The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1922-02-11


AFTERNOON In their victoria. drawn by a span OF
horses and recognized by all people in this region
by the tricolor cockades in the tall hats Of the
driver and fOotman.
The French ambassador has adopted the Amer
lean breakfast. When weather permits. he takes
1t on the roof of the embassy instead of following
the custom with which all travellers to France are
familiar. Also, when the weather is cOngenial.
afternoon tea is served porch. 1t is at these
teas, quite informal that the Jusserands get in
close touch with Washington society," Official dip
lomatic and otEsrs. On these occasions Nine JUS
serand presides over the teacups with the digni-
fed simplicity that characterizes her at all times.
She is always well gowned, never overdressed,
never appearing In anything approaching the
bizarre.
It Is considered of the utmost Importance to all
the members Of the diplomatic corps that they
make their calls at the home OF the dean and his
wife as possible after their arrival In
Washington It would be hard to estimate how
many calls have been made In this way, hundreds
surely, and possibly thousands AS the number
of diplomats is small compared to the rest of the
people who figure in Washington society, all Of
whom make many calls each year the Jusser-
ands q person mathematically inclined might find
some amusement In computing the approximate
number Of visits which probably have been made
at the French embassy during the past eighteen
years.
To the casual visitor in Washington, the en-
bassies and legations seem practically inacces-
sible, whereas such is not the case. To say the
official homes of the foreign c0lonv easy of
access would be nearer the truth The represen-
tatives Of other countries and their families 20
more than halfway to meet Americans 1t is true
they follow the rules and regulations laid down
by polite society and are punctilious about calls
precedence and other social amenities, but they
are most appreciative of courtesies which bring
them in more intimate touch with the affairs out
side Of diplomatic formalities
It is a pretty safe statement to say that all
diplomats speak at least one language other than
that which is native to them. The majority do
better than that and or less familiar with
half dozen SO. speaking more than half Of them
fiuently. It has been noticeable that for some
ington from countries in all parts Of the world
have perfected themselves In languages
There are two ways of placing the rank of the
heads OF embassies and legations. In the matter
Of precedence at society doings the ambassadors
rank the ministers, irrespective Of the length OF
time of residence here. For instance the minister
Of Portugal Viscount d'Alte, came to Washington
lust nine months before the French ambassador
NJ Jusserand. arrived. However. all the ambassa-
doris must pass ahead OF the viscount and all the
wives Of the ambassadors would precede the wife
Of viscount dAl.e II he had one
The other method Of rating the embassies takes
icto consideration the order Of their establishment
Ia Washington. The founding Of embassies here IL
q part Of history and goes deeper to the root Of
international relations than the appointment Of
ambassadors. The Importance OF the British en-
bsesy cannot be underestimated and yet Sir Auck-
land Geddes the British ambassador must take
is}place tenth In line because nine colleagues OF