The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-07-05

liarity Of dress, &c. Some of these circulars re-
paraisss dress are very curious, The following
was issued by the Department Of State on the
9Th Of August, 1885,
The consular uniform prescribed in the standing
consular instructions is abolished and the following
substituted, viz Single breast coat Of blue cloth,
with standing cape collar and ten navy buttons In
front; one button each side Of the cape; four
each cuff; four under each pocket flap, and one on
each hip and the folds; two on each side in the
tire, and one each side OF the Same at the lower
extremity of the skirts
The front, (from the cape down to the lower ex.
tremy of the skirts) cuffs, eapes, and pocket flaps,
to be embroidered in gold representing vine com.
worked with gold thread. The button-holes cores
ponding with the width of the embroidery, which ID
not to exceed two inches in any part.
Vest and smallclothes Of white, and navy buttons;
the former to have ten in front and four under each
pocket flap With this dress, cooked hat, small
sword and shoes and buckles are to worn. The hat
to be furnished with gold loup, gold tassels, and
black cockade with gold eagle in the centre; added
to which, ii is to be understood that the mountngs OF
the sword and the shoe and knee buckles, are TO be
gold, otherwise gilt.
OF all this, Mr.. Marcy, Secretary Of State, in
his circular to our consuls dated at the Depart
ment of State, June l, 1853, makes short work.
He says, that
All the instructions heretofore issued from this de-
parment, in relation to consular uniforms are here
by revoked. Neither the propriety nor the utility
ofany regulation on this subject is perceived. No
law prescribes it to such officers at homeno usage
warrants any such mere external distinction, and it
could not be assumed by functionaries at home with
out offence to public taste.
We shall proceed hereafter to show the i'm
portance attached to the consular office by Eng
land and the extent and character Of qualifca
tions deemed requisite to enable person to
discharge the duties appertaining to the same
By this means we shall see how far similar
qualifications are regarded by our government
and how very deficient our system is compared
to that of other countries.
Now FOR IT-General Almonte, Santa Annals
especial protege and favorite, and his newly ap-
pointed Minister to Washington, has arrived
there. and will probably be presented to-day to
the President and his Cabinet on or before the
reception of the people at the White House.
Now for it. Heretofore the Mexicans have
beaten our diplomatists all hollow We shall
watch with great solicitude and anxiety for
the beginning, the progress, and conclusion Of
the negotiations upon Mexican affairs between
Almonte and Gov. Marcy. We recommend our
Premier to don the old continental costume of
Ben Franklin broad shad-bellied coat, very
long waistcoat, short tight breeches, neatly
patched, and those blue yarn stockings-and set
too with the COOL discriminating good sense and
sagacity of the old Doctor, and then we shall
succeed in frustrating the Vaccinations of all
our enemies, open and disguised, domestic and
foreign. in Mexico, without resort to arms
Gen. Almonte left Washington in 1916 be-
cause his functions as diplomat were cut
short by casus beli. We have now q similar
occasion for just such another disturbance
But we rely upon our Premier to bring us out
off by good writing instead of hard fighting
The web of our Mexican affairs is complex and
difficult of disentanglement without breaking
the thread Of peace; but perhaps our Premier
can do it. Perhaps not. We must wait and
Wall street must be patient. The arrival Of
Gen. Almonte is something. For the rest we
can only urge upon our Premier the diplomacy
of Franklin, as well as his old clothes. Keep
cool