The age-herald., 1898-01-29

just as unpleasant, if not more so. re- fer to the part played in the capture and xtradition of criminals. The correspond- ence on this subject passes through the consuls office. In extradition trials 1t is the consul who appears in court in be- half of the American people, He is a sort of prosecuting attorney in the land of the stranger. I will say that this objectionab part of my duties was always made as light as possible by the courtesy of Eng fish officials. It is very painful, though, when the criminal himself makes an ap- peal to me-calling up memories of home and drawing upon ones stock of American ism-in order that he may escape extradl- tion and punishment Many such ap- peals have been made to me. Men have told me that l was ruining their lives. They have sworn to reform and begin life anew if I would let them go and not press the case against them. Just as If l had tho power to let them go.' But you can- not reason with a man in this situation. His own misery blinds him to the truth. He looks upon the consul, not as an official doing his plain duty, but as ruthless instrument of vengeance. The bitter re- breaches and passionate pleadings Of criminals against whom was pushing ex- tradition proceedings have, I assure you, given me many sleepless nights. Finally I began to hate the appearance of a de- tective in my office for knew, on seeing one, that he had come to get some wretch ed felon sent back to punishment.
 Espionage of Scotland Yard.
 ssWhen first I went to England there was @ great deal published about the espion- age kept up by Scotland Yard upon all my doings. and the fears of the British government that my Irish-American as. sociations might lead me into dynamiting and other pernicious practices. will not say that there was not some truth in these printed statements, but the major part of them were pure sensational rubbish. John Bull, is above all else, practical man, and the fact that man happens to be Patrick A. Collins, of Boston, U. S. A. does not scare him, when he recollects that the said Collins is also a responsible and accredited representative of great friendly power. Right we'll he knows that United States consul general is not going to take hand in blowing up Vest minister palace or wrecking Paddington station while he is in office. And, know ing this, he is not going to waste good de- tective material and valuable time in hav- ing him 'shadowed.' No, my life was not made miserable by Scotland Yards Paul Pry methods as some sensational London correspondents informed their American newspapers.
 "The pleasantest part of my life as con- in touch with hundreds of charming peo- ple-Americans and Britishers. Your En- glishman loves particularly good dinner, and I could not now enumerate the many happy IOTeSdtHeriHSS OI tHlS kiiu to WiiSh I have been bidden The public speaking I never liked over much, but these din- ners introduced me to many of the very men I had all my life been anxious to meet. A number of close and highly prized friendships sprang out of my stay in St. Helen's court. "Yet I do not think I should care to be consul general again. As mentioned be- fore, an American conspl in gerat for eign city has troubles of his own"
 Ax.1 xxxfA oNnv1 nf 1r1rr. VnfId sadness Gen. Collins lit fresh cigar and changed the subject.