New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-10-13
THE LATEST DIPLOMATIC INFOR-
NATION.


THE LATEST DIPLOMATIC INFOR-
NATION.
We once had Minister at the Court of Madrid
who distinguished himsef BY the dexterous use of
the dueling pistol, with which he was ready to
periorate anybody upon the slightest prosocaton.
The present Minister, Mr. Preston does not sp-
pear to be either in the shooting or the hacking
and slasliDg line, but to be animated by the same
spirit which drove Mrs. Toodles from auction sale
to auction sale, and which iupelled her to large
trade in coffus and knockers. Considering the
exceedingly well settled state Of our Spanish a.
fairs, it is pleasing to learn that our Embassador
has thought it not incompatible with mis- severe du-
ties TO absent himself from Madrid and TO visit
Paris for the purpose of supplying himself with
chairs, tables, and bedsteads. Mr. Preston seems
TO be noby sustaining the reputation of our land at
the luxurious Court at which he represents U.s.
We are told that he hires palace at $4,000 rent
per annum Having done this, he is stocking the
same without regard to expense, as he has ordered
about $4,000 worth of chairs, tables, bedsteads
curtains, stools ottomans, couches, sofas, divsns,
and other upholstering ct ceterss. His presence
in Paris is said to have created a wonderful! e1-
element in those circles devoted to the manutac-
turing Of household goods and chattels
Unfortunately, while he was bargaining order
ing, buying, and chespening, he received Informs
ton of the death of Mr.. Wickliffe, who was
not only the rich man Of Kentucky, but
the fatber.in.law of Mr.. Preston. As this
distressing event would compel Mr.. Preston to re-
turn to the United States leaving our immense
interests at the Court of Madrid at the mercy of
somebody without the slightest taste in the farni
ture department of diplomacy it is stated that Mr..
Preston has suspended his purchases. This in-
formation no patriot can receive without regret.
In our present relations, dubious at the best with
the Spanish Government, we had good reason to
anticipate mild settlement Of everything, and the
almost unconditional surrender Of Cuba to our ex
pectant arms, through the influence of Mr. Pres
toms furniture What Spanish Minister or mon
arch could deny the demands of our American
Plenipotentisry living in palace, paying an annual
rent of Sc, 900 and investing Sl5, 600 in Partisan
household conveniences' Everything being thus
promising, was it rot cruel piece of impertinence
in Mr. Wickhfie thus to die, at the very moment
when the new domestic goods Of bis son-in.law
we're about to enter upon their mission Before
the Iberan authorities could be dazzled BY the
spendor Of the Republican Embassador We trust
that the unfortunate event is not beyond repsration
We sir cerely hope that Mr. Preston will sell out,
at ridiculously cheap rate, to bis successor, so
that our country may not miss the great chances
which have dawned only to threaten our bereaved
souls with their immediate disappearance. Our
diplomatic service has been in al unfortunate con-
dition for long time Let US hope that this
chance of mpressing at least one foreign court will
not be thrown away
1t 10 all very we'll to talk about Republican sim
pliciy-it is all very well for the Secretary Of State
to regulate the breeches and buttons of our Repre-
sentatiyes abroad-but who does not feel that if We
are to be truly respected in Europe We must do as
other people do and objurgate the expensel What
is an ambassador without bis small sword, bis pal
ace, and bis furniture Or without his knee.
breechesl Or 9 Secretary Of Legation with
bis coat unembreideredi What will become Ofus,
if the honor of the country be not maintained in
outward Appearances II the end be achieved, We
will not quarrel with the means One gentleman
noty sustained it by getting drunk in the morning.
keeping drunk all day, and going to bed drunk at
night That was all very well in its way, and 8
diplomatic novelty. Perhaps, however, the exper-
ime Mt will not bear repetition. There WAS another
gentleman who proposed to sacrifice SIS, 900 to the
honor of the country, by the purchase Of maguif-
cent gorgeous, resPleDdent, and dazzling farni.
ture Pale Death has interfered with his patriotic
Intentions but may We not hope that bis successor
will be animated by similar noble spirit If Mr.
Preston paid so much attention so his tables and
his plate, how unlimited would have been the pro-
fusion of bis kitchen! How he would have dined
and wined US into victory Two courses would
have conquered Cuba and the dessert have rendered
the Spanish Court universally amiable. We hope
that Nj Buchanan, who Is now famous as bon
rirant, will remember these things in selecting Mr.
Pres,On's successor!