The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1897-12-01
AN ECCENTRIC DIPLOMAT.
The Quaint Personality and Strange Life
of Minister Fox.


The Quaint Personality and Strange Life
of Minister Fox.
The former representative of the
government Of Great Britain to this
country, Henry Stephen Fox, of
whom the good story is told that
when he met acquaintance in day
light he remarked how strange was
their appearance, OF they had never
seen each other except by candle
light, is well remembered by few
of our older citizens as most &C.
centric character. He was figure
as well known as most of tho nota-
bles of his day. He had long been
in the diplomatic service of Great
Britain, and when sent here from
South America to succeed Sir Charles
Vaughan, one of the most affable as
we'll as brilliant members Of the
diplomatic corps, Mr. Fox was ex-
pected to fill his place in society cir
cles. Indeed, SO much had been said
of his witticisms and eccentl:ieities
that Washington was looking; for
social lion. Ii any knew of his dis
like of some Of the society functions,
our upper ten was not Informed,
and there was much disappointment
that he did not step in the shoes Of
Sir Charles to the highest social po-
sition. a great-grandson Of tns
Duke of Richmond, son of general
who had fought against our fathers
in the Revolution and nephew Of
the great Whig leader in the British
parliament, Washington society ex-
pected in him a leader.
Mr.. Fox proved an acquisition to
the society Of the capital, at least SO
far as to furnish subject for socs-
ETY. gossip, ard it was not long be-
fore his eccentric habits, his pecul-
lar attire, and his brilliant witt
cisms were known not only in soci-
ETY. circles, but by the general pub
lie. Even the street gamins recog-
nized him in his late afternoon
strolls. Once seen, he could not be
easily mistaken for another. LIN
person he was tall and slim-ex-
ceedingly so-.with the cadaverous
complexion Of an opium eater. He
was scrupulo lously neat in his attire
and usually in his walks wore blue
cloth swallow tailed coat with brass
buttons, nankeen pants--minus
straps, then worn by all classes
broad brimmed hat and to his shirt
la high. standing collar, reaching
the top Of his ears. His identity was
farther emphasized by green silk
umbrella in his hand, and this to
him was useless unless it rained, for
he was seldom out of doors when
the sur shone.
Mr.. Fox lived here in large brick
house on z street, west of what is
now Washington circle. He was
almost hermit, going in official Sc.
ciety only so far as duty required
and receiving but few visitors. His
few entertainments took the form of
dinners to gentlemen, after which
the night was often spent at the
card table, On which there were no
small stakes His day began about
3 O'Clock in the afternoon, when he
rose from bed and dressed and took
a walk to the capitol grounds and
back to his breakfast. In the even
ing he. would attend the society
functions of the diplomats, seldom
of any others, and after watering
his flowers, of which he was excess
lively fond, would return to bed ere
the sun had risen. He had an aver
sion to shaking hands with ladies
and gave that as an excuse for not
opening his house to receptions, but
in reality his residence was so lun-
bered up with old furniture, for
which he had a mania, that there
was not much room for entertaining
any considerable number. Another
hobby of his was entomology, and
he had large collection of speci-
mems slowed away in boxes, many
of which were never opened.
It was thought that he was vic
Sim Of the opium habit, and the sup
position proved correct His serv-
ants were charged never TO disturb
him OF enter his presence except
when summoned. One night in the
early part of October, 1916, he re-
mained in his chamber undistured,
but when late the next day one of
the domestics, despite the usage,
went t0 his room ha fOun1 him in q