Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-29

Hon. Thomas Aubrey Spring-Rice. who
is in the diplomatic service, and is fol-
lowing in the footsteps of his second
cousin, Sir Cecil. He is now secretary at
Washington.
Sir Cecirs title is not one handed down
to him. for he is younger son of
younger son, but was won by his diplo-
matte triumphs. In 1906, in recognition
of his distinguished services. he was made
a knight of the Order of St. Michael and
st. George. Two years later further
honors came to him on his being deco
rated as a companion Of the Victorian Or
der. In addition, in 1902, lie received the
coronation medal.
A product of the British civil service
system is Sir Cecil. A graduate of Eton
and later of Baliol College. oxford, he
passed a competitive examination aud
was appointed a clerk in the foreign Of
flee September 9, 1851, when he was
twenty-three years old. Two years later
he passed an examination in public law,
Promptly he was made assistant private
secretary to the Earl of Granville. then
at the head of the foreign office.
1t was while so serving that this Official,
who has risen to such high place in the
service of the empire. paid his first ana
only visit to the house Of commons. IL
was at the time of the excitement over
the home rule bill. Out of the political
heat of the times arose the attempt TO
dynamite the house.
Sir Cecil happened al the instant to he
standing at the window of the foreign
Office in Downing street. He heard the
explosion and ran at once to the parlla
ment building to ascertain the facts for
his chief.
For a short period before being sent to
Washington Sir Cecil was "precis writer
to the Earl of Roseberry, a precis writer
being one who writes digests of reports
and news articles for his chief.
Sir Cecil has an International reputa-
ton as an orientalist and AS a iinsuisI
He is a student of oriental literature and
has translated Persian poetry. In his
younger days he received special allow
ances'' from his government for master
ing the Russian and Persian languages.
Furthermore, he is an EgyptoloGist OF
note, finding somehow leisure III his busy
two years with Lord Cromer in the land
of the pyramids to pursue his own Ie-
searches.
Like many other diplomatists Sir Cecil
married in the service" His wife is
the daughter of Ri. Hon. Sir Frank
Lascelles. g. c. r.. G. c. NJ. G., G. =.
" O.. long distinguished figure IN
British diplomacy. Lady Spring-Rice re-
ceived her introduction TO republican
institutions at the age of four months,
when her father. then second secretary
to the legation here, brought her to
Washington. Sir Frank Lascelles later
in his career served at Athens, later
as minister to Persia and still later as
ambassador to Russia His daughter ac-
companied him to all these places. Her
marriage to Sir Cecil Spring-Rice took
place at Berlin in 1904.
One son, a sturdy youth. and a dauGh-
ter have been born to the union. The
son, like his father, is an interchangeable
pedestrian. AT the age of five he DEM
oonstrated his powers in that respect by
climbing the Hill of Monadnock in New
Hampshire.
In a stately old-fashioned Connecticut
avenue mansion, set back from the street
beyond an iron fence. the gate posts sur
mounted by silded crowns the new am
baSsadoor Is busily al work with his staff
on the business of his nation. One
peculiar habit of his work has impressed
itself upon those who have business with
the embassy. Sir Cecil retains the
ancient courteous manner of replying
to all personal letters in his own hand
writing.
ASHMUN BROWN