"Damned Odd Thing to Do"

The Honorable John Denzil Fox-Strangways, 42, former Coldstream Guards officer and second son of the Earl of Ilchester, was relaxing in his St. James's Street club, Brooks's, one night last week. Fox-Strangways' after-dinner calm was shattered by an indignant telephone call from another St. James's Street club, White's, of which he is also a member.

The Honorable Hugh Stanley, 24, brother of the Earl of Derby, informed Fox-Strangways that Minister of Labor Aneurin Bevan, rabid Socialist and ex-coal-miner, was being entertained at White's. Bevan's host was Sir John Slessor, Air Chief Marshal, who had invited the minister in for a drink after a meeting on R.A.F. manpower problems.

Both White's (founded 1693) and Brooks's (founded 1764) are primarily social, nonpolitical clubs, but as the qualifications for membership are background, breeding and wealth, they are naturally Tory strongholds. Other Laborites enter Brooks's and White's without causing any commotion, but Bevan is anathema to British bluebloods. In a speech in 1948 he had blatantly proclaimed: "Tories are lower than vermin."

Fox-Strangways strode angrily across St. James's into White's and, when Bevan and Sir John left the club shortly after, followed them outside. Fox-Strangways' family motto is Faire sans dire--deeds without words. Silently, he landed a kick on Bevan's broad backside. The minister stumbled down the last half-dozen steps, was hurried into his car by Sir John. The Air Marshal declared later that Bevan behaved with "great restraint and dignity."

Next day Sir John complained to White's committee, which apologized to Bevan. Then the club announced Fox-Strangways' resignation. Said one well-born Briton: "I'm afraid they're awfully upset about it at White's. I mean to say, you should never kick a guest. Might have kicked Slessor for taking the fellow there, though--damned odd thing to do."

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.