The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-04-24

somewhat similar 10 the wash
'ington Assembly ball.'' On this occasion he
adds, delightedly-
81 was honored by invitation of the Queen to dance
quadrille with her, which not the less gratifying
Tor happening more public occasion than the ordna
ry Court ballsfor my being the only member dip
omatic corps similarly honored that evening At late
Court ball the King who had been absent for weeks
at his chateau of the Loo came up to me and shook me
most cordially by the hand.'
At Stockholm, King OSCAR was by no means
disposed to yield TO Mr.. MARcY's circular. To
Baron STERNELD's representation Of Mr.. SCHRoE-
DER's instructions the King replied:
Say to Mr. Schroeder gives great pleasure at
all times to see Mrs Schroeder and himself but the Ell
quette of my house is subject regulations which cannot
be waived for in preference to another In an audi
ence of business will receive him in any dress his
eminent may prescribe but in the society of my family
and occasions of Court can be received but in
Court dress in conformity with established custom"
We have next letter from Mr.. SANFORD, tender
ing to the PRESIDENT his resignation as Secretary
of Legation. Mr.. MASON has reached Paris and is
determined to appear at Court in uniform. Mr..
SANFORD has discarded the uniform altogether,
and is not disposed to resume it. Mr.. MASON in
sists upon his conforming to Court etiquette Mr..
SANFORD points to Secretary MARoY's instructions
enjoining him to adopt citizens dress. Mr.. Ma
party will yield the point in dispute, and as his
further official intercourse with the Court is
thus rendered impraccable, Mr.. SANFORD
resigns his office. After explanatory
epistle from Mr.. MASON, we have an in
timaton from Mr.. BUCHANAN, then Minister at
London, that he has conformed TO his lnstruc-
tons, and, by so doing, 'has produced quite a
sensation" Etiquette forbade that he should be
present in citizens dress at the opening of Parla
ment, and he would wear no other. He had eX-
pressed to the Master of Ceremonies his determi-
nation stneiher to wear gold lace nor embroidery
tat Court" but what that important functionary
said in reply is not stated. Somebody, however,
SUGGESTED to Mr.. BUCHANAN that he "might
"assume the civil dress worn by General WASH
sISGToN TO which Mr.. B. was at first inclined.
He adds, naively-''But after examining STEW
CARTS portrait at the house of friend, came to
''the conclusion that it would not be proper for
''me to adopt that costume" "If,' he continues,
~ were to put on his (WAsHINGTON's dress at a
'Presdents levee in my own country, should
"render myself q subject of ridicule for life"
which we think altogether probable. On subse-
quent reflection, also, he was of opinion "that it
"would be considered presumptuous in me (him)
'to affect the style of dress of the Father of his
Country" and in that opinion we fully coincide
with him. But his troubles were not yet over.
After many interviews with Sir EDWARD GUST
the Master of Ceremonies aforesaid, and other
persons whose names are not given, "lest
t'they should be exposed 10 censorious
''remarks hereafter he was finally suffered
A.
which Secretary MARCY had Gotten seen him wear
Eat the PRESIDENTS levees," with one exception,
which is conscientiously noticed That exception
was ga very plain black handled and black-hiled
''sword !" though what the precise distinction is
between hilt and n handle we are at loss to
understand. His reception was courteous in the
extreme, and Mr.. BUCHANAN assures Secretary
MARCY that he "nevcr felt proudcr'; than on that
OCCASION In the matter of the sword he yielded
TO the suggestions of high official, who told him
that at 'tail the Courts Of the world the sword
twas considered merely the mark of a gentleman"
- from which we are to infer that he is no gentle
man who does not wear one. Mr.. BUCHANAN
must tell the remainder of the story in his own
language:
81 told him promptly should comply with his suggcs
on and that in wearing sword at Court, as an evi-
dence of the very high regard which felt for her
ty should do nothing inconsistent with my own char
American citizen, or that of my country |
might have added that the simple dress of an Amerl-
citizen is exactly that of the upper Court servants
it was my purpose the beginning to something
which would distinguish me from them. At the first
had thought of United States buttons but plain dress
| sword has more manly and less gaudy appearance
it was certainly happy thought on the part
! of Mr. BUCHANAN, TO determine to wear something
that might distinguish an American Minister from
an upper Court servant and it is especially crafty
ing that eleyating his soul above buttons, he chose
the sword as the more manly symbol of his
rank The remainder Of the correspondence is
of very little interest, with the exception of the
closing epistle of Mr.. SANFORD, who, on the ap-
pointment of Mr. FAULKNER as Minister to France,
writes from his home in Connecticut urging upon
Secretary CAss the propriety of seizing the oppor
unty for carrying out at the Court of the Tuiller
les the circular of Mr.. MARCY in letter and il
: spirit At present our diplomatic agents are gov
erncd by no fixed rules. and it is upon this poin
that a part of Mr.. SANFoRD's letter will hea
: quoting. He writes:
Some Of our Ministers abroad conform to the instruC
tions June l. 1853 of them consult their individ
ual notions to the kind of dress most becoming then
selves personally. One to my knowledge has he cor
Stellaton OF our cOntederacy III u'I'S
embematic stars the collar of his coat another adopt
ed the uniform United States army; another tha
of municipal councillor of Paris viz: black vevetdres
with rich silk embroidery One functonary had all his Blu
tons fashioned the national shield with preadeag
O. attachment and hear of another proposing to have
gorgeous suit manufactured of he spanged bar
Now, sir imagine the spectacle of these America
representatives of divers fancies and tastes assembled
e gether Nothing save fancy ball at Musards or bu
lesque LIST April parade of eccentric tatterdemaor
would equal Is it just to this country its institution
! | and people that they be thus representedS
,, 'Ifour Ministers must be bedeckcd and bcdiZened
any fancy costume would be better that respec
. a)e American tailor of taste be employed to invent on
and that they be all instructed to it as uniform
If this description Of the diversity Of official co;
tune, adopted by our Ministers at foreign Court;
/ is correctly given, the sooner we have some regr
{: latons established, 10 which all might conform
l. the better it will be for US. 1t appears evider
q that we must defer in a measure to the etiquette
the Courts at which it is our policy to be appropr
/ ateIy represented and it would therefore be f;
more appropriate in us to adopt simple and inc!
e pensive uniforms which all those connected wit
+ the diplomatic service might wear, rather tina
IL that a portion Of them should make themselves
e dculous by assuming costumes which are onl
= allowable at q fancy ball or masquerade.
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