The Sun.
London, England, 1870-03-11 00:00:00

THE DIPLOMATIC SERVICE.

The Select Committee of the House of Commons ap-
pointed to inquire into the diplomatic and consular ser-
vices proceeded on Thursday to further examine the Hon.
E. Hammond, Under Secretary at the Foreign Office.
With respect to the German Courts generally, and
ecially Dresden, Dantzic, and Darmsdadt, Mr.
Hmmond explained that they had a great influence
in the foreign courts of Europe. The misfortunes of the
Royal Family of Saxony had met with the greatest sym-
pathy on the part of the Continental courts ; and as other
powers continued to send missions there it was thought
proper to send one from this country. As for Dantzig,
It possessed a most important fortress, garrisoned by
Prussian troops, which rendered it expedient to preserve a
mission there ; and at Darmstadt one was kept up on
account of 'the relationship of the royal families. German
missions were of much importance to England : nothing
could happen there that would not have a general tendency
to react on this country. We might keep out of these affairs
for economical purposes, but there was no constitution in
Europe which did not materially affect our interests. Our
manufacturing population depended on our intercourse
with the Continent for its livelihood. It was essential said
Mr. Hammond, in answer to Mr. Eastwick, that young
men entering the profession should be persons of
property, and in a good position. Their salary would
not be sufficient to maintain them abroad in a position of
equality with those with whom they would have to asso-
ciate. Character could not be tested by a competitive
examination. A University degree might imply know-
ledge, but not always the sort of knowledge required.
The witness stood in precisely the same relation to
the Foreign Secretary as a Secretary of Legation did
to a Minister. There was no limit to the age at which
foreign Ministers retired. Witness was himself 65 years
years of age, so he would rather not say that a gentleman
who had arrived at that age should retire. (Laughter.)
In some remarks made by Mr. Eastwick, it was pointed
out that our relations with Persia are important as affect-
ing our Indian Empire, and the mission has been
transferred from the Indian Government to the Foreign
Office, on account of its being thought that representations
would have more effect coming direct from the Queen's
officers. With regard to the duty of a consul, such aperson
had no diplomatic power whatever. If a consul at Marseilles
could settle any question that might arise, he would do so ;
if not, he would appeal to the Ambassador at Paris. The
Foreign Secretary had the sole power of appointing. unpaid
attach6s. All who can once get into the service were
sure, sooner or later, to get to the top of the tree. 'Witness
did not think that preference was shewn to members of the
aristocracy, though great numbers of that class were in
the service : but it was important that a person engaged
in diplomacy should possess means.

A POSTSCRIPT.—George Selwyn once affirmed
that no woman ever wrote a letter without ayostscript.
" My next letter shall refute you," said Lady G. He soon
after received a letter from her ladyship, on which, after
she had finished it, she added, " P.S.—Who was right
now—you or I 2" _ _ _
A REGULAR AMERICAN ARGUMENT.---Mr. Elihu
Burritt has made a curious calculation as to the waste of
time and money by the use of the single letter "u " in
words from the Latin' where it is not required, such as
"-labor, honor, vigor, favor, &c. He estimates the waste
of puns, ink, paper, type-settinLs.4
M RAM a 11114../-