Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-06-27
Diplomatic Costume.

~ ln response to a Call OF the Donate, MroSeW-
ard has seut in communication transmitting
letters from Ministers Adams, Hale, y eaman,
Ssndford, and most of the representatives OF
the United States to foreign courts, in reply to
his letterto them informing themof the action Of
Congress on the subject of the dress to be worn
by our representatives on court occasions. The
letters arc amusing, and relate personal eXper-
fences in maintaining the dignity. OF the coun-
try under such circumstances, but It'll crafty
ing to find that general assent OF our represeu-
tatives abroad is given to the law. The COM
munication shows that Mr.. Seward, two days
afteI its passage, notified all our foreign repre-
sentatives that they must obey the law, which
declares that no costumes shall be worn except
such as have been authorized by Congress. :
MIR. Hovey writes to know il, he can wear his
uniform Of Major General, and shows that his
feelings are wounded because the Department
addresses him as Esquire" he wants to be
spoken of as Brevet Major General, but will
compromise on the term of ''Mr." The Seere-
tary graciously replies that he may wear his
Major Generals uniform, and may properly be
addressed by others as Brevet Major General,
but the Department, la accordance with long
continued custom, must continue to address
him as A. P. Hovey, Esq. Mr.. Sandford is
delighted with the new law, and gushes out in
praise of our advancing civilization, taking oc-
casion at the same time to remind Mr. Seward
that he has been in diplomatic service twenty
FIVE years, has always been down on the cos
tune business, and has written numerous long
letters in advocacy of plain dress. He re-
fers In a charming manner to the numerous
occasions when he went to court both in
Belgium and France in his ordinary dress,
and was handsomely received by kings
and queens. He was sharp too, wlthai, for
when the Belgian master of ceremonies notified
him last winter that he would be expected to
appear in costume on a certain OCCASION: ne
wrote back that ''the diplomatic costume now
prescribed by my Government is the dress of a
gentleman This letter he followed with his
presence, and he was most politely and courte-
ously welcomed. Mr.. Adams says the law will
prevent him from being present at State cere
monials where the court dress is absolutely re-
quired, but he is rather glad OF it and does not
anticipate any i'll effects from his absence. Mr..
Yeaman is greatly exercised about the act, and
with the usual Kentucky length and profundity,
discusses the question, over twenty pages OF
foolscap, showing how much the standing OF
our Ministers is dependent upon their tailors
how he has been mortified at having to stay
away entirely or appear on festive occasions in
plain clothes, and telling how often he is obll-
ged to make personal explanations. He quotes
Puffendorf and other international authorities,
argues against Mr. Stewards Interpretation of
the law, and closes by recommending that
Congress at once modify the act. Mr. Hale,
from sunny Madrid, gives Mr.. Seward the fol-
lowing ch farming epistle: g.
81 received with great satisfaction your cir
cular. of the 29th Of March, and have had the
qualification of appearing at a reception of the
Queen dressed simply as an American gentle.
man. In my judgment he should not be deoked
out with the. silly paraphernalia common in
Europe, or rather some courts OF Europe, IN
which exhibition the lacqueys Of the palace
will, as matter of course, be more gorgeously
dressed than himself l am free to confess
that 7 never felt myself to be in 50 ridiculous a
predicament as when l have found myself BE-
decked In my court costume, on occasions OF
going into the royal presence, and never felt
that 80 far as exterior was concerned, l so truly
represent my country as when appeared in
the plain costume Of an American gentleman
GREELEY AND VIRGINIA.-At the Farmers
Club, yesterday, there was some lively discus
sion \ <. The important subject was that of
Southern society and lands. A gentleman from
Virginia said he wished to enter public and ear
nest protest against the reckless course OF some
journals especially that conducted by Horace
Greeley, in speaking of the South as unsafe and
lawless. He was sure such accounts were written
by those who had never been thore. Their effect
is to frighten away settlers SO that now with
10000 acres of land In market, she cannot m
duce foreigner for any consideration hardly,
to 20 there and work. MIR. Greeley said in re-
ply that he had encouraged emigration to the
" l,,k ehoS
going South could Mt get married, for no girl
Who sings ''Bonny Blue Fag" would have him,
and If he married it would be worse, for then
the Rebel boys would throw sticks at his chill:
dren aud call them names. He thought he had
not oyerstated the social alienation between
the sections. The Virgnian, in reply, peril
nen ~ suggested that of all agencies IN keep
ing up such alienation the sheet conducted oy
Mr.. Greeley was one of the most uuscrupulous
and unchristian. T. World. #,A.ta
A Sw1NDLE. The Telegrapher exposes
new trick. In city in Ohio there is an instl
tuition known as a Telegraph and Pbono.
graphic College the proprietor of which OF
ters, as an inducement to pupils the guaranty
that he will provide employment for those who
graduate. He accordingly sends to the Ieie-
graph SUPERINTENDENT circulars containing tce
following extraordinary proposition:
Il have one young man that IS now reaay.
will give you ten dollars for every situation
you get for me. I care not whether it Is q
night or day Office, what the salaries are, or II
the student is not kept longer than week.
just 80 it is situation. -,
This is transparent swindle, against which
the Intended victims should be on their guard.
IN BBLS. REFINED, SUGARS, received
lU this day and for sale by
ie 10 ~ tfs-r 226, King St., cor. Alfred.
II ;lrz