The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1908-04-23
VANDERBILT DRIVE A TRIUMPH
HUGE CROWDS CHEER AMERI-
CAMS BRIGHTON COACH.
Chser the Owner Too, and the Horses and
Golden, the GuArd-ProcesslOn Half =
Mile Ions Serves - EseoFt at the Close
Splendid Day and Good Time Made.
sp,aaI ca1Ie ps.paleA 3 ~ SUE.


Splendid Day and Good Time Made.
Special Gable Dsspa6h 10 TBE Sun,
LONDON, April ?2.--To-day has hFen
one Of the greatest days Of my life, For a
whole year l have been longing for my first
run on the Brighton road, but | never
thought II would be like this
Thus spoke Alfred @, Vanderbilt as,
radiantly happy, he climbed down from
the box Of the coach Meteor outside the
Hotel Metropole, Brighton, this evening
after his first trial run from London prior
to the Inauguration Of the public coaching
service on May 8.
To say hat the trip was a grand success
does not convey any idea Of the extraordi-
nary enthusiasm with which the American
driver Of American teams was everywhere
greeted. It was throughout a triumphal
progress.
The start was made at II o'clock this
morning. Shortly before that hour Charles
Wilson drove the famous grays up TO the
doors Of the Berkeley Hotel, London, where
Mr.. Vanderbilt mounted the box. took the
reins and went on at a rafting pace to the
accompaniment Of cheersfrom a large crowd
Of onlookers and a fanfare from the horn Of
Walter Golden. who was acting as guard,
a position in which he will serve during the
regular trips Of Mr.. Vanderbilt's coach
Venture. The traffic on Piccadilly was held
up by an enormous crowd. among whom
we're many Americans. and congratula-
tons and g~odspeeds were showered on the
coach, which was a smart turnout that was
used lately on the route from London to
Hatfield, Mr.. Vanderbilt having decided not
10 put the Venture on the road until the
beginning Of his regular service.
There was a full load Of passengers, in
Guiding Craig Wadsworth, second secretary
Of the American Embassy; William G. Loew
and G. Lihiin Wharton. Al the end Of the
first stage Of the journey, on Putney Heath,
the coachers we're surprised TO ind another
enthusiastic crowd. There were hundreds
on foot, on horseback. in automobiles, in
carriages, and on bicycles, and everyone
who was not busy with a camera shouted
greetings.
Seven minutes were occupied in chang
ing horses, and when the coach started
again the whole crowd trailed after II, most
Of the crowd accompanying 1t for miles,
while many went all the way to Brighton.
Mr.. Vanderbilt's arm became 80 tired from
acknowledging wayside salutes that at the
end Of the next stage he handed over the
reins to Wilson in order that he might get a
rest. Al every stage the greetings were
renewed, the enthusiastic residents turn
ing out in large numbers.
The demonstration at Rigate, however,
eclipsed the lot. No royal visitor was
ever more feted there. The whole town
seemed TO be on the street. A brigade Of
bicyclists which met the coach outside
the TOW escorted it 10 the ancient White
Hart Hotel, which before the days Of the
| railway was the most famous coaching
house on the Brighton road. Here an old
gentleman who had ridden in an auto
mobile over the last stage in the wake OF
the coach drew ~alongside and shouted to
Mr.. Vanderbilt, Grand, sir. | never saw
a prettier team
The crowd Endorsed him with a hearty
| cheer. Mr.. Vanderbilt, who had been
surprised by his earlier welcomes, was
overwhelmed by ReiRate's enthusiasm
He said to one Of his CHESTS. 1T is just
amazing / cannot understand II. ] GER
tainly never expected anything like this.
Il has stirred me more than l can tell, 1t
shows how popular the stagecoaoh must
still be-
Most Of those who had accompanied
the stage from London stopped atReigate,
but q still larger escort started with the
coach for Brighton. At Pyecombe. six
miles from the goal, an enormous crowd
| Of people and vehicles blocked the road
for a quarter Of a mile. The whole lot
escorted the Meteor to Brighton. The
congestion made the going difficult, espe-
cially aS the road a lined everywhere
with eager spectators.
The procession which led the visitors
to their destination was fully half a mile
long. As the coach entered the streets
Of Brighton the police kept the roadway
/ clear. Thousands we're amassed on the
sidewalks and every window was full Of
spectators. Hats and handkerohiefs were
waved, and there -as loud cheering, to
which Golden. who is the most popular
man in his calling in London, responded
with long and intricate performances on
his coach horn.
At eos Mr.. Vanderbilt. who had taken
the reins for the last stages, brought the
steaming horses to a stand In front OF
the Hotel Metropole, Here be received
an ovation as though he wal a king from
a great solid c-swd OF thousands. who,
after roaring themselves hoarSe, gave
three defined cheers for MIR. Vanderbilt,
three for Golden and three for the horses.
The proud owner. having Acknowledged
the salutations, climbed down with the
expression Of delight noted at the beginning
Of this despatch. He added, MY arm is
30 dead tired from raising the whip that
/ can hardly hold II up
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