The Irish standard., 1906-07-28
f Brazil! or Chilli, and he chose Chilli.


States. and has since re-entered the
world of business. and finance, this
time i'll New York: but never a whit
of interest has he lost in the cause Of
1reland; never jot or respect and
esteem has he abandoned for those
splendid fellows who stood shoulder to
shoulder with him in those dark and
stormy days When all the power OF the
British crown was engaged in their
pursuit. Many of those sturdy patri-
OTIS have lain down in the harness anc
fallen into the eten.a1 sleep: and of
them Mr.. Egan speaks SO tenderly hi!
blue eye suffused, his naturally gem
tie voice just a shade unsteady. Then
he kindles much warmth as he re-
hearses the vigorous fights they made
together and rubs his hands and smiles
and says, with shake of his head:
.'Those men had their very hearts in
it. their very souls, their very entire
selves!"
boisterous Irish times can generally be
found, after the hours of business, in
the quiet of his library in his COM
Portable home at 126th street and ST.
Nicholas avenue. His heavy reading
comprises political and scientific
themes, and for his recreation light 1ic-
ton. For society as formal duty
Mr.. Egan is no special enthusiast; al
though diplomatic life has accustomed
him to discharge it's obligations COM
placently, and he has enough joviality
to get all the sport there may be in it.
He is a devotee of music, something or
performer himself, and exceedingly
fond of high opera. For the theater he
has q fondness confined, however, to
plays With some import, as contrast ID
with the lighter forms of entertain
ment. He is greatly devoted to art,
having a reputation as judge or
paintings; and in languages he is pro.
ficient, speaking and writing French
and Spanish fluently, arising from long
residence in France and Chill Mr.. Egan
thinks he is not active enough to de-
rive the best there is in golf, but he is
exceedingly fond of billiards and is saio
to put up very creditable showing
with the cue when he sets about doing
so. When it comes to cards he dis
claims any knowledge of the allure-
ments of poker; and has never suc-
cumbed to bridge; but he is dearly
fond of a fireside game of euchre. He
can enthuse with the best at horse
race; but nothing would ever temp.
he is decidedly apt, although if you pin
him right down to his favorite sport
of all sports he'll quickly tell you that
if he can hold the tiller and sheet of a
statfnch boat. running before stiff
breeze. he can be as happy an Irishman
as there is on earth
Born gentleman, grounded a schol-
ar bred a diplomatist, educated a
statesman. this plain. simple. unaffect-
ed. quiet. cordial individual Is one of
those irish American citizens who
draws q power of water in Washington.
No doubt his toll and struggle and ex-
ecutive capacity in the cause of his ma
tive heath are responsible for much OF
the high opinion they hold of him there
But he has done America service, and
done his fellow man service and blaz-
ed the way to things; and do we not
reckon such men of consequence? If
you call upon him in mis- Office on the
seventh floor of the Mills building, at
35 Wall street. you will find him q very
precise, urbane man OF business, guild
ing by a clock and subject to all tine
prevailing amenities in affairs so as to
apparently dissolve the notion that his
hair has been whitened by threats Of
British prisons, which some Of his
compatriots did not escape-and by
bearing his share of the cares and wor-
the English government for so many
years lest Ireland make good it's threat:
and by the rapidly succeeding vicissi-
tudes which elevated him to a minis
try for the United States government
when he was practically political out
law of England
AS I was talking to Mr.. Egan could
but think how we have exchanged ex-
lies Do you recall how Judah P. Ben
jam1l, the great Hebrew Attorney Gen.
capped in boat and was borne to Eng
land, where he afterward became
Queens Counsel and one of the most
eminent members of the British bar?
Here before me sat this smiling. affa-
BILE gentleman, stepping gracefully into
the evening of his days, VINO was ex-
| lied by Great Britain, and in turn De-
came one of the distinguished repre-
sentatives Of our Department of State
as representative to foreign govern
ment.
A fair exchange. Each deserved well
I the honors heaped upon him, or they
had not received them.
And so the wheel of life revolves with
| dizzy velocity. When we give it our
l