The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-12
FRANCE.
American Life In Pnris-Dra matte and
Social News-Quarrel Between Victor
Hugo and Gambetta.

american AA1e IN FurAs-DTam0tlc ana
Social News-Quarrel Between Victor
Hugo and Gambetta.
PARIS March 20, 1874
Mr.. washburne. the American Minister in Paris
is absent just now at Arcachon IN consequence Of
illness in his family. But although the many per-
sons to whom his kindness ana courtesy have rem
dered service, must regret the occasion OF his
absence, the traditional hospitalties OF the Ameri-
can legation nave not suffered byit
Colonel Hoffman, Secretary to the Mission,
and his charming and accomplished wife enter
tanned this week at dinner the Minister for Foreign
Afars and the Duchess Decazes, Lord Lyons,
the British Ambassador; the Chevaller Nigra,
VINO represents the King OF Italy, and
Q distinguished party Of Americans at
present In the french capital. Nothing could
have gone of better than Mrs. Honman's recep-
ton. 1t was managed with Tact and grace
which may fairly rank Mrs. Hoffman with LADY
Cowley for the winning charm OF her manner.
and am inclined to think very near to Princess
Lieven and Baroness Brunnow, In her young DAYS.
as q diplomatist, have said Lady Cowley, for
Lord Cowey did not shine as host, and when he
was made earl there was joke about 1t, ana
the club wits said, ut was odd to give 1--WE balls to
. man who never gave one dlnner,m five being the
number OF ornamental knobs on an earl's coronet
Lord Palmerston used to say, however, that
"dlntng Is the life and soul of diplOmacyu and
certainly persons who are not Immediately mixed
up with public affairs are not OF the valuable
sum of business which can be done by bright
wittcd diplomatists over the dinner table. 1t
would be certainly much better II thev
were aware OF it, because then the salaries OF Ior-
eign representatives would be more in accordance
with the demands made upon them. No public
money is really put out to better advantage than
| Sl,n... rail a., .naI,sxx~
genial gentleman like Colonel Hoffman, Indeed.
he derives the least OF the benefit which comes
nom It. His house Is meeting place where his
countrymen have the only possible opportunity
they could find, as strangers in a great city. OF
knowing personally the most celebrated
politicians and men OF letters at the Re-
public or Court to which he IL accredited.
and this is no small advantage to an obseryant
traveller, whether his business be science.
commerce or pleasure. The salary OF q diplo-
matlst after ALL goes back into the pockets OF his
own people. often to their great improvement in
experience ana Information. II is expensive to
entertain travellers unfortunately, as ministers
and secretaries know to their COST but Colonel
HOFFMAN probably considers the respect and rood
wishes OF his fellow citizens as satisfactory re-
turn for his money, and, therefore, he Is In one
sense amply repaid. There has been no more pou.
ular Secretary OF the United States Legation in
Paris than Colonel Hoffman, who is not only Kind
and hospitable but rising statesman OF a rare
0raer-sensiDIc straightforward and thoroughly
mp to his work SO that he will make, and deserves
to make, his mark in the diplomatic service.
The Count and Countess OF Paris have been also
giving series OF evening parties They receive
twice week, and, although some OF the moro
obstinate legitimists held aloof rom them at first
lattcrly invitations have been begged with per-
tInacty almost amusing. Thus at the latest soiree
given by the Countess OF Paris all the noble Eau
bourg mustered round her, and even the Duchess
OF Cnevreuse was thore.
After Easter we are to have private theatricals.