The Washington herald., 1910-06-05

Diplomacy, like Boston, is state OF
mind What Is needed Is not so much
thorough training as an intellect that
doesn't act like cold chowder when the
occasion arises. Therefore has James
Bryce. ambassador OF Great Britain at
Washington, been most successful. He
doesn't demand a season Of fasting and
prayer when he finds himself the
chrysalis OF a thought. It may be that
when he dons that uniform rank coat
Of bfs and takes his seat in the dplo-
mats gallery looking like the third aisle
TO the right in the jewelers. exhibit that
he mentally protests because the hall
marks tickle. But ne acts as if born to
it. The stranger viewing Mr.. Bryce ON
such occasions would be convinced that
he goes 10 bed at night in a show case
under an armed guard, says a writer in
the New York Globe
But Mr.. Bryce is happier when he gets
in Knockers and an old cap, and hikes out
across the links batting a small white
bail into the hiccoughs. When he has
vacation he likes TO spend 1t climbing
mountains, or visiting foreign parts. or
otherwise indulging q thirst for accu-
rate knowledge that in seventy-two years
of pampering has become a passion.
He is a scholar, and he is diplomat
on scale that is never reduced TO
inches, but above all else be is intensely
human. 1t is no wonder, then, that the
denial OF the report that he was about
to resign his post at Washington and re-
turn to England has been hailed with
joy by a large section of the continent.
His retirement would be regretted by
the United states, which has long known
that Mr.. Bryce understands its citizens.
1t may be guessed that It would be a bit
of hard luck for Mr.. Bryce, who seems to
have enjoyed himself thoroughly over
here Also-he has delivered the goods.
He came at q time when the influence
of the British embassy at Washington
was down to the last run of shad. Sir
Mortimer Durand, his predecessor, had
never recovered from the idea he was
born with. that the United States was
an error of nature. He had spent his
time at Washington between a gasp and
growl Then Mr.. BTyce-who was then
secretary for ireland in the British cabf-
net-was named as the ambassador, and
refused a title because OF his essential
democracy And promptly he became the
next friend of every one at Washington
and almost every one in New York.
Rather short, spare, active, with crisp
gray whiskers and pair Of bright eyes.
he threw the fine old crust with which
other ambassadors had surrounded them
selves into the discard. Not that any
one has ever slapped him on the back
or framed up any pet names for him
But he is accessible, enjoys meeting in
teresting people. talks as freely as a
diplomatist can, and has accomplished
more for the interests of his people than
has been realized. He is a favorite as
an after-dinner speaker. and on the score
Of brain probably ranks the other men,
bers of the diplomatic gallery at Wash
ington.
And he knows these United States
His book, THE American Common
wealth." was written after three visits
to this country, which had been inter-
spersed with years OF study. He wrote
it, as he said/ for those who grope in
the night of Europe" and was surprised
TO find that it was even more popular
among those who enjoy the sunlight of
the American republic. II has become