Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-09-28
BUcHANAN's COURT DRESS.
A Troublesome Diplomatic Question
Dealt With in an Effective Way.

Whenever the question of American
diplomatic costumes comes up, the
manner in which James Buchanan
dealt with it is worth recalling.
Buchanan went as minister to the
court of st. James just as Marcy as
Secretary Of State issued his famous
order that American ministers abroad
should appear at public functions, if
possible, in the plain and simple gar
mentS Of an American citizen. The
effect of this order in several courts
of Europe was remarkable. Upon an
ntimation that the King of Prussia
would regard as a slight to himself
the attendance of anybody at court
in so informal a dress as that Sug-
gested by Marcy, the American min
lister at Berlin decided to continue
wearing court costume. Up in Sweden
the American minister was informed
that his appearance at court in the
would be offensive as implying a prop
uganda of republicanism.
August Belmont, the minister to the
Hague, conformed to Marcy's recon-
nendation, though his fellows of the
diplomatic corps prophesied trouble.
None came, and the king went out of
lis way to be gracious to the Ameri-
an gentleman in the plain black
clothes.
Buchanan had d much more serious
experience than his brother ministers
this matter of costume. The Brit
sh press took up the question with
lcrimony. Just before the meeting
If parliament Buchanan received from
he master of ceremonies a printed
circular to the effect that nobody
would he admitted to the diplomatic
gallery or the body of either house
aXcept in court costume. Buchanan
tayed away, but the London Times
'eported him as attending and feeling
ncomfortably conspicuous in his plain
clothes.
Buchanan. gallant old bachelor that
&c was, was most enXious>not to seem
! n any degree lacking in respect for the
lueen. After a while a tactful person
OnneCted with the court intimated
Mr.. Buchanan that the queen would
g entirely content il he would wear
ONE distinguishing mark that should
ifferentiate him from the upper
curt servants who wore plain black.
sword would be sufficient for the
purpose, it was suggusted. and Mr..
buchanan took the advice. With the
lothes sharps and the newspapers
till discussing the matter, the day
approached when Buchanan must pre-
ent himself at the court and all who
attended the levee were curious to
ee in what guise the American min
installing him for an upper court
ervant as it turned out.
What the men and women in the
throne room saw approaching the
queen and instantly knew for the
american minister without the aid of
he announcing cry that preceded him
vas large, oldish gentleman with a
ilSnified carriage and benevolent
mcoth shaver face clad all in black
With trousers that came down to a
properly vanished pair OF dress boots
md Eirt about the waist with plain
'lack-hiltcd sword. Buchanan said
nterward that he never was prouder
If his country than when he was as
re stood there, the most simply dress
'd figure in the room, amid a host Of
men in military and other uniforms
and decorated with every sort of or
Ter and medal known to the courts
Of Europe. He wrote home with glee.
describing to his neice, Harriet Lane.
he details of HIS dress and his feelings
lpon this occasion
Buchanans costume proved entirely
satisfactory to the queen, and the
plain PENNSYLVANIA grew to be
crime favorite in British official So
;iety. Soon after his appearance at
court he was Joined by Miss Lane,
and all the world knows the brilliant
success of that handsome and straight
forward American girl in the society
Of Great Britain.
AS matter of fact Buchanan had
served as minister to Russia more
than twenty years before and had not
been troubled by the question of cos
tune. 1t is worthy of note that al
though he Loyalty lived up to Marcy's
instruction in the matter of dress at
London he was heard to say that
the Secretary of State had great