The San Francisco call., 1897-02-08
AN BMBASSABOR SLIGHTED.
Why the French Embassador Was Not
Invited to the Bachelors' CotiIIo on.

Why the French Embassador Was Not
Invited to the Bachelors CotiII on.
There is considerable agitation in the
diplomatic corps and high society circles
because the committee of young men who
are managing the bachelors cotilIon this
season have boycotted the French Embas-
sador, says the Washington correspondent
of the Chicago record. The bachelors
cotillon is the most select and exclusive of
all the public functions given in Wash
ington. It corresponds to the patriarchs
ball in New York and the charity ball in
Chicago. The attendance is limited and
the list OF those whose presence is desired
is made out by committee which has its
origin and headquarters in the MetropoIi-
tan Club. The invitations are sent to a
selected number, who are permitted to
contribute to the expense of the enter
tainment by buying tickets. If the pro-
ceeds happen to be IN excess of expenses
the balance is divided among certain local
charities.
The diplomatic corps is always invited.
The corps belongs ex-officio to the district
aristocracy and all the members have re-
ceived invitations to subscribe to the
bachelors cotillon this year except the
French Embassador, who Is the hand
soonest man among them and gentle
man whose social distinction is equal to
his professional reputation.
All the other memb bers of the French
embassy received invitations, and it was
therefore supposed the Embassador's s
name had been omitted by mistake, but
when one of his attaches called upon the
committee to notify them of the error he
discovered to his astonishment that it was
Intentional. He was coolly informed that
the committee had stricken the names of
Mr.. and Mrs. Patenotre from the list be-
cause he had sighted Mrs. Rockhill, the
wife OF the assistant Secretary of State
1t was also intimated that the members OF
the committee were friends of Mr.. Rock
hill, and proposed TO stand by him in the
social feud that has been going on for
some time between him and the French
ambassador. The story is an old one.
Eleven years ago Mr.. RockhilI was sec
retary of the United States legation at
Peking and his wife was a leader in the
amusements of the diplomatic circle.
While arranging for picnic or some
other function she asked the assistance of
Mr.. Patenotre who was then the French
Minister to China. That amiable gentle
man rode twelve miles on horseback on a
hot day to keep an appointment with Mrs.
Rockhlll and when he arrived at her
house she asked to be excused from seeing
him. He explained to the servant that
he had come in from the country a long
distance to see Mrs RockhiIl at her re-
quest and was very certain that she did
not understand that it was he when she
sent the message. The servant went back
to his mistress with the explanation. She
retorted, impatiently: Tell him cannot
see him. 1t is too hot to talk business
Tell him anything TO get rid OF him. Tell
him am dead"
1t so happened that the Chinese servant
repeated her words literally and accu-
rately to the Minister of France, but that
was unnecessary, for he had overheard
them through the lattice work, and since
he left her door that day he has not recog-
nized Mrs. Rockhill. When Mr.. Rockhill
was promoted to be First Assistant Secre-
tary of State he and his wife were ad-
mitted to the diplomatic circle here, and
soon after met the French ambassador
and his wife at dinner party. Being
ignorant of the situation, the hostess as
signed Mr.. Patenotre to escort Mrs. Rock
hill to the dinner table, and when he re-
ceived his card he asked to be excused.
saying that he did not know the lady,
But viii present you," said the host
ess.
Il do not wish to be presented" was the
ambassadors reply. This lady told me
more than ten years ago that she was dead,
and do not care to be resurrectionist."
the hostess this dramatic situation be-
came known to almost everybody in the
party, and within twenty-four hours the
story was all over Washington, which ir-
ritated Mr.. Rockhill to such an extent
that he sent very indiscreet note saying
that if the French Embassador would not
recognize Mr.. and Mrs. RockhilI socially
he could not recognize the French EN-
bassaoor officially, and advised him that,
In the future, he must transact his busi-
ness in the State Department with some
other person. The French En- bas sad or
smiled, and put the note IN his pocket, in
order TO show it to Secretary Olney the
next time he visited the State Depart-
ment. He has studiously ignored the
Rockhills ever since, and to some of their
friends who have endeavored to effect a.
reconciliation he has said: "She told me
she was dead. One must accept the word
of lady, especially when she speaks of
herself"