The morning times., 1897-01-17

Their introduction to the United States
was not the pleasantest, for just after
reaching New York one of their children
was stricken with scarlet fever, and for
six weeks they were quarantined in their
apartments in the Waldorf For weary
weeks the little ones life hung in the
balance; however, she finally recovered,
and they were enabled to come on to the
capital They have three bright little
daughters, who are great favorites with
every one at the legation.
on reaching Washington they took up
their residence in the handsome house on
X street, which was occupied by Minister
Dominguez, and their hospitabie and
cordial manner has already made for
them host of friends. Minister Merou
has had extensive diplomatic experience
for so young man; he is still under
thirty-five He was educated in the
schools of his own country and Buenos
Ayres, and subsequently took a full course
in law. In 1880 he began his diplomatic
service by entering the foreign office Of
his own government, as legation official.
In Ss1 he was appointed second secre-
tary of the special mission sent by the
Argentine Republic to the Panama Con-
Madrid, andin So he was transferred in
the same capacity to the legation at Paris.
Here he remained two years, when his
strong natural bent led him to retire from
the diplomatic service, and returning to
his own country he devoted himself to
literary work. lie not only went on the
editorial staffs of two large newspapers,
the Sub America and the Tribuna Nacional,
tyt-o hp 70
frequently for the magazines, and pub
lished book ''Impressiones de Wage"
which went through wide circulation.
However, his government could not spare
him from it's service, and shortly after
this he was appointed private secretary
| to President Roca, the greatest contem-
porary statesman of the Argentine Re-
public, whose administration gave such an
| impetus to the progress of the country. In
| 1888 Senor Merou was made minister to
| Paraguay, and in 1891 he was transferred
| to Peru. In 1894 he was sent to Brazil,
where he again served his country with
| distinction. While there he had the honor
| bestowed upon himof honorary membership
| in the Historical and Geographical Brazilian
| Institute, which is the highest intellectual
| association of South America, and is a
| distinction Wmcn mas Deen conferred on
| only two others OF Argentina. From Brazil
| he was transferred to Washington, in recog-
| milton of his excellent services During
| all of these years Minister Merou has con-
| tinued his literary work, and he is the
author of dozen or more books, includ-
ing treaties of travel and biography, beside
| writing novel, q book OF short stories,
and volume of poems, which are noted
for their chaste rhythm and classic diction.
| Senior and Nine. Merou are both fond of
society, and are welcomed acquisitions tt
the exclusive diplomatic circle. They are
acquiring English with remarkable facil-
ity, and express themselves as delighted
with life at our National Capital They
brought with them some rare pieces OF
furniture and souvenirs of travel, and
the legation is sure to be one of the at.
tractive centers for society. Nine Merou
has a collection of fans, which. by tEeiI
intrinsic value and association. will waken
envy in the heart of every fan collector who
sees them.