The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1913-08-05
HIGH HPRIcED HONOR
It Costs to Represent Uncle Sam
at a Foreign Court.
HEDGED ABOUT BY DIGNITY.

New Ambassador - Ceremonies In
Which He Must Participate and For
Which He Must Give Lavish Tips.
An unofficial American can live more
economically abroad than at home
that Is a fact. Food is cheaper. Serv-
ants work for less money This being
SO, why is it not possible for an un-
pretentious Yankee diplomat to live in
Europe for the same money as in
America? l put the question to a for
mer ambassador who has lived in Lon
don, Paris and Rome.
"They tell me one can go to the mar
ket and buy part of a chicken-a
wing or drumstick. Think Of 1t!
Food must be cheap there"
But the ambassador cannot sally
forth with a market basket on his
arm" said the retired diplomat.
That sums up the difficulty. An am
bassador cannot do anything for him
self. So he is shining mark for ev-
erybody There is nobody so helpless
in America. except the poor taxpayer.
Let us look into it.
International law, which is as full of
fine spun distinctions as common law
or domestic law, regards an ambas-
sador as the direct personal representa-
tive of the ruler of his country and
Ordains that he be treated in a manner
behttiDg such very important per-
son. This accounts for the ceremony
attending the ambassadors presenta-
tion of the presidents letter of Gre
dence to the sovereign. In detail the
function varies in different countries,
but the continental custom is i'm gen
eral as follows:
At the day and hour fixed by the
king, emperor or president a court
functionary of high degree in gorgeous
uniform appears at the abode of the
new American ambassador. He is ac-
companied by numerous other person
ages, somewhat lower in rank. but
uniformed in equally bright colors. He
Is provided with three court carriages.
together with attendants and 0utriders.
He is In command of a mounted escort
and. last, but not least, of white
plumed band, accoutered with instru-
ments of glittering brass.
The American ambassador, probably
flustered by the ceremony. is con-
Quoted to the first of the carriages.
which is drawn by eight horses. He is
politely waved to the back seat, while
h..' personal escort, instead of sitting
by his side. takes the seat facing him.
The Yankee diplomat wears a frock
cort-Princc Albert. hr cal!a it-and a
silk hat. and his gloves. dictated by
his wife. are of gray suede.
Across from him sits the chief func-
tionary, attired with brilliance sell
dom seen outside OF comic opera.
In solemn stately procession the car
riages and outriders, preceded by the
mounted troop. with the resonant band
In the van. take up the march to the
palace. On both sides of the thorough
fare is curious, gaping crowd. At
that the many corps de garde soldiers
come out and present arms, and when
the American ambassador, plain
man. perhaps. arrives at the palace
there is an elaborate presentation of
arms and a beating of drums that COM
pletely take the gimp out of him.
Unexpectedly simple is the SOY
ereign's reception of the new diplomat
but after it is over the American must
again endure the ceremonious process
slonal back to his domicile. Then
comes the shock.
nSbo a,.e+ enorntorx, nvDIaiue tho
sun must not set before the pourboire
Is distributed. This, the ambassador
learns, is French for tip. He also
learns that. the transportation to and
from the palace has purse string to
It, The keeper Of the royal stables
must be tipped.
at is an inviolable custom" insists
| the first secretary.
"How much?" asks the hedgling dip
lomat.
"For an ambassador" says the first
secretary. 1.-The rule is 5000"
There is probably an explosion, bu
! In the end the ambassador pays.
| A London editor, who was born ir
| America and received his newspaper
training on this side of the water. once
said:
"You can safely give present, II
not gratuity, to any official below
the sovereign on the continent"
"How about EnglandY l asked.
"The present should be more expep
sive, the gratuity larger" - Henry
Beach Needham in Saturday Evening
Post.
Paint Saves Money.
| WHY nOt uan n litfIa natnt noon sim