Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-29
LOWELL. THE DIPLOMAT.
"Reminiscences cf HE Modest Life while
Minister to spain.


From the New york sun.
When Mr.. Hayes appointed James Russell
Lowell minister 60 Spain IA 1877 the Madrid
press was very much in the dark as 20 the
position filed by the new representative OF
the United States in his own couu,ry. Suan-
iafds. unfortunately. perhaps. do no, read the
"Biglow Papers" But one Madrid uewsn,pcr.
the EPoca, after much research. published
rather an elaborate sketch Of the successor of
Caleb Gushing. concluding rs follow. s.Bu,.
IN speaking OF the poet Russell, ws mus, nos
forget the diplomat Lowell"
IL was ALWAYS n mooted point in Madrid
whether the writer Of that article thought that
Mr.. Lowell was n siamese twin or not nsu
events that was his introduction 90 diplomacy
Mr.. Lowell occupied a very modest apart-
ment IN very modest street. In fact hi. hse
In Madrid was quiet one. due partly, no doubt
to the is-health OF his wife, who was a con-
nrmed invalid. There were no importaut
questions between the two countri.s Ccp
Gushing having SETTLED the Nirginius affair and
concluded an eNtraditlon treaty. Mr. Lowell
expressed intention Was 20 take q long rest aud
incidentally to negotiate n commercial treaty.
The treaty was NOT negotiated.
Among Mr.. Bowelrs colleagues were Comm
hatzieidt of Germany. Who had married Mi>s
Moulton of Cambridge. Mass. and who i, now
ambassador IN London: Count Chandordv. one
~ rEHhce most famous diplomats. and Count
Greppi ~ Italy. Mr. Lowell did not feel "A
home among hls new colleagues When asked
how he was pleased with hls surroundings he
replied that the class of men he had heeu ln tbe
hahlt OF assocIating with in Cambridge and
boston were of such superior order that ms
present companions seemed rather common
place. In fact, he was not In touch with th,,n
lhey were trained diplomats and busy men
"hlie MI. Lowell wac "A poet and not n partiru-
larry industrious one. The routine OF legation
lie bored HIM. Missionaries were ALWAYS get
ing INTO trouble and claims had 60 he pressed
against the Spanish government Even VISIT
ing Americans were a source OF anroNance 10
MN. Madrid may. however. have expected too
much of him. lie followed a difficult man 70
suceeed-Caleb Gushing. Then. though Mr..
Lo"eh Is generally supposed 90 nave been
great linguist, he could not speak Spanish
lie could read II, that all The SAM. could
DC uutaiUlly said of his Italian. When he
called ON Count Greppi. the Italian minister,
me latter addressed Mr. Lowell in the language
OF Dante. Mr.. Lowell could not reply and en-
planned II afterward by saving that there we're
SO many different patois In Italy that he lad
not had time to master them all
Mr. IoWells Impression on the king was q
very favorable one. Mr.. Lowell arrived IN
Madrld IN August. when the court was at La
Grania, beautiful spot in the mountains and
after lew days rest lac went there in order 10
present LIS Credentials The pres, nta ton cere-
mony was simple. The '-introducer IF ambas-
esaof as he Is called, clad gOrgcously, intro
duced Mr.. Lowell. who. according 20 the fashion
prevalent IN our diplomatic service. wore even
iiS cress an the day time. His majesty was .
pleasant, boylsh fellow then. and il Il had NOT
been for that evil pandercr, the Duke de Sesto,
who had married the widow Of the Duke de
Morny, he would probably be alive TODAY. The
king asked Mr.. Lowell "a walk and treated hun
with special consideration.
linen the routine legation work began. and
Mr.. Lowell served his term Of Office without
being disturbed by complications of any kind
As SAID before, missionaries who try to thrust
the Protestant religion down the throat of
Catholic Spain continually got into trouble and
appealed To this minister for help: claims from
Americans IN Cuba cropped out occasionally
and needed investigation; occasionally pass
port was Issued or report was made about
the finances and crops. Mr.. Lowell performed
his duties IN quiet. respectable but rather
coloriess way. He was not lavish In his hospi-
tally, but when he left Madrid If he had no,
added to the prestige Of his country, lao had not
taken from II.