The San Francisco call., 1905-04-23
ROME IS SORRY
TO LOSE MEYER
AMERICAN EMBAssADOR WELL LIKED
Success of the Yankee Diplomat in Every
Circle Astonishes the Italians.
Special Dispatch to The Cali.

success to success, in the meantime
bringing OUT their two daughters,
VINO are only little less popular than
their parents.
The embassy quarters in Rome are
very modest, consisting of a suite Of
TOUR rooms, comfortably furnished in
walnut and something green. heated
comfortably and having an atmos-
phere of opulent activity thoroughly
american. One of the Ministers of
the late Cabinet said to me one day,
i have never been in the United
States, but l know exactly what it is
like; the American embassy is a lit
tie bit of that interesting country
transported into our ancient Rome"
II the embassy is American, the Amer
lean representatives. home in the
PalaZzo Brancaccio is Italian, pure
! and simple. When in Rome do as
the Romans do" has been taken to
heart by Meyer, with the result that
his quarters are in a palace of the
best type, which moreover is owned
by an American.
The Princess Brancaccio was a Miss
Field of New York, and, finding her
husbands heirlooms and priceless
antique treasures scattered about in
various places, she gathered them all
/ together and brought them to Rome.
Meyer leased the immense first floor
, of her palace, which communicates
with the most beautiful garden in
Rome. The staircase is regal in its
! splendid simplicity. being a sweep Of
easy steps in white marble, with a
couple of turns, and carpeted in red.
The walls are hung with priceless
antique tapestries.
LIVE IN PALACE.
A detailed description of all the
rooms would be impossible, but they
are adapted to all tastes and range
! from coy boudoir. which makes one
/ think of scented cigarettes, a conser-
vatory, ballroom, study, and sitting
room to dining. breakfast, reception
/ and ante rooms Meyers study is a
snug room with the walls hung in red
brocade and the chairs in red leather,
having distinctive italian character
given it by the ornate doors and wood
work, the foreign bibelots and antique
mirrors, which contrast oddly with
] the modern photograph frames and
/ pretty accumulations of expensive
necessaries'' from Paris and New
York. The closed doors in the picture
open on balcony with a lovely view
of Santa Maria Maggoire on one hand,
4 st. John Lateran on the other and in
front the famous Sabine Hills in VIM
/ ter crowned with snow.
Mrs. Meyers sitting-room gives an
idea of gayety. The ceiling and frieze
are in white, with lovely bas-reliefs,
the walls are hung in white and blue
silk, each of the four sides relieved
by priceless tapestry or pictures set
into the walls: besides this the chairs
are comfortable, cushions abound,
carpets are thick and the electric light
is shaded. Two tables are literally
covered with photographs of Mrs.
Meyers friends in pretty frames,
which, in fact, overflow to the other
| tables and the piano, while one sees
that much thought and ingenuity have
been expended on the selection of the
! frames.
Mr.. Meyer is known to the general
public principally through his invari-
able presence at the fox hunt, and the
| frequency with which he appears in his
red 24horse power nlotor-car, which
bears him about the streets swiftly
| and safely, which is due to his pru-
dence quite as much as to the skill Of
his chauffeur. This same motor-car.
together with the language which is
! his, are among the links which bind
him to the friendship of the King.
BREAKS ITALY'S LAWS.
Victor Emmanuel loves the English
! tongue and he loves sport. He has
often invited Meyer to take a seat In
the royal automobile, while his Maj
esty has two or three times accepted
a seat in his turn in Meyers car it's
owner being at the helm. Meyer dis
plays no nervousness on these occa-
sions, but his chauffeur has confessed
| that he was glad not to be in his
masters shoes. On one of these trips
the ambassador was an involuntary
w-breaker, having to give way to
force majeure. They started-a most
imposing sight, the big red automobile
| surrounded by the Kings four bicy-
clists and followed by other cars with
the Kings aids and a gentleman of the
household-well within the speed limit,
but the ambassador was soon aware
that something was wrong, his royal
companion not seeming quite happy.
However, etiquette did not permit of
his asking questions and he cudgeled
his brains for the reasons in silence
Presently his Majesty said, What do
you say to taking advantage of this
magnificent stretch of road?" The
ambassador replied that they were
only just within the speed limit. and
that the bicyclists were already hav-
| ing all they could do to keep up.
''The bicyclists." echoed the King, as
though he had never heard of them
before, "Oh! they must look out for
themselves" But / thought they
were here to look out for your Maj
esty," ventured Meyer. This is a bet
ter guard" was the reply, as the King
put his hand in his pocket and drew
out deadly looking small revolver;
this / know how to use, and will, too,
If the necessity arises"
That was quite enough. Meyer after
that cheerfully broke the laws Of Italy
In the company of the King Of that
| country, arriving at the royal hunting
lodge half an hour quicker than Victor