The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-12-24
Tours, Dec. I, 1870.

TOURS Dec. 7, 1870.
An apparently silent yet powerful man In the
great events TRANSPORTING here Is Lord Lyons Learn
ing the locality OF his residence drove last evening
beyond the Loire and after traversing the country
road for two miles stopped In front OF the chateau
Rigny, most elegant and capacous residence
situated on a commanding height. II is here that
Lord Lyons lives and IL is also here that all business
OF The Embassy is transacted There Is no ostenta-
tion about the place; 1t IL simple, commodious and
yet rich. My card was borne TO the genial Empas-
sador ana In a moment was admitted 10 the audi
ence chamber, and was soon seated before COM
Portable English fire, aud the only one, | be-
heve, IN Tours Lord Lyons was pleasant
and hospitable, and wore his habtual smile.
He has little changed since leaving the United
States, and appeared In robust and vigorous health
After mutual salutations, remarked 10 his ordshlp
that Europe had seldom been so sud denly agitated
as by the reopening OF the Eastern question, and
that / visited him, the correspondent OF the
HERALD, to obtain such an expression of his opinion
as diplomatic usage would permit. HIS lordsnp
assented.
CoRREspoNDENr-Will these late sue cesses. II they
be material for France, simplify the Eastern ques-
ton?
Lord LYoNs-Yes, sir, in great measure.
CORRESPONDS NT-My Lord. do you believe tnat
France would cooperate with the other co signatory
Powers In maintaining the inyioability OF the ireay
Of 1851
Lord LYoNs-Entirely so; entirely so.
CORRESPONDENr-And what ~ the precise status
OF the Eastern question: Does IL look ike war;
Lord LYoNS-No, SIR; there IS no doubt but that
II VIII be peaceably settled; none AT all.
CORES PoNDENT-But, in the event OF war a ques-
ton with America might be rasea2
Lord LYoNs-War would be bad for England in
this sense-it would give America the monopoly OF
ell me breadstunS OF the worlda Trade now divided
between the commerce OF America aud Russia BY
closing the Black sea the outlet Of the breadstus OF
the East Is sealed up.
CORREsP0NDESr-But see that the English press
Is raising question as to privateers from America
preilng upon British commerce, and the result OF
sucn an action as leading to war between the two
PowersY
His Lordship made no tangible response to this
though 1t seemed to me that he Indicated that
an event would never occur.
CORES P0NDENT-My Lord, has any action been
taken to secure che release OF the English captlyes
taken IN the balloon which descended III the Prus-
sian lines about PARISH
Lord LyoNs--I do not think they will be executed
II they were 10 be we should have known it this.
There have been great many executions during the
war, Francstreurs and Gardes Rationale have been
shot, and WITH mem the question raised Is, were
they properly uuiformedi
CORRESPONDENT was in Paris during the siege.
Lord LYoNs-How did You leave Mr.. Washburne
His health Is not always coed.
CORRESPONDENCE, my Lord; Mr.. Washburne
overworks himself He Is a faithful representative.
Lord LYoNs-How did you like horse meat
CORES PoNDENr-Not well: H. was tough, too
unsavory, and received no hospitaDe reception from
The CONVERSATION continued on various matters,
and as did not believe Lord Lyons could tell me the
issue OF the next battle deiineate the terms OF
peace, took leave from one OF the most accom-.
pllshed ambassadors I'm the world.
have reason TO believe that Lord Lyons will ey-
| crcise strong influence on the announcement ol
| tuls war, whatever that den0uehteM may be.