The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-12-08
New Publications.

New Publications.
HHE ADVENTURES OF A ROWING DIPLohATlsT.
By Henry Wikof. New York: Fetridge Go.
1867. l2mO.
This certainly one Of the most agreeable and enter
tanning books Of the day. conveys much information
respecting the celebrities Of Europe lets US into the pri
vste paror Of the French EMPEROR the British Prime
Minister the United States Secretary OF State; oon
tahs fund Of gossip about the leading politicians eo'
tors, literary and other hons Of Paris; ana, whna'
npars vews which original, and in many instances
striking with reference tho political history Oh the past
lew years. The author seems 70 have enjoyed singular
sinies for collecting materials for book OF political
gossip He dined Mt the Eytes; stayed oupe Of days
vAh Lord Palmer,ton u Broadands; hob nobbed with
Grasdin; consoled Lamarne ohAied Berger; had pas
sages At arms with Mr. Addngton the British Under Sec
rssasy Of State; discussed politics with Count Mole sat
opposite the Marquis dAzegho at dinner, without being
known to him; listened to Victor Hugo's private
RAences wrote for the Pyesse converted the Steele,
reasoned with the National; and for some time
Allied . position in French society which vel
isb superseded the usefulr ess Of Lord Normandy the
british ambassador 1t would be strange indeed, IL any
man. under such circumstances, could have failed 10
ssmu'ale materials for amusing book. Mr.. wikors
ample material has been turned 70 excellent account and
disposed Of with the skill OF an artist
From the book appears tnst In the summer Of 1850
Mr.. wko was dler in Paris, watching political events
With very keen eye, and occasionally diverug himself
BY contributing to the French press An essay he wrote
the British Constitution have attracted the
notice Of Mr.. Edwardes, the Acting Secretary Of the
Rrtish Embassy at Paris. That funconary took OPP
poruny Of Offering him letter Of introduction 70 Lord
Pamerston. kr. WkoG accepted the letter gratefully,
though without serious reflection to It's meaning, and
greatly surprised after prese ntns it, by an invita-
Non from his lordshp and spend day ut Broad
hnds the Pamerston country he use. He dned with the
family found Lord PAlmerston "a very pleasant gentle
OF fifty years apparently Che ID really 72), per-
fecsly OIL hand and unaffected in his demesnor, and
speuariy vfvsctous playful in his remarks, which
accompanied by sort Of running chuckle" Lady
ramerston " tall finely formed woman, once the belle
81 her epoch with handsome couutenance, and very
elegant manners with charming mixture Of haateur
and aHabtyn offered Mr.. Wikof her 70 the dining
rs0m saying that she would take tho stranger In 70 din
nor" After couple Of days spent at Broadlands during
which Mr.. wko had opportunity Of ascertainng that
he was NO his venerable host At riding walk
ing lord Pameston abruptly preached the subject OF
their business.
Your views seem TO coincide with mine. especial
h regards the United States and France; you have
nothing better 70 do, what do you say TO aiding me 10
keep the peace, for hear that you are good deal
o0hneCteu WIN the press IN DOM Counsfieb.
few days afterwards Mr. wikof seated In the o.
nce Of M Addngton the under Secretary Of State who
was telling him that he understood "he was TO be
employed in the foreign ofce; and asking "what sum
would DO by wy Of salary" To which modest Mr..
wyken answered, -Four five hundred . year 70
begin With; and the business.like Secretary closed
the transaction with, "Five hundred = year, then;
drawn quarterly.'
appear that the attache OF the redoubt
able foreign office received any definite instructions
fssn his employers he generally to help Lord Pat
mers.on TO keep the peace Nor was u clearly under
stood with whct department Of the British go
vernment be TO communicate. He appears 70
issinuste that Mr.. vardes the Secretary at Pars,
desired keep him under hf especial tuelagc Whether
this the wish Of the government whether he TO
report to Lord Normandy TO the foreign once directly
Hr. viksn does not expsin and apparently never
informed himself However, he went to work zsalously
70 earn his f5co year by negotiating with the Paris
editors He of The Steele proved to be an old soldier,
WHOM captive in the hunks At Portsmouth, an unpro-
missing subject assuredy; but Mr. wkon seems to have
cosvered him by proper sdmxture OF dinners and da
tribes and 10 have indeed the Steele TO cease abusing
England" Girardin, Of the Prose- was next assailed;
and after few Interviews between the redoubtabe Emile
sad wikon ia Presse took different view Of Lord Pal
nerston's character and acts" Meanwhile the pen or
The agent not itself idle Mr.. Wikor wros In
tbe French papers, and also those Of the United States
His object his contributions TO the latter was OF course
10 dspe the clouds which stu hover alliance 30
natural and necessary the interests OF both England
end the United States" Besides this aware OF Lsrd
Psmerstons unpopulArty In the United States" he zen
deavored mpart notions Of his character
snd abilities" His Efforts successful that mo
journal refused 10 insert, bis conciang sentiments"
and he surprised 70 the organs Of the ultra
democracy give them . prominent place in thcr col
uunsn
This pleasant life OF public usefulness at "E5oo year,
raid quarterly" day dsagrecably disturbed by
blunt hint from Mr. Edwsr les that he (wikon) "had
better resign" The rowing dipomatist was happily not
deficient entail quality Independence Of judg
Ecns; he politely bergcd differ from the Paris secre
tary and went on helping TO keep the pcace Next quar-
day Mr. Addinston, In bis usual business like way,
s~as instructed TO say tina, your (wkors) engagement
would clcsc Al the end Of tho year" This len scope
sr the exercise OF independent Judgment bu, the rowing
sspomaust, with tho proud consciousness that he had
done his duty wanted 70 know wherein he had failed 10
give satisfaction. Mr. Afdngton shares the sentiments
81 the cycumocu'ion Once with regard 10 people who
swami 70 know he hsd no information 70 give Lord
PsE,eyston next applied 10. He wrote directly, x-
log an hour and day for an audience wikon was In
WAITING at the boar appointed, but his ortship not
Ncx day another letter apoosznE and nxing ne~ hour
Again tho dpoma,st waited 10 the ante chsrber with
snrlo ray from the light OF his ordships counis
nance. Convinced that Lore Paimerctsn was playing .
rrecncsl Joke upon him. Mr. wkor then resorted to the
epsolsry form Of attack c,nndng less ia the force or
bis 'reasorng han In tho moderation or bis stone"
This succeeded in ici,ibg the following reply
Foasex or1rE November a. 1851.
sfln reply TO the letter wnich you addressed Vs.
eovEi Pamersion the Slst OF october, directed
observe 10 that he sole object OF the arrangement
which bis Lordshp made with you IN the autumn Of last
year. wss 10 make known clearly through the medium
% Se Pr nrh and the United states press. the liberal
aud especially toe pacific character OF the policy Of her
natesty government.
Hor far that object has been attained lord Famcrston
" urabIe To jndEe, your communications with this
sce, tho of your eugarenent have
been hui few His Lordsnir willing, however. 70 be-
hve that your services may have contributed 70 forward
tne eesred end
Brt ycu must be well that engagements Of this
snd IN their very nature temporary and dependent
circumstances tDd JoTo Paimerson having
be patscs1 that further benefit likely