The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-12-23

Hon. JOIN Y. MASON AND THE MISSION TO
| FRANcE.-Our new Minister to France, the
Hon. John Y. Mason, win leave this port, we
understand, in the steamer Atlantic, tomorrow
Saturday. ,n route for his official destination.
We anticipate cordial reception of this impor-
tant tuncticnary by the imperial government
and court OF Napoleon the Third.
Judge Mason, like his predecessor, Mr.. Rivcs,
is . Virginia gentleman OF the old school He
has not, perhaps, the eloquent address and
courtly accomplishments of Mr.. Rives, but is
yet man of polished bearing and of easy and
agreeable manners. He has had classical
| education, excepting the French classics and
those of the other modern continental Ian
guages Of Europe. he has the benefit Of con-
siderable experience in public affairs-on the
bench in Virginia, in Congress, and in the Cab-
net at Washington. In this last position OF q
| Cabinet officer he doubtless learned much Of
the arts of diplomacy official and social. That
he understands the requisites and the iInpor-
lance Of social diplomatic dinner, he will
doubtless prove most satisfactorily after his
arrival in Paris.
| Apropos of diplomatic dinners They are in
dispensable to diplomatic success. The knot
test questions of international law and interna-
tionel reciprocities most generally receive their
practicalsolutionfr from the reciprocties ola quiet
| coy diplomatic dinner In this view we must
repeat that the pay of our Minister to France is
inadequate to meet the acquisitions of his office.
| Nine thousand dollars outfit and nine thousand
dollars year salary make up fair compensa-
| ton for the first year but the bare nine thou
sand for the second year, when the business OF
| diplomacy may be the heaviest, is not enough
| Twenty thousand dollars year would be well
| laid out upon our Minister to France ct this
momentous crisis, Ito us, with the rest of the
civilized world,) in the affairs of Europe Nor
should it be forgotten that in Paris as in New
York, the prices of living have increased, and
are still increasing. Beef pork roast geese,
turkeys capons and oysters are al on the rise.
Wines are rising from the blight Of the grape
crop all over the continent. Vegetables, too,
are looking up Good eating, then, being an in
dispensable item to successful diplomacy, the
salaries of our ministers should be raised, at
least pari passu with the rise in beef, roast
geese, oysters, wine, and walnuts.
Judge Mason, it lie hoped, will devote more
particular attention to our commercial rela-
tons with France than has been given to this
business by bis predecessors. Much may be
done by him in equalizing our commercial reci-
procities with the French empire. For exam
ple the tonnage duties upon American vessels
in the ports Of France are now nine times
greater than upon French vessels in the ports
Of the United States. Probably, however, this
whole subject may have been assigned to Nj.
Mason in connection with the new treaty in
progress between the two countries, referred to
IN the Presidents message
But the most important duty OF Mr. Mason
viii be to keep his government duly advised of
all the diplomatic movements of the great
powers. TO this end, conversational know
ledge Of French would be of the highest advan-
tage to our minister But as Louis Napoleon
and The Empress, and most, if not oil, Of the
imperial cabinet and court speak English, Mr..
Mason will be able to get along without much
difficulty on that point. He will find it to his
advantage to cultivate the acquaintance of the
Empress. She is thorough diplomat. and
shrewd politician concerning European affairs.
With this card OF instructions, in addition to
those from the Secretary Of State concerning
his clothing, and those from the President on
other subjects, we wish our new Minister to ST.
Cloud az, bon royage.
THE Law or LIBEL AND THE ITALIAN OPERA.
For The last few days, the two journals in this
city which gloated over the verdict Of $4,000
against the HERALD, in the Fry case, have dis
tipguished themselves by an onslaught upon
an opera singer well and favorably known to
the American public. The facts are these: Mr..
Maretzek as our readers are aware has