The New York herald., 1875-02-14

In proposing the toast OF the evening. the chair
man reminded his hearers that few members of
the diplomatic service ever had q wider or more
useful experience shan those who were In Paris at
the time OF the siege. Throughout that period
Colonel Hoffman had been our Minister'S aid in all
the ardu0us duties imposed upon the United States
Legation. by the care OF dozen different nation
alities, in addition to our own. and every Ameri-
can In Paris would bear witness to the foehty
with which those duties were periormed-a re-
mark which was cordially echoed by all present.
COLONEL HOFFMAN,
who appeared not little affected ny his reception,
then acknowledged the toast and took the oppor-
tunity OF saying that he had always found MIR.
Washburne KIND, courteous and constderate. With
him, his honored Chief he had been associated for
nearly six years, during which cloud had
thrown its shadows over the cordiaty OF their
Intercourse. 81 have said my honored chief,n he
added, ''perhaps one OF these days-no one can
| tell when-we shall all say our honored chiefs
The chairman next gave the health OF
MIR. wAsHBURNE,
who, tn returning thanks, declared that in Colonel
Hoffman the American colony OF Paris had lost a
man who, in his official service. had endeared
himself to the hearts OF ala man who upon all
occasions was the truest type OF an American
gentleman appreciating what was due to himself
and always knowing what was due to Others
Amid loud cheers he concluded BY proposing the
health Of the outgoing and incoming secretaries
OF legation.
the new Secretary, acknowled the compliment
In an extremely witty speech, replete with anus
ing illusions and calling forth repeated bursts Of
laughter.
similar compliment was paid TO General Tor
; bert, who. in "a eloquent speech, dwelling on the
old union between France and America, observed
that IRON merely commercial point OF view we
had A rlRht good REPRESENTATION
from France as
OUR CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION
! when we considered that the United States were
ceivlnR from America between $3.50. .O00, 900 and
$20o, 600 900 yearly. Next year ne hoped the whole
| company would be at Philadelphia. where they
could premise themselves . good time and wit
| ness. as he predicted, the most unique and gOr.
.geoIs display OF moderp times.
General T0rbert resumed his seat amid general
so give ss but not least" ~ the toast Of '0Ss
| THR PRESS.
Colonel Evelyn responded ana expressed him.
| sell pleased to find good an opportunity Tor
illustrating that rather common saying that ''the
press was medium OF communicating intel-
geuce." Through that medium ne might inform
Holman BY the Washington club would De pub
llshed on tue morrow In q dozen different coun-
tries and in nearly as many languages, while our
countrymen in New York and san Francisco would
read Of 1t as they sat at their breakfast tables in
the morning. Colonel EVELYN loosely ADDED that
| the late Secretary OF the Paris Legation mad not
them had desired. be was too much Of . diplo-
ma tist FOR that NUMBER Of them mad tried inc
system known a.
| on ntm but generally found that he himself man.
| aged to work the handle. Still there was always
Was so cautious and kindly that no one could leel
| q pAng OF DISAPPOINTMENT
remarks in answer to complimentary mention
| OF the United States Army and Mr.. J. +. Lou bar,
owner OF the yacht EncnaHtress responded to an
The rest Of the evening was spent in friendly
Conversation.
has put forth contradiction OF the report that he
intends to govern BY Cabinet formed OF members
selected outside the legislature. inc President
| considers such course would be unpAra-
mentary, and in puzzle-headed, soldierly sort OF
way he has great respect for constitutional
Iorms He dsapproved OF the coup detdt OF 1851, and
told Louis Napoleon much. But ID spite OF him.
self believe be drifting into despouc
resign alton, to which he is al least quite much
opposed rs to military rule. 1t might, indeed al
Peel, that be possesses all the virtues but resigna-
ton.
| MARSHAL oANRoBERT
has finally refused to come forward as candidate
Tor the National mbly as 1t is not, he affrms,
the business OF soldiers TO meddle with politics:
appears 70 De gaming ground. viz. That the
Bonapartlsts look upon the gallant warrior As q
dency. where he would discharge the honorable
| functions OF warmtng-pan to Napoleon Nv. 1t is
even thought tnat ne might consent to head
| lie has never attempted to conceal his regret at
| the fall OF the Empire. In the
i NATIONAL ASSEMBLY,
1 Yesterday little progress was made in the dis
cussl0n OF the constitutional laws ana no division
! TOOK place. Meanwhile bills OF practical utility
are passed, amended or rejected ct hap-hazard.
that Deputies may have more time to indulge IN
| foolish recriminatlOns. Thus the Lucier Matches
BILL which Is OF real Importance TO the community
| was hurried through committee without members
| being quite aware OF what they were dividing
upon. The state monopoly OF matches, You must
| know, ID larmed out 10 q company, ana the con-
| tract between IL and the government has been SO
carelessly drawn up tnat the company and not the
| French exchequer Is reaping the benefit Of the
| increased prlce Of those articles
Within the last week two duels between mem.
| bers OF the Assembly have, with difficulty, been
prevented by speaker BUFFET. AS a French duel
generally ends In slight scratch to one OF the
parties and o friendly breakfast to all, which pro-
notes cordially and good temper, 1t Is TO be re-
gretted that the combats were not allowed to
| come on. An American fight with cavalry sabres
and pistols would chill the ard0r oi the most ex-
| Cited OF Gallo orators.