Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-04
AN ECCENTRIC DIPLOMAT
Quaint Personality and Strange Life of
Minister Fox.
House Too Full of Old Furniture for
Social Gathcrings-Loved Cards
and Smoked Opium.

The former representative of the govern
ment of Great Britain to this country.
Henry Stephen Fox, of whom the good
stcry Is told that when he met acquain-
tances in daylight he remarked how strange
was their appearance, for they had never
seen each Other except by candle light. is
well remembered by few of our older
Citizens as most eccentric character. He
was figure as well known as most of the
notables of his day. He had long been in
the diplomatic service of Great Britain,
ana when sent here from South America to
succeed Sir Charles Vaughan, one of the
most affable, as we'll brilliant, members
OIL the diplomatic corps, Mr.. Fox was ex-
pected to fill his place in society circles.
indeed, so much had been said of his wit
tlclsms and eccentricitieS that Washington
was looking for a social lion If any knew
OF his dislike of some Of the society func-
tioiiS our upper ten was not informed, and
mere was much disappointment that he
uia not step In the shoes of Sir Charles to
the highest social position. A great-grand-
son OF the Duke of Richmond, son of a
general who had fought against our fathers
VII ine , revolution. end nephew of the great
wing leader in the British parliament.
leader " iii d
ar. FOX proved an acquisition to the So
ciety OIL the capital. at least so far as to
furnish subject for society possjn and n
was was not long before his eccentric habits
Ms pecuiiar attire and his brilliant with
eisn,s We're known not only in society
circles, but by the general public. Even
me street samins recognized him in mis-
Idte afternoon strolls. Once seen. he could
not De easily mistaken for another In per-
son ne was tall and sm-exceedingly so
Win the cadaverouS complexion of an
opium eater. He was scrupulousIy neat in
ms AZURE, and usually in his walks wore
piue cioth swallow-tailed coat with brass
uullohs, hankeen pants-minus straps
a al -IrN, 4
iid'' ana 10 his shirt a high, standing col
iar reaching the top of his ears. His iden-
NY was further emphasized by a green
SILK umbrella in his hand and this 10 him
was useless unless 1t rained, for he was
ScICom out OF doors when the sun shCne
MT. Fox lived here in a large brick house
on n street, west of what is now Washing
ton Circle. He was almost a hermit going
III ohIcial society only so far as duty re-
CURED, and receiving but few visitors His
rev entertainments took the form of din
hers TO gentlemen, after which the night
was often spent at the card table on which
There were no small stakes. His day began
ABOUT 8 O'Clock in the afternoon wher he
rose from bed and dressed, and took a
walk to the Capitol grounds and back to
ms breakfast. In the evening he would at
tend the society functions of the diplomats
seldom OF any others, and after watering
his flowers of which he was excessively
Iona, would return to bed ere the sun had
risen. He had aversion to shaking
hands with ladies. and gave that as an ex-
cuse for not opening his house to recep-
tlons; but, in reality. his residence was so
numbered up with old furniture for which
he had mania. that there was not much
room for entertaining any considerable
number. Apotler hobby of his was ento-
moiosy, and he had large collection Of
specimens stowed away in boxes, many of
which were never opened.
1t was thought that he was a victim of
the opium habit and the superstition proved
correct. His servants were charged never
to disturb him or enter his presence except
when summoned. One night in the early
part of October. 1916, he remained in his
chamber undisturbed. but when late the
next day one of the domestics, despite the
usage, Welt to his room, he found him in
lethargie condition.
Physicians. hastily called, worked on him,
but their efforts proved futile. Death came
in few hours. The supposition was that
death was caused by an overdose of the
drug he had long been addicted to using
His funeral was large and imposing one.
attended by the President (Mr. Polk) and
his cabinet. the diplomatic corps and num-
bers Of the leading men of the nation and
District Rut for his eccentricties and the
rules of his household most brilliant
parsonage might have lived to a green old
age and added luster to the family name