New-York tribune., 1886-02-21
THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS.
ITS POSITION IN WASHINGTON SOCIETY.

tFRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT or THE TRIBUNE.
| WASHINGTON, Feb. 20.-The diplomatic
corps-corpse, some Western has called itpays
important part in Washington The number of people
who compose rather imag gne they compose what
is called society here is restricted that the fore
element in It at times quite disproporoned It's
real Importance You meet atevery reception and ball.
IL eagerly sought after for dinner parties and char
y fair without its cOnngentof secretaries aud
would be voted slow and lacking In attractions orsha
I say, curiosltlesl As it is perfectly well
known that foreign Minister to
Washington except against his will. and that
he regards his service here sort Of mild Punishment
the reception accorded to the diplomatic corps by
ciety in the capital has often struck me sayorng
somewhat OF snObbishness not to call by
1t proves than anything else perhaps the
provIncislism Of Washington, and encourages IN the
foreigners themselves that "certan condescension
whlchLowell years ago made the subject OF OF his
most delightful essays. dare say they can't help It.
They have SEEM for instance at the house Of All other
wise estmable lady, whose shall remain unknown,
the timeworD card OF lie Marquis de Ia Croqnemidne
Fnroi Frtraordnaire et Minisre Penpotentiare de s.
IT, k Roi de Po,ogne' lying at the top of the card
basket in the hall for over two years
They know perfectly well that that
little pasteboard establishes, In the ladys own mind
her ella be considered no: only IN, but also or
cety much in fact, as the possession Of Dunlap
hat would convince u New York youth thas he is swell,
agony is proof positive to London cocknoy that he
has thereby secured o passport into good company.
they must smile, imagine when they TO the Capitol
and find that the "British Peerage" is the most fre
quently called for and best thumbed book I'm the Con-
gressio1al Library. They must have difficulty In re-
sraning their laughter when thoy society ladies'"
In their to secure the attendance at their en-
tertanments Of distinguished foreigners call bach
eors aud married men alike, and make so to speak.
O clean sweep OF the whole diplomatic corps,
az was done In Que or two Instances
this winter. This sounds incredible almost;
1t Is nevertheless fact Those who cultivate most the
society Of these foreigners talk Of them knowingly as an
acquired aste but the great majority OF people they
will always remain like cayiare to the multitude.
peculiarly OF the diplomatic corps in Washington is
that you know which Of It's members married
not; at least you never sure OF II. Many who
have families are not accompanied by them The rea-
son. suppose that living in Washington is very
pensve and that few to move entire household
the Atlantic, not knowing beforehand but that
they be recalled Within few months after settling
down here. The average salary moreover paid 10 them
Is not high I'm many enough, IN fact to sup
port single decently much less family. The re-
suit that the has full complement Of grass
widowers. IL would be too much perhaps To expect a
diplomat about with sign around his neck saying,
"Pm u married man." That would hardly be digni-
fed. But 1t might put a stop perhaps TO the many
scandals which constantly the OF diplomats
with that OF perfectly innocent but indscreet women.
IL be remembered too that these foreign gentle
men, unaccusomed as they are to the freedom OF inter
course between the which American society
grants often tempted TO oyerstep the limits OF cir
cumspecton. II not propriey But this OF course. is
no excuse for them. simply mention it 10 account.
partly least, for state OF things which Is perfectly
we'll known TO exist here.
The most prominent member Of the diplomatic corps
Ia undoubtedly tao Hon. l. \ sackvle West the British
- tulti In
represents but also account of the place he occupies
In society lie Is man about nfty years OF age Of
slender figure. with face that denotes at once
strength OF mind and irmness OF purpose. He is
ira ned diplomat knowing how disguise his thoughts
others. keep silent when and
speak when It is called for. Naturally very observing
he has become still more 50 by experience; he has
learned weigh characters discover their pettness
and make Of their fobes Secretary Bayard Is no
match for him. shown tho temporary settlement
Of tho Canadian Fisheries question last spring Indeed the
with which this willy diplomat ontrapped the whole
State Department into maAlng bargain so advanta-
eous Great Britain and so disastrous To tho fishery
interests OF New In gland what Mr West 10
Of and doubt augurs well for his political future.
Though a widower he entertans well and often
The balls ut tho British legation
among the plcasautest events OF the season
ON these occasions it's his eldest daughter who does
the house Like her father. she has
much wit a, has tact which Is perhaps'boter and
certainly carrie, her as well through tho many dill
culties besettug hostes, on such occasions.
VIscOunt da, Nog-iras, the Portuguese Minister. IT, IN
the absence OF M Preston, the Minister from Hayi,
tisman OF about sixty. Ho has been In Washington a
gooI many years aud s dcserVely popular eOurtly,
webred aud pleasant 10 look upon. His daughter has
a remarkably tne voice and is frequently hoard at
concerts all OF charitable Institutions His son. too
has line talent for music tie IN an active menOer or
amateur orchestra association wnloh often
performs IN pnos am not rs, aware tHst Wis;
himself In diplomacy except perhaps to get letter out
OF the state department which was couchst IN such
dubious LANGUAGE that everyoody outside the depart
ment construed 10 rs gvng Portugal some very valuable
have. But IN view Of the aet that tue state Depart
not IN very competent hands just now, tls may
after ALL especially he had probably no hand In it,
sefOr Don Jusn de Valera represents spain He IS by
poet ossayist writer OF fiction. he enjoys III his
own country adeseryedy high reputation lie Is SUI
reserved but t Is duo rather To the nstlnc
tive excus' Of tue spanHrd, OF which lie Is fair
type, than TO any Lack OF cOngcnia qualities. shrewd
observer Of his times, broidened Intellectually by study
and travel. he always ready, when the occasion re-
home and misrepresentation abroad. Society will
greatly regret his departure from here His successor
believe has been appOn ed II Indeed he s not already
Baron do Fsva who represents Italy here. is hand
some gent with svor-white hair ana dark eyes
Like many of his cnuntrymen who have becoIne dis
tnguished in the diplomatic service OF their sovereign
he has great opinion o female influence He cUItivaes
il with assIduy. though with what success am unable
say The conditions here are entirely different from
what they are abroad and what would be useful
occupation there may prove but lost time here Ameri
can women are not dplomatists. fear They are, II
an thing politicians between the two there exists
MARKED ference. Baron de Fsva will hnd this out. II
indeed he has not done already The absence Of tho
this season-l believe she Is In ltaly-has
,losed house whose modest entertainments much
appreciated by Washington society.
Among the diplomats who nave married Americans
are senior Romero the Mexican Minister; Senor GodOy
" no Chill aud Count Arsch0t the secretary
egan legation now charge dxnares in the ab-
,ence Of the Minister The first s well known the IN
Innate friend OF General Grant, with whom he negotiated
Inc reciprocity treaty between Mexico and the United
states He is q darkteatured, middeaged man. OF
some ability diplomat, but not OF great prsensions
nor Godoy absent th his wife, who con-
,dered u bcle IN society. The Minister never made
'ay oral Impression here Old peeysh and ul-man-
nered he displayed degree OF jealousy OF his wre's ad
nirsrs which made him the laughing stock OF
everybody who knew his falling. Count fArschOt Is
nan OF stately dignity and reserved manner much be-
,ond his years do not know that he has ever made a
,reat mark here Both and the Countess to
er New-York Washington, for they are most OF the
line away from the capital must not omit TO mention
lere Don Vincente g. Quesada, the Argentine Minister