The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-03-17
MARCH II, 1866.
From Editors Easy Chair" IIarpsr's Maxasin'
p for March, H .TiT w#
Anecdotes Of the Late Edward Everett.

n r.. for March, - .Ii7 W#
Anecdotes Of the Late Edward Everett.
One day, at q pleasant country house
where Washington Irving and Bancroft were
also guests, the conversation. rs was natural
among three gentlemen who had all been
foreign ministers. fell upon diplomatic life.
Irving, with the ely twinkle In his eye, wal
soon telling comical incidents Of bis expert.
ence, when Everett, after listening with an
air Of great amusement. said: ....
"0ne of the drollest incidents in my diplo.
matte life occ rrod at my presentation as
United States Minister in England. went
to the palace, by appointment, with Lord
Melbourne. feeling very uncomfortable in my
official tosgery, and found that the Neapoli-
tan enlbassador, the Prince Castelcicala, was
to be presented ut the same time. We were
introduced to each other, and after o proper
interval the official presentations to her Maj.
esty took place When they were over [prob-
ably ut Windsorl Lord Melbourne said:
Your excellencies will be expected to re,
main, and in the evening join q game OF
whist with the Duchess Of Kent'-[the
Queens mother
We bowed" continued Mr.. Everett, sand
Lord Melbourne added, .....gg. .- d.
Il play n very poor game myself, in fact, |
scarcely understand it; but the Duchess Is
very fond Of it, .g...- '',.T .'.'tH
.And l.. SAID the Prince Castelcicala, turn.
ing to me, u am very poor player; and II
I should chance to be your Ex:ellency's part
ncr. invoke your forbearance in ADVANCE
We were oil moving down the corridor TO-
ward the Duchcss's apartments" said Mr.
Everett, with grave smile, "and IL was very
amusing to hear our mutual apologies and
deprccations, especially as remarked in my
turn that was not very familiar with tho
game. Here We were, three dignifed per.
sonages in middle life. clad in extraordinary
attire. and solemnly proceeding to play u
game which we imperfectly understood, and
for which we did not care in the least.
When we reached the Duchess's apart
ments she was seated ut the table, and we
were formally presented. and nt her gracious
invitation, seated ourselves for tho game,
Just as VIC were beginning to play, lady in
waiting approached and placed herself ut the
back of the Duchcss's chair. The Duchess
then turned to Us and said. politely:
Your Excellencies will excuse mo IL | 70
ly upon the advice Of my friend hero, for
really afn very poor player. l.'. -n
1t was inexpressibly droll," said Mr.. Ev.
crett, "and 1t WAS u curious illustration Of
the ceremonial character Of court life."
Yet no man was more punctilious in oh
serving all conventional duties than Mr.. Ev
crett. His humorous perception Of their fre.
quent absurdty did not disturb his respect
ful deIerence TO them. So in his oratory he
did not disdain any dramatic effects, and
sometimes used them very skillfully. The
ielicitous rhetorical stroke which confirmed
his fnme as an orator was his appeal to La
fay.tte at The close OF his discourse at Cam
bridge before the PHI Beta Kappa Society {;
md in his subsequent oulogy upon Lafayette
in Faneuil Hall he turned at the close OF his
Grafton and apostrophized the bust of the
General which stood beside him, "Speak,
marble lips !" amidst tho enthusiastic emo.
tion Of his audience. ~ r...rr L..ff
Less fortunate, however, was his display
Of tho piece OF the ocean telegriphic cable
in his discourse to the Alumni at Harvard,
and his striking his pockets. and jingling the
keys and coin in them, in the oration upon
Washington. when he alluded to Marlbor-
ough. the sordd miser. So also Little sto.
ry tild of his delivery the same oration
illustrates his fondness Of elaborate dramatic
Effect in oratory.
There is a passage in the discourse in
which he spoke Of the soldiers Of the Rcvo-
luton, and as he was waiting in the ante
room before going upon the platform, a Rev.
.olutionary veteran was introduced to him
Mr.. Everett talked with him pleasantly and,
spanking Of his oration, asked the old man
to rise and stand before the audience when
he began the passage. The old soldier wus
gratfed, and said he would certainly 10 II.
The comp,ny proceeded to the platform,
the veteran was seated conspicuously in full
view of the audience, and the orator began
When he reached tho passage aluding to the
old soldiers he turned toward the veteran,
who began to move and get upon his legs.
After some struggling he succeeded. and the
old man stood painfully leaning upon his
cane, when the orator raising his hand and
addressing him. exclaimed: b.. ~. I7'l1.
May. Sir, sit down, sit down; 1t Is for
us to stand in your presence !" 700 Boo. 1H
Up,n which the bewidered yeteran, some
what COMPOUNDED. sank hack again into his
seat. and afterward said. That Mr.. Everett
is a very queer man. lie told me to stand
up. and the moment Tstood up said to me.
sit down. Sir, sit down. "HrI t' il.
But even Burke did not hesitate TO aid his
oratory by such effects.