Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-08-01
A VERY COSTLY HONOR.

British Amba ssndOrs Foot the Bill OF
Many Purse-Straining Functions.
From the London News
have reason to believe that Lord Sails
bury would have been glad to prolong Lord
Dufferins term of Office had he shown him
self inclined to stay. None Of the very
wealthy noblemen from among whom Lord
Salisbury thought of selecting an ambassa-
dor cares for the post. They prefer to
spend their fortunes in their own way to
dashing about money in Paris, for 1t would
come to that
OF course 60, 900 year seems a magnifi-
cent salary. but it is hard now to make
ends meet on 1t. Lord Lyons had 10000
and was hospitable on 1t, but his circle was
very restricted compared to that of Lord
Dufferin. He saw only narrow set of
English friends. and his dinners were for
them and for the great personages merely
of the official world. He gave one ball
which cost "a. 900 and a garden party to cele-
brate the queens jubilee. He spent freely
on his horses, and after the Metternichs
went away had the best-appointad equip
ages of any member of the corps diplo-
matique. There was no Lady Lyons. and
therefore no heavy dressmakers bills to
pay. A British ambassadress Is expected
to dress handsomely.
The grand dinner to the president of the
republic begun by Lord Lyt.on makes a
q
year If Lord Salisbury could find a very
wealthy nobleman. of pleasing manners
with great name willing to spend his for
tune here. there might he advantage in
sending him as ambassador to Paris. but
the fall in the value of land has diminished
the number of such peers. 1t should also
be remembered that although Lord Sails
bury is out of conceit with the diplomatic
service. great noblemen sent TO Paris to re-
gotiate sometimes make grave mistakes.
The best men were a long way back
namely Portland and Bolingbroke, and in
the reign of Louix XIV. Lord Albemarle
The Duke of Bedford. who had nothing bat
trumps in his hand. made In 1862. fearful
blunder in dealing with Newfoundland. That
mistake OF his has been a constant thorn in
the side of British ambassadors ever since
Ferry took Office in 1883.
Lord Whitworth did not shine by his dis
cretion. and Lord Stuart de Rothsay was
not apparently prepared for any OF the great
French events that took place when he was
ambassador. Lord Castlereash was GER
tainly not a success. At the congress OF
Vienna Talleyrand said that ne bored every
one with his colorless prolixity and conceit
1t Is very hard. seeing in what deep
grooves the English foreign office moves
for British diplomacy to show brilliant re-
suits. French diplomacy has certainly been
very successful within the last twelve
years. but 1t Is too soon yet to say whether
In distinguishing themselves the dip.o-
mat1stS OF this country have not forced into
being dangerous combinations against
France. French foreign minister's who are
also premiers. whip and spur their diI.lo-
matte agents to strenuous action in order
to be able to deal with an unfrendly inter
pellation. This has been cause of Euro
pean restlessness. and may be fraught with
perflous consequences to France
The French foreign office can command
results by disposing as it pleases Of large
sums of money. The British foreign Office
secret service fund is spent almost entirely
IN helping the widows and orphans of diplo-
matiStS.