New-York tribune., 1904-08-29
DECLINED A PEERAGE.
Hoo Sir Edmund Monsou AUerted
~ ar Betsceen England and France.

'H Homund Monscn, who has just declined the
oheFeo 10 MIN on his retirement from the
80, =" ntlrlsn ambassador at Paris. is perhaps the
hS opionnst IN King Edwards service whose
presence at their respective capitals as ambassador
was demanded by two Er1perors The late AIexan-
ger III OF Russia. who learned to know and like Sir
Ho at Copenhagen when the latter was ac-
1ueu 10 the Court OF King Christian specially
- g. -1e ne BRUSH government to send Sir Edmund
- o. fe'ersours as Ambassador. Alexander was
extremely shy, apt TO take fancias and In vfev
y h's pronounced liking for Sir Edmand it is a pity
on 1hsilsh point OF view, that hts fattering
- '"tioh dia not meet with acquiescence. But Sir
rouiuho had at the time been made the object
u an analogous request the part of Emperor
Ftshcls Joseph. who regarded him as one of the
trends OF his youth, and was exceedingly anxious
!" nave MIN at Vienna. The climate OF the Austrian
capital is preferable to that of the Muscovtte
metropolis. and all things considered the position is
more agreeable one, and so Sir Edmund became
e representative OF Queen Victoria at the Court Of
LAhcis Joseph instead of that of Alexander III
or EDMUND. who is heir TO the peerage Of his
Hephe"' Lord MoEson. married since year to the
"'uo"eu Mrs Lawrence Turnure, of New York
daughter Of General Roy Stone L s A spent a
CONSIDERABLE time in this country as secretary of
esati"h curing the days of Lord Lyons Wash
ing 'oi. In some way the English Cabinet became
inioueo with the idea that IL would add to the
prestige Of the mission of Lord I.vons n ba uas
sent out TO America board man-of-war IN
s'eio OF on mere passenger boat. Now Lord
Lyons, although the OF famous admiral
d perfect martyr to seasckness and entreated the
government TO allow him TO travel by a Cunarder
ana even suggested a compromise in the shape Of
q proposal that the war should await him
somewhere OF Sandy Hook and there take him
On board from the Cunarder. The government
would not give way, however. and Lord Lyons
with Edward Monson, compelled TO cross the
Auantc on the frigate. which took exactly fifty
uays 10 make the trip, owing to contrary winds,
Lord Lyons being III all the time
a year or so later Sir Edmund was sent by his
chlet TO see how the land lay in Cuba, where he
was the guest of Marshal Serrano and in the
southern States being entertained in New-Orleans
by the Siidells. In fact he was at the theatre in
New-Orieans when the arrived that the Con-
1ederate flag had been hosted Fort Sumter. Sir
Edmund saw much of President Lincoln and still
retains large stock of Iatters characteristic
stories.
On returning 10 England after the Civil War here
he retired from the diplomatic service TO make
unsuccessful attempt enter Parliament and
then for time devoted himself Journalism,
writing trenchant and satirical articles weekly
journals Of the social order. which long since
passed out OF existence. Subsequently he through
family influence brought about his restoration to
the diplomatic service by way Of the consular
corps. his first consular post being at the Azores
AT Paris the great and inestimable service which
he has rendered TO his country has been the tact
full way by which he averted with France
the time OF the Fashoda crisis Had It been FOR
his extraordinary judgment in tempering the mes
age which he had been directed deliver hos
tilties would have been inevitable