The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1895-02-25


Dress and ure-Fresentation
to the Queen-AIl Audience With
the King.
/ had been under the Doctors care in
New York three or four months, but had
started home Uo spend Christmas. Hav-
ing little business in Washington
went that way, and while III the city
called at the w mite House 10 pay my re-
spects to President Harrison. L had a
pleasant chat with him, and lunch being
announced, ne invited me to join him.
This was the only meal at which Baby
Mckee was permitted TO occupy a seat
ut the table With the family, but he was
monarch at this enc. and kept his grand
father pretty busy.
The President told me he had thought
lessly begun a story OF adventure one day
Tor The benefit OF the young man, and had
been compelled to 60 on, adding chapter
after chapter, until he was at his wits
end to find anything more 10 tell. He
had finally formed desperate resolution
to Kill OFT the Indians, th5 bears, and even
the young hero OF he story as the only
way TO end the tale and save himself from
madness Whether the massacre was
perpetrated, and what effect IL had on The
boy, l have not learned.
After luncheon the President spoke to
me about the mission to Portugal, which
was then vacant, and which he kindly
offered TO me. l was glad 20 know thai 1
could number him among the friends
who were SOlIcltOus for my health, and
knowing that he made the offer because
IL was thought the climate would cOnduce
10 my recovery, l was very grateful. l
had been taken by surprise, however,
and could hot answer Immediately, and it
was finally arranged that l might wait
until the holiday recess terminated before
deciding. Then, thanking him for his
kindness, l Withdrew. Two weeks alter
lay name was sent 10 the Senate, ana ten
OARS later l received a formidable blue
envelope containing my commission and
various papers and instructions.
a MISTAKEN NOTION.
Some persons have vague idea that
Ministers, Consuls, etc., are supplied
with an 'OutHt and conveyed IN state
and luxury TO their respective posts.
This IS Il mistake. The Minister fur
nlshes his own outfit ana pays his own
way, but he Is allowed thirty days to pre-
pare Tor his departure, learn what he can
oi his duties, and receive his instructions
at Washington, during which prepare
tory periUQ he IS entitled TO the pay ap-
pertaining 10 his mission. he is then al
lowed brief period TO reach his post; if
this allowance Is exceeded it must be at
his own expense. l was severely ar
TaIgned by New York paper for travel
ing over Europe at Government expense
ana consuming unnecessary time in
reaching my post, but this guardianship
OF the Treasury was hardly necessary, for
TIE total amount paid me for expenses
from Minneapolis TO Lisbon, a distance
by the usually travelled route OF nearly
600 miles, was less than 800. Uncle
Sam IS not in danger OF bankruptcy by
reason Of his excessive allowances to
Ministers and Consuis.
THE ROYAL FAMILY.
Portugal, though one of the oldest na-
tons in Europe, Is so remote from the
trend OF travel ana commerce that il is
less known than almost any other COun-
try OF the continent. The court at Lisbon
is one of the most formal and punctilious
in the world. The reigning King. Don
Carlos l.. is Of the ancient house OF Bra
CANA. 4 house which Napoleon once OIL
cIally declared extinct, but which seems
TO he very much alive. The Queen, Marie
AmcIie d CLEANS, a most beautiful and in
every way admirable woman, is a daugh-
Ter OF the Count OF Paris, lately deceased.
The mother Of the King, Marie Pia, is q
daughter OF Victor Emanuel, and is said
The morning after my arrivals in Lisbon
passing the old tower OF BeluIn, the first
and most striking object TO greet the trav-
eler entering the Iagus) ! set out to find
the American Legation. Probably there
Is no city OF its size IN the world where
the English language IS so little known as
in Lisbon. There are a few English
merchants there and two Americans be-
sides the official representatives, but out
side OF the Legation one rarely hears
English spoken.
The so-caIIed interpreter at 4 hotel I'M
dertOok TO pilot me TO the Legation, and
alter deal Of winding through crooked
streets and climbing steep ones we ar
rived at the building, which for thirty
five years has sheltered the American
representatives. No flag was flying, but
the United States coat-Of-arms, the eagle
looking unusually jaunty, was over the
door, and we went confidently in. An
aged doOrkeeper arose at our approach,
but was unable to understand our inquir-
les, his English being confined, as l after
ward learned, to yes and no" Poor
old Ramos lie has been years in the
Legation, yet knows nothing of the Eng
lish tongue. | was indignant at first that
man should be employed in such po-
sltOn who could not give an answer to
visitors in the language OF the country he
served, but after seeing the old man
daily, and remarking his fidelity and his
pride in his place, l was inclined, like
many before me, to overlook his short
Comings and continue him in Office His
son, Claudio, employed az messenger
speaks English fairly well, and has ali
the faithtulness OF his father l think
either Of them would fight for the United
States at the drop of a hat.
FIRST STEPS on ARRIVAL.
The first thing Tor Diplomatic repre-
sentative to DO on arriving at his post if
10 send his credentials to the Minister of
Foreign Affairs and request an interview
with the King, Queen, Emperor. Presi-
dent or whoever may be at the head OF
the nation to which be is accredited. At
the same time he is expected to present
the letter of the President, and make 2
short speech expressing his personal
qualification at meeting the sovereign, and
his sincere desire to promote peace and
goodwill between the two nations. In
Portugal the Minister is also expected to
ask to be presented 10 the Queen. 1t has
been the custom of the American Lega-
ton to ask the latter interview immedi-
ately after the former has been granted
but the regulation did not work very well
in my case. 1t so happened that my note
asking to be presented to the King was
received only two days before the birth
day of the Crown Prince, which day is
made the occasion of very formal re-
Ception at the palace. 1t is desired that
all representatives of foreign Govern
ments shall be present at this function.
and the desire hastened the reply to my
request, which named the next day for
my presentation to the King, and was
accompanied by an invitation to attend
the reception at the palace the next day
following. This left no time for the
formal request for an audience with the
Queen, and resulted in a rather funny
complication, which it required great
heads to uuravel.
TERRIBLE STU ALTON