The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-06-21

enough 10 enable tho possessor to read
them with moro or less ease. is in no
country moro widely disseminated than in
the United States. This knowledge il easily
obtained in our colleges, boarding and high
schools or from private teachers. who arc
found everywhere. but az TO speaking these
languages. that il n rare compliment u Amer
leans. Tor the reasons given. Our CONNER
cal travellers only speak English but those OF
France and Germany are obliged TO go abroad
ana almost all speak Spanish and Italian with
more or less nuency. comparatively small
proportion OF the representatives of hmeri-
can houses who 20 to Paris to buy goods speak
French with any sort of correctness. The
majority are obliged 10 employ interpreters 10
AID them IN the transaction OF their business.
though as they usually continue in the occu-
patton Tor many wears a little honest applica-
uoh would enable them 70 acquire the
necessary facility.
IL Is, however. in our diplomatic and con-
suiar service that the deficiency is most felt,
ana that our inferiorty TO the representatives
OF foreign nations Is most noticeable. As
Lngllsh X generally spoken with n certain
ease among the higher official classes in
Russia our representatives, at that court get on
reasonably well, though they would find it
exceedingly convenient in st. Petersburg So
Getty to be- able to speak French. We have
mad at Berlin Of recent years Bayard Taylor
and Mr.. Phelps. but with these exceptions the
ability TO speak German has been rare
accomplishment among our ministers ut
that court. Strange TO say, our
first ministers TO France-JefIerson. Cow
erneur Morris and Monroe-spoke French
readily; Morris IL may be said. almost like a
native. Since the beginning Of the century
Albert Gallatin has been the only one of our
ministers % Paris who had the same facility.
but he was of Swiss origin and had learned
the language in his childhood. Mr.. Wash
butne at0ned for ms hngual deficiencies by
the exercise Of considerable ability in the per-
Torrance Of his duties which were rendered
particularly difficult by the Franco-Prssian
war Mr. Mclean hail been educated in
France and spoke French fairly well.
German is the official language Of the Aus
TRAN court. and with two or three exceptions
Of which Mr.. Motley was one our Ministers 10
Vienna have been obliged 70 avail themselves
Of interpreters IN the performance Of their >
fetal duties. At Rome and Madrid 1t has
been much the same as At the other cont
mental courts, IN fact. our diplomatic repre-
soutatyes everywhere have labored. with
some notable exceptions under the same dis
advantages. IL has been much the same with
our c0nsus, though IN their case the matter
has been less important. At all the chief con
sulates there IS usually some one familiar with
tAe language OF the country who
remains under successive adminstra-
hons. In Turkey the Balkan States,
Russia, Morocco and other countries where a
knowledge of the native language IS not ex-
pected under any circumstances there is a
dragoman who acts as Intermediary. Still, III
all the more important European countries
& speaking acquaintance with the languages
of the people would be of great advantage to
them for many reasons. Tho tendency in all
countries is 10 cultivate the modern tongues
mt the expense of the dead languages. M
tons mix more and more with one another.
Travelling has become u universal habit, and
tire commercial intercourse of different cOun-
tries grows more and moro intimate. The
knowledge of a foreign language is ali accom-
phshmeut which may any day lie put 10
practical use.-San Francisco Chronicle.