182 IN THE DIPLOMATIC SERVICE-XVII 



In another chapter of these memoirs I have spoken of 

 President Harrison as of cold and, at times, abrupt man 

 ners; but the absence of these characteristics during his 

 stay in Berlin, and afterward in New York, made it clear 

 to me that the cold exterior which I had noted in him 

 at Washington, especially when Mr. Roosevelt, Mr. Lodge, 

 and sundry others of us urged upon him an extension 

 of the classified civil service, was adopted as a means of 

 preventing encroachments upon the time necessary for 

 his daily duties. He now appeared in a very different 

 light, his discussion of men and events showing not only 

 earnest thought and deep penetration, but a rich vein of 

 humor; his whole bearing being simple, kindly, and dig 

 nified. 



During the winter of 1899-1900 came an addition to 

 my experiences of what American representatives abroad 

 have to expect under our present happy-go-lucky provi 

 sion for the diplomatic service. As already stated, on 

 arriving in Berlin, I had great difficulty in obtaining any 

 fitting quarters, but at last secured a large and suitable 

 apartment in an excellent part of the city, its only disad 

 vantage being that my guests had to plod up seventy-five 

 steps in order to reach it. Having been obliged to make 

 large outlays for suitable fittings, extensive repairs, and 

 furniture throughout, I found that more than the entire 

 salary of my first year had been thus sunk; but I con 

 gratulated myself that I had at least obtained a residence 

 good, comfortable, and suitable. To be sure, it was infe 

 rior to that of any other ambassador, but I had fitted it 

 up so that it was considered creditable. Suddenly, about 

 two years afterward, without a word of warning, 

 came notice from the proprietor that my lease was void 

 that he had sold the house, and that I must leave it; so 

 that it looked as if the American Embassy would, at an 

 early day, be turned into the street. This was trying 

 indeed. It was at the beginning of the social season, and 

 interfered greatly with my duties of every sort. And 

 there cropped out a feeling, among all conversant with the 



