Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-05-16
IL ena xabls oelal 1.fSs Of The lao Gel
Lick Taylor.


The GROWING triumphs of Gen. Taylor's
.ocial career were won in England and o,
sie Continent of Europe some years ago,
He first gained notoriety at The London
clubs by his ABILITY az whist player H.
vas disciple of Hoyle and Of the older
school, and cared little for the modern nice
ties of the game. His memory was WON
derful and he never forgot a card. The
English club men, who had learned their
science from James Clay, Cavendish and
Pole, were astonished at the old fashiOned
player, who beat them in spite OF their rules
and formulas. SO Gen. Taylor's fame
reached the Prince of Whales, who loves =
rubber next to the tiger hunt, and they
met at the Marlborough Club ono night
and played together. Thus began an init
macy which endured to the last. Where
ever the Prince went whether to the Sand
bingham for Whit Of rustic air, or to Scot
land to stalk the deer. or to the races at
Ascot, or to the University boat races on
the Thames, thither he was certain to in
vito General Taylor. He introduced him
At Windsor to the Queen. and the Queen
was 30 charmed with his company that she
prayed him to stay for week at the Castle.
When the Prince went to India he invited
G. n. Taylor to be one of the party. But
the General preferred to stay in London.
and many a quiet rubber was played at the
Marlborough House by the Princess, the
Duke of Cambridge and the American
while the Prince was riding in an elephant
howdah through the junglss of Nepaul. L"
the royal box at Ascot his face is familiar
to every jockey on the course, though his
means never allowed him to own race hor-
ses and rarely to bet. One wager he took,
however, the ISSUE of VII. oh troubled him
to the last He was Oh the Princes boat
following the University crews when the
Earl of Dudley. spying ssme token of
French Imperialism on the lawn at CHS
wick, suddenly cried out that he would BET
s5 900 to s1O, twice over that the Napol-
comic dynasty was never restored in
France. The Prince of Wales took one of
these bets. Gen. Taylor took the other, and
he has ever since regarded the metamor-
phoses of French politics with an uncom-
monty wisful eye. Despite this newborn
ardor for Imperialism, he was received
with much distinction in Paris by Marshal
MacMahon, and eventhe rugged Bismarck
greeted him with warmth that savored
of personal friendship. Indeed, his passage
across the continent was one Of unaloyed
triumph, and the first gentlemen in Europe
were proud to call him their friend.
At the root of this prodigious success lay
his wonderful faculty for being all things
to all men. Whatever the topic Of CONVEX
sation might be, to that hc would adapt
! himself. To men of a younger generation
he was particularly charming. When the
faster members Of the Prince of Wales sci
would meet at tho Marlborough he would
discuss coaches with Lord Darlington
cock pheasants with Lord Aylesford, and
the latest horse race with Lord Charles
Beresford. In the Park, with the Princess
and children, his manner was redolent OF
antique chlvalry. At the Turf Club he
would arrange handicaps with Admiral
Rous and help Lord Roseberry make his
book for tho Newmarket meeting. At the
Athen@um he would cross literary swords
with Sir Charles Dixie, and at the United
Service would discuss military tactics with
Sir Garnet Wolsely and Lord Napier OF
Magdala. Geo. Otto Trevelyan, nephew
of Lord Macauly. read his articles in the
North American Review, and said there
was in him the stuff Of great military
writer. Statesmen listened with delight
to his dissertations on the American Co.l-
stitution. Won Moltke himself gave in
his honor tho dinner at which he met
Prince Bismarck. Everywhere he spread
about him the charm of his personality
and nothing distinguished him from the
crowd Of raconteurs more than this, that
his conversation was never forced or out
Of place, never labored or prepared before
hand, yelling up naturally from the stores
of naturally rich mind.
The London Telegraph noticing his
death says:
Gen. Taylor enjoyed social success At
the West End which has heretofore been
accorded to few Americans. The Life
and Letters of Mr.. Charles Sumner re veal
that he was an acceptable guest at the
houses of many Englishmen who had gain
ed distinction in politics. law, or literature;
but Gen. Taylor was favorite IN fashion
able lotteries which Mr. Sumner. Mr.. Tick
nor and other citizens of the great republic
we're never privileged to enter.