The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-06-15
by Ia MAnaulsE DE roNrENoY.

yNDIA's new viceroy. who. as the Hon.
Charles Hardinge, was at Washing
l ton from 1855 until 1851. in the
capacity OF second secretary OF the
fares, is one OF the favorites of for.
tune. He may be said to have COM
menced his career as private secretary
to Lord Dufferin when the latter was
ambassador at Constantlnople. came
from STEAMBOAT to this country, and
was then transferred. as diplomatic
agent and consul-general, to Sofia.
where he remained during four years
OF the most difficult period OF the mod
erh history of Bulgaria. He was sec
rotary OF embassy at st. Petersburg At
the beginning OF the late reign, and
shortly after the accession OF King
Edward was at the latters instance
appointed to one OF the assistant under
aryships OF state al the foreign
Office so as TO admit OF Mrs Hardinge
Gas she was them fulfilling her duties
as lady in waiting TO Queen Alexandra,
who is particularly fond OF her.
When the late King started off on
those visits TO foreign courts and capt.
on the foreign policy OF England, and
have changed the grouping OF the
powers in the concert OF Europe, it
was considered advisable that he
office staff with him.. so that touch
might be kept with Downing Street.
Charles Hardinge was selected for the
purpose. lie managed shiugs very
adroitly. and strengthened 10 such a
degree the opinion formed OF his abill-
ties by the King that the latter caused
him to be appointed ambassador to st.
Petersburg at moment In la0t when
the relations between Russia and Great
| Britain required the most delicate
| handling, owing to the fact that Rus
STA was at war with England's ally,
Japan. In order 70. endow him with
1 = No nt1Ptpf nrpStiCp for this
| mission, he was knighted, made a MEM
ber Of the Privy Council. and invested
not with one, but with several British
orders, namely the Bath. the st.
Michael and ST. George, and the Vie
| torian Order.
When, two years later. the Liberals
came into office, and the late King &C.
| CURED Thereby a far sloster degree OF
control of the foreign relations than
he had enjoyed when tac Conservatives
| were in power. he was anxious 70 have
! as principal under secretary OF state
i at the foreign office, and as it's perma-
| nent head, man more amenable TO
| his dictation and in sympathy with his
| views than Sir Thomas sanderson, an
| official of the old school. Accordingly
| Sir Thomas was shelved. much to his
| own disgust, being only partially con-
! soled by a peerage, and Sir Charles
| Hardinge was appointed in his stead.
| In order to compensate him Tor the
! difference OF salary--that of ambassa-
! dor to st. Petersburg is $4,000, where
as that of under secretary of state
] was a little over Sl2,000-hs was
4 a warded an annual grant ad personan
of $4,000 a year from the foreign Of
| flee funds.
Kings Fnvoritc.
! That with King Edwards death he
would be transferred TO some othel
i post was a foreEone conclusion. The
! late King was wont to rely SO mucE
upon Hardinge to carry out this apc
| that one of his views in matters o.
foreign policy as to leave Sir Charles
| secretary OF state for foreign affairs
very much out in the cold. Indeed, thu
matter was on several occasions mace
l the subject of unpleasant discussion u
! Parliament, where Sir Edward Grey
was obliged. for his own sake ant
/ for that OF the King, to emphasize the
4 fact that he, Sir Edward, was the soi'
i constitutional adviser of the sovereign
Il in foreign matters. and not Sir Chafle!
4 Hardinge. The friction between Hard
! inge and Grey naturally grew, and
somc moments became SO acute ina
King Edward died, Sir Charles Wouit
be shunted to some other post. IT wa va
believed that he would receive m
embassy at Paris, which IS the piu
ribbon of the diplomatic service an'
his succession thereto has been ire 4.
uuently predicted. But the viceroyalt!
J of India is a far more masnllicen
alternative, and naturally he mas Sc
lected IT.. q,
Possessed of perfect manners, "
most even temper. great tact, ana, "a q
} demonstrated by his career no si ~ !.
is particularly we'll qualified lor "
governor-g eneralship at time whe
tact and diplomacy are above ,eNeIS
thing else needed in dealing VIII VI