The Ravalli Republican., 1898-03-09
AN ECCENTRIC DIPLOMAT.
The Quaint Personality End Strange Life
Of Minister Fox.


Of Minister Fox.
The former representative OF the
goyanzlnent 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, or they had never
seen each other except by candle
light, is we'll remem bered by a few
of our older citizens as a most &c
centric character. He was a figure
as well known as most Of the 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
well as brilliant members of the
diplomatic corps, Mr. Fox was ex-
pectetl to ELL his place IN society cir
cles Indeed, so much had been said
of his witticisms and eccentricities
that Washington was looking for
social lion Il 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 the5highest social po-
sition A great-grandson of the
Duke of Richmond, son of a 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 leader
Mr.. Fox proved an, acquisition to
the society Of the ca pital, at least SO
far as to furnish a subject for soci-
ETY. gossip, and 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. In
person he was tall and slim-ex-
ceedingly so-with the cadavero1s
complexion Of an opium eater. He
was scrupulously neat i'll his attire
and usually in his walks wore a blue
cloth swallow tailed coat with brass
buttons, nankcen pants-ninus
straps, then worn by all classes =
broad brimmed hat and to his shirt
a high, standing collar, reaching
the top of his ears. His identity was
further emphasized bya green silk
umbrella in his hand, and this to
him was use]ess unless it rained, for
he was seldom out Of doors when
the sun shone.
Mr.. Fox lived here in a large brick
house on X street, west of what is
now Washington circle He was
almost Il hermit, going III official SO
ciety only SO tar as duty required
and receiving but few .visitor His
few entertainments took the form Q!
dinners to gentlemen, after whicl
the night was often spent at tht
card table, on which there were NJ
small stakes. His day began abou
3o'clock in the afternoon, when h
rose from bed and dressed and tool
walk to the capitol grounds ant
back to his breakfast. In the even
ing he would attend the societ,
functions If the diplomats, seldom
of any Others and after Waterin;
Ii r>E. ,,1,1t.f, ,n
lively fond, would return to bed el'
the sun had risen. He had an avel
sion to shaking hands with lodie
and gave that as an excuse for nc
opening his house to receptions, BIT
in reality his residence was so lun
bered up with old furniture, fo
which he had a mania, that the1
was not much room for entertainin
any considerable number Anothe
hobby of his was entomology, al!
ho had large collection OF spec
mems slowed away i'll boxes, man
Of which were never opened.
1t was thought that he was vi
tim Ut the opium habit, and the. su
position proved correct. His ser
ants were charged never to distu1
him OF enter his presence exec
when summoned. One night in Il
early pant OF October, 1886 he /
NAMED in his chamber undisture
but when late the next day one
the domestics, despite the usae
went to his room he found him i'll
1ethargic condition.
Physicians, hastily called, work
on him, but their efforts proved +
tile. Death came in Il few hou1
The supposition was that death W
caused by all overdose Of the dr.
he had long been addicted to usir
His funeral was a large and inp'
ing one, attended by the preside
YMr. Polk) and his cabinet, the dip
matte corps and numbers OF t
leading men of the nation and D
trict. But for his eccentricitles a
the rules Of his household nj
brilliant parsonage might have llv
to green old age and added lus
to the family name. Washingt
Star.