xiv TABLE OF CONTENTS 



CHAPTER L. HINTS FOE KEFORMS IN THE DIPLOMATIC 

 SERVICE 



PAGE 



My connection with the Diplomatic Service at periods during the last forty- 

 five years. Questions which have been asked me regarding it ; reasons why 

 I have not thought it best to reply fully ; reasons why I can now do so. Im 

 provement in our service since the Civil War ; its condition during various 

 administrations before the Civil War ; sundry examples. Mr. Seward s re 

 mark. Improvement in the practice of both parties during recent years. 

 President Cleveland s worthy effort. Better public sentiment among the 

 people at large. Unjust charges of pessimists. Good points in our service 

 at various posts, and especially at London. Faults of our service at present. 

 My replies to young men anxious to fit themselves for it. Simplicity of the 

 most important reforms ; suggestions. Choice of Ambassadors ; of Ministers 

 Plenipotentiary ; of Ministers Resident ; of Secretaries of Embassy and of 

 Legation. Proper preparation of Secretaries ; relation of our Universities to 

 it ; part which should be taken in their selection by the Secretary of State. 

 Appointment of expert attache s. Probable good results of the system pro 

 posed. Evil results of the present system. Retention of the men best fitted. 

 Examples of English non-partizanship in such appointments. Foremost im 

 portance of proper houses or apartments, owned or leased for long terms by 

 the United States for each of its representatives abroad ; evil results of the 

 present system ; certainty of good results from the reform advocated. Pres 

 ent American system contrasted with that of other nations. Services rendered 

 by sundry American diplomatists. Cheapness of our diplomatic establish 

 ment compared with its value. Increase of salaries. Summing up of results 

 of all the reforms herein advocated 355 



PART VI SUNDRY JOURNEYS AND EXPERIENCES 



CHAPTER LI. EARLIER EXCURSIONS IN THE UNITED STATES 

 1838-1875 



Usefulness of various journeys to me. Excursion through central and west 

 ern New York in 1838 ; in middle Massachusetts, Boston, and New York City 

 in 1842. Impression made by Trinity Church. Beginning of visits to Sara 

 toga in 1843; life there; visits of Archbishop Hughes, Father Gavazzi, 

 Washington Irving, Mr. Buchanan ; the Parade of Mme. Jumel. Remark 

 able progress of the city of New York northward as seen at various visits. 

 First visit to the West. Chicago in 1 1858; the raising of the grade; Mr. 

 George Pullman s part in it. Impression made on me by the Mississippi 

 River. Sundry stays in Boston. Mr. Josiah Quincy. Arthur Gilman ; his 

 stories and speeches ; his delivery of Bishop Eastburn s sermons ; his stories 

 regarding the Bishop. Men met at Boston. Celebration of Bayard Taylor s 

 birthday with James T. Fields ; reminiscences and stories given by the com 

 pany; example of Charles Sumner s lack of humor. Excursions in the 

 Southern States. Visit to Richmond at the close of the war ; Libby Prison ; 

 meeting with Dr. Bacon of New Haven at the former Executive Mansion of 

 the Confederacy. Visit to Gettysburg ; fearful condition of the battle-field 

 and its neighborhood. Visit to South Carolina, 1875. Florida. A negro 

 church ; discovery of a Christmas carol imbedded in a plantation hymn. Ex 

 cursion up the St. Johns River. Visit to Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe. Col 

 lection of books on the Civil War. A visit to Martha s Vineyard ; pious 

 amusements; &quot; Nearer, My God, to Thee &quot;played as a waltz 375 



