Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-04-21
A Boston Literary snob as Diplomatisi
who Blows His Own Trumpet.
From the New York World


who Blows His Own Trumpet.
From the New York World.l
He belongs to that snobbish Boston
coterie which survilely apes European
culture and habits of thought; which
takes pride in corresponding with for.
eigners of distinction; which catches the
newest mode in pronunciation and
phrase, as our fashionable ladies do the
newest mode in attire which turns up
its nose at the rudeness of all American
life out of its own fastidious circle. Mr..
Motley is perfect type of this intellec-
tual aud social suobbishness. He COM
pleted his education in Europe, and
affects to scorn such culture as can be
acquired in this country. He has de-
voted his life to European studies, and
employed his pen only on European sub
jects. All his pride Of association is in
European circles, and such American
society as bestows its admiration on peo-
ple who are saturated with European
sentiments. Mr.. Motley would never
willingly reside in America if he could
live abroad with advantages for social
intercourse. Even his eboltionism is
not of indigenous growth. He adopted
it as a reflex of European opinion, re-
garding slavery as stain upon his
country more because it was the fash
ionable topic of reproach in foreign soci-
ETY. than any deep moral repugnance to
the institution.
Such minister is not made Of the
stuff to stand up resolutely for the rights
OF his country. His strongest sympathies
are with its cultivated foreign critics, it
being more essential to his personal
comfort to be we'll esteemed in society
abroad than to have the appreciation OF
his countrymen at home. He can never
be expected to make a vigorous assertion
of our rights against the general tone Of
European sentiment He has, in full
measure, the morbid and ridiculous
vanity which satirists, like Swift, and
writers of comedy, like Moliere, are fond
of holding up to derision as character
istic of certain type of literary charac'
ter. The volumes of the Diplomatic
Correspondence furnish curious speci-
mems of Mr.. Motley's foibles and pretty
fair measures of his capacity. We will
cite few samples; but to show the ex-
tent of this mans weakness we should
have to copy a great share of his contri-
buttons to that proix collection. The
dispatch giving an account OF his recep-
ton at Vienna, his first interview with
Count Rechberg, and his presentation to
the Emperor, is an unconscious satire on
the writer. He repeated with emphs-
sis" wrote Mr. Motley to the Secretary
of State, "that the news of my appoint
mont had been received with especial
satisfaction by the Emperor and his
government, and that was already well
known TO them by reputation. He
added other observations personally
complimentary, which do not re-
neat: but | think it necessary to in
form you, even at the risk of being
charged with egotism, that my reception
by the minister was extremely fiattering.
/ consider it important that
the administration should be informed
that its representative here has thus far
met with as much courtesy and consider
alton ss could be extended to the minis
ter of any foreign power" VI
took palms," says Mr.. Motley further on,
'to 20 very fully into these matters, be.
ceuse doubt if he has ever before heard
apy such exposition of our policy"
Still further on he recounted to Mr.. Sew
ard his modest boasts TO Count Rech-
berp of being on familiar footing with
the leading public characters OF Earope.
az told him that | had recently had very
long and full conversations with Lord
John Russell on the subject, and that
was perfectly sure, from long and inii-
mate acquaintance with that statesman,
that he was sincere when he assured me,
as he had done with earnestness, that
there was no disposition on the part OF
the English government" etc. told
him that / had received similar assu-
RANGES from other members of the Bri-
fish Cabinet, and that was confident so
long as the present administration held
,he;r nIaces." etc. HE asked ine
what / thought of the attitude Of France,
and / told him that M. Thouvenel had
assured me, in a recent interview, as
strongly as words could give such assu-
rsnceT etc. " Lord Bloom
6eIS. the English ambassador gave
dinner TO Mrs. Motley aud
myself. at which the new French
ambassador, Duc de Grammont, the Bel
riau mini ster, tbs DaNhIihu iuiuisscti eHS
Swedish minister, the Danish minister,
tbe Saxon minister. and others, were
present" Could anything be more in
the spirit of = parUenH, whose head was
tnrnsd with vanity at being lifted into
social Importance Nr. Mo;ley's sc-
connt of his presentation TO the Emperor
i even more ridiculous, as he makes It
the occasion Of boasting to Mr.. Seward
Of his marvellous detection in the Ger
man language. "As had made my ad-
dress 10 him in German, be had re-
sponded in that language, aud thus con-
tinued the conversation. His FIRST qnes,,
ton was, Are you a German 7 l told
him no; but that / had been much in
Germany in my youth, when l had ac-
ouired the language. he then added,
sBut YOU are Of German birth and pa
res.are. I said no. Again | have to
observe that do not state this from ego
tism." These frequent disclaimers OF
eeotism may remind one OF Swifts sa-
tiricaI accumulation Of the Tale ct the
L.