Year: 1878

the official examination.


Slightly Tending to Diplomacy.


In justice to the diplomatic representa-
tives Of the United States in foreign coun-
tries we publish elsewhere in to-day's
HERALD q gallant vindication of our Minis
ter to Brazil from the charge OF being '.the
meanest man in Rio Janeiro." The cham
pion who stands forth on behalf OF the as
sailed Minister is the United States Consul
at Rio Grande do Sui; and we insist that
the rheumatic pains with an increasing
tendency" superinduced by the cold and
damp air Of Lake Patos, from which that
honorable gentleman appears to have been
suffering when he penned his defence OF tho
Minister'S character ought not to be re-
garded as in any way impairing his testi-
monye Indeed, the philanthropist who
will stand by his friend and use pen
''slightly tending to diplomacy in an
others behalf while his own joints are
racked with rheumatism, is doubly entitled
to credence.


The several counts in the indictment
found against our Minister charge that lie
lives in room in low part Of the city Of
Rio Janeiro; that the said room is scantily
furnished; that it serves the purposes of
bedroom, dressing room, parlor, reception
room and public Office, and that he rides in
the lowest grade Of street cars-as bad, we
presume, as Third avenue horse car-for
the purpose of saving fare. Notwithstand-
ing all this he receives a salary Of twelve
thousand dollars year. and is thus man
of means, although this proves nothing, as
it is we'll known that men Of means are
often the meanest men in a community.


All these charges are successfully pet and
triumphantly refuted by our United States
Consul with increasing rheumatic pains
and friendly style of correspondence
slightly tending to diplomacy. The United
States Minister to Brazil does not live in
the lowest part of Rio Janeiro, but, on the
contrary, resides in the most aristocratic,
pleasant and beautiful quarter of the town,
even if it does so by the somewhat unaris-
tocratic sounding name Of Botofogo. He
does not make single chamber answer
the several purposes specified in one count
Of the indictm ment, but, on the contrary
occupies the "entire south halt" Of a large
and desirable building. He does not boast
Of camp bedstead. threc-lesged stool, q
cane chair with a deficient seat and deal
table as the extent Of his household goods.
but, on the contrary. sleeps on down,
lounges On richly upholstered ottomans,
entertains his guests on satin damask sofas,
buries his velvet slippered feet in Turkish
carpets and is altogether elaborate both
in style and person. Indeed--and we re-
cord the fact with thrill of national
pride his apartments are better furnished
than those of the British Minister, and our
gallant rheumatic Consul slightly tending
to diplomacy boldly makes the assertion
regardless Of the risk Of disturbing our
friendly relations with Great Britain. AS
to the INTERCHANGEABLE means oftrans-
portation alleged to be used by our Minis
ter, the slander is conclusively set at rest
by the disclosure that no such Objectionable
street cars are tolerated in the aristocratic
region Of Botofogo.


We have to thank the United States Con-
sui at Rio Grande do Sui and the intelligent
people Of that foggy and boggy peninsula
for the high opinion they entertain OF the
HERALD, received gratis at the Consulate
and '.attcntively read by OIL" 1t is graft
flying thus to be able to dispense free infor-
nation, or, as our correspondent has it,
knowledge and pleasure to the citizens of
Rip Grande do Sui We expectantly await
our Consul's promised letter on topics Of
general interest. Meanwhile we congratulate
character, residence and furniture Of the
nations representative at Brazil, whom, on
the strength Of the defence, we unhesi-
tatingly believe not to be the meanest man
in Rio Janeiro.