The Portland daily press., 1882-07-04
The alumni dinner will be given at Redlon's
Hall at II M.
Following are the names of the graduating


While Dr. LIE Prohon, of this city, was in at
tendance on the French-Canadian convention,
in Lewiston, Journal reporter interviewed
him. The reporter says the most noticeable
figure was that of short, but erect, venerable
but bright-eyed gentleman. on whose breast
blazed conspicuously the tri-color of France.
There was something patrician in tho shape OF
the old mans head, precariously sheltered by
white locks, and in the lines of his time
SCARED face; his bronzed skin told of a warmer
cline and foreign ancestry; while his COM
manding manners, his air of assurance, the
way he fondled gold-headed cane. and last,
but not least, his visible pride in referring to
his post and his DESCENT bespoke aristocratic
leanings which cropped out more strongly in
conversation. This gentleman was DIR. Le-
Prohon, Vice Consul of France for the State
of Maine, who speaks English perfectly and
loves to tell you that his great-grandfather,
John PHILIPPE LeProhon, was officer in the
French army which fought with Montcalm
against Wolf on the Plains of Abraham.
In 1854 the doctor was appointed consul of
France at Portland. He had friends who were
influential at the Court of Napoleon III, who
was then on the throne of France. To this
day the doctor remains staunch imperialist,
and the star of the Bourbon family shines
none the less brightly for him. In 1870 it was
the French Republic. The veteran consul was
an imperialist in every fibre. The Republic
took from him his commission. For eleven
wears France had no consul in this State. II
suppose the republic felt poverty-stricken,
says the doctor. "Those Germans took all her
gold" Dr. LeProhon believes France will
come to be governed by king again. He
doesn't think Frenchmen calculated for re-
public.
But DIR. LeProhon remained in Portland.
He was physician and he had his practice.
To the people who did not bother, of course, to
keep track of his commission, he was still
French consul. People about to set out for
France, came to him for their Uisd. French
men who wanted favors in this country called
on DIR. LeProhon. For eleven years he per-
formed nearly all the usual duties and courte-
sizes of consul OF the Port, without fees or
salary One morning in December, 1881, a
foreign mail came to Portland, bringing with
it a surprise to the doctor in the shape of a
commission as Vice Consul to France for the
State of Maine, instead of for Portland alone,
as before. Some good friend to the doctor had
presented his case to Gambetta, then Minister
for Foreign Affairs. He expressed surprise at
this state of things, and restored the doctor;
for the past six months accordingly, France
has had representative in Maine.
The duties of French consul for Maine are
not very arduous. All vessels which clear from
any of the thirteen seaports in Maine, for any
port in France, must have their clearance pa
pers attested by Consul LeProhon. Many peo-
Pile who sail on a visit to France procure the
DOCTORS Visa. All subjects of France, in this
State, look up to him as sort of protector, of
course. But he very seldom has any occasion
to exert protective influence. Sometimes
they think can get drunken French sailor
out of the lookup" laughs the doctor.
ssFrenchmen are invariably we'll treated in
this State. and L never have had to invoke the
power of France in their behalfl"
No salary is connected with the office. 1t has
schedule of fees. Forty or fifty papers are
about the sum total to which the consul has
TO attach his signature and seal. in the course
of year. He has to make monthly, quarterly
and yearly reports to his government. He will
take sail to France, this year, some time.