The Washington times., 1895-05-12

was an humble but not a vulgar one. They
were Roman Catholics body then pro-
scribed and depressed by penal enact
ments, and they seem to have been of the
number who. 10 use his own words, hailed
the first dazzling outbreak of the French
revolution as signal to the slave, wherever
suffering. In his young life he was
familiar with the mutterings of discon-
tent that led to the organization Of
the United Irishmen and the famous re-
bellion toward the close of the last cen
tury. With the maternal milk he ought
TO have drank in the material which goes
10 make a good rebel, and perhaps he
did; but il was his fortune TO lisp in num-
bers," and he rode his Pegasus so success
fully that by the time he had attained his
majority he was basking in the smiles OF
princes. He was dazzled by the glamor
of Belgravia, and by his writings soon
gave the lie TO the spasmodic patriotic
utterances OF his youth. Perhaps the coup
let in which he summarized the character
OF George Washington may be applied to
himself
Mature designed thee for a hero's mold,
But, ere she cast thee, let the stuff grow
cold
In his twenty-fifth year, just ninety-one
years ago, Moore having tired of govern
ment In Bermuda, came to America on his
way 10 England. He visited Washington
as the guest of Mr. Merry, the British
minister. whom he found very much dis
gusted with his surroundings and smart
ing from real or fancied insult which
he had received from the President OF the
United States, Mr.. Jefferson. 1t is worth
while dwelling for moment on this alleged
'insult," as it may have had much to do
with the vigorous lampooning which Moore
gave the United States from 1.-The little
room off the large one" on the ground
floor n the RUrnG pOffaUp M historian
that ] know OF has taken this view of the
case, but It is safe to say that Mr.. Merry
with his grievance did not fan 10 poison
the mind OF the impress ionable young
Irishman against the country in which
he was a somewhat honored guest.
It all happened in this wise: 1t is pretty
well generally understood that the much
talkcd-or ''Jeffersonian simplicity some
times became sadly mixed up with what
some people would call slovenliness and
the great signer OF the Declaration of Inde-
pendence had been seen on state occasions
with the strings Of his shoes looser than
etiquette required When the British min
lister arrived at the National Capital, as
a matteV Of course his first move was to
present his credentials to the Chief EX-
ecutye. Having sent previously TO request
an audience, Mr.. Merry, in full court cos
tune. and accompanied by Mr.. Madison,
at the time appointed. He was conducted
upstairs to Mr. Jefferson's favorite morn-
ing room, which was eutered through a
very narrow ante-room or passageway.
Following closely at the heels Of Mr.. Mad
ison, the minister no sooner found hii4lself
in this pasSageWay than a backward move
nsiit OI iDr IUrner informed INN IiiaJ some
one had entered at the other end and as
the some one was no less a person than
President Jefferson, and as the passage
way was too narrow 10 ADMIT OF Two per
SONS standing comfortably abreast, nat
UTally Mr. Madison gave way before the ad-
vanclng President, thus forcing the Brit
isber To the undignified and crabIike ne
cessity Of backing out or the way
This to parsonage fresh from the formal
atmosphere of the English Court, who was
also lnID0ed with loItS ideas OF mas Own Ii
portance, was severe shock; but when the
President emerged from the semi-darkness
Of the hall into full view the punctillious
foreigner was scanGalized beyond expires
sion, FOR Mr. jefferson was arrayed in his
usual dress OF homemade stuff, and his
Det4eT limbs Were eucased ia ConueInara
stockings and slippers run down ut the heels.
And-Merry was in full court costumel
Here is Merry's version OF The iucident in
bis own language:
atmosphere OF hte English Court, who was
-On arriving at the hall of audience
we found il empty, at which Mr. Madison
seemed surprised, and proceeded to an
entry leading to the Presidents study.
i followed him, supposing the intro
ducti0n was 10 take place in the adjoining
room At this moment MIR. Jefferson
entered the study at the other end, and