Durango semi-weekly herald., 1902-03-27
CREDIT TO AMERICANS.
Ambassadors From Washington to
Rome Are Praised by
William e. Curtis.

ROME, Jan. 16.-Mr. Meyer of Bos-
ton, the American ambassador at
Rome, is distinct success and there
is no more popular man in the diplo;
matte corps than he. In fact, we have
had long series of satisfactory min
listers and ambassadors at Rome, and
the present representatives of our
our government, including the secre-
taries of embassy and the consul gen.
eral and his staff, are as well qualified
for their duties and acceptable to all
concerned, as you will find at any for
eign capital We haven't had IL
chump in Rome since Judge Stallo of
Cincinnati lived and behaved in such
a democratic manner as to cause COM
ment. Nor was his "Jeffersonion Sim
plicity" so Objectionable as his violent
antipathy to the Catholic church. 1t
seemed impossible for him to treat n
priest or any honest Catholic decently.
At the time he was here a certain
monsignore, who was extremely pop
ular and generally beloved in the
American colony, happened to be in
vited to dine at the same place. and
when he entered the room Judge Stall
10 grabbed his wife by the arm,
dragged her over to his host and de-
clared in most passionate manner.
audible to everyone present, that lie
would not sit at the same table with
papish priest. The monsignore.
who was gentleman, offered to re
tire, but the host declined to permit
him and, having failed to mollify the
American minister allowed him and
his wife to retire.
Ex-Governor Porter of Indiana,
Tom Potter and Wayne McVeagh OF
Philadelphia, Mr.. Draper of Massachu-
setts and Mr.. Meyer have disarmed
criticism and have made the American
embassy hospitable resort for the
best class of Romans, as we'll as the
American colony. Mr.. Meyer is a
man Of wealth and is willing to spend
his money, which is about all that Is
required of an ambassador at Rome.
1t does seem the height of folly for
our government to send a man any
where on such mission, and one Of
ten hears people say that 1t cannot be
much satisfaction for anyone to spend
$4,000 or $60000 year. as Mr.. Mey-
er does, entertaining people he does
not care anything about, and who
don't care anything about him. But
there Is another and more important
point of view. The object of an am
bassador is to prevent as well as to
settle difficulties that may arise be-
tween his own country and that to
which he Is accredited, and a dinner
table is the most effective field for
promoting international harmony ever
devised. A diplomatic representative
of the United States who lives in
garret and is compelled to economic
will never have much influence upon
the government to which he is sent,
no matter how able, honest and rep
utable a man he my be.
The Italian court is very gay, So
cially, and ambassadors are expected
to entertain, which the Meyers are
well qualified to do. Mrs. Meyer
is a beautiful woman, possessed Of
all the social graces as well as the ex-
perience and knowledge necessary to
perform her part of the task, while
Mr. Meyer is an all-round cosmopoli-
tan. He rides to the hounds, sports
an automobile and is looked upon by
the Romans as a tremendous swell.
He has rented one Of the most mag
nificent palaces in Rome and pays an
almost fabulous rent for an apart
ment that is all mirrors and gilded
carvings. 1t is comparatively modern
and Ia owned by Prince Brancaccio,
one of the many Roman princes who
have married American wives and
American money.
The Palazzo Brancaccio was built
by the late Hickson Field. q New York
gentleman who had fortune thrust
upon him in the shape of farm in
northern part Of New York City, be-
tween Harlem and Central Park. He
laid it out into city blocks and came
to Rome with his wife and daughter.
Here he bought historical site on
Esquilline hill and erected what the
guide books describe as by far the
largest and most sumptuous private
dwelling built since the change Of
government" Its gardens are the fin.
est In Rome, and in the midst OF
them once stood the baths of Titus.
They overlook the Coliseum and in
close several picturesque remnants
of the Golden House Of Nero and the
Trajan. The palace" continues the
guide book, occupies the site Of the
house vettius Agorius Praetextatus.
Roman tribune who was famous for
his defense of the rights Of the Yes
tai Virgins, and while digging in the
garden many years ago the workmen
disclosed beautiful statue inscribed
'Fabia Aconia Paulina sets up this
portrait statue Of Caelia Concordia,
abbess of the vestals, as testimon-
ial Of her virtues, her chastity and
her devotions to the gods. and also as
a token of gratitude for the honor con-
ferred by the vestals upon her nus
band, Praetextatus. to whom they
have dedicated staue in their own
convent"
a.. tp