It was a feast fit for the spirit of Dr. Johnson. Beef Wellington and rich claret. Candles flickering on the tables and casting reflections on the dark mahogany paneling. Flowery remarks by Sir Peter Ramsbotham, British Ambassador to the U.S., and Kingman Brewster, president of Yale and the newly appointed Ambassador to the Court of St. James's. More than 800 distinguished guests, including the directors of London's Tate Gallery and Victoria and Albert Museum plus multimillionaire Art Collector Paul Mellon.
The setting was University Commons, the massive undergraduate dining hall at Yale University....