The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-11-25
REVOLUTION ENDS
DIPLOMATIC CAREER

in London, for he was the only ambas-
sador accredited to the Court of st. James
whose position as such was regarded as
life appointment. from which nothing
but a revolution could remove him. That
revolution in reality did occur, and his
exceIlency has resigned and retired from
service of which he was so conspicuous
and distinguished a member.
He was on terms of the most intimate
friendship with the royal families of both
his own country and Britain, and IL was
at the late King Edwards request that
the marquis relinquished the idea OF GO
ing to take charge Of the Portuguese mis-
sion at ST. Petersburg some years ago.
and the same reason decided him to
continue and finish his diplomatic career
in England
The Marquis de Several was not a great
diplomat. in the official meaning of the
word. During his career he never had
the handling of any question OF really
hrst-rate Importance. Negotiations and
commissions which ne conducted, so far
as they related 10 international affairs.
called Tor no special skill in the higher
branches OF diplomacy He never achiev-
cd any great victories In the ehanceIleries
OF Europe He was not a fighter. He was
essentially a man of peace. But hts
knowledge Of men was unrivaIed. and
there was no diplomat better versed in
European diplomatic situations or who
could more accurately gauge the outcome
OF a diplomatic tangle or wrangIe than
the handsome, eourtly. weIl-dressed mar
quis.
When he was a young actache at
Vienna he was intrusted with the per-
Torrance of a very delicate mission. 1t
did not relate 70 International politics.
but nevertheless 1t was a matter of
| considerable importance which had been
intrusted to so young and inexperienced
a diplomat. lady of considerable
wealth and position In Vienna was known
10 be In possession Of letters which bore
| the signature OF rather exalted but
somewhat foolish person In Portugal. The
marquis was asked to get possession OF
those letters. and he succeeded in doing
so.
How the young man accomplished 4
never has been made known, but there
was a funny story which made the rounds
Of the diplomatic world OF the day that
VIXEN approached upon the subject by an
| inquisitive lady, he replied: Madame
there are two subjects 1 cannot talk
about myself and the ladies who honor
me with their acquaintance a"
He first made acquaintance with the
/ diplomatic service in London, when, in
| 1855. he came 10 England as secretary
| 20 the Portuguese mission. He then
was acknowledged TO be one of the
best looking young diplomats In London
as he certainly was the best dressed. He
was known to be well-to-do, and soon he
became one Of the most favored individ-
uals IN the most exclusive circles OF
British society.
But the handsome young diplomat,
though he took full advantage OF the
opportunities offered him for enjoying
himself IN the brilliant circle that SO
cordially had welcomed him, by no means
was the mere butterfly that many sup
posed him TO be- He learned and d.
gested a good deal in the first year while
on the Portuguese mission in London
and when he left he had acquired fair
| insight into the forces at work behind the
scenes of British diplomacy.
He was well received at Marlborough
House, but his more intimate friendship
with the royal family did not actually
begin until six years later. when he came
back 20 London as minister OF Portugal.
Upon his return he went much less into
general society than he had done before.
and moved almost exclusively in the CO.
terie which the late King and Queen had
gathered about them. He was a constant
guest at buckingham Palace and San
dringham in the late reign. One time.
somehow. the name of the marquis was
omitted from list of guests invited 10
Sandrlngham for the weekend. When
King Edward discovered the error be
promptly sent a special messenger for
the marquis to come at once.
Senior de Several arrived just before
dinner When he entered the room King
Edward exclaimed. good humoTediy;
why did you wait to be asked?"
We'll. sire" gravely replied the marquis
who OF course would not have come 10
the royal party unless hidden. Il had got
as far as my door when your command
arrived"
The marquis was one of the cleverest
raconteurs In British society. No one can
tell a good story better than he. The
marvel really is where he gets his stories.
He always has some fresh anec-
dote TO tell. One afternoon, at the ST
James Club, a brother diplomat said tc
/ him:
4eXFrI,a~, -, o,-.h - 49,, - I'll ,-c,,,