The Washington herald., 1909-05-30
Rv RUDoLPH De 80.

ana the Ambassador was not willing TO
take the responsibility Of carrying It
across the continent. so he got the Treas
ury Department TO send It West for him
The medal IS the gift Of the French
government, commemorative OF the res
toration of San Francisco from the IRE
and earthquake OF three years ago. It is
by Louis BOttee. winner OF the ancient
prize Of Rome. and one OF the best
known French medal designers On one
side is depicted allegorically the city OF
san Francisco laying aside its shrOud
snd issuing forth from the ruins, while
On the other is represented France pre-
sentins a branch Of laurel 70 America
The souvenir is offered 10 the American
people ard the city Of San Francisco as
a token Of sympathy and admiration OF
the French republic NJ Jusserand, N
q letter asking the Offices Of Secretary
Knox in informing the San Francisco
authorities Of the instructions he has Te-
ceived. gave a brief history Of the Incl
dent which inspired his government IN
presenting the medal
Congress in 1904 directed that single
gold medal be struck to commemorate
the 25th anniversary OF the birth Of
benjamin Franklin, and presented 10 the
French republic ". Jusserand received
II from Secretary Root at Philadelphia
about three years ago, and the Ambassa-
dor in his response expressed the earnest
hope that one OF the next medals 10 be
struck would commemorate the TeSurrec-
ton OF San Francisco. the disaster TO
4
every French heart and admiration for
the manIiness displayed by the population
during ats awful trial.
n JuSserand has always been demo-
cratic in his manners. and display OF
ambassadorial signs Of authority, but no
one ever thought that he objected 10 high
hats. as he wears beaver almost on
every. occasion. A dispatch from Los
Angeles saws that II the wishes OF the
Ambassador are respected on his arrival
in Los Angeles. in June, the reception
party VIII not wear high hats OF frock
ceats- The desires Of the Ambassador. as
expressed through senator Flint al Wash
ineeon. are that he be treated as an Ordi~
nary. person, and that there be no demon
stration in clothes or otherwise. The An
bassador IS expected TO arrive in Los
Angeles June J. where he VIII remain
for two dayS- from thence proceeding TO
san Francisco.
Whether the desire OF Ambassador Jus
serand 70 be treated as an ordinary per
son IS due 70 q hint from his chiefs in
Paris. who are extremely radical IN
everything pertaining 10 display Of rank
and pOmp anG Circumstance suggestive OF
royalty. or whether II IS merely q passing
fancy OF the Frenchman- is a question
which could be answered by himself best.
Notwithstanding the fact that the
French government has despolled and dis
enthrOned the Catholic church in France.
the Ambassador and Nine Juss=-and
stiI1 retain their pew in St Mathew 5
Church As Americans are q church
going people Il is naturally good politics
for NJ Jusserand 70 do as the Romans
do and not draw upon himself criticism
on the part Of those with whom he is
bound 10 come in official contact and
who are ardent and devOut Catholics and
churchgoers- To prove this contention It
need only be referred 70 the fact tha;
Nine. Jusserand and the French consul
al Baltimore were among the prominent
present at a lecture describing the strong
personality and the warlike bravery OF
Joan OF Arc. the Maid % Orleans. which
was delivered Nay ~ Mount ST Agnes
College, Mount Washington, by Rev
Father Matthew l. F0TtieT, 5. J. pro-
fessor at LoyoIa College.
As regards Nine Jusserand herself. she
sets the pace for the haute monde OF
Washington society who 60 in for unos-
tentatious existence. With a considerable
-
position that gives her precedence over
many more ambitious personages, Alule
Jusserand contents herself with a life
utterly devoid Of display. Excepting, OF
occasions OF great ceremony. such. pos
sibIy as the annual reception given by
the President and his wife for the diplO-
matte dinner az the White House. Nine
Jusserand's gowns are most tnconspicu-
Gus. She seldom wears jewels, though
# she cared 10. she might Outsparkle the
most ambitious necklaces and tiaras j
Otncial Washington. The same simplicity
obtains IN entertaining. the fetes al the
Embassy depending mainly upon the ele-
gance OF detail and the exceeding inter.
est Of the personnel Of the diners
The French Ambassador has won fol
himself 50 much fame by his prowess as
q tennis PLAYER in the courts Of the White
Il IS easy 20 believe the assertion naads
By Sir Robert Darlington, who wrote II
the reign OF the Queen Elizabeth, thai
the French are all born with q racque
IN hand" Sir Robert apparently holding
that drink vas the more laudable Occupa-
ton OF tbs two These remarks OF Sil
Robert Darlington are recalled IN The
Ambassadors work on the Sports and
Pastimes Of Ancient France" Ambassa
dor Jusserand IN this book advances the
claim that cricket IS a game OF French
origin and Of Gallo invention. Although
this viii appear al first sight to al lover:
OF the game in the light Of a heresy, ye
Ambassador Jusserand makes good hi:
claim. and by dint OF evidence. based o.
most conscientious and erUdite research
proves his case
He also shows that golf is a Dutcl
game, and vas imported INTO Scotland
from Holland by the Scottish trades o.
Casnpvere, and cites IN support OF hi!
argument decree Of King James Y
placing a heavy duty on Dutch golf balls
The Ambassador IS not only an excep
tiouaIiy able and successful diplomat o
international reputation. who made
friends wherever he has been stationed
and the leading authority in France Of
English ancient and modern literature
as well as Shakespearean lore. but Ike
wise e practical knowledge. as Presiden
Roosevelt often found. 10 his cost, WheI
he was confronted by the French envoI
as his adversary in q spirited game o
tennis IN the courts at the White House
SO far as 1 am aware. this constitute
one Of the very few instances On recOrC
OF a foreign envoy competing IN athleti
games with the ruler OF the country Z
which he is accredited
The late Canon Anger. referring L
Jusserand's understanding Of English lit
erature and Shakespeare, wrote numbe
Ill, -t-- r,rrn--sr,-r 10 -.