The Washington herald., 1909-10-24

were glad to leave behind. Those that
did not run had to face the Cromwell
thunderstorm.
But even diplomatists recognize the hui
morous side OF diplomacy. Sir Henry
Mortimer Durand, formerly the British
Ambassador here. in speaking OF this
side observed: Il fear that perhaps In this
practical age our gold-laced uniforms and
stars and ribbons and formallties have
caused US 10 he looked upon rather as
picturesque anachronisms than as useful
members OF society. and that there has
even been a tendency toward scodine
when our methods and our pretensions
were discussed. No doubt we have given
the enemy some cause 10 blaspheme.
Disputes about diplomatic precedence
have at times been very ludicrous, and
diplomatic discussions have occasionally
been Of a nature to remind one Of the
old arguments OF the schoolmen as 10
how many angels could dance on the
point Of a needle
THAT very delightful book, The Prac-
tice Of Diplomacy by Gen. Foster, for
merly Secretary Of State. quotes some
amusing instances OF diplomatic proceed
ings- It is therein related, for example,
that in 1851 a certain ambassador in Eng
land, wishing to secure a place in the
royal procession next 10 the King and
before his French colleague, attacked the
latter's coach in the streets Of London,
hamstrung his horses, and killed his men.
II l were 20 set my myrmidons upon my
valued colleague, NJ. Jusserand, on his
way 20 the White House, my zeal for my
90 rr4f,
garded as excessive.
Gen. Foster relates again how when
the plenipotentjaries OF two great powers
met to settle the conditions Of a royal
marriage, they stepped together with
the right foot side by side into a council
chamber hung in corresponding halves
with their respective colors, sat down at
the same instant precisely opposite each
other at a square table on two mathe-
matically equivalent armchairs. THAI
sort Of thing still goes on In the East I
remember that on one occasion when
burbar. or public reception, was being
held at great Oriental court the Official
who held the highest seat had to come
forward and make a speech to the Brit
ish representative. There had been some
disputes about the order Of sitting, and
when the speaker had got fairly under
way 1 saw the second official rise with
Oriental quiet and dignity and take pos
session OF his vacant chair When the
speech was over and the speaker had
made his bow he turned to find his place
occupied by his rival. who was gazing to
his front with a face Of imperturbable
calm.
T remember being at another court
where it was the privilege OF the ambas-
sailors to have their coachmen and foot
men equipped with gold hat bands, while
the servants Of the ministers wore silver
One day a minister had been kept wait
ing for hours in the foreign secretary's
while the ambassadors went
in before him and discussed at some
length what was doubtless their very
important business. And the devil en-
tered into the heart of that minister, and
he went out and bought himself ambassa-
dorial hat bands and then deiantly and
of malice prepense drove down 70 the
afternoon parade. remember seeing the
pirate craft, with her golden cOlOrs fly
Ing, as she sailed like the little Revenge,
right into the heart OF the feet She