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In a grateful letter of thanks, H. R. H. absolved the Church of England or "High Church" from any stigma of having criticized him, referred with withering contempt to the "torrent of abuse [heaped] upon me not only by the Press, but by the Low Church and especially the Non-conformists."
"Alas!" lamented H. R. H. in conclusion, "Those who gamble will gamble at anything. ... I have a horror of gambling." Upon this firm, High Church foundation the present Edward of Wales and Prince George played baccarat last week without stirring the faintest ripple of British criticism. Edward VII, by his adroit, indomitable stand, made his successors safe even from the Low Church, not to mention the worm-high Nonconformists.
Other Activities of T. R. H. in South America last week:
¶ Playing polo for the "Conde de Chester Cup" offered by himself (he is traveling as the Earl [Conde'] of Chester), Edward of Wales & teammates lost graciously to the Chilean team.
¶ Dancing the tango at Vina del Mar's Casino, H. R. H. belied advance press notices from London that he can tango. According to Chilean experts, what H. R. H. did was something between a tango and a waltz. "This made his steps," wrote one courteous Chilean, "quite the most unusual and newest on the floor." ¶ Entertaining a delegation of more than 100 Cuban business leaders, Britain's "Empire Salesman" used the American technique, served a typically hard "salesman's cocktail." ¶ Yachting on Lake Llanquihue, Chile, whence they proceeded to Lake Fria, Argentina, T. R. H. were serenaded by a Chilean Army band under a tropic moon. The band was on a barge. After moonset, as the barge was being towed home, a lake steamer ran it down. Twelve bandsmen drowned, six were saved, one body was recovered. Messages of condolence were promptly sent by Edward of Wales.