The Washington times., 1907-11-03
'Ben-Hur'' Brought
Diplomatic Career

4 hitherto unpublished letter Of
James A Garfield, written while he was
in the White House. addressed to Gen.
Lew Wallace, author Of ''Ben-Hur." has
recently come 10 light. II marked the
beginning Of the close friendship be-
tween the two men, and probably led TO
Wallace's entrance into the diplomatic
field. Following IS a copy Of tne letter:
Executive Mansion,
Washington. April 10. 81.
Dear General; / nave this morning
finished reading 'Ben-Hur. and l must
thank you for the pleasure 1t has given
.'rhe theme was difficult. but you have
handled II with great delicacy and
power Several Of the scenes. sucn as
the Wise Men in the desert, the sea
fight, the chariot race, WI, am sure,
take a permanent and high place in lit
with this beautiful and reverent book
you have hghtened the burden OF my
daily life, and renewed our acquaint-
ence, which began al Shiloh Very
truly yours. J. A GARFIELD.
santa Fe. y. NJ"
It is believed thas Ben -Hur" gained
for General Wallace the appointment 20
ConstantinOple. Nj. Harper, a member
OF the firm which published tne book,
relates the following incident in support
OF that theory. He says:
I called on President Garfield one
evening. and he came into the room
with the book .Ben-Hur' in his hands
"'.Do you know anything about ne
eomposition Of this book you have pub
lishedg the President asked.
7 think I do I replied
Al mana q
cood impression on mo. offered Wal
lace a place In South America whicn
he would not take I -hirk viii send
him to Turkey, IN the plsie maoe vacant
by Horace Maynard's death. 'Ben-Hur
indicates that he can improve his opPor-
tunities In the East
General Wallace. having in mind a
novel based on Orientalisn, and desiring
to learn all he could Of their intrigues'
their statecraft, their valor, and their
home nfo. accepted the appointment
wallace's Clever Ruse.
After being in Constantinople a few
weeks. General Wallace discovered that
the Sultan had a perfect passion for a
uniform. once a week the Sultan goes
IN praver at the nearest mosque. es-
corted by a squed OF his best soldiery'
formed in a h0s-ow square, richly ca
parisoned. with a band Of music and
all the pomp and state possible
Wallace was determined to attract
the sultan's particular attention and
decided that one Of these parade days
offered the gre9test opportunity He
accordingly arrayed himself in the dress
uniform OF q major general OF the
United States army. one Of the old
styie uniforms which made the wearer
look like a cross between a member
of an Indiana political campaign club
and a comic opera captain Of super
soldfery. There was a big red fether
for his cooked hat and enough gold
lace strung over his chest TO decorate a
Christmas tree. bis man polished its
rows of brass buttons until the bealHs
OF the eagles were almost worn away.
After General Wallace had donned this
resplendent uniform he pinned on his
breast every medal he owned Some
of them were worthy decorations hon
estIy won for bravery. but modest in
appearance. To these he added lot
he had picked up at Grand Army re-
unions. county fairs in Indiana, and
bano,Iets in Indianapolis. Then he took
his place in line.
The ruse worked. When the Sultan
drove by he noticed him and dis
Matched n soldier to request his at
tendance, which request was, OF course.
promptly and gladly obeyed.