Evening star., 1962-04-27

Prime Minister, his study, are
comforting leather bound,
well-worn books and leather
covered armchairs. 1t may
be some time before he
emerges, completely recov-
cred. But during his isolation,
the aura of his unease be-
comes remarkably tangible
throughout the entire house.
Birch Grove, his beautiful
house and estate in Sussex.
is owned by a family COM
pany, of which he is not even
a director today. But Har-
old Macmillan is like a Vic
torian patriarch in what is
still his home.
He likes having his family
around him and most week
ends has several of his many
grandchildren visiting. He is
extremely good with the little
ones, but he is a great be-
lever in the maxim that chill
dren should be seen and not
heard.
Often when they become
too boisterous, he heads for
the study.
He. loathes high-pitched
laughter and loud noises. If
a party at home becomes too
noisy, he again retreats to
his study.
Whether he is living at
Birch Grove or in London,
when he returns home from
his daily duties, he wants
like any father - to have
family waiting to greet him.
There is trouble if no one
welcomes him. Where is
everyone?" he will inquire.
And, when they appear, a po-
lite though chilly Did you
have a good time?" will in
form any culprit Of his dis
pleasure.
Likes to Read
The Prime Minister does a
good deal of his reading, and
some of his writing, in bed.
But sitting in front of a fire
with a book in his hand. a
pipe in his mouth, and leath-
er slippers on his feet is the
way he prefers to spend his
evenings.
There is no televiSion set in
any Of his houses-except in
the servants quarters. When
he made a pre-recorded ma
tion-wide T'V talk a set was
hurriedly installed in his
apartment so that he could
later watch the show. But the
set was Immediately whipped
out afterwards.
Macmillan is not much of
a conversationalist at home,
but when he has friends or
family to dinner he likes the
talk to be intellectual and
witty.
He will rarely discuss any
political troubles he may be
having. Perhaps after a meal,
standing with his back to the
fire, he might mention them
to friend - an extremely
close Mjend.
A religious man, Harold
Macmillan takes an active
part in church services when
he is at his country home.
1t would be a rash guest in
deed who dared stay in bed
on Sunday morning and not
attend church.
The Prime Minister likes
to open the beautiful grounds
OF Birch Grove to the public
twice a year. with the pro-
ceedS going to charity.
HOrrifies Lloyd
He always makes a per-
sonal appearance and, on one
such occasion, he Mortified
Selwyn Lloyd, who had hur-
ried down from London for
a confidential discussion, by
insisting upon walking
through the crowds while
they talked over some i'm
portant points which any
Opposition Member of Par
lament would dearly have
loved to hear.
The Prime Minister has a
specialized knowledge of trees
and is very much concerned
with afforestation of the
l,250-acre Birch Grove estate.
Says Lady Dorothy: HE
likes the open air and walks
for miles and miles on the
estate every weekend"
Macmillan is also extreme
ly keen on golf and shooting
and these sports give him an
excuse to wear the shabby
country squire clothes he
likes best. such as a Woolly
cardigan under a tweed jac-
ket.
He had a reputation at
Oxford University for being
a dandy" and this has stayed
with him - principally be-.
cause he has never bothered
to alter the Edwardian cut of
his clothes.
He still takes much the