New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-12-17

"Once and once only In my life" said we'll
known diplomat who now represents England az
Ambassador to one Of the frsI-class missions, i
was rampant, red-hot Republican, and Tor
twenty-four hours would have gladly seen our
nonarchical institutions destroyed forever was
attache at the time at of the small South
American places and had been sent home on
special mission with dispatches to present TO the
Queen and Foreign Minister. was only young
ster II being my first year of service. and no words
can express my of my own importance as
we'll the Importance Of the affair with which
was intrusted. So quite prepared on my ar
rival in London. to receive a personal communlca-
ton from the Queens private secretary command-
ing my attendance at Windsor With the intimatloh
that II was the Royal pleasure that shouid uihc
and sleep at the palace Nevertheless the actual
reception OF the mission with its large envelope ana
official seal filled me with boyish delight. Visions
Of special favor and immediate preferment. as wen
as of the brilliant society In which was 10 be
thrown. glimmered through my brain. ana wiring
Sir that would walt upon Her Majesty
Immediately and having been cautioned by my
chief against any delay took the first practicable
train TO Windsor 1t rather hurt my dignity on my
arrival at the station to be obliged 10 take
rickety-looking fly. for / verify believe II had
found a chariot with outriders / should not nave
been astonished, deemed 1t inconsistent with the
dignity of the occasion. On my arrival at the
castle however, my pride received another shock
by my being sent by superclious lackeys TO severa
doors before effected an entrance. Flna'ly SONS
head steward or butler looked at list. and then
at my card nodded. and consigned me TO an autom-
atom in livery who led me through crcuitous pas
sages up several pairs OF narrow stairs showed
me into a bare little bedroom. put down my traps.
which he actually had had the Kindness 10 carry
for me. and with the words. Dinner AT win the
Queen left me to my own devices III was then
only 8 o'clock. and had had no luncheon. sat
down on the edge Of my bed the most disillusionne
person in Great Britain. All through that weary
afternoon l waited in vain for a summons. not
daring to absent myself for fear 'of committing
some soecism in official etiquette Toward even
ing however, my spirits revived. 1 shall see the
Queen now at all events thought to myself; and
making a careful toilet left my room (where,
BY the way not the slightest attention had been
shown to me- not even jug OF hot water having
been brought to door at little before
o'clock. Having finally found an attendant VINO
seemed to know where TO take me. was conducteu
TO a large drawing room. where there were several
groups OF wel-dressed men and women. all talking
together and taking not the slightest notice OF me-
After few minutes sort OF futter OF expectation
made itself observable. Those who were sHuns
rose couple Of footmen opened door, statioh-
ing themselves on either side. and quiet rather
looking little elderly lady entered the ROOM
followed by hat a dozen ladies' and gentlemen.
How the rest happened do not remember; there
seemed TO be a general movement, and found my
self In the, next room seated at a. tabie between
two men who were perfect strangers 10 III" anu
who talked across to each other. barely recognizing
my existence Fortunately for my patience Inc
dinner was not long the Queen gave the signal
every one rose. and with slight bow on her part
and deep obeisance and curtesIes on the part OF
those present she left the room for her private
apartments. And this my dinner with the
Queen. Afterward followed one OF the most mis-
cradle hours have ever spent Utterly neglected
and too shy to assert myself, stood It as long AZ
I could. and finally betook myself to my room
feeling the most intense hatred for both royalty
and the aristocracy In general. At o'clock the
uext morning my breakfast was brought to me on
q tray, and with 1t card from the master OF
ceremonies stating that was to have an audi
snce at 10 o'clock. At the hour named was
ushered into the prescnce--not Of the Queen. but
Of her private secretary. Sir - -. who re-
ceived me politely. filed my dispatches and-dis-
missed me- leaving me TO find my way to the sta
ia ~ best ! could. They say that those things