The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-05-24

said to have been Lord Salisbury's opin-
ion that Sir Julian was the safest"
man available the one least likely to.
/ embarrass the British government, 80
had SackviIle- West
Dean of Diplomatic Corps.
1t was in 1893 that the United States
accepted four ambassadors from Europs.
/ OF the number Sir Julian was the first
to be elevated and the first to present
/ his credentials to the President, and By
virtue of the promptness Of his govern
ment in raising the rank of its repre-
/ sentative, Sir Julian became what he
remained until his death-the dean of
the Diplomatic Corps a position he
filled with true dignity and rare grace.
/ The last great honor paid Sir Julian
was his elevation TO the peerage in
/ 1899, he being the first Of his family to
attain that distinction The comforting
of this honor had long been looked for.
His Official Services Here.
As dean of the Diplomatic Corps Lord
Pauncefote had always been most highly
regarded, both by the diplomatic repre-
sentatiyes CT other nations and the off,
Gals of the various Administrations dur
/ ing which he had served.
Any number of situations which might
have disturbed existing friendly rela-
lions between the two countries have
arisen. but have been handled in such
manner that friendly feeling was
strengthened rather than diminished.
The fact that Lord Pauacefote had such
close and intelligent grasp on the
questions OF most vital Importance to
Great Britain and the United States in
fiueDced his retention after he had
reached the age OF seventy years the
point when British officials are usually
retired on a pension.
He was an even match for Secretary
OIney in treaty negotiations, and It was
because the Senate thought Lord
Pauncefote had beaten Secretary Ofney
in the game OF diplomacy on the aThi-
traitor treaty that that convention fail
ed of ratification.
OF course. his later achievement of
note is the Hay-Pauneefote canal
treaty-the second one OF the kind drawn
by him and the present Secretary OF
State. who for a time was az strong a
representative Of this country at St.
James as Lord Pauncefote vas OF King
Edward VII
His Place IL Society.
Not alone officially but socially Lord
Pauncefote had been the head If the
diplomatic contingent in Washington
life. And this was not because he took
precedence over everyone e1se-eveE the
Vice President when Hobart lived but
because the British embassy had been
under his regime the gayest of the
houses OF foreign representative. Since
the death of the Queen. however. it has
been a little less gay than it was in
the years previous Formerly Lord
Pauncefote gave several balls IN the
course Of each season and a dinner each
week
The fact that there were at that time
four accomplished DAUGHTERS in the fam
lily and delightful hostess in the per-
son of Lady Pauncefote gave a viFacity
and charm to these entertainments
scarce equaled in any other embassy in
Washington. One Of the most brilliant
weddings in Washington for many years
was that of the Honorable Lillian Paua-
cefote, the ambassadors third daughter,
to Mr. Bromley. then an honorary at
tache Of the embassy.
Lord FaunCefote himself in appearance
and manner was decidedly English He
was large OF frame, as he was large of
brain He might have been painted as
the substance OF English character
John Bull" Among prominent Aneri-
cans he numbered many close friends.
He was a stickIer for form and raEk,
ard pressed the issue on more than one
occasion when the question of prece-
dence was involved
A Question of Precedence.
\ noteworthy example of this was mis-
raising the question Of precedence with
Vice President Hobart Lord Paunee-
fote insisted that. as the dean OF the
Diplomatic Corps and as representative
Of her majesty Queen Victoria. he should
be accorded position at state social
functions above that Of the Vice Presi-
dent His position of ambassador gave
him access to the Presidential ear at ali
times, and if he preferred ne had the
right 10 negotiate international bust
Eess with the President direct. instead
OF through the Secretary OF State The
question raised considerable discussion,
but was finally decided favorabIy to Lord
Pauncefote
But for all of his preciseness on such
occasions, ne was not IN the least in
clined 10 faUnt the idea of rank On
the contrary he vas even democratic
In the days when wheeling was more IN
dulged in as pleasure than for bust
Iess convenience as it IS today. ne could
frequently De seen trundling along
Washington streets and avenues on his
tricycle. He had decided prediction
for old books and frequently searched
around in old book shops looking for a
find