going around Metropolitan Goldman Mayor studio and seeing most of
the stars, being entertained to the preview of "David Copperfield" at
which the leading lights of the film and press world were present, being
invited to lecture and broadcast for 43 minutes to the famous Commonwealth
Club of San Francisco which has been addressed by every President of the
United States since McKinley and being commissioned to write three short
simple article Russia and being commissioned to write three short articles
on Russia for 225 dollars. So that was quite a week, wasn’t
On January 13, 1935, Gareth informed his
parents of his final plans for his intended visit to the Far East:
A week today I shall be on the Pacific on my
way to Honolulu where I shall arrive on Friday 25. From there I sail to
Yokohama where I arrive on Friday February 8th. [1935]
I had just finished doing two interviews for
the Manchester Guardian: one with Upton Sinclair and one with
Governor La Follette, two leaders of the radical movements in America. I
hope the Manchester Guardian will take them. Last week I sent an
article on the ‘New Deal’ to them. Today the Los Angeles Examiners
splashed my second article in great form. I’ve got to rehearse my speech
on the Commonwealth and International Police Force at the farewell
luncheon which the University Club of Los Angeles is giving in my honour
tomorrow.
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